Palos Hills City Council Debates Plan Commission Changes

After meeting where the Palos Hills City Council denied a special use permit for a daycare center despite the Plan Commission's unanimous approval, the council decided to have a Planning and Zoning meeting prior to this week's committee meeting.

Although plan commissions are not rubber stamps for items that need council approval, the potential daycare owner was surprised that a unanimous approval by one city commission was followed by a strong denial from the City Council.

Ald. Bill Hanson (3rd ward) shared the results of the planning and zoning meeting.

Hanson said the City Council and Plan Commission will work together for more updated lists on what the village wants to see in the city limits.

He also said that he wanted to draft a letter to Plan Commission members and Zoning Board of Appeals members requiring them to resign if they cannot attend annual Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) meetings.

Mayor Gerald Bennett said he has final the word on the dismissal of commission members and while he agreed attendance at the meetings was important, he does not want to make attendance mandatory.

“Vacancies in these positions are very hard to fill – I'm saying that's an excuse for not attending – but I will talk to them and let them now that attending these meetings is important and very helpful,” Bennett said.

 Next meeting: The council will meet again on Thursday, March 17.