[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6216640,"mediaKeyId","3650861-791a8a907e6e169506cb452bc5892b04","parentId",3650861,"title","City staff to prepare UDO text amendment after council discussion on on‑site cannabis consumption","audioSeconds",44,"startMs",1496000,"endMs",1540000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3650861-791a8a907e6e169506cb452bc5892b04&start=1496&end=1540","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3650861-791a8a907e6e169506cb452bc5892b04/thumbnail_1496000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6216640/DeKalb-City/DeKalb-County/Illinois/City-staff-to-prepare-UDO-text-amendment-after-council-discussion-on-onsite-cannabis-consumption","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6216640-550dc1200b4b777bd9f49a1882193489/orig.mp4?Expires=1770969707&Signature=W2pKlaCqs45VLjsFImMpb0eHh7nPNc19ClAtpYwftdFz4s~zT3x5IAkDmXQrQ8X0othE9VTbCtCIs0YrbklQFDRqIBEcm3wFfxjV6TjjPYJqPT-xOVHL7snt1QSHpdxvYpB2KK8DApM97fdFl7x0mVufSvBKzRpXtcQ8faNufgOoVRFDxxyiwAdixt3moanhrTxVishZN6DeO6Tr-TLdIMZG5ZXozlbjPitfL7Mn2o10uWEVvjk-OZPgQ7RZN9fNPyjWo8bD0DTiLkvae8gOHYPX0khPD4qvzAPWHPbesriz5Io3Tm4tS9AC4-lrGH2aH9iX0S3DyoqI4H0nrGqZxQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Dekalb, IL","date","2025-06-02T23:51:27Z","article","City staff informed the Planning and Zoning Commission on June 2 that the City Council discussed allowing on‑site cannabis consumption at dispensaries and directed staff to prepare a text amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance for commission review.

Dan, a city staff member, reported: “They also had a discussion on the, consideration discussion, no action taken official on the consumption on‑site cannabis ... brought up by XL Leaf on Locust Street. So they were generally in favor of that. There'll be a text amendment prepared, and there'll be a hearing in front of the commission regarding that in, one of the July meetings.”

The staff report also noted that the council approved a special‑use permit for Hopkins Pool at its last meeting, but took no formal action on on‑site cannabis consumption. The staff update described this as a council‑level policy direction to prepare a zoning/text amendment; the commission did not vote on the matter at this meeting.

If the UDO text amendment proceeds, the commission will hold a public hearing on the proposed ordinance change in July and may forward a recommendation to City Council following that hearing. No ordinance language, standards, or locations were recorded in the commission meeting; further details will be available when the proposed amendment is published ahead of the July hearing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Planning & Zoning Meeting for June 2, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City staff told the Planning and Zoning Commission that the City Council discussed allowing on‑site cannabis consumption at dispensaries (proposed by XL Leaf) and generally favored preparing a text amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance; a commission hearing is expected in July.","taxTitle","DeKalb City, DeKalb County, Illinois","taxId",4986,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6216645,"Commission approves 6‑foot privacy fence variance for 626 Spring Avenue",641,809000,1450000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3650861-791a8a907e6e169506cb452bc5892b04&start=809&end=1450","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3650861-791a8a907e6e169506cb452bc5892b04/thumbnail_809000.jpg","/articles/6216645/DeKalb-City/DeKalb-County/Illinois/Commission-approves-6foot-privacy-fence-variance-for-626-Spring-Avenue","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6216645-ee1a3df152429bddabc77eae6cdc678f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770969707&Signature=ctLVJ-bhk3-Ufw~IOHo4HVm4VbngE5IXKOGqpv8ZdseKQddCKem6yIl0wSrODqNVq9MnWYy~X35lzOtjRbZ4ivqSOr-kyXQJqnneZOPwCLfQOxG1J4KPaKmRUyQhkL1V76e0lMKDOQksD3aWAJqBzi3XI94bxEW6STKOQKL1oFCCrmSl5TXVw0pF6mTuNfyIh9XT-vsZrtVv0F9xGuYANSTD0bHyGZ9KG77sF1wmCK5oYkF37S~lwy4bbpoLjyzXVMrjV8pWg5NFGYPAR0nm4GlwNzfpYgY7PKDne8kugCgbbpZlydgzzdaTedZh0-Vqszo3hbJu5aCJG02qFN3F2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The DeKalb Planning and Zoning Commission on June 2 approved a variance to allow a 6‑foot privacy fence in a portion of the front yard at 626 Spring Avenue.

Michelle Eckfritz, the property owner, told the panel she seeks the fence because the corner lot is narrow and drivers frequently slow to observe activity at her house. “The main reason is, you know, privacy and safety, not just for me and my dog, but for the community as well,” Eckfritz said, describing repeated incidents of people stopping to take pictures and a past encounter involving a child near her dog.

City staff reported the lot is narrower than surrounding parcels on South Seventh Street and that the proposed fence would extend roughly 14 feet into the yard from the driveway, leaving about 11 feet to the sidewalk; staff said the location would not intrude on the sight‑distance triangle for the intersection. Staff also noted the fence would connect to an existing chain‑link along one side and that the property meets inspection and construction requirements, including minimum post‑hole depths and city inspection of work.

