On September 14, 2009, the Village Board adopted the 2009 Comprehensive Plan Update. A Comprehensive Plan is a document that works as a Policy Guide for future development and redevelopment decisions over the next ten to twenty years. Our last Comprehensive Plan was prepared in 1984 and therefore needed to be updated for it to effectively guide community planning, development, and decision making.

A 15-member Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee (CPAC) was set up by Trustees Cullerton and Bulthuis, comprising of residents and business owners to assist in the process. A consultant team of Teska Associates and Business Districts Inc. was hired in Summer 2008, to assist the Village in updating the plan.

A website was created especially for this project to keep you informed and obtain continuous feedback from the community. Click here to see the final document, the results from the community survey, meeting agendas, minutes, photos, and various presentations made by the consultants during the process, etc.

The final document Comprehensive Plan not only provides guidelines for future development in terms of land use, it also offers strategies and concepts for areas along major corridors. The document also offers an implementation plan, with priorities.

PROCESS OUTLINE / TIMELINE:

Summer 2008:
The CPAC Committee was appointed and started meeting regularly, about once a month. The agendas and meeting minutes from all these meetings can be found on the Village's website, under "Comprehensive Plan Update". All meetings were open to the Public, and most were very well-attended.

The CPAC conducted a SWOT analysis (short for "Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats") to identify issues that needed to be addressed during this process.

Community-wide surveys and a public forum were held to get feedback from the public. We received over 450 survey responses. The results of the community survey are posted on-line.

November 5, 2008: Over 70 residents attended the Public Forum held at the Iowa Community Center (check out the photo gallery on-line on the Comp. Plan Update website), and provided goals and strategies, ideas for implementation and several recommendations for various corridors in the Village. The meeting was telecast on the local cable. Consultants pulled together all these recommendations and presented them to the CPAC in a cohesive document.

December 2, 2009: CPAC worked on Prioritization of Village Goals. Consultants presented a slideshow for "Image Preference" to assist in formulating development and design guidelines. A Framework Plan was also presented along with a review of Village-Wide Plan Elements including: Future Land Use & Transportation; Community Facilities & Utilities; Economic Development; and Housing & Historic Preservation.

Jan. 20, 2009: Another public input meeting was held, where 3D models were used by participants to provide feedback on land use and acceptable 'bulk' along major corridors. This input, coupled with market feasibility analysis, was used by the consultants to generate illustrations and suggestions for redevelopment.

March 17, 2009: Consultants and staff met with property owners of all parcels along the 3 major corridors to share the preliminary recommendations, and obtain their feedback and make any changes in the draft. We met with owners on a block-by-block basis. Consultants finalized the recommendations based on feedback received during this 8-hr long marathon meeting!

April 30, 2009: The complete first draft of the Comprehensive Plan document was presented to the CPAC. The Board of Trustees, the Plan Commission and the Economic Development Commission were also kept informed of the status and meeting schedules, and the entire draft plan was available on-line for review.

June 18, 2009: The Planning and Zoning Commission conducted a public hearing on Thursday, June 18, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. at the Villa Park Community Recreation Building, 320 East Wildwood Avenue, and recommended approval of the 2009 Comprehensive Plan Update. A "public open house" was also conducted prior to the formal public hearing to allow for additional review and input.

July 20, 2009: There was a workshop session between the Board of Trustees and staff where the document was formally presented to the entire Board for the first time. Based on feedback, the document was further modified for clarity, and ease of use.

August 10, 2009: The Committee of the Whole of the Village Board considered the final document and directed staff to prepare an ordinance for adoption.

August 24, 2009: Board of Trustees approved the First Reading of an Ordinance Adopting the 2009 Comprehensive Plan Update.

September 14, 2009: The 2009 Comprehensive Plan Update is adopted! The Board of Trustees approved the Final Reading of an Ordinance Adopting the 2009 Comprehensive Plan Update. Please call the Community Development Department at 630-592-6072 for more details.