Trustees keep employment-agency zoning amendment at first read after staffing-business speakers urge approval

The board opened first reading on an ordinance to amend Title 10 of the Shorewood Village Code to address employment agencies in the B1 district and to add a definition for employment agencies to the code. No final action was taken; trustees left the item at first read to consider language.

Two speakers at the citizens forum urged the board to adopt the change so staffing/outplacement offices can operate in B1. Michael Sabaris, chief operating officer for Full Steam Staffing (known in Illinois as Joliet Staffing), said his branch averages about two applicants per day and that his branch placed approximately 248 people in the prior year. ``We took in 462 applicants... we actually placed to about 250, 248 people,'' Sabaris said, describing his business model as an outplacement and placement service rather than a day-labor operation.

Naysh Shah, who identified himself as the owner of NPV Shorewood and of Hammel Creek Shopping Center, urged trustees to adopt the planning commission's unanimous recommendation, noting the 1997 code predates modern mobile and online hiring tools. ``In 1997, when this code was written, there weren't cell phones... The Internet was in its infancy,'' Shah said, arguing current code language does not reflect modern outplacement operations.

Staff and the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended permitting employment agencies by appointment in the B1 district and adding a definition to the zoning code; trustees requested more time for consideration and did not take action this evening.