Planning & Zoning Commission
Jul 14, 2026
The lede
- East Point Commons development progresses with approvals for rezoning 87 acres to Planned Business and 98 acres to Planned Industrial, plus preliminary and final plat approvals
- Planning Commission recommended approval (5-1 votes) for all four East Point Commons cases; one commissioner (Druckrey) consistently voted no over agricultural land loss concerns
- Public concern raised about potential data center development and impacts (noise, lighting, traffic) on nearby residential areas; staff clarified strict zoning and landscaping requirements apply
- Development includes 33-lot subdivision with Gateway Center Drive extension and a 1,300-foot cul-de-sac variance granted (exceeds 500-foot code limit)
Decisions & votes
Case 2026-13: East Point Commons Planned Business (MA)
- Motion to recommend approval carried 5-1 (Druckrey voted no)
- Rezones ~87 acres from RH (Rural Holding) to PB (Planned Business)
Case 2026-14: East Point Commons Planned Industrial (MA)
- Motion to recommend approval carried 5-1 (Druckrey voted no)
- Rezones ~98 acres from RH to PI (Planned Industrial)
Case 2026-15: East Point Commons Subdivision (PP)
- Motion to recommend preliminary plat approval with 12 conditions carried 5-1 (Druckrey voted no)
- Includes 33-lot subdivision; variance granted for cul-de-sac length exceeding code
Case 2026-16: East Point Commons Final Plat #1 (FP)
- Motion to recommend final plat approval with 12 conditions carried 5-1 (Druckrey voted no)
- 6-lot subdivision including industrial lots
Minutes approval:
- June 9, 2026 minutes approved 6-0
Discussion items
Comprehensive Plan deviation: Commission discussed how commercial acreage will approximately triple from what the May 2024 Comprehensive Plan designated (more commercial, less industrial than planned).
Data center concerns: Resident Lianne Wojtanek (2753 Huntington Dr.) expressed concern about potential data center development. Staff clarified:
- Data centers typically require 100+ acres (more than available)
- Usually located in industrial zones due to height/vibration requirements
- Would require special use approval if not meeting current code
- Conditional zoning is illegal in Illinois
Agricultural land loss: Commissioner Druckrey expressed concern about converting agricultural land; applicant noted development is approximately 50 acres per 20 years.
Cul-de-sac variance: Dusty Trail Court at ~1,300 feet exceeds 500-foot code limit; variance justified for industrial access with larger turning radius for trucks.
Buffering/landscaping: Staff explained four-category landscaping requirements (building, road frontage, parking lot, miscellaneous) designed to buffer light, noise, and visual impacts on nearby residential areas.
Zoning standards: Staff confirmed lighting, vibration, noise, and odor standards apply citywide; planned industrial requires activities conducted indoors (outdoor storage requires special use).
Financial / operational notes
Grant funding: Property owner awarded grant from Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for water/sewer line installation; construction already begun. Grant requires minimum 50 acres zoned industrial.
Developer requirements (per conditions):
- Performance Bond or Letter-of-Credit required for public improvements prior to final plat recording
- Engineer’s cost estimate required with construction plans
- All standard permit, inspection, tap-on, connection, recapture, basin fees due before final plat approval
- Sidewalks required along all public rights-of-way
Infrastructure obligations:
- Developer must construct/dedicate temporary roadway easement connecting Gateway Center Drive to Chrysler Drive
- Sanitary, drainage, and access easement dedication required within 30 days of final plat approval
- Subsurface drainage study required per subdivision code
Tax/economic benefits: Applicant cited sales tax revenue and employment opportunities as development benefits.