Kankakee City Council approves multiple rezones, surplus sales and handicap-parking change; QuikTrip plat set for second reading

The Kankakee City Council on Monday night approved multiple zoning map amendments, surplus-property ordinances and a handicap-parking regulation, and held a first reading for a final plat for a proposed QuikTrip site.

The council unanimously approved rezoning measures to change several blocks from commercial to R1T (traditional single-family residential) and to resolve small‑lot nonconformities. Council members also passed ordinances declaring surplus property for the fire department (an old cardiac monitor and spare batteries) and for the environmental services/public works department (large tires), and adopted an amendment to municipal code chapter 32, section 231 establishing handicap parking signs at 243 South Albert Boulevard. All recorded final readings and suspensions of the rules on the passed items were approved by roll call with 11 ayes and 0 nays unless noted below. A QuikTrip final plat (PB2024-4-3) received first reading and will return for second reading at a future meeting.

Why it matters: the rezones remove commercial zoning designations from predominantly residential blocks, aligning parcel zoning with current land use and allowing smaller-lot single‑family homes in locations where lots are already below conventional single‑family minimums. The surplus-property votes clear equipment that city departments say they no longer use, and the handicap-parking ordinance establishes a designated accessible space requested for a specific address.

Votes at a glance

- PB2024-4-3 — Final plat (QuikTrip, Riverstone Parkway and Route 4552): first reading only; staff said planning board recommended approval and staff is continuing engineering work; second reading scheduled for a future meeting (no final vote tonight).

- PB2024-11-4 — Map amendment to rezone 1713, 1733, and 1747 East Oak Street to R1T: motion to suspend rules and final reading passed by roll call (11–0).

- PB2024-11-5 — Map amendment rezoning multiple parcels on East Chestnut Street, North Chicago Avenue and North Harrison Avenue from C2 to R1T: motion to suspend rules and final reading passed by roll call (11–0).

- PB2024-11-6 — Map amendment rezoning 454 & 480 East Birch Street and 569 N. Harrison Ave. from C1 to R1T: motion to suspend rules and final reading passed by roll call (11–0).

- Ordinance declaring certain property surplus (City of Kankakee / Fire Department — cardiac monitor and batteries): final reading passed by roll call (11–0).

- Ordinance declaring certain property surplus (Environmental Services/Public Works — tires): final reading passed by roll call (11–0).

- Ordinance amending Chapter 32 §231 (handicap parking) — establish signage at 243 S. Albert Blvd.: final reading passed by roll call (11–0).

Supporting details and committee history

Director King told the council the QuikTrip plat (PB2024-4-3) went to the planning board on Dec. 17 and was approved 6–0 for recommendation; staff is working with QuikTrip’s engineers and hopes construction can begin in spring once the plat is recorded. For the rezones (PB2024-11-4, PB2024-11-5, PB2024-11-6), King said the actions address lots that were miszoned commercial while the block is largely residential and that the R1T zoning allows smaller lot sizes and brings parcels into compliance.

City and utility bills

The council approved city bills and Environmental Services Utility bills as presented on the record. The clerk read the amounts into the record during the meeting.

Ending

Council members moved to a short executive session under the statute cited on the record; when council returned they reported no action resulted from executive session. The next scheduled city council meeting will be a Tuesday because Jan. 20 is Martin Luther King Jr. Day.