North Cook News

In 2019, the Village of Roselle hired Teska Associates and Ancel Glink to update the city zoning key, which was a part of the village’s 2016 Comprehensive plan. At the Feb. 27 board meeting, the board welcomed Michael Blue of Teska, and David Silverman of Ancel Glink, to discuss their progress.

Blue said the consultants, alongside city staff and committee members, held public open houses, meetings with the planning and zoning board, zoning board of appeals, the village board, and talked to residents, stakeholders, business owners, and contractors in the area to assess best practices in creating the new key. The last time these zoning ordinances were updated or amended was 1985.  The village feels its necessary to implement a more modern and relevant guide for their residents and elected officials to follow.

"There was a lot of discussion we started about the value of design guidelines here in town, it was part of your town center plan," Blue said. "In fact, the town center planning guidelines are incorporated for this area. They're also guidelines incorporated for other commercial and industrial areas. The way that will work is developments that would otherwise have gone for special use or planned development or would come before you anyway, the new Combined Commission and you all will be the ones reviewing this. For elements of it, if somebody comes in for a new awning or is changing the facade of a building, that will be done administratively, not a new building, something that's already there."

The representatives also explained the steps beyond just meeting with stakeholders and village groups. They said they reviewed the draft code with city staff and legal counsel to ensure legality and best practices, and are now in the adoption phase where each concerning board, village board, zoning board of appeals, and P&Z board are presented with the ordinance for their approval and will also undergo some instruction on how to use and follow the guide. 

Blue explained that while there are no drastic changes made to the zoning codes, every part of it was closely examined. He said the codes and key has been simplified, with the most changes concerning parking regulations. Some adjustments were made to reflect changes to state and local laws, or aspects that were in conflict with each other. 

The board approved to adopt the updates and the new code.

A full list of changes, including fencing and signage, will be posted to the village website.