A proposal, an approval and a completed project are different events. These permanent timelines and published records connect the evidence and identify what remains unverified.
795 published records and 16 reviewed projects · Source review 2026-09-06. Selected coverage; this is not a complete list of municipal activity.
After a public hearing, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended that the City Council approve a special use permit allowing four residential units above ground-floor commercial space at 16 Prairie Avenue, in the Uptown Core subdistrict, subject to obtaining variance approvals and the waiver of the interior transition yard setback. The applicant and owner was Dave Cook. The vote was 8–0. The Council's own action is not part of this record.
Special use · Planning and Zoning Commission
Committee recommendation (recorded), Jun 13 2023 · Evidence
After a public hearing, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended that the City Council approve a special use permit allowing minor motor vehicle service and repair in an existing commercial building at 316 Higgins Road, in the general commercial district. The Council's own action is not part of this record.
Special use · Planning and Zoning Commission
Committee recommendation (recorded), May 23 2023 · Evidence
Staff proposed zoning text amendments to allow outdoor cafes and valet parking as temporary uses on vacant parcels in the Uptown business district during the outdoor dining season. The Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing and continued it by a vote of 9–0. At the continued hearing on May 23, 2023 it recommended the amendments as modified at the meeting, which dropped private parking lots from the outdoor dining provision and tied the time limit to the outdoor dining season. The vote was 8–0. The City Council's own action is not part of this record.
Staff proposed zoning text amendments to make parking lots and parking structures, as principal uses, special uses in all Uptown business subdistricts. The Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing and continued it by a vote of 9–0. At the continued hearing on May 23, 2023 it voted to table the case pending further planning discussion of the Uptown district; that vote was 8–0. This record does not establish any later action on the case.
After a public hearing, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended that the City Council approve a special use permit for a ground-floor professional office at 164 S Prospect, with the business allowed temporarily at 132 S Prospect until the permanent location receives a certificate of occupancy. The vote was 8–0. The Council's own action is not part of this record.
After a public hearing, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended that the City Council approve a special use permit allowing a single dwelling unit above the ground floor at 116 South Prospect Avenue, in the Uptown Core subdistrict. The vote was 9–0. The Council's own action is not part of this record.
Special use · Planning and Zoning Commission
Committee recommendation (recorded), Feb 28 2023 · Evidence
After a public hearing on November 16, 2023, the Zoning Board of Appeals approved a minor variance allowing the restoration of a nonconforming attached garage at 1344 S. Chester, which had been removed during construction. The motion carried on a roll call vote.
Zoning variance · Zoning Board of Appeals
Committee recommendation (recorded), Oct 26 2023 · Evidence
After a public hearing on October 26, 2023, the Zoning Board of Appeals voted to recommend that the City Council approve a major variance allowing taller poles and netting at the Oakton Park driving range at 2800 Oakton, part of the park district's improvements there. The chair abstained, and the motion carried on a roll call vote. The City Council's final decision is not part of this record.
After a public hearing on October 26, 2023, the Zoning Board of Appeals approved a minor variance allowing the replacement of a nonconforming six-foot fence at 16 N. Western. The motion carried on a roll call vote.
After a public hearing on September 28, 2023, the Zoning Board of Appeals approved a minor variance for the construction of a front porch and voted to recommend that the City Council approve major variances allowing the alteration of a nonconforming structure at 1033 Vernon. The motion carried on a roll call vote. The City Council's decision on the major variances is not part of this record.
After a public hearing on September 28, 2023, the Zoning Board of Appeals approved a minor variance for added building height for an indoor field house and voted to recommend that the City Council approve a major variance allowing parking spaces to encroach into the front yard setback, for the park district's renovation of Oakton Park at 2800 Oakton and 2620 Oakton Street. The motion carried on a roll call vote. A separate request to raise the driving range netting was withdrawn before the vote and heard later as its own case.
After a public hearing on September 28, 2023, the Zoning Board of Appeals approved a minor variance allowing the enclosure of a rear balcony and voted to recommend that the City Council approve a major variance allowing the alteration of a nonconforming structure at 1033 Courtland. The motion carried on a roll call vote. The City Council's decision on the major variance is not part of this record.
