Northport council backs work to draft joint housing planning commission with township

Village Manager Jim, who also serves as zoning administrator, asked the Village Council on June 13 to direct staff to prepare a proposed intermunicipal agreement and ordinance language to create a joint housing planning commission with the township. He said developers cite 'entitlements' — zoning in place before financing — as the critical first step for affordable or income‑driven housing projects.

"The first step in that type of joint housing commission would be to have a Planning Commission that is in a position to approve zoning entitlements for housing," Jim said, describing a project‑driven body that could recommend contract zoning or planned unit development approvals tailored to a specific project.

Council members and Planning Commission representatives discussed limits on the commission’s scope, membership and whether it would create permanent exceptions to existing zoning. Several trustees emphasized the commission should be narrowly tailored and project‑focused rather than setting broad, permanent new land‑use policy.

Planning Commission members told the council they favor a structure that permits entitlements tied to a parcel or project, with legal agreements and ordinance changes drafted by counsel. Several councilors urged public outreach so residents understand the purpose and safeguards of any joint body.

The council did not vote on forming the commission at the June meeting; members asked staff to draft the agreement and implementing ordinances, to return with recommended membership and operational language, and to add related items to future Planning Commission agendas for concurrent review. The manager said he would bring a proposed agreement and ordinance language to a future meeting for formal consideration.