Joliet Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee Meeting - February 4, 2026 (4:15 PM)

The Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee (CPAC) met on February 4, 2026, to review progress on the city's comprehensive plan update. Key topics included a status report on topic area workshops held in December 2025 and January 2026, planning for Community Workshop #2, and discussion of subarea character areas. The committee also received updates on the Equitable Transit Oriented Development (ETOD) zoning project and the River Edge Redevelopment Zone tax credit program. The meeting was attended by 11 members (quorum present) and staff from the city and consultant Lamar Johnson Collaborative.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the January 7, 2026, CPAC meeting were approved unanimously by voice vote (11 ayes, 0 nays, 6 absent).

Public Comments & Testimony

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

Discussion Items

• Status Update: Topic Area Workshops: Planning Director Jayne Bernhard reported that the seven topic area workshops (December 2025–January 2026) attracted an estimated 230 total attendees, with attendance ranging from 15 to 50 per session. The highest attended workshop was Arts & Culture. Engagement tool Mentimeter was used to collect anonymous input. Committee members praised the quality of discussion and noted that participants expressed strong interest in preserving neighborhood heritage and community events. A draft summary of workshop findings will be distributed to the committee.
• Superintendents Roundtable: On January 9, 2026, the city hosted a roundtable with superintendents from Joliet public and private schools. Dr. Theresa Rouse and Mayor Terry D'Arcy described the meeting as highly productive, with superintendents expressing appreciation for being included. Key topics included challenges of shrinking class sizes, special education costs (estimated at $18,500 per student, or $450,000 per classroom), and alignment between school district needs and city development decisions (e.g., housing types in PUDs). Participants agreed to continue regular dialogue.
• Community Workshop #2: Consultant Lesley Roth presented the workshop structure, scheduled for late February 2026 (virtual training on February 24, 1:00–2:00 PM; workshop date not specified but expected soon). The workshop will focus on four character areas: Joliet Mall area, Ridge Road Corridor, East Side Industrial Area, and South Chicago Street/McDonald's Street Corridor. Participants will use interactive boards and flags to place program elements (parks, housing, businesses) on maps. The workshop will also include a 'We've Been Listening' board to capture additional feedback. An enhanced online engagement tool (parallel to the in-person workshop) will be available in multiple languages and will run during and shortly after the event. Committee members will staff the workshop; targeted mailers for each subarea have been prepared and will be sent to residents within a half-mile to one-mile radius.
• Discussion of Character Areas and Redevelopment: Committee members raised several points:
  • St. Joe's Hospital Area: Jim Roolf advocated for adding this area as a future character area, noting its potential as a medical campus given healthcare's 20–22% share of GDP. Staff noted that mailers for the four current areas are already printed, but St. Joe's could be considered in later phases.
  • Joliet Mall Area: Members discussed the mall owner's lack of responsiveness and the challenge of coordinating multiple landowners. Mayor D'Arcy criticized past city leadership for rejecting a market-rate apartment proposal on the Sears site six years ago, which could have catalyzed redevelopment. Deputy City Manager Christa Desiderio mentioned that the mall area is now eligible for the River Edge Redevelopment Zone tax credit program (administered by DCEO), which could provide up to $2.3 million in incentives for qualifying projects. The committee requested a two-page summary of the program for distribution.
  • Online Engagement: Nora Gruenberg asked about ensuring accessibility for residents unable to attend in person. Staff confirmed a parallel online survey with interactive features, and that the online tool would be tested by committee members before launch.
• Staff Reports: Jayne Bernhard provided an update on the Equitable Transit Oriented Development (ETOD) zoning project, which has kicked off with a consultant in the data-gathering phase. A small steering committee will be formed from the previous steering committee.
• Member Comments: Jim Roolf announced an upcoming presentation to the Joliet City Center Partnership Board and a Community Expo at Joliet West High School (date not specified). He encouraged members to attend or give presentations to community groups to promote the comprehensive plan.

Key Outcomes

• The minutes of January 7, 2026, were approved.
• The committee endorsed the plan for Community Workshop #2 and committed to staffing the event and disseminating promotional materials.
• Staff will provide a summary of topic area workshop input and a River Edge Redevelopment Zone program overview to committee members.
• The ETOD zoning project will proceed with a steering committee to be announced.