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Kankakee council approves slate of zoning, development and municipal actions
Summary
On June 1, 2026, the Kankakee City Council approved multiple ordinances and resolutions covering short-term rental permits, a billboard permit, a PUD extension and preliminary plat, capital work awards and event street closures; most items passed unanimously with a few recorded abstentions on event approvals.
The Kankakee City Council on June 1 approved a package of zoning and municipal items including two conditional-use permits for commercial short‑term rentals, a billboard permit near I‑57, an extension for a planned‑unit development and its preliminary plat, and several routine resolutions and appointments.
Director King told the council the short‑term rental requests had been heard at the planning‑commission public hearing on May 19 and that the planning board recommended approval for both properties in the fifth ward. Council suspended the rules to allow final‑reading passage the same night and approved PB2026‑5‑2 (246 North 6th Avenue) and PB2026‑5‑3 (1118 South Fifth Avenue) by roll call.
Also approved was PB2026‑5‑4, a conditional‑use permit for a static, exterior‑lit billboard in the Eastgate area; Director King said the planning board granted a setback variance because the highway lies between the billboard and nearby residences. Council likewise approved a one‑year extension of an existing conditional‑use permit for a Jeffers Group planned‑unit development at 250 East Station Street and 310 South Skyler Avenue and approved the related preliminary PUD plat later on the agenda.
Votes at a glance
- PB2026‑5‑2 (short‑term rental, 246 N. 6th Ave): Approved on final reading, roll call 13 yes, 0 nays. - PB2026‑5‑3 (short‑term rental, 1118 S. 5th Ave): Approved on final reading, roll call 13 yes, 0 nays. - PB2026‑5‑4 (billboard, PIN 169343000106): Approved on final reading, roll call 13 yes, 0 nays. - PB2026‑5‑5 (PUD extension, 250 E. Station / 310 S. Skyler): Approved on final reading, roll call 13 yes, 0 nays. - PB2026‑5‑6 (preliminary PUD plat): Approved on final reading, roll call 13 yes, 0 nays. - Event/street closure items 8A–8F: Combined and approved; overall motion passed with abstentions recorded from several members for items 8B, 8C and 8D due to potential conflicts of interest. - Resolution awarding tuck‑pointing work for the public safety building to Autobomb Company: Approved, roll call 13‑0. - Resolution authorizing a four‑year APBA regatta agreement (2026–2029): Approved, roll call 13‑0.
Most ordinance items were presented by Department of Planning staff and recommended by the planning commission; council members asked few substantive questions during the motions. A handful of routine administrative approvals (bills, surplus property and board appointments) also cleared the council with recorded votes. Abstentions were noted where council members declared potential conflicts on specific event or vendor approvals.
The council entered an executive session on a real‑estate matter later in the meeting and returned with no action announced. The city manager and department heads indicated several capital projects and infrastructure investments will continue through the summer, and multiple items approved this evening proceed to implementation steps (permits, plan submittals or contract execution).
