Planning Board recommends conditional use for dwellings above ground floor at 909 and 917 North Fifth Avenue

The City of Kankakee Planning Board on Sept. 16 recommended approval of a conditional‑use permit to allow two preexisting second‑floor apartments above a commercial storefront at 909 North Fifth Avenue and associated units at 917 North Fifth Avenue.

Applicant representatives said they purchased the properties recently and plan interior and exterior rehabilitation while keeping the two upstairs apartments in place. “We want to do commercial on the first floor and keep the two apartments upstairs,” the applicant told the board.

Planning staff and Commissioner Steve Case discussed whether the C2 district requires a minimum unit size; staff noted the district’s narrative and the zoning table are inconsistent and recommended a forthcoming text amendment to clarify where minimum floor areas apply. Staff said, however, that granting the conditional use would make the existing units legal nonconforming provided they are not vacated or altered in a way that increases nonconformity.

Steve Case moved to recommend the conditional‑use permit with findings and the following conditions: satisfy requirements of the City of Kankakee Fire Department, Kankakee County Health Department and City of Kankakee Code Enforcement before occupancy; obtain required permits; obtain and maintain rental‑housing licenses; and establish one ADA‑compliant parking stall prior to occupancy. The motion was seconded and passed; the recommendation will be forwarded to City Council on Oct. 6.

The board also signaled staff would bring a text amendment to the ordinance committee to clarify minimum unit sizes in the C2 district.