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Local decisions

Follow a project through the records.

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.

795 from AI-assisted research of meeting records.AI-assisted researchHow this was researched and checked

Showing 751–797 of 797

2019 · City Council3 on this page

Approved (recorded), Apr 3 2019 · Evidence

Paid-off bond fund closed into the Uptown TIF Fund

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On April 3, 2019 the City Council approved, on its consent agenda, closing a debt service fund after the final payment on its bonds, moving $26,700 of remaining balances into the Uptown TIF Fund. The staff memo calls the closure a non-cash accounting transaction. The consent vote was 7–0.

Public record · City Council

Recorded step (reported in a later record), Jan 1 2019 · Evidence

Water and sewer rate increase adopted November 7, 2018

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The City Council approved an ordinance rewriting the Municipal Code section on water and sewer rates and fees as part of its consent agenda on November 7, 2018; the consent agenda carried by roll call 7–0. The staff memo listed the water rate rising from $7.97 to $8.11 and the sewer rate from $1.42 to $1.51 per thousand gallons, with higher fixed charges, starting January 1, 2019. The ordinance also added a $50 service fee on the return of construction water meter deposits. The Municipal Code's later history lists it as Ordinance No. 2018-40.

Ordinance · City Council

2019 · Planning and Zoning Commission10 on this page

Committee recommendation (recorded in draft minutes), Nov 26 2019 · Evidence

Washington School expansion special use at 1500 Stewart Avenue

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The Planning and Zoning Commission voted by roll call to recommend approval with conditions, including an added accessible parking space in the north lot and a waiver of landscaping and transition yard requirements, and the motion carried. This record does not state the vote tally. The vote is a recommendation; City Council action is not part of this record.

Special use · Planning and Zoning Commission

Committee recommendation (recorded in draft minutes), Nov 14 2019 · Evidence

Cannabis business prohibition text amendments

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After the City Council opted out of permitting cannabis business establishments, text amendments were proposed to define them in the Zoning Ordinance and prohibit them in all zoning districts. The Planning and Zoning Commission voted to recommend approval, adding language that covers businesses allowing cannabis consumption on premises; the motion carried 9–0. The vote is a recommendation; City Council action is not part of this record.

Ordinance · Planning and Zoning Commission

Committee recommendation (recorded in draft minutes), Nov 14 2019 · Evidence

Stretching studio special use at 31 South Northwest Highway

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The Planning and Zoning Commission voted to recommend approval to the City Council, and the motion carried 9–0. The vote is a recommendation; City Council action is not part of this record.

Special use · Planning and Zoning Commission

Committee recommendation (reported in a later record), Sep 10 2019 · Evidence

Transit arrival sign text amendments

AI-assisted research

Text amendments were proposed to allow electronic message board signs, such as real-time bus arrival signs, for the Regional Transportation Authority. On August 27, 2019 the Planning and Zoning Commission opened the hearing and voted by voice vote to continue discussion to its next meeting. A later staff memo to the City Council reports that at the continued hearing on September 10, 2019 the commission voted to recommend approval; those minutes are not extractable here. The vote is a recommendation; City Council action is not part of this record.

Ordinance · Planning and Zoning Commission

Committee recommendation (recorded in draft minutes), Aug 27 2019 · Evidence

Motor vehicle service station special use at 1200 West Touhy Avenue

AI-assisted research

The Planning and Zoning Commission voted by roll call to recommend approval with conditions, including shade trees near the north lot line and a waiver of the transition yard and foundation landscaping, and the motion carried. This record does not state the vote tally. The vote is a recommendation; City Council action is not part of this record.

Special use · Planning and Zoning Commission

Committee recommendation (recorded in draft minutes), Jul 23 2019 · Evidence

Ground-floor coworking office special use at 11 N. Northwest Highway

AI-assisted research

Two applicants, as contract purchasers, sought a special use for a ground-floor professional office, a coworking space, at 11 N. Northwest Highway in the Uptown Commercial sub-district. After a public hearing, the Planning and Zoning Commission voted to recommend approval to the City Council subject to its findings of fact; the motion carried 8–0. The vote is a recommendation; City Council action is not part of this record.

