Summary
The documents include the October 21, 2026 Planning Commission agenda and the approved minutes from the preceding September 16, 2026 meeting, along with supporting memos on driveway zoning amendments and a housing suitability GIS analysis. At the September meeting, the Commission approved its agenda and the July 22, 2026 minutes (Ayes: 5, No: 0 for both), continued work on driveway standards, and reviewed criteria for mapping potential housing areas. No public comments were recorded. The meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m. (Ayes: 5, No: 0).
Public Comments
No public comments or written communications were recorded under either agenda item at the September 16, 2026 meeting.
Affordable Housing Initiatives
Sara Schroeder (Beckett & Raeder) presented criteria for a GIS-based housing suitability mapping project, including road access, downtown walkability, retail access, public water/sewer availability, slope, and environmental standards, as well as proximity to BATA transit and the TART Trail. Commission members recommended adding criteria for proximity to schools, grocery stores, drug stores, and banks. Sara Schroeder agreed to incorporate these comments into the GIS scoring. A follow-up memo from Dan Power (Beckett & Raeder, dated 10.16.2026) detailed the methodology, identifying positive factors (road access, water/sewer, downtown walking distance, TART Trail and BATA proximity, Hansen Foods proximity) and negative factors (shoreline encroachment, steep slopes, wetlands, dense tree canopy), producing an Aggregate Housing Suitability Score map for Commission review. No votes were taken; this remains an ongoing analysis to be updated with GIS mapping, as noted for the October 21, 2026 agenda.
Infrastructure Projects
Staff member Steve and the DPW Director continued reviewing driveway standards using a two-pronged approach covering both zoning and construction standards. Discussion included setting a minimum/maximum driveway width, with Commissioner Gail recommending the apron be excluded from the width calculation to avoid additional impervious surface. The group agreed that finalized standards should be consolidated into one accessible document. This work was expected to continue through the winter months. A related October 15, 2026 memo from Sara Schroeder (Beckett & Raeder) proposed detailed zoning ordinance amendments to Section 2-4 (Access, Driveways, and Private Streets), including permit requirements, driveway width/size limits (12 feet, with exceptions for garage-width driveways), curb cut limits, paving requirements, and shared driveway standards (minimum 20-foot easement, 10-foot travel surface). No formal vote was recorded on these draft amendments; the 2026 Driveway Amendment Language remained Unfinished Business for the October 21, 2026 agenda.
Other Business
Debbie reported that the Village Council's committee of the whole reviewed council conduct, points of order, and general rules under the Council's adopted policies and procedures. Richard Hylwa raised concerns about speeding on St. Mary's Street under Good of the Order; it was noted that a Sheriff's Department speed sign is already posted there. The Zoning Administrator's September 2026 report showed 18 land use permits issued year-to-date (2 new homes, 4 accessory structures, 2 signs, 8 commercial/other), with one addition/ADU application under review, one ZBA application on hold pending information, and one land division application under review.
Action Items
- Steve and the DPW Director to continue developing unified driveway construction and zoning standards over the winter months.
- Sara Schroeder to incorporate Commission-recommended criteria (schools, grocery, drug stores, banks) into GIS housing suitability scoring.
- Driveway Amendment Language to return as Unfinished Business on the October 21, 2026 agenda.
- Mapping for Potential Housing Areas to be addressed as New Business on the October 21, 2026 agenda.