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Palos Park council adopts comprehensive development code update after three-year revision
Summary
The Village of Palos Park voted April 13 to approve a multi-year overhaul of its planning and zoning code, directing the village attorney to draft the implementing ordinance after unanimous Plan Commission support and a council roll-call vote.
The Village of Palos Park Council on April 13 approved a comprehensive update to the village development code, a multi-year effort intended to modernize zoning, subdivision and administrative rules.
Commissioner Wade, who presented the package as agenda matter PC 2025-01, said the rewrite aligns the village code with the goals of the comprehensive plan and emphasizes sustainable development and protection of natural resources. He told the council the update — drafted with consultant Kimley-Horn after public drafts in 2025 and multiple Plan Commission hearings — addressed zoning districts, permitted uses, parking and loading standards, landscaping and buffering, signage, administrative procedures and subdivision design requirements.
Why it matters: The update replaces a code that, speakers said, accumulated decades of ad hoc additions and left property owners uncertain about standards such as setbacks and accessory structures. The council and planning officials said the new text will clarify common questions, including where fences and small structures are allowed, and establishes a new "legacy lot" category for smaller lots.
Key details cited by the council included new administrative definitions for arbor and cold-frame structures, revised maximum fountain heights (three feet in general; up to nine feet on lots of an acre or more, seven feet on lots under an acre) and the removal of allowances for roof-mounted wind turbines from the senior administrative code revisions dated March 31, 2026. The Plan Commission held multiple joint meetings and public hearings on the drafts and on Feb. 19, 2026 approved the final draft and recommended adoption to the council.
Commissioner Wade said this was "a long time coming," and moved to approve PC 2025-01 and to direct the Village Attorney to prepare the ordinance revising Part 12 of the Palos Park Code. The motion was seconded and approved by roll call; Commissioners Wade, Patan, Reed, Polk and Mayor Nicole Milovich Walters voted yes.
Ed Marston, chairman of the Plan Commission, praised the joint effort of the Plan Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals and thanked staff and the consultant for their work.
The next step is for the Village Attorney to prepare the formal implementing ordinance for the council's consideration and adoption at a subsequent meeting.