After a public hearing on August 24, 2023, the Zoning Board of Appeals approved minor variances allowing the replacement of a nonconforming detached garage at 904 Harrison. The motion carried on a roll call vote.
After a public hearing on July 27, 2023, the Zoning Board of Appeals approved a minor variance allowing the in-kind replacement of a nonconforming six-foot solid fence at 333 N Talcott. The motion carried on a roll call vote.
After a public hearing on July 27, 2023, the Zoning Board of Appeals approved minor variances and voted to recommend that the City Council approve major variances to allow the update and expansion of the fire station at 901 Devon Avenue. The motion carried on a roll call vote with one commissioner voting no. The City Council's decision on the major variances is not part of this record.
After a public hearing on July 27, 2023, the Zoning Board of Appeals approved a minor variance and voted to recommend that the City Council approve major variances allowing the replacement of a nonconforming step and stoop and a roof above it at 307 N Northwest Highway. The motion carried on a roll call vote. The City Council's decision on the major variances is not part of this record.
After a public hearing on July 27, 2023, the Zoning Board of Appeals voted to recommend that the City Council approve major variances at 16 Prairie Avenue allowing less than the required share of ground floor coverage to be occupied by a permitted or special use and more than the allowed share by accessory uses. The motion carried on a roll call vote. The City Council's final decision is not part of this record.
After a public hearing on July 27, 2023, the Zoning Board of Appeals approved a minor variance allowing a taller fence in an interior side yard setback at 2390 Virginia, matching the fence height the board had approved for another side of the same property earlier in the year. The motion carried on a roll call vote with one commissioner voting no.
The Zoning Board of Appeals opened the public hearing on a minor variance for a taller fence along the rear lot line at 1921 Courtland on April 27, 2023 and tabled the case. On May 25, 2023 the board tabled it again after the applicant asked for an extension. On June 22, 2023 the board approved a minor variance allowing a fence along the rear lot line to the east façade of the garage in the rear and corner side yard setbacks; the motion carried on a roll call vote.
Zoning variance · Zoning Board of Appeals
Committee recommendation (recorded), Jun 22 2023 · Evidence
After a public hearing on June 22, 2023, the Zoning Board of Appeals voted to recommend that the City Council approve major variances allowing a one-story addition to encroach into a side yard setback on a nonconforming house at 320 N Redfield. The motion carried on a roll call vote. The City Council's final decision is not part of this record.
After a public hearing on June 22, 2023, the Zoning Board of Appeals approved minor variances allowing a six-foot stone fence along the corner side lot line and along the front yard setback at 947 N Prospect. The motion carried on a roll call vote.
After a public hearing on May 25, 2023, the Zoning Board of Appeals approved a minor variance allowing a six-foot fence along the side lot line at 800 S Clifton Avenue, next to a neighboring church property. The motion carried on a roll call vote.
After a public hearing on April 27, 2023, the Zoning Board of Appeals voted to recommend that the City Council approve major variances allowing the expansion of a nonconforming attached garage at 388 Austin. The motion carried on a roll call vote. The City Council's final decision is not part of this record.
After a public hearing on April 27, 2023, the Zoning Board of Appeals voted to recommend that the City Council approve major variances allowing the removal of enclosed parking spaces without replacement, with driveway parking satisfying the off-street parking requirement, at 724 N Lincoln. The motion carried on a roll call vote. The City Council's final decision is not part of this record.
After a public hearing on April 27, 2023, the Zoning Board of Appeals voted to recommend that the City Council approve major variances allowing the expansion of a dance studio at 517 - 519 W Talcott to operate without providing the required off-street parking spaces. The motion carried on a roll call vote. The City Council's final decision is not part of this record.
Zoning variance · Zoning Board of Appeals
Committee recommendation (recorded in draft minutes), Jan 26 2023 · Evidence
After a public hearing on January 26, 2023, the Zoning Board of Appeals voted to recommend that the City Council approve major variances allowing the in-kind replacement of a solid fence in a reverse corner side yard at 1001 N. Western. The motion carried on a roll call vote. Major variances go to the City Council for a final decision, which is not part of this record.
