Resident urges outreach to county and state officials over rezoning worries for Martin's Additions

A committee member warned at the Community Engagement Committee meeting that state-level rezoning efforts could threaten the village's zoning authority and urged using community events to press elected officials to preserve local controls.

Jean, a longtime resident and committee speaker, said recent legislative activity poses a risk to the village's zoning powers. "Given what's going on with small communities, rezoning movements to take away our zoning power, which in fact would eliminate who we are as a community," she said, urging that the committee invite county and state officials to local events so residents can express their views directly.

Committee members agreed on the value of more direct resident-official interactions at neighborhood events. The staff member noted plans to invite state and county representatives to LaFerm and other signature gatherings, and members suggested inviting officials such as Aaron Kaufman and state senator Jeff Waltzreicher to improve resident access to policymakers.

Why it matters: Jean framed the risk as structural — a loss of local zoning authority would change how the village governs development and protects its character. The committee did not receive formal assurances from county or state officials during this meeting; instead, members directed staff to use events as outreach opportunities and to consider targeted invitations to key officeholders.

Next steps: Committee staff will continue LaFerm event logistics this week and said they will send invitation emails to officials and track responses. The committee also planned follow-up outreach tied to upcoming events; no formal resolutions, letters, or votes were taken on the rezoning issue during the meeting.