Committee of the Whole Workshop - October 26, 2026

The Plainfield Village Board Committee of the Whole met on Monday, October 26, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the Boardroom. Trustees and the Mayor conducted roll call, the Pledge of Allegiance, and unanimously approved the minutes from the October 12, 2026, Committee of the Whole Workshop. Trustee comments included a thank you to Dr. Chris Smith and the ASEC star team for a riverfront cleanup with 30 students. The meeting featured two major workshop segments: a detailed review of the proposed DHL Plainfield Logistics Centre Phase 2 and a preliminary estimate presentation for the 2026 Tax Levy.

Consent Calendar

• Unanimously approved the minutes from the Committee of the Whole Workshop held on October 12, 2026.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public addressed the board during the public comment period. A resident had previously called staff regarding lighting on the project.

Discussion Items

DHL Plainfield Logistics Centre Phase 2 (Case 2134-REZ.SU.SPR.PP)

• Project Overview: The applicant and staff presented a proposal for a two-building logistics campus totaling approximately 2 million square feet on 140 acres at the northeast corner of Ridge Road and 143rd Street. The developer, DHL, detailed a development agreement worth an estimated $2.9 million in fees and credits for public improvements, including a path on Ridge Road, enhanced pedestrian crossings, and traffic signals. The project is projected to generate an estimated $3 million annually for local taxing districts and $26 million in total annual economic output.
• Board Deliberations: The board expressed strong overall support for the project while focusing on enhancing mitigation measures.
  • Buffering and Setbacks: Trustee Rewain strongly advocated for shifting the buildings south to increase the buffer from the northern residential property line. The applicant noted the proposed 80-foot landscape buffer and a 270-foot building setback (five times the code requirement). The Mayor requested a mix of evergreen and deciduous shade trees in the buffer.
  • Lighting: The Mayor and trustees emphasized strict lighting controls, praising the applicant's commitment to zero foot-candles at the property line, a 3,000 Kelvin or lower color temperature, and a maximum 30-foot mounting height for light fixtures.
  • Traffic and Landscape: The board praised the preservation of an existing grove of trees and the use of naturalized detention basins. Trustee Keeper questioned truck traffic routing; the traffic engineer confirmed trucks are projected to primarily use the main 143rd Street access point.
• Applicant Response: Vince Rosanova (attorney for DHL) and the project team noted the project's Floor Area Ratio (FAR) is 0.3, which is 60% of what the I-1 zoning permits, allowing for the enhanced setbacks and landscaping. The team agreed to evaluate a potential shift of the building footprint.

2026 Tax Levy Preliminary Estimate

• Staff Presentation: Finance Director Tracy Pleckham presented the preliminary levy estimate. The village's property tax rate has remained steady near $0.44 per $100 of Equalized Assessed Value (EAV) for 20 years, equating to $629 annually on a $450,000 home. The total EAV has grown from $1.1 billion in 2006 to $2.56 billion in 2025, heavily driven by new growth. Staff recommended a preliminary levy estimate of $13.033 million, based on a 15% assumed EAV increment, representing a $1.7 million increase over the prior year. Proposed draft budgets were provided for the Tort Immunity, Audit, and Police Pension ($2.85 million funded, achieving a 78.2% funding rate) funds.
• Board Reaction: Trustees praised the presentation and acknowledged the village's strong financial health. A cautionary note was raised by the Mayor that the village's reliance on new growth for revenue stability is not permanent, reinforcing the need for ongoing commercial and industrial tax base diversification.

Key Outcomes

• DHL Logistics Centre Phase 2: The board provided clear direction to the applicant to explore maximizing the northern landscape buffer, potentially by shifting the building pad south. The project enjoys broad conceptual support. Staff will work with the applicant on a revised site plan incorporating board feedback for a return to the Village Board.
• 2026 Tax Levy: The board reached consensus to accept the $13.033 million preliminary estimate. This item will move to the November 2, 2026, Village Board meeting for approval. A follow-up workshop on the specific tax rate is scheduled for November 9, 2026.