Zoning variance · Zoning Board of Appeals
Committee recommendation (recorded), Feb 23 2023 · Evidence
After a public hearing on February 23, 2023, the Zoning Board of Appeals approved a minor variance allowing a new single-family house at 2380 S De Cook Ct to encroach into the rear yard setback, and voted to recommend that the City Council approve major variances for the interior side setbacks. The motions carried on a roll call vote. The City Council's decision on the major variances is not part of this record.
Zoning variance · Zoning Board of Appeals
Approved (recorded in draft minutes), Jan 26 2023 · Evidence
The Zoning Board of Appeals held a public hearing on January 26, 2023 on a minor variance to allow a taller fence in an interior side yard setback at 2390 Virginia. The board approved the minor variance; the motion carried on a roll call vote. The minutes record the board's findings of fact; no conditions beyond the submitted plans are recorded.
MDSA Properties, LLC, a contract purchaser, applied for a planned development for a hotel at 1424-1440 Higgins Road. On December 8, 2020 the Planning and Zoning Commission voted 8–0 on a motion recommending that the City Council approve the planned development preliminary plan, with deviations from zoning standards and conditions that include removing all billboards on the site after a building permit is issued and keeping the north access gate for emergency use only. The City Council's own action is not part of this record.
Bids were opened on July 6, 2022. On August 1, 2022 the City Council approved, by a 6–0 consent-agenda vote, construction contract PW-22-15 with Martam Construction, Inc. for $747,424. Staff described the alleys as funded half by the City and half through special service areas.
On February 22, 2022 the City Council approved, on its consent agenda (7–0), the street resurfacing program contract with Arrow Road Construction Company for $918,513, the lowest bid. On July 18, 2022 the Council approved a purchase order increase of $44,858.03 (7–0); staff reported that the total would still be under the budgeted $1,000,000. Warrant reports reviewed show $963,371.03 paid to the contractor in that fiscal year, equal to the contract plus the increase.
On May 2, 2022 the City Council approved, on its consent agenda, budget amendments increasing the Uptown TIF Fund's transfer out by $499,560 to reimburse the Parking Fund for non-reimbursed costs of building the Library parking lot. The staff memo calls the remaining construction and design costs TIF eligible expenses. The consent agenda motion carried.
On March 7, 2022 the City Council approved, on its consent agenda, closing the debt service fund for a bond series that had been reissued; the staff memo says the fund was no longer required after the reissuance. The consent vote was 6–0.
On February 7, 2022 the City Council approved, on its consent agenda, an Uptown TIF Fund budget amendment of $28,440 because payments under the TIF's intergovernmental agreements exceeded budget. The staff memo says the payments are prescribed by the agreements with the two school districts and the Park District. The consent vote was 7–0.
Public record · City Council
2022 · Planning and Zoning Commission13 on this page
Terra Consulting Group, Ltd. sought site plan approval for a surface parking lot at 301 Grant Place to serve an apartment building under the same ownership; an existing residence on the lot would be demolished. On May 22, 2018, the Planning and Zoning Commission continued the review to June 12, 2018 so the applicant could add detail on screening, landscaping and lighting.
The City Attorney prepared updated rules of procedure for the Planning and Zoning Commission, including how public hearings are conducted. On October 25, 2022 it voted to adopt the rules with a revised conflict-of-interest section excluding a conflicted commissioner from participating as a commissioner in that matter. The vote was 7–0.
Public record · Planning and Zoning Commission
Committee recommendation (recorded), Oct 25 2022 · Evidence
At the City Council's direction, staff proposed replacing gendered pronouns throughout the Zoning Ordinance, working from a list prepared by the City's codifier. After a public hearing on October 25, 2022, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended the amendments with two changes of its own, including a revised rule on gendered terms. The vote was 7–0. The Council's own action is not part of this record.
