Planning and Development Committee Meeting - July 13, 2026

This meeting of the Rockford Planning and Development Committee, held on July 13, 2026, at 5:30 PM, focused on the presentation of the 2026 Infill Planning & Development Guide, an information-only item. The guide identifies 50 strategic development areas across the city for future housing, emphasizing infill development on vacant or underutilized sites. Public comments addressed concerns about public transit, veterans, domestic violence training, and local political representation.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Larry Washington criticized the Rockford Mass Transit District (RMTD), citing poor reviews and echoing the late Alderman McNeely’s advice that change requires replacing the top five executives and the entire board. He also noted sidewalk obstructions and buckling sidewalks on school property.
• Prophet Yusuf listed 21 African American Medal of Honor recipients from Vietnam, praised veterans, and expressed personal messages of love to several attendees. He also sang “Happy Birthday” to friends.
• John Tack Brentley criticized former President Donald Trump, Project 2025, white privilege, and Jim Crow laws. He alleged that the 13th ward alderman ignored him in favor of a Caucasian interlocutor, and claimed that the mayor won by only 11% despite 41.32% of independent voters. He also listed community resources removed from the west side (hospital, public aid office, grocery store).
• Erica Reed detailed her advocacy for legislation requiring domestic violence training for mental health licenses in New York, and criticized local and state politicians (Representative West, Senator Vella, Representative Stadelman) for inaction, noting that the Family Peace Center and others have not advanced the bill. She urged council involvement.
• Denzel Winter recounted incidents of bus drivers mistreating passengers, including a mother with a baby and groceries, and called for respectful treatment of riders.

Discussion Items

• 2026 Infill Planning & Development Guide Presentation: City staff (Scott and Director Sarah Lies) presented the guide, a planning tool to identify sites for future housing. Key points:
  • Rockford needs 6,000–9,000 additional housing units by 2035; infill is one strategy.
  • 50 strategic development areas identified, totaling over 1,000 acres of development opportunity.
  • Sites evaluated on infrastructure, access, compatibility, development potential, and long-term viability.
  • West side has 53% of vacant acreage; east side 47%. However, Alderman Meeks noted 39 identified properties on the east side vs. 10 on the west side (plus one central), prompting questions about imbalance. Staff clarified that west side sites are larger (e.g., two over 200 acres each).
  • The guide includes detailed profiles for each site, and is intended to be a living document updated more than once a year.
  • Staff will market the guide to developers, realtors, and at conferences; they have already used it in statewide housing discussions.
  • Alderman Thunberg raised concerns about labor shortages in construction; staff acknowledged that high material costs and competition from other regions are bigger factors, and mentioned exploring modular housing to reduce labor needs.
  • Alderman Grant asked about including smaller scattered vacant lots not in the guide; staff said they could add them but focused on larger clusters. Alderman Salgado inquired about leveraging the land bank and trustee program; staff noted one land bank site (former Martin Luther King Jr. school) is already included.
  • Chairwoman asked about recommendations for developers on market rate vs. affordable housing; staff said they start with market rate but will consider all proposals, with council having final approval via zoning.

Key Outcomes

• No votes were taken; the guide was presented for information only.
• The full 174-page guide is available online and will be actively marketed to developers and partners.
• Staff will continue to update the inventory, coordinate infrastructure improvements, provide early development assistance, and meet with aldermen to discuss ward-specific sites.
• The meeting adjourned with a unanimous voice vote.