Special use · Planning and Zoning Commission

Committee recommendation (recorded in draft minutes), Jun 11 2019 · Evidence

Ground-floor salon special use at 25 South Prospect Avenue

AI-assisted research

A special use was requested to allow a personal service use, a salon, on the ground floor at 25 South Prospect Avenue in the Uptown Core sub-district, where the Uptown Plan favors retail, restaurant and entertainment uses on ground floors. The Planning and Zoning Commission held the public hearing on June 11, 2019. A later staff memo to the City Council reports that the motion to recommend approval failed, so the commission's recommendation was not to approve. The roll-call count in the draft minutes is not restated here.

Special use · Planning and Zoning Commission

Committee recommendation (recorded), May 14 2019 · Evidence

Day care center site plan review at 501-503 Busse Highway

AI-assisted research

After discussion of traffic at the Greenwood Avenue entrance, the Planning and Zoning Commission voted to approve the site plan review subject to a new traffic study and the original conditions. The motion carried 8–0. The vote is a recommendation; City Council action is not part of this record.

Public record · Planning and Zoning Commission

Committee recommendation (recorded in draft minutes), Apr 23 2019 · Evidence

Solar panel text amendments

AI-assisted research

The Planning and Zoning Commission took up text amendments to the Zoning Ordinance on solar panel requirements and definitions. On April 9, 2019 it voted to table the case pending staff answers on panel height, free-standing panel size and glare, and the motion carried. On April 23, 2019 it voted to approve the amendments with changes, including a lower height limit for panels on flat roofs and a size limit for free-standing panels; that motion also carried. This record does not state the vote tally. The vote is a recommendation; City Council action is not part of this record.

Ordinance · Planning and Zoning Commission

Committee recommendation (recorded), Jan 8 2019 · Evidence

Nonconforming structures text amendments

AI-assisted research

The Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing on text amendments to the Zoning Ordinance's rules for nonconforming structures, intended to let owners of homes that are nonconforming as to bulk enlarge them without variances, and voted to approve the amendments as submitted, subject to its findings of fact. The motion carried 8–0. The vote is a recommendation; City Council action is not part of this record.

Ordinance · Planning and Zoning Commission

2019 · Zoning Board of Appeals10 on this page

Committee recommendation (recorded in draft minutes), Oct 24 2019 · Evidence

Air conditioner side yard variance at 1317 Grove Avenue

AI-assisted research

The Zoning Board of Appeals recommended that the City Council approve a major variance allowing a replacement air conditioning unit to be placed in the required interior side yard at 1317 Grove Avenue. The roll call was 5–2. These are draft minutes; the final City Council action is not part of this record.

Zoning variance · Zoning Board of Appeals

Committee recommendation (recorded in draft minutes), Sep 26 2019 · Evidence

Six-foot solid fence variance at 518 S. Rose Avenue

AI-assisted research

The owner of a reverse corner lot at 518 S. Rose Avenue asked for a major variance to build a six-foot solid fence where the Zoning Ordinance allows only a four-foot open fence. At the applicant's written request the Zoning Board of Appeals continued the hearing on August 29, 2019. At the continued hearing the board recommended that the City Council approve the variance; the roll call was 6–1. These are draft minutes; the final City Council action is not part of this record.

Zoning variance · Zoning Board of Appeals

Committee recommendation (recorded in draft minutes), Jul 25 2019 · Evidence

Front porch enlargement variance at 324 Courtland Avenue

AI-assisted research

The Zoning Board of Appeals recommended that the City Council approve a major variance allowing the enlargement of a nonconforming front porch at 324 Courtland Avenue. The vote was 7–0. These are draft minutes; the final City Council action is not part of this record.

Zoning variance · Zoning Board of Appeals

Committee recommendation (recorded in draft minutes), May 23 2019 · Evidence

Off-street parking variances for an office and restaurant at 801 Devon Avenue

AI-assisted research

The Zoning Board of Appeals recommended that the City Council approve major variances allowing an office use and a restaurant use at 801 Devon Avenue to operate with less than the required off-street parking. The roll call was 6–0. These are draft minutes; the final City Council action is not part of this record.