Ordinance · Planning and Zoning Commission
Approved (recorded in draft minutes), Sep 13 2022 · Evidence
McDonald's Corporation, through an authorized agent, sought site plan review for a reconfigured drive-through with two ordering stations at 1032 North Northwest Highway. On September 13, 2022 the Planning and Zoning Commission approved the site plan review on the condition that the related map amendment and a sign variance are approved. The vote was 9–0. The source is draft minutes. Whether the related map amendment and variance were later approved is not part of this record.
Public record · Planning and Zoning Commission
Committee recommendation (recorded), Oct 12 2022 · Evidence
Northwest Highway II LLC, the property owner, requested a special use so that basement space at 1 South Northwest Highway could be leased to Underground Fitness Studio as a personal training studio. On November 10, 2020 the Planning and Zoning Commission voted 7–0 on a motion recommending that the City Council approve the special use. The City Council's own action is not part of this record.
McDonald's Corporation, through an authorized agent, applied for a map amendment placing the whole restaurant property at 1032 N Northwest Highway, then split between the retail and office district and the two-family residential district, in the general commercial district, which would remove the nonconforming status of the drive-through and parking lot. After a public hearing on September 13, 2022, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended that the City Council approve the map amendment. The vote was 9–0. The source is draft minutes. The Council's own action is not part of this record.
Following City Council direction on signs recognizing charitable partners in City-led special events such as the holiday lights program, staff proposed a zoning text amendment to the temporary sign rules creating a category of temporary signs erected and owned by the City that may stand in the right-of-way during City-sponsored events. After a public hearing on September 13, 2022, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended the amendment. The vote was 9–0. The source is draft minutes. The Council's own action is not part of this record.
Ordinance · Planning and Zoning Commission
Committee recommendation (recorded), Oct 12 2022 · Evidence
At the City Council's request, staff proposed updating the zoning rules on recreational vehicles to match current industry terms. At the hearing on June 14, 2022 the Planning and Zoning Commission deferred action so staff could gather more information (6–0). The planned late-summer meeting was cancelled and the case was re-noticed. At the hearing on October 12, 2022 the Commission recommended the amendments as proposed. The vote was 6–0. The Council's own action is not part of this record.
Ordinance · Planning and Zoning Commission
Committee recommendation (recorded in draft minutes), Aug 9 2022 · Evidence
After a public hearing on August 9, 2022, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended that the City Council approve the special use. The vote was 6–0. The source is draft minutes. The Council's own action is not part of this record.
Special use · Planning and Zoning Commission
Public hearing (recorded in draft minutes), Jul 12 2022 · Evidence
City staff proposed a zoning text amendment that would let a second-story addition follow the footprint of a house with a legal nonconforming setback, so such additions would be reviewed by staff instead of needing variances. At the hearing on June 28, 2022 the Planning and Zoning Commission continued the case (6–0). At the continued hearing on July 12, 2022 the draft minutes record that a motion to recommend the amendment was denied; that vote is not captured as a verified claim in this record. The sources are draft minutes.
After City Council direction that decorative string lights should not be prohibited in residential areas, staff proposed a zoning text amendment allowing unshielded decorative lights in residential districts subject to light trespass and height limits. After a public hearing on July 12, 2022, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended the amendment as modified. The vote was 7–0. The source is draft minutes. The Council's own action is not part of this record.
Ordinance · Planning and Zoning Commission
Committee recommendation (recorded in draft minutes), Jun 28 2022 · Evidence
A resident applied for a zoning text amendment to the fence rules that would let homes abutting a golf course install engineered sports netting taller than ordinary fences along the lot lines facing the course. After a public hearing on June 28, 2022, the Planning and Zoning Commission voted to approve the text amendment as written by staff, a recommendation to the City Council. The vote was 4–2. The source is draft minutes. The Council's own action is not part of this record.
Ordinance · Planning and Zoning Commission
Public hearing (recorded in draft minutes), Mar 8 2022 · Evidence
Krista Ward applied for zoning text amendments that would allow three-flat or three-unit buildings in the two-family residential district and would exempt such buildings from the covered-garage requirement. The Planning and Zoning Commission heard the request on March 8, 2022. The draft minutes record the motion to recommend the amendments as denied; that vote is not captured as a verified claim in this record. The source is draft minutes.
