Agenda & Packet

The Village of Kenilworth is subject to the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Individuals with disabilities who plan to attend this meeting and who require certain accommodations in order to allow them to observe and/or participate in this meeting or who have questions regarding the accessibility of the meeting or the facilities are requested to contact the Village at 847- 251-1666 promptly to allow the Village to make reasonable accommodations for those persons. Notice of Special Meeting There will be a special meeting of the Committee of the Whole of the Village Board held at Village Hall, 419 Richmond Road; Kenilworth, IL. The public may attend in person or by utilizing the following link: TEAMS MEETING LINK If you do not have access to a computer, you may attend via telephone: +1 872-242-8055 Meeting ID: 380382194# Committee of the Whole Special Meeting Agenda August 13, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. I. Call to Order / Roll Call II. Presentation and Discussion A. Zoning Code Update: Continued Policy Discussion on Business District Bulk, Height, and Use Regulations III. Business from the Public IV. Adjourn Village of 1 Request for Board Action Agenda Item: II.A Staff Contact: Heather McFarland, Asst. to the Village Manager Michael Blue, Teska Associates Subject: Zoning Code Update: Continued Discussion of B District Bulk, Height, and Use Regulations Summary: The Village of Kenilworth began a comprehensive zoning code update at the beginning of 2025. Teska Associates has led the effort with policy direction from an ad-hoc workgroup comprised of current and former commissioners. Following the workgroup’s review, several key policy questions remained unanswered after consensus could not be reached. Among them were guiding principles for business district bulk and height regulations. The Village Board began discussion of those points at its July 28, 2026 Committee of the Whole meeting. It is recommended that the Village Board continue the discussion regarding relevant policy and provide direction on the preferred path forward. Background: The July 28, 2026 Committee of the Whole discussion included consideration of specific zoning height and setback standards, the process by which to consider development proposals, development style, and opportunities outside of zoning to enhance the business district. Below is a brief summary of the discussion: Building Height: As a point to start the discussion, the current draft proposal of a 45’ height was discussed. Several trustees expressed concern over the height, however there was not determination as to an appropriate height for the business district. Setback and Stepback: The concepts of incorporating a rear yard setback and upper floor stepbacks in the updated zoning code were introduced and discussed. The concept of these tools as a way to mitigate the impact of building bulk was acceptable to the group. However, a comment from the public pointed out that the suggested options for setback and stepback would be impactful to the total square footage that could be developed on business district sites and would disincentivize potential redevelopment. The group found merit in those points and was open to considering setbacks and stepbacks on a case-by-case basis for developments, rather than having specific dimensions in the code. Review Process: Along the lines of setback and stepback considerations, there was further discussion about the variety of site conditions along the Green Bay Road corridor, and the merits of applying a case-by-case review of development proposals in general. There was agreement regarding this concept, and further discussion of how the Special Use designation for new developments could apply this idea. Keeping the existing Special Use Permit (SUP) requirement Considered By: Date: Committee of the Whole Committee of the Whole 08/13/26 07/28/26 Village of 2 for all buildings over 10,000 sq. ft. was considered appropriate and perhaps also finding other ways to apply the SUP to address unique conditions along the corridor. Supporting Downtown: The meeting included review of the ultimate goal of updating the Business District zoning standards, encouraging and supporting the corridor as a vibrant business area for the Village. Ways in which this is done were noted and include the TIF, façade program., and other Village programs and services that enhance the area. There was agreement among the group that these activities are useful and should be continued. Also, it was felt that where appropriate and feasible the programs, or others like them should be expanded. This included opportunities to encourage renovation of existing buildings on Green Bay Road. Development Style: It was noted during the meeting that two types of building formats were a likely, and appropriate