Zoning variance · Zoning Board of Appeals

Recorded step (recorded in draft minutes), May 23 2019 · Evidence

Withdrawn variance request at 610 Devon Avenue

AI-assisted research

A variance request at 610 Devon Avenue was noticed for a Zoning Board of Appeals hearing, but the City Planner reported at the meeting that the request had been withdrawn. The minutes do not describe the relief that was requested.

Zoning variance · Zoning Board of Appeals

Committee recommendation (recorded in draft minutes), Mar 28 2019 · Evidence

Aboveground pool setback variance at 1304 S. Prospect Avenue

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The Zoning Board of Appeals recommended that the City Council approve a major variance allowing an aboveground swimming pool at 1304 S. Prospect Avenue to be set back less than the required distance from the south property line. The roll call was 4–0. These are draft minutes; the final City Council action is not part of this record.

Zoning variance · Zoning Board of Appeals

Committee recommendation (recorded in draft minutes), Feb 28 2019 · Evidence

Second-floor tenant wall sign variances at 100 S. Prospect Ave

AI-assisted research

The Zoning Board of Appeals recommended that the City Council approve major variances allowing The Language Academy, a second-floor tenant without a storefront at 100 S. Prospect Ave, to install a wall sign on a multi-tenant building facing a public street. The draft minutes record that the motion carried on a roll call vote.

Zoning variance · Zoning Board of Appeals

Committee recommendation (recorded in draft minutes), Nov 29 2018 · Evidence

Addition to a nonconforming house at 17 N. Merrill Street

AI-assisted research

The applicant (John L. Bavester), represented by Neri Architects, sought major variances at 17 N. Merrill Street to add to a house whose north wall, including the chimney, encroaches into the required interior side yard. On November 29, 2018 the Zoning Board of Appeals voted 5–0 to recommend approval to the City Council, according to the staff cover memorandum to the Council. The department's annual report lists the variances as approved by the City Council. The parcel is PIN 09-25-326-012-0000.

Zoning variance · Zoning Board of Appeals

Committee recommendation (recorded), Jan 24 2019 · Evidence

Addition to a nonconforming house at 214 Columbia Ave

AI-assisted research

The Zoning Board of Appeals recommended that the City Council approve a major variance allowing a second-story addition to, and enlargement of, a house at 214 Columbia Ave that is nonconforming because of its front yard setback. The minutes record that the motion carried on a roll call vote; one commissioner abstained. The final City Council action is not part of this record.

Zoning variance · Zoning Board of Appeals

Committee recommendation (recorded), Jan 24 2019 · Evidence

Detached garage setback variance at 201 Gillick St

AI-assisted research

The Zoning Board of Appeals recommended that the City Council approve a major variance allowing a replacement detached garage at 201 Gillick St to sit closer to the centerline of a vacated alley than the Zoning Ordinance requires. The roll call was 4–2. The final City Council action is not part of this record.

Zoning variance · Zoning Board of Appeals

2018 · City Council3 on this page

Approved (recorded), Dec 3 2018 · Evidence

Uptown TIF budget amendment to reimburse the Park District under its intergovernmental agreement

AI-assisted research

On December 3, 2018 the City Council approved, on its consent agenda, a budget amendment to the Uptown TIF Fund to reimburse the Park District for eligible project costs under the City's intergovernmental agreement with the Park District. The staff memo put the amendment at $400,631. The memo says the agreement lets the Park District request funding in four specified years of the redevelopment agreement and that this was the fifteenth year. The consent vote was 6–0.

Public record · City Council

Committee recommendation (recorded in draft minutes), Aug 23 2018 · Evidence

Second-story addition to a nonconforming house at 1345 S. Knight Avenue

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The applicants (Ryan and Renae Grob) sought a major variance at 1345 S. Knight Avenue to add a second story to a nonconforming house. After the hearing on August 23, 2018, a motion to approve the request was made and the board voted to recommend approval to the City Council; the staff cover memorandum to the Council reports the vote as 5–0. The department's annual report lists the variance as approved by the City Council. The parcel is PIN 12-02-106-014-0000.

