The village of Lincolnwood is combining two of its commissions and, simultaneously, looking to start another committee – all the while, making a call for volunteers to apply to be a part of each.
Officials announced on the village website that a newly established Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals will start meeting in January. The commission consolidates into one what is currently two: The Plan Commission and the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Each are currently seven-member volunteer commissions that make recommendations to the Village Board – which has final say. According to the village website, the Plan Commission responds to all applications requesting zoning ordinance changes, special use permits and planned unit developments. The Zoning Board of Appeals has the “major function” of conducting public hearings and considering zoning code variation requests.
The combined board is expected to be in place at the top of the new year.
Also in the works is an Ad Hoc Comprehensive Plan Committee, which is expected to launch in mid-2025, according to village officials. According to the website, the committee will focus on land use issues and opportunities facing Lincolnwood.
Its volunteer members will serve until the anticipated adoption of a new strategic plan in mid-2026.
“It’s important and useful to have a variety of residents with different areas of expertise and backgrounds,” Lincolnwood Community Development Director Scott Magnum told Pioneer Press.
Village residents and business owners who would like to join the Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals or Ad Hoc Comprehensive Plan Committee may electronically submit an application, along with a resume and cover letter, to mayor Jesal Patel’s office.
The current Plan Commission has seven members, including Chairman Mark Yohanna, and there are no vacancies as of right now.
The Zoning Board of Appeals has six members currently, including Bruce Heller who is chairman, and there is a vacancy, according to the village website.
It was not immediately clear if any of the current 13 members will be part of the consolidated board.
“Each body currently meets once a month or has scheduled meetings once a month,” Magnum said.
Magnum explained that the Village Board discussed combining the Plan Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals for efficiency, and potentially fewer meetings, as well as establishing a new seven-member body that is able to speak with one voice.
“The village would just have one group that’s making consistent recommendations [to the Village Board] on land use items,” Magnum said about the single commission.
An applicant for a board or commission position must have lived in Lincolnwood for at least 12 months preceding being appointed and be a registered voter.
“The mayor makes appointments with the Village Board’s consent. We anticipate that occurring in December,” said Magnum about when the Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals members could be named.
The Village Board is scheduled to meet on Dec. 3 and Dec. 17.
Magnum said it could take more time for Patel to appoint the Ad Hoc Comprehensive Plan Committee members because the village’s fiscal year 2025 budget first needs to be adopted.
Jessi Virtusio is a freelancer.