form of development along Green Bay Road (note: “development” can also refer to the renovation of an existing building). • Single Use: These are buildings that contain a single user or a collection of several similar users (for example, all commercial). This would likely be in the form of a renovated existing building. • Mixed Use: These are buildings that include two principal uses. This is most commonly a multiple story building with commercial use on the first floor and residential or office uses (or both) above. Context: To provide a bit of background and as a reminder of established Village goals for the corridor, several existing Village plans and policies provide insight (links to the documents provided): Design Guidelines: Articulates how new development and renovations of existing buildings can fit into the established Village character. The current Business District Design Guidelines have been updated based on feedback from the community during the zoning update process and will be included in the updated code. A copy of the existing 2013 regulations is available at the link. https://www.vok.org/DocumentCenter/View/1037/Design-Guidelines---Business-District?bidId= 2022 Vision Statement: Updates the vision from the 2008 Comprehensive Plan and establishes consensus for ongoing discussions about the corridor. https://www.vok.org/DocumentCenter/View/5095/Green-Bay-Road-Corridor-Vision?bidId= 2023 Historic District Survey: Distinguishes buildings suitable for rehabilitation and those beyond their prime, reinforcing the idea that harmony between new and old structures is achievable. https://www.vok.org/DocumentCenter/View/6581/Kenilworth-Business-District-Historic-Survey- PDF?bidId= 2025 Affordable Housing Plan: Green Bay Road plays a key role in the Village’s affordable housing plan (as submitted to and approved by the State) and is another factor in planning for the corridor. https://www.vok.org/DocumentCenter/View/5870/Affordable-Housing-Plan?bidId= Village Programs: As discussed at the Committee of the Whole meeting, the Village currently has a foundation of programs and policies that support a healthy business district along Green Bay Road. These include: 3 • (2019) TIF Assistance: Tool to spur financial investment in the Business District that would have not otherwise happened. https://www.vok.org/2351/Tax-Increment-Financing-District-TIF---G • (2023 - Current) Beautification Efforts: Efforts to make the corridor attractive by installing landscaping planters, holiday lights, etc. • (2023) Demolition Regulations: Regulations discourage tear downs of buildings with historic and architectural importance and reduce barriers to demolition for others in the Business District found to not be historically or architecturally significant. https://www.vok.org/2590/Demolition-Permit-Information • (2024) Facade Grant Improvement Program: Awards TIF funds up to a cap for qualifying exterior improvements to existing buildings in the Business District. https://www.vok.org/2532/Facade-Improvement-Grant-Program • Future programs under consideration are: Green Bay Road Streetscape Enhancement Project (Current - 2031), other planning studies to aid in furthering the project. Bulk and Height Options: It is recommended that a revised set of standards and approaches to development be considered by the Village Board. Reflective of the previous discussion, a group of revised standards are provided below: Standards Current Draft Update Revised Height 35’ 3.5 Stories: Permitted 40’: SUP 45’: Permitted, 4th Floor by PUD 35’: Permitted, West of Alley on Park Drive (height only varied by text amendment) 45’: Permitted 35’: Permitted, West of Alley on Park Drive (height only varied by PUD) Yard Setbacks Measured from Lot Line Measured from Lot Line Front Yard None Required 0’ Build to Line (unless parking provided) 0’ Build to Line (unless parking provided) Side None required, min 5’ if provided None Required Min 5’ if Provided None Required Min 5’ if Provided Rear None required 10’ Required As determined by SUP Building Stepbacks Measured from Setback Line Measured from Setback Line Front Yard None Required 3rd Floor – 15’ Required at distance determined through Special Use and / or Certificate of Appropriateness. 4th Floor – 20’ (by PUD) Rear None Required 3rd Floor – 10’ 4th Floor – 20’ (by PUD) Side None Required 4th Floor – 20’ (by PUD) Additional Regulations Ground Floor Commercial Required 1st Floor Residential as SUP West of Alley on Park Drive 1st Floor Residential as SUP West of Alley on Park Drive Glossary SUP: Special Use Permit PUD: Planned Unit Development 4 Recommended Action: The Village Board should provide direction to staff and Teska to guide Zoning Code updates to Business District bulk and height standards, and whether the standards should be further reviewed by the ARC. Attachments: None 5