Zoning variance · City Council

Awarded (recorded), Jun 18 2018 · Evidence

Street resurfacing contract awarded to J.A. Johnson Paving on June 18, 2018

AI-assisted research

On June 18, 2018 the City Council approved, on its consent agenda (6–0), the street resurfacing program contract with J.A. Johnson Paving Co. for $1,353,058.55. Staff reported $1,353,058.55 as the lowest bid and recommended the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. The program budget was $1,400,000, the level the Council had proposed at a budget workshop when it proposed enlarging the program.

Contract award · City Council

2018 · Planning and Zoning Commission12 on this page

Approved (recorded in draft minutes), Nov 13 2018 · Evidence

New commercial building with drive-through site plan at 1036 Higgins Road

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After the property at 1036 Higgins Road (parcel 12-02-300-118-0000) was rezoned to allow a drive-through, its owner sought site plan approval for a new commercial building. On November 13, 2018, the Planning and Zoning Commission voted 7–0 to approve the site plan, subject to the conditions listed in the staff report.

Public record · Planning and Zoning Commission

Committee recommendation (recorded in draft minutes), Nov 13 2018 · Evidence

Rezoning of 400-410 Higgins Road from general commercial to retail and office

AI-assisted research

The applicant asked to rezone 400-410 Higgins Road, a vacant former office building and vacant lots (parcels including 12-02-409-012-0000, 12-02-409-013-0000, 12-02-409-014-0000 and 12-02-409-019-0000), from the general commercial district to the retail and office district, in order to pursue a mixed-use building with ground-floor commercial space and residences above; that project would need a separate special use hearing. After a public hearing on November 13, 2018, the Planning and Zoning Commission voted 7–0 to recommend approval with amended findings of fact.

Ordinance · Planning and Zoning Commission

Committee recommendation (recorded in draft minutes), Aug 14 2018 · Evidence

Rezoning of 1036 Higgins Road to general commercial

AI-assisted research

The owner of 1036 Higgins Road (parcel 12-02-300-118-0000), a restaurant site with a nonconforming drive-through, asked to rezone it from the retail and office district to the general commercial district ahead of a multi-tenant commercial project with a drive-through. After a public hearing on August 14, 2018, the Planning and Zoning Commission voted 8–0 to recommend approval with the findings of fact as submitted. Site plan review was still required.

Ordinance · Planning and Zoning Commission

Committee recommendation (recorded in draft minutes), Jun 12 2018 · Evidence

Text amendment clarifying off-street parking requirements

AI-assisted research

The City of Park Ridge proposed zoning text amendments to its parking requirements: applying the small-use parking exemption to all commercial uses in any commercial district, exempting permitted and special uses in the Uptown business district, and removing the fee-in-lieu provision. After a public hearing on June 12, 2018, the Planning and Zoning Commission voted 6–0 in favor of the amendments as submitted, for the City Council's consideration.

Ordinance · Planning and Zoning Commission

Committee recommendation (recorded in draft minutes), Jun 12 2018 · Evidence

Text amendment to allow cosmetic and body art tattooing as personal services

AI-assisted research

The City of Park Ridge proposed zoning text amendments so that personal service uses could include cosmetic tattooing, with new definitions for body art and tattoo establishments. After a public hearing on June 12, 2018, the Planning and Zoning Commission broadened the proposal to include body art tattooing as well and voted 6–0 in favor of the amended text and findings of fact, for the City Council's consideration.

Ordinance · Planning and Zoning Commission

Committee recommendation (recorded in draft minutes), May 22 2018 · Evidence

Rezoning of 425 Talcott Road to multi-family residential

AI-assisted research

The owner of 425 Talcott Road (parcels 12-02-208-006-0000 and 12-02-208-007-0000), occupied by a plumbing business, asked to rezone the site from the retail and office district to the multi-family residential district. After a public hearing on May 22, 2018, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval with findings of fact; the staff memo to the City Council reported the vote as 7–0.

