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Lemont board approves vehicle purchases, two zoning variances, tree contract and Safe Routes grant applications
Summary
At its Aug. 25 meeting the Lemont Village Board approved the consent agenda covering vehicle purchases and disbursements, passed two zoning variations for rear-yard covered structures, awarded a $30,370 tree-replacement contract for 56 parkway trees and approved two Safe Routes to School grant participation resolutions.
The Lemont Village Board on Monday approved several routine and project items, including consent-agenda purchases, two zoning variances, a contract for the 2025 tree-replacement program and two resolutions to pursue Safe Routes to School grants.
Why it matters: The votes clear funding or authorization needed for vehicle acquisitions, small-scale residential design changes and preliminary steps to apply for pedestrian and sidewalk improvements near Lemont schools; the tree contract funds neighborhood street-tree plantings for the coming year.
The board approved the consent agenda, which the mayor said included approval of minutes from the Aug. 11 meeting, disbursements for Aug. 12–25 and three resolutions authorizing purchase and build-out of municipal vehicles (listed on the meeting docket as R-60-25, R-61-25 and R-62-25). Trustee Shaughnessy moved to approve the consent agenda; Trustee Pittridge seconded. The roll call showed the motion passed with all present voting yes and one member absent.
Two variances to Lemont’s unified development ordinance (listed in the meeting as O-43-25 and O-44-25) were approved. Jason (staff) told the board each request was for a covered structure in a rear yard and that both had been recommended for approval by the Planning & Zoning Commission at its August meeting. Both ordinances passed on unanimous roll calls of the members present.
The board awarded the 2025 tree-replacement contract to iTrees, the low bidder, for $30,370 to plant 56 new parkway trees. Public works staff noted the contractor provides a one-year warranty on the plantings. Trustee Forsyth moved to approve the contract; the motion passed unanimously by roll call of trustees present.
The board also approved two resolutions supporting Lemont’s participation in the Safe Routes to School grant program. Staff said one application would focus on McCarthy Road improvements serving Lemont High School and Central School, including sidewalk connections, crossing improvements, signage and flashing beacons; the second application would target Central School and nearby crossings. Staff noted each award is eligible for up to $250,000; if both applications are successful Lemont could receive up to $500,000 in improvements. Both Safe Routes resolutions passed unanimously by roll call of trustees present.
Votes at a glance: - Consent agenda (minutes, disbursements, vehicle purchases R-60-25, R-61-25, R-62-25): motion approved (mover: Trustee Shaughnessy; second: Trustee Pittridge); outcome: approved; roll-call: all present yes, one absent. - Ordinance O-43-25 (variation, 917 East Street, covered porch in rear yard): motion approved; outcome: adopted; roll call: all present yes, one absent. - Ordinance O-44-25 (variation, 93 Timberline Drive, covered structure in rear yard): motion approved; outcome: adopted; roll call: all present yes, one absent. - Resolution R-63-25 (2025 tree replacement contract, iTrees, $30,370, 56 parkway trees, one-year warranty): motion approved (mover: Trustee Forsyth; second: Trustee Shaughnessy); outcome: approved. - Resolution R-64-25 (support to participate in Safe Routes to School grant; McCarthy Road/high school corridor): motion approved; outcome: approved. - Resolution (support to participate in Safe Routes to School grant; Central School corridor — listed in the meeting as the second Safe Routes item): motion approved; outcome: approved. Staff noted each award is eligible for $250,000.
What the board did not decide: Several items mentioned during public comment — chiefly an annexation/rezoning proposal for a gas station/truck wash in Pleasantdale — were not on the board’s docket and the applicant was not present; no zoning or annexation vote occurred at the meeting.
Background and next steps: Planning & Zoning had recommended the two residential variances earlier in August; staff will proceed with contract administration for the tree program and will file grant applications for Safe Routes where deadlines, permitting and any required interagency approvals (IDOT was mentioned as a permitting authority for state roads) allow. The board scheduled an executive session later in the meeting to discuss probable or imminent litigation under the Open Meetings Act.
Ending: The board recessed to executive session after the public portion of the meeting; no additional public votes were taken that night.
