Village board adopts Ordinance 14-18 to replace prior zoning ordinance and amend district map

The Beecher Village Board voted to adopt Ordinance 14-18, a proposed zoning ordinance that replaces Ordinance 10-46 and amends the village zoning district map, during its March 10, 2025, meeting at Village Hall.

The vote followed a review by the Planning, Building and Zoning Committee and an explanation of specific map corrections. Trustee Gardner presented the item and asked for a motion to approve the proposed ordinance; Trustee Sherry provided a map update noting two map fixes the board requested. The board discussed a missing annexed parcel — 229 Indiana Avenue — which staff said should be shown as I‑1 (industrial). Trustees also discussed the extent of an industrial designation near the Creekside area and whether the industrial zoning should extend south along the creek to the houses rather than include an area previously planned for residential (Creekside Subdivision).

The board recorded that the area labeled gray on the draft map denotes industrial zoning and clarifications were made to show how that area should extend. Trustees said part of the east side of the property had been held back from development earlier and that a portion near the houses had been discussed previously for possible senior housing; however, the ordinance as approved keeps that property under the owners' industrial designation. Trustee Gardner asked staff (identified in the meeting as “Claude”) to confirm map placement in person during the meeting.

After discussion, a motion to adopt Ordinance 14-18 carried on roll call: Diachenko — yes; Gardner — yes; Krauss — yes; Terry — yes; Stacy — yes. The ordinance was approved.

Why it matters: Amending the zoning map alters where residential, industrial and other uses are allowed in the village and can affect future development proposals, property owners’ permitted uses and potential subdivision plans in the Creekside area.

What the ordinance does: According to meeting discussion, the ordinance replaces Ordinance 10-46 and updates the district map to correct an omitted annexed parcel (229 Indiana Avenue → I‑1) and to clarify the industrial zone boundary near the creek and adjacent houses. The board discussed prior plans for a Creekside Subdivision and noted the property was later sold to a different owner (referred to in the meeting as the Van Barrens), which resulted in the industrial park configuration now reflected on the map.

Next steps and implementation: Trustees indicated staff would circulate a corrected map file in the next day or two and that those corrections could be approved as part of final paperwork. No additional public hearing or vote was recorded during the meeting on this item.

Ending: The board approved the primary zoning change as Ordinance 14-18 and directed staff to finalize the map corrections discussed at the meeting.