Manteno board debates 'controlled growth' strategies, enterprise-zone tools and Route 50 redevelopment
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Summary
Commissioners reviewed Q4 development activity and debated how to attract housing and national retailers: options included waiving permit fees until occupancy, enterprise-zone incentives, soliciting property owners on Route 50 and discussing whether to pursue controlled growth or preserve small-town character.
Manteno’s Planning & Zoning Commission used its Jan. 14 meeting to review fourth-quarter development figures and to hold an extended discussion about how — or whether — the village should pursue more housing and commercial development.
Staff reviewed the quarter’s commercial highlights: Kerwitz Building on Section Line Road has no tenant yet; Domino’s is open; Carlisle is remodeling at 5 South Main; Riverside parking work mostly finished but drainage and pond work await spring. Permit activity for the quarter included 96 permits and 21 sidewalk inspections; staff noted permit counts are down from a 2023 hail-driven spike.
The conversation then turned to a strategic question repeated throughout the meeting: should Manteno remain a small town or actively pursue growth to lower tax burdens and attract more retail and services? One commissioner argued the town needs more rooftops to attract national builders; another urged controlled growth and emphasized the enterprise-zone tools and a program allowing permit-fee deferral until occupancy as incentives for spec housing.
Several board members proposed a pragmatic first step: have each commissioner bring three development ideas to the next meeting, and direct staff to tentatively contact Route 50 property owners (including the express-contractor building) to assess willingness to sell at appraised value for potential redevelopment. Board members cautioned that any property-acquisition program should be preceded by an audit and by clearer internal agreement about long-term redevelopment goals.
What’s next: staff will continue to track permits and follow up on suggested outreach to property owners; board members agreed to discuss development priorities at a future meeting and to return with proposals for controlled-growth tactics.