Staff said the city received three written responses: support from Katie Poole (630 Karen) and from the owner/operator of a commercial building at 1292 S. Seventh St., and a non‑objection from neighbor James Duck (1307 S. Seventh St.) who asked about proper construction. Staff told the commission the homeowner may construct the fence herself or hire a contractor, but code and inspection standards apply either way.

Commissioner O'Flaherty moved to approve the variance to Articles noted in the staff report of the Unified Development Ordinance to allow the 6‑foot high privacy fence as shown in exhibit A; Commissioner Right seconded. Roll call in the transcript shows the motion carried.

Eckfritz said she will install the fence with volunteer help and that the fence placement will not block the stop sign or required sight lines at the corner. The commission’s approval authorizes the variance described in the staff report; permit issuance and inspections remain conditions of lawful construction.","The Planning and Zoning Commission on June 2 approved a variance to allow a 6‑foot privacy fence in part of the front yard at 626 Spring Ave., citing lot‑width constraints and safety/privacy concerns from the homeowner.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6216649,"Planning commission recommends 3-year extension for Littlejohn Elementary modular classroom",689,92000,781000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3650861-791a8a907e6e169506cb452bc5892b04&start=92&end=781","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3650861-791a8a907e6e169506cb452bc5892b04/thumbnail_92000.jpg","/articles/6216649/DeKalb-City/DeKalb-County/Illinois/Planning-commission-recommends-3-year-extension-for-Littlejohn-Elementary-modular-classroom","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6216649-362f8de2220d280c4fd88bbedbd79a66/orig.mp4?Expires=1770969707&Signature=otEdHXAIJVkgLnrYwn1caQ3fKenEicaMeB1sMkdQZtwmmSaTTOieBBq8q9sJgb7W~2CfGf08Mkra0xiR21zvtpUMBjZGamZLgUiCnvYNN2d20Y9doN3jbfvcRf0vOpqciVaNUl6HCs5~unS8xr7IUeGeUb2rf4KEl48gPR-73auNVJZ48xT7C0P0UYDx1kQPWGCgNkTJJ84nnsrKTRhggHuotN~4es0I8DgNHAEcNCyBC1-p3GX-761onNiIEqSlQIqrYno7JbG4lDYf8Xm6hMu~lZ3lOb8gqUMQ2-j4r-U3OBdhGPNTu5Omkry2zBLnn9YFvIluP3u7tr3j0g3zqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The DeKalb Planning and Zoning Commission on June 2 voted to forward to the City Council a recommendation to extend the special‑use permit for a modular classroom at Littlejohn Elementary School, 1133 N. 13th St., through Aug. 15, 2028.

Tammy Carson, director of facility and safety operations for DeKalb School District, told the commission the unit provides classroom and student‑support space that the district still needs while it maintains a two‑way dual‑language program at Littlejohn. “We are getting rid of the unit that came in in 02/2017 ... the unit is being removed, and a new unit would be coming in, and it is a brand new unit that'll be coming and that'll be for our students and staff to use,” Carson said.

Staff reported the site originally received a special‑use permit in 2017 and has received subsequent extensions; the existing ordinance recorded a removal deadline of Aug. 15, 2025. Staff said the proposed replacement unit matches the current footprint — 70 by 24 feet — and adds a vestibule and restroom; parking and annual regional office of education inspections are unchanged. The district said current enrollment at Littlejohn was about 291 at the close of the 2024–25 school year with a projected 263 students next year, and that maintaining three sections per grade for the dual‑language program drives the need for the modular space.

The commission asked whether a permanent addition had been planned; Carson said the district is evaluating longer‑term options and that new board members are being briefed on those possibilities. Commissioners also asked about utilities; Carson said the site has an existing sanitary hookup from a prior unit and the district will reconnect plumbing and coordinate subcontractors and inspections.

The staff report noted one written opposition from Jason Leverton of 1221 N. 13th St., citing the temporary nature of a modular classroom and safety concerns, and written support from Frederick and Lois Lathrop of 210 Oak St. The sample motion before the commission would extend the special‑use permit and require removal and restoration of the surface to grass by Aug. 15, 2028.

Commissioner Right moved that the Planning and Zoning Commission forward its findings and recommend City Council approve an amendment to the ordinance to extend the timeframe for the modular classroom; Commissioner Pena Graham seconded. Roll call votes recorded in the transcript show Pena Graham and Right voting yes; the motion was forwarded to council.

The commission’s action was a recommendation: final approval and any ordinance changes remain subject to City Council review and vote.","The DeKalb Planning and Zoning Commission voted June 2 to forward a recommendation to City Council to extend a special-use permit allowing a modular classroom at Littlejohn Elementary School until Aug. 15, 2028.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City staff to prepare UDO text amendment after council discussion on on‑site cannabis consumption

Commission approves 6‑foot privacy fence variance for 626 Spring Avenue

Planning commission recommends 3-year extension for Littlejohn Elementary modular classroom