Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee Meeting - December 3, 2025

The Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee (CPAC) met on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at 10:00 AM in Joliet City Hall Council Chambers to continue work on the Joliet Comprehensive Plan. The primary agenda item was the review and confirmation of the Vision, Goals, and Objectives document, presented by consultant Lesley Roth of Lamar Johnson Collaborative. The meeting also included updates on public engagement, upcoming thematic workshops, and staff reports.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The committee unanimously approved the minutes from the November 5, 2025, meeting. The motion was made by Nora Gruenberg, seconded by Elaine Bottomley, and carried by a vote of 12 ayes (with 5 absent and 1 abstention).

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke during either the agenda-item or non-agenda-item public comment periods.

Discussion Items

• Vision, Goals & Objectives Document: Lesley Roth presented an overview of public engagement, including 2,000+ survey responses (far exceeding the goal of statistical significance), 100+ attendees at the first public workshop on September 17 at Joliet West High School, and key themes from the community. Roth then reviewed each chapter of the document:
  • Economic Development: Goals include strengthening legacy neighborhoods, encouraging new residential development, infill, job access, and bolstering downtown. Committee members generally agreed with the goals, noting they reflect the committee's diverse perspectives.
  • Multi-Modal Mobility: Eight goals covering roadways, transit, bicycling, and pedestrian safety. Discussion focused on clarifying language (e.g., “traffic flow for whom?”), separating safety as a standalone goal, and ensuring the vision statement leads the goals. The committee confirmed the goals after modifications.
  • Future Land Use and Development: Seven goals, including strengthening character areas, modernizing regulations, and concentrating development. Members emphasized the need to simplify goal language (e.g., “modernize the regulatory environment” was flagged as jargon) and to consider neighboring jurisdictions and unincorporated areas. The goals were confirmed.
  • Environment and Natural Resources: Three goals on parks, waterways, and public health. A member suggested adding an objective linking transportation decisions to environmental benefits (e.g., air quality from truck idling). The committee confirmed the goals.
  • Utilities and Infrastructure: Three goals on capacity, water security, and wastewater/stormwater. Members raised the importance of equitable broadband access with multiple providers. An objective on broadband was noted as already present, and the committee requested expanding it to include provider diversity. Goals confirmed.
  • People, Places, and Belonging: Five goals on neighborhood identity, arts, civic engagement, cultural identity, and inclusive public life. A member noted that city staff should reflect the city’s diversity. Goals confirmed.
• Key Priorities: Roth introduced seven community-driven priorities for Phase 3 (key recommendations): strong neighborhoods, economic opportunity, mobility, cultural identity, sustainability, equity through public investment, and community connection. The committee will rank these priorities in a future workshop.

Thematic Workshops

• Planning Director Jayne Bernhard announced that the Housing and Neighborhoods Working Group and the Transportation Working Group will meet in December at 6:30 PM in City Council Chambers. Pre-registration is encouraged. Attendance expectations were discussed, with Bernhard noting that turnout will be driven by committee leadership.

Staff Reports

• Bernhard reported that a roundtable with local school superintendents is scheduled for January 9, 2025, focusing on land use, housing, and workforce development. Public Workshop #2 will be held in February at the Downtown Joliet Public Library (likely February 11 or 26), not at Joliet Central High School due to construction conflicts.

Member Comments

• Dr. Theresa Rouse provided updates on District 86: ribbon cuttings for new Hufford and Gompers junior highs (August 2026), community open houses on April 18, 2026, geothermal systems, and murals. She also noted hearing on the proposed closure of Marshall Elementary (due to 32% capacity) with a board decision expected in February.
• Boise Walker noted that the East and Southeast Regional Alliance meeting on December 9 conflicts with the Housing Working Group.
• Diana Viveros encouraged supporting local small businesses through the Latino Economic Development Association (LEDA) lunch events.

Key Outcomes

• Votes: The committee voted unanimously to approve the November 5 meeting minutes. No other formal votes were taken; goals were confirmed by consensus.
• Directives: The consultant will refine the Vision, Goals, and Objectives document based on discussion points (e.g., de-jargoning Goal 2 under Future Land Use, adding a transportation-environment objective, expanding broadband objective).
• Next Steps: The committee will rank the seven key priorities at a future meeting. Thematic working groups will meet in December and January. Public Workshop #2 is scheduled for February 2025. The January 9 roundtable with superintendents will proceed. The committee will also receive personalized invitations to promote the workshops.