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Alderman Jensen named chair of Development, Planning & Zoning after council debate on vice‑chair rules
Summary
After removing item 6.4 from the consent agenda, the Elmhurst City Council appointed Alderman Jensen as chair of the Development, Planning & Zoning Committee and discussed whether the city code requires a vice chair for standing committees.
The Elmhurst City Council approved the appointment of Alderman Jensen as chair of the Development, Planning & Zoning (DPZ) Committee at its Jan. 6 meeting by a 10-0 vote with three members absent.
Why it matters: The DPZ chair oversees planning and zoning matters and will preside over project reviews including proposed façade renovations, expansions and conditional use permits that appear elsewhere on the council’s agenda.
What the council said: Alderman Hill supported the appointment but used the discussion to ask about appointing a vice chair to the finance committee. The mayor and other council members questioned whether a separate vice-chair appointment is necessary when committee membership and quorum requirements already determine who can run a meeting. One participant cited Elmhurst ordinance 2.09 to note that the code specifies both a chair and vice chair for committees, prompting council members to discuss whether an interim or formal vice chair should be named.
Action: The council voted to approve item 6.4 (appointment of the DPZ chair) by roll call, 10 in favor, 0 opposed, 3 absent. The motion to approve the appointment was recorded in the meeting minutes and the new chair will assume DPZ responsibilities per ordinance.
Process and limits: The discussion included differing views about committee quorum and the function of a vice chair (to preside in a chair’s absence). Council members noted that if a committee’s membership is small (for example, three members) quorum rules affect whether a vice chair would be meaningful. The mayor indicated he is mindful of the vacancy on the council and the requirement in ordinance 2.09 to name a chair and vice chair for committees.