Ordinance · Planning and Zoning Commission

Committee recommendation (recorded in draft minutes), May 22 2018 · Evidence

Dog grooming personal service special use at 143 Vine Avenue

AI-assisted research

Two applicants sought a special use to open a dog grooming business, a personal service use, in a ground-floor tenant space at 143 Vine Avenue in the Uptown core sub-district. After a public hearing on May 22, 2018, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval; the staff memo to the City Council reported the vote as 7–0.

Special use · Planning and Zoning Commission

Committee recommendation (recorded in draft minutes), Apr 24 2018 · Evidence

Ground-floor professional office special use at 104 Main Street

AI-assisted research

Pusheen Corporation applied for a special use to allow a ground-floor professional office at 104 Main Street in the Uptown core sub-district. After a public hearing on April 24, 2018, the Planning and Zoning Commission voted 7–0 to recommend approval, including the findings of fact as amended.

Special use · Planning and Zoning Commission

Committee recommendation (recorded in draft minutes), Apr 24 2018 · Evidence

Text amendment restricting infill at Murphy Lake

AI-assisted research

After a City Council referral, the Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing on April 24, 2018 on a zoning text amendment that would restrict infill activity in and around Murphy Lake. A motion to recommend approval failed 1–6, so the Commission did not recommend the amendment. The staff memo to the City Council reported the same result (1–6).

Ordinance · Planning and Zoning Commission

Public hearing (recorded in draft minutes), Feb 27 2018 · Evidence

Pearle Vision personal service special use at 1 South Prospect Avenue

AI-assisted research

Park Ridge Ventures, LLC applied for a special use to allow a Pearle Vision optical store, a personal service use, on the ground floor of the Pickwick Theater building at 1 South Prospect Avenue. The Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing on February 27, 2018 and voted on a motion to recommend approval. The roll call in the draft minutes and the result line printed below it do not agree, so this record does not state the outcome.

Special use · Planning and Zoning Commission

Approved (recorded in draft minutes), Jan 9 2018 · Evidence

New multi-tenant commercial building site plan at 123 North Northwest Highway

AI-assisted research

GW Properties, LLC sought site plan approval for a new multi-tenant commercial building on the former bank site at 123 North Northwest Highway in the Uptown commercial sub-district. On January 9, 2018, the Planning and Zoning Commission voted 6–0 to approve the site plan, subject to the conditions listed in the staff report.

Public record · Planning and Zoning Commission

First reading (recorded), Dec 4 2017 · Evidence

Planned development for townhomes and a medical office building at 1440 Higgins Road

AI-assisted research

The applicant brought concept plans for redeveloping the garden center site at 1440 Higgins Road to the Planning and Zoning Commission on June 13, 2017 and August 8, 2017, then applied for a planned development of townhomes and a commercial building. After a public hearing on November 14, 2017, the motion to recommend approval failed. The staff memo to the City Council reported the vote as 0–9. The roll call printed in the draft minutes does not match that result, so the tally here comes from the memo.

Special use · Planning and Zoning Commission

2018 · Zoning Board of Appeals1 on this page

Committee recommendation (recorded in draft minutes), Jun 28 2018 · Evidence

Church storage shed variances at 1300 W. Crescent Avenue

AI-assisted research

The Park Ridge Presbyterian Church sought two major variances at 1300 W. Crescent Avenue to build a storage shed that exceeds the ordinance's limits for sheds and accessory buildings. The department's annual report lists the variances as approved by the City Council. The parcel is PIN 09-35-101-031-0000.

Zoning variance · Zoning Board of Appeals

2017 · City Council1 on this page

Approved (recorded), Dec 18 2017 · Evidence

Property tax levy adopted on December 18, 2017

AI-assisted research

At its meeting on December 18, 2017, the City Council approved the property tax levy for the City and the Library at final reading, and the roll call shows the motion carried 6–0. The staff scorecard for that final reading puts the levy at $18,333,305, with a net levy of $18,021,639. At the meeting on December 4, 2017, the levy motion as presented listed $19,425,265; the Council amended it, and the main motion as amended carried 7–0.

