Planning & Zoning

Process Rezonings, Variations, Subdivisions, Planned Unit Developments (P.U.D.), & Text Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance

• Development Applications require research and analysis of the request versus the impact of approval of the proposed change. 
  • Our department coordinates the plan review and comments from other departments and commissions on planning and zoning petitions (Public Works, Inspectional Services, Fire and Police).
• Text amendments can be initiated either by the Village Board, the Development Commission or staff. 
  • Amendments require research and analysis of codes of the surrounding municipalities to ensure our requirements are complementary with our neighbors. 
  • Recently, we adopted several amendments to the Zoning Code in order to align with current development trends and to advance the Comprehensive Plan.

Guide Applicants Through the Entitlement Process & Review New Development

• Guide applicants through the Development Review process if the development requires zoning relief for rezoning, variation, special use, subdivision, or Planned Unit Development. 
• If no zoning relief is required, then building permits for all work proposed are reviewed and approved for code compliance.
• Hold meetings with the applicant and coordinate meetings with the Development Review Committee consisting of staff from every reviewing department.

Process Improvement

• Concept Plan Review
  • The Village offers a Concept Plan Review process, which allows the applicant an opportunity to gather feedback from our Development Commission and/or Village Board prior to making a full application which could require significant investment of time and money. 
  • We also identify any foreseeable issues, and based on feedback, ensure these are incorporated in the final design when submitted. Please call the department phone number for more information.
• Pre-Application Meeting
  • The Village requires a pre-application meeting with staff from the Fire/Inspectional Services Department, Public Works-Engineering Division, and Community Development to discuss the proposed project, identify any issues that may require amendments, address missing information, go over the submittal requirements, assess any required zoning relief and explain the development review process and the building permit process. 
  • Staff prepares an agenda and maps, takes meeting notes, and distributes materials to all attendees to ensure a clear understanding of the process, requirements, and appropriate points of contact for questions.

Long & Short-Range Planning

• Both long and short-range planning efforts include the following tasks:
  • Updating the Comprehensive Plan (RFP, consultant selection, meetings, process, etc.)
  • Implementing and continuously evaluating the Village Center/Transit Oriented Development Plan
  • Reviewing the findings of the past Village studies: 
    • Irving Park Road Corridor Study 
    • Homes for a Changing Region Housing Study
    • Lake Street Corridor Study  
• Both plans were multi-year efforts involving public input, consultant coordination, and multiple meetings with ad-hoc committees, the Village Board, and the Development Commission.
• As staff to the Development Commission, we research information, and draft guidelines/requirements for various sections of the Zoning Code (Chapter 110 of the Municipal code).

Zoning Code Administration

Efforts involving zoning code administration include:

• Answering questions related to the code
• Proposing text amendments to make the code user friendly and easier to administer
• Reviewing and Interpreting the code
• Reviewing building permits for compliance with the Code

Serve as the Development Commission Staff Liaison

Employees of the Community and Economic Development Department act as Development Commission Staff Liaisons and do the following:

• Coordinate the review and approval of all development petitions
• Prepare research and analyses for Commission workshops
• Prepare all the documentation and staff reports for Planning and Zoning petitions
• Prepare text amendments for the Development Commission

Information Dispersion

Information dispersion efforts include:

• Maintaining FAQs on our website
• Pre-Application Meetings
• Responding to inquiries from residents, property owners, business owners, developers, other agencies, departments, commissioners, and board members via phone, written correspondence, email, and at the counter
• Updating application forms

Census

The Department works periodically with the U.S. Census Bureau to ensure census data is up to date and posted online.

Mapping

Mapping efforts done by the department include:

• Creating maps for development proposals, pre-application meetings, and various projects
• Responding to mapping inquiries
• Updating the Zoning Map annually with assistance from Public Works/DuPage GIS
• Maintaining the Development Updates and Restaurant maps

Annexations

Annexation efforts undertaken by the department include the following steps, though no annexations have been processed recently:

• Circulating Mylar documents for required signatures
• Making sure a complete and accurate application is filed with the Village Clerk
• Providing required notifications to the township or highway department and applicable fire, school, and library districts
• Preparing, notarizing, and recording the affidavit of service
• Preparing board packets and Annexation ordinances

Other Responsibilities

• Coordinating with other departments within the village
• Coordinating with other agencies including IDOT, IEPA, Choose DuPage, MWRD, Cook County and DuPage County.
• Reviewing new development proposals