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Council adopts Downtown Joliet Equitable Transit-Oriented Development plan
Summary
The City Council voted to adopt the Downtown Joliet Equitable Transit-Oriented Development (ETOD) Plan, a long-term framework to encourage housing density and transit-centered development downtown; one councilmember voted no, citing a need for more details.
The Joliet City Council on July 15 adopted a resolution (Council memo 410-25) to adapt the Downtown Joliet Equitable Transit-Oriented Development Plan, a blueprint to guide housing, transportation and zoning changes in the downtown core.
Mayor Terry Darcy and planning staff described the plan as a long-range framework to grow downtown residency without sprawl and to align zoning with transit assets. Darcy said the city is well positioned for transit-oriented growth: "We're the only other city besides Chicago to have 3 modes of transportation in 1 spot," and added the plan will help guide 1-, 5-, 10- and 20-year decisions.
Supporters said the ETOD plan will allow the city to pursue vertical housing near transit, update zoning that has limited downtown density, and leverage recent water-system investments. Staff and the Regional Transportation Authority participated in the study and the council noted the plan will require follow-up actions, including rezoning and ordinance updates, and that outcomes will be realized over years rather than immediately.
Councilwoman Quillman cast the lone vote against adoption, saying she was not ready to approve the plan: "I need to know more about it. That's why I'm voting no." Other council members raised concerns about vagueness and the absence of developer commitments; Councilman Larry Hugg described parts of the plan as an aspirational vision and asked for more specifics on costs and zoning implications.
Council members clarified that adopting the plan does not itself rezone property or authorize demolition. When asked whether city hall would be affected by the plan, the mayor and staff said plan adoption does not automatically authorize demolition or immediate redevelopment; any such actions would require separate approvals.
The motion to adopt the resolution carried with recorded votes: Councilman Juan Moreno, Aye; Councilman Mudrin, Aye; Councilwoman Quillman, No; Councilwoman Sherry Reardon, Aye; Councilman McArdonis, Aye; Councilman Joe Clement, Aye; Councilman Larry Hugg, Aye; Councilwoman Maria Navarro, Aye; Mayor Terry Darcy, Aye. Council members said next steps include ordinance and zoning reviews, additional studies and outreach with developers and regional partners.