Ordinance · City Council

2017 · Planning and Zoning Commission5 on this page

Committee recommendation (recorded in draft minutes), Oct 24 2017 · Evidence

Rezoning of the service station at 1200 West Touhy Avenue to general commercial

AI-assisted research

The co-owners of the motor vehicle service station at 1200 West Touhy Avenue (parcel 09-26-319-014-0000) asked to rezone it from the retail and office district, where the station is a nonconforming use, to the general commercial district. After a public hearing on October 24, 2017, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval; the staff memo to the City Council reported the vote as 8–0. Any sign changes would need separate review.

Ordinance · Planning and Zoning Commission

Approved (recorded in draft minutes), Aug 8 2017 · Evidence

Temporary sports lighting site plan at Centennial Park, 100 South Western Avenue

AI-assisted research

The Park Ridge Park District asked for site plan approval to put up seasonal light poles taller than the usual limit at Centennial Park, 100 South Western Avenue, so soccer teams could practice in the evening during the fall. On August 8, 2017, the Planning and Zoning Commission voted 7–0 to approve the site plan as submitted.

Public record · Planning and Zoning Commission

Recorded step (recorded in draft minutes), Jul 25 2017 · Evidence

Map amendment request withdrawn at 1118 West Touhy Avenue

AI-assisted research

A request to rezone the motor vehicle service station property at 1118 West Touhy Avenue from the retail and office district to the general commercial district was on the Planning and Zoning Commission's hearing agenda for July 25, 2017. At the hearing, a representative of the applicant, Thorntons Incorporated, said the application would be withdrawn. The Commission made no recommendation.

Ordinance · Planning and Zoning Commission

Public hearing (recorded in draft minutes), Jul 25 2017 · Evidence

Text amendment for electronic price signs at motor vehicle service stations

AI-assisted research

Thornton's Incorporated asked the Planning and Zoning Commission to amend the sign regulations so that motor vehicle service stations could use electronic digital (LED) price displays. After a public hearing on July 25, 2017, the Commission voted 6–1 to continue the case to a date not yet set, so that it could get input from the City Attorney and more information from the applicant. These records do not show a later recommendation on the case.

Ordinance · Planning and Zoning Commission

Committee recommendation (recorded in draft minutes), Jun 13 2017 · Evidence

Health and fitness center special use at 444 North Northwest Highway

AI-assisted research

After a public hearing on June 13, 2017, the Planning and Zoning Commission voted 7–0 to recommend that the City Council approve a special use for an appointment-based health and fitness center in a suite at 444 North Northwest Highway, in the Office district. The applicant was Perfect Workout, Inc. The Council's own action is not part of this record.

Special use · Planning and Zoning Commission

2017 · Zoning Board of Appeals2 on this page

Committee recommendation (recorded in draft minutes), Sep 28 2017 · Evidence

Tennis court light pole height variance at 25 W. Busse Hwy

AI-assisted research

The Park Ridge Park District sought a major variance at 25 W. Busse Hwy to replace existing light poles at the Hinkley Park tennis courts with fewer, taller LED light poles, represented by Corporate Design & Development Group, LLC; the department's annual report describes the request as exceeding the maximum light pole height. After the hearing on September 28, 2017, the Zoning Board of Appeals voted 7–0 to recommend approval to the City Council, as reported in the staff cover memorandum to the Council. The annual report lists the variance as approved by the City Council.

Zoning variance · Zoning Board of Appeals

Recorded step (recorded in draft minutes), Jan 26 2017 · Evidence

Findings of fact adopted for variance case V-16-11

AI-assisted research

At its meeting on January 26, 2017, the Zoning Board of Appeals approved the written findings of fact for variance case V-16-11 at 119 S. Greenwood Ave. The variance itself was heard at an earlier meeting; the records reviewed here do not describe the request or state its outcome.

Zoning variance · Zoning Board of Appeals

Read the findings that connect these records