PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Approve the proposed amendments to the PZC bylaws to update meeting processes, procedures, and requirements, as well as a change to the PZC meeting start time from 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. if there is PZC consensus to do so.
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation, Engineering and Development
SUBMITTED BY: Anna Franco, AICP, Community Planner
BACKGROUND:
Staff included a report related to possible bylaws amendments on the February 18, 2026 Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC) agenda. This report was prepared based on feedback from members of the PZC regarding an interest in changing the meeting start time for PZC meetings as is currently listed in the PZC bylaws. In this same agenda item, staff proposed additional bylaw amendments to reflect current meeting procedures, recent updates to the Illinois Open Meetings Act and Illinois Election Code, and other administrative items that could be adopted along with the change to the meeting start time.
At the conclusion of discussion on February 18th, the PZC approved a motion to direct staff to prepare an amendment to the PZC bylaws to update the PZC meeting start time, as well as other necessary bylaw content for approval at an upcoming PZC meeting.
DISCUSSION:
Attached to this agenda item is a marked-up version of the PZC bylaws which outlines the changes being proposed at this time (new language is underlined; language proposed for deletion is stricken, and where language has been relocated has been noted in green text. A clean version with all changes accepted is also attached for ease in reading.
It should be noted that in addition to posting this agenda item and proposed bylaws on the City’s website in advance of the April 15th PZC meeting, the City also provided information regarding this agenda item on its social media sites.
In summary, the proposed changes include (note: this list is not exhaustive):
- Change to PZC meeting start time from 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Incorporation of current practices regarding acceptance of written comments.
- Update to holiday and election day listings in accordance with the Illinois Election Code.
- Updates to permissible electronic attendance rules.
- Clarification regarding public forum procedures.
- Updated public hearing procedures related to evidence, cross-examination, public testimony, and the petitioner’s presentation and closing remarks. Cross examination procedures have been clarified to follow current practice and to allow cross examination directly of the petitioner and petitioner’s witnesses. Further, a provision was added to allow the PZC chair to permit additional witness testimony, which may be limited in scope, to address the situation that arose during the 2025 Karis public hearing where Petitioner sought leave to introduce an additional witness after their presentation was complete.
- Updated public hearing procedures related to the closure or continuance of the public hearing, PZC deliberations, and the PZC vote. Public hearing procedures have been updated to clarify that Commissioner comments and deliberations shall occur after closure of the public hearing. During deliberations, the Commission may ask clarifying questions of City staff, however, questions shall not be directed to the petitioner or members of the public.
RECOMMENDATION:
Following PZC discussion and consensus regarding the recommended PZC meeting start time, staff recommends approval of the proposed PZC bylaw amendments. In large part, the procedural changes being recommended in the bylaws reflect current practices being utilized by the PZC and/or legal requirements and will provide clear information to members of the public who may be attending these meetings. If the PZC does not recommend changing the PZC meeting start time, staff recommends approval of the proposed PZC bylaw amendments without the time change.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1 - Marked Up PZC Bylaws (proposed April 2026)
Attachment 2 - Clean Bylaws (proposed April 2026)