South Cook News

City of Palos Heights Planning and Zoning Committee met March 25

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

CALL TO ORDER

Chairman Scully called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. on March 25, 2025. In attendance were: Chairman Scully, Alderman McGrogan, Alderman Key and Community & Economic Development Coordinator Aimee Ingalls. Also in attendance were Recording Secretary Morgan Pukula, and 2 guests.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Chairman Scully motioned to approve the planning and zoning committee meeting minutes from November 26, 2024, seconded by Alderman Key. On a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS

DOCKET 2025-01: A petition filed by Neal Ruane to allow a twelve (12) foot yard setback along the easterly property line, in lieu of the required twenty-five (25) foot yard setback, which is a fifteen (15) foot variance from Chapter 153 Zoning Code, Section 153.43 (C) area to the principal residential building located at 12001 S. 73rd Court, and contained within the following PIN: 23-25-211-001-0000.

Homeowner Neal Ruane was in attendance to explain the need for an addition to the first floor of his home. It was stated that this property is a dead end and a very unique set up that backs up to two municipal easements and a COMED easement. Neal also stated there were no concerns amongst his neighbors.

Alderman Key motioned to approve a twelve (12) foot front yard setback which is a fifteen (15) foot variance from Chapter 153 Zoning Code, Section 153.43 (C) area to the principal residential building located at 12001 S. 73rd Court, and contained within the following PIN: 23-25-211-001-0000, seconded by Alderman McGrogan. On a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.

Review and approve the draft request for Proposals for the Olde Palos development plan. Community & Economic Development Coordinator Aimee Ingalls described the draft proposal, which includes the specific project area and focuses on business development, residential development, vacant and under-utilized buildings and properties, traffic and transportation, parking, open space, public spaces, design plans, development regulations and standards, capital improvements, signage and wayfinding, branding, sustainability and an implementation plan.

Alderman McGrogan had concerns about the cost of each line item, in regards to consultants.

Chairman Scully agreed and requested that the proposal include an itemized menu of the recommendations.

Alderman Key expressed concerns on the lack of communication regarding the business district.

He stated this topic should include all 8 aldermen to determine the goals and concerns the city has for the money it is bringing in. The draft proposal has several ideas that all the aldermen should be included in at a committee of the whole meeting.

The aldermen agreed that consultants need to be hired in order to help present ideas on how the money will be utilized within the district. Previous consultants have been hired for how the money could be used along Harlem Avenue, including improvements, but not how to pay it out to each business.

Ideas included: the businesses applying for the available money when they want, the city reaching out to the businesses where they see need improvement, breaking Harlem Avenue into sections or zones and deciding how much each section receives based on the money they bring in, and or deciding first what the city wants to invest in most along the strip and contacting the owners from there.

The draft proposal was not voted on due to various concerns that will be addressed with the City Administrator and the rest of the council at a later date.

OLD BUSINESS

None.

PUBLIC COMMENT

None.

ADJOURN

There being no further business, Alderman Key motioned to adjourn, seconded by Alderman McGrogan. All in favor and motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:07 pm.

https://palosheights.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04222025-1170