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Planning panel approves most UDO amendments; members exclude residential design standard changes
Summary
The commission approved a package of Unified Development Ordinance updates including definitions, accessory-structure clarifications, engineering standards and wetland/detention mapping, but excluded proposed changes to residential design material standards after discussion.
The Lemont Planning Commission voted to approve a set of Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) amendments presented by planning staff, while excluding proposed updates to the residential design standards concerning allowable exterior materials.
Planning staff (Jamie) outlined a multi‑chapter update that included adding a definition for “contiguous,” clarifying how attached accessory structures should be regulated (noting that when two or more accessory structures are attached, the more restrictive standard should apply), exploring limited encroachments for attached roof structures into rear yard setbacks, and proposing engineering‑led updates for letter‑of‑credit reductions, as‑built digital delivery for GIS, LED lighting standards, and detention/basin design criteria including 100‑year inundation mapping.
On residential façade materials, staff presented options to modify or eliminate the current allowance of up to 33% vinyl siding on new construction and to prohibit vinyl as the primary exterior cladding in the historic district, while allowing limited decorative vinyl elements. Commissioners and staff discussed durability differences among vinyl, LP (engineered wood), and fiber cement products, and concerns that inconsistent treatment across PUDs and infill projects had created confusion.
After public and internal discussion the commission made a motion to approve the UDO amendments but to exclude the residential design standard changes from the package so they can be considered separately. Recorded responses during the roll call included “yes” votes from Wegley, O'Connor and Sue Baker; the chair called the motion carried.
The approved changes will move forward for ordinance preparation and will include the engineering updates, accessory structure clarifications, and the other non‑residential design items staff presented. The residential material standards will be returned to staff for further study and separate consideration by the commission.
