Peoria Standard

City of East Peoria City Council met April 1.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Honorable John P. Kahl Mayor of the City of East Peoria called the Working Session of the City Council of the City of East Peoria, Illinois to order at 5:00 P.M. with the meeting having been properly noticed. The City Clerk certifies that notice of the meeting was duly served upon Council Members via email on Friday, March 28, 2025 at approximately 4:59 P.M.

Upon the roll being called the following answered present: Mayor John P. Kahl, Commissioners Daniel S. Decker, Mark E. Hill, and Seth D. Mingus.

Absent: Michael L. Sutherland.

Mayor Kahl explained that the Special Meeting is called for the purpose of discussion on the 2045 Comprehensive Plan Update and stated that no formal action would be taken at the meeting by the City Council. Mayor Kahl introduced Director of Planning and Community Development, Ty Livingston. Director Livingston explained that the city is nearing the end of the Comprehensive Plan process. He introduced Cristen Hardin, a Senior Project Manager with PGAV Planners, who is assisting the City in in its Comprehensive Plan Process. Ms. Hardin introduced Teresa Anderson, a Project Manager with PGAV Planners. Ms. Hardin explained that she is here for an update. The project time line was shown that included Phase 3 and Revisions to Richland Farms and the Four Corners district that was completed. They are now in Phase 4 of the project. Ms. Hardin discussed future land use planning explaining that there is a difference between future land use planning and zoning. Future land use planning guides the decisions, such that zoning is used to implement the future land use planning. One important factor to consider is the 1.5 mile range from the city limits that is unincorporated which is used in future land use planning. She commented on a boundary line agreements being in place or needed where two communities are within the 1.5 mile area to each other. There is a merger within the 1.5 miles with Washington, Morton, Marquette Heights, Pekin, and Creve Coeur. There are areas that the City can pursue annexation and do not have to enter into a boundary line agreement. The Comprehensive Plan project identifies areas where development may be more or less suitable, such as looking at several factors including, school district boundaries, slope topography, flood risk, undermined areas, undeveloped land, infrastructure, and the 1.5 mile planning area. There are areas where development may be more suitable for the new development. She commented on future land use considerations being (1) types of land use changes that are likely to occur, or that you would like to see happen and (2) major transportation corridors, including N. Main St, Boyd Parkway, East Washington, among other. Ideas for how to look at future land use categories include items, such as residential, commercial, industrial, special interest areas, public/semi-public, parks and open space, and rights of way.

Ms. Hardin explained that there was a group that met earlier in the day and key questions were posed to the group that will impact future land use planning, including (1) preferences for certain school districts and (2) potential challenges in working with neighboring communities regarding annexation and boundary line agreements. Mayor Kahl discussed the potential for boundary line agreements with Morton and the other communities. Other Key contemplations for the group were (1) sharing notable changes related residential land uses, (2) sharing notable changes for a major corridor, (3) sharing one key opportunity and one potential barrier your group discussed, and (4) sharing one notable idea or question that came up in the groups discussion.

Ms. Anderson stepped up to the podium and explained that there were three groups working on the maps and looking at different areas earlier in the day. The groups looked at growth south of the City’s existing boundary (that could be a mix of residential development and industrial development) and (2) growth north/northwest of the City’s exiting boundary that could be primarily low-density residential to close gaps between Washington Street and IL-24. Ms. Anderson explained that the groups next discussed priorities for the best places to develop. Those discussed refining the City’s 1.5 miles planning area and negotiating boundary agreements with surrounding municipalities. The last group looked at identifying opportunities to support and attracts mixed residential development and mixed-use development. Mayor Kahl stated that there was more focus on residential development that includes priorities for senior living, young professionals, and families. They looked at the map and targeted those areas for future development. Mayor Kahl explained that boundaries for schools is set by the stated and commented on consolidation of schools with schools opposing consolidation. Mayor Kahl explained that boundary agreements should also include things that the City does not want in areas in addition to things that the City wants in those areas. Director Livingston commented on commercial development on the southern corridor such as gas stations and other possible commercial developments that fit needs for services that may be missing in that corridor. Commissioner Mingus commented on building permits and new housing starts largely being in the Washington School District, and he believes that it is important to look at current growth in looking at the future growth. Mayor Kahl commented on one group mentioning Meadow Avenue ideas and how do you incentivize development along that corridor.

Commissioner Sutherland entered the meeting at 5:26 pm.

Mayor Kahl commented on the City being unique in that it is divided by schools districts, representation in government, topography, and land. Ms. Hardin explained that coming next in the process are the Objectives and Key results. Broad things such as housing and others will be determined. Objectives are what the City wants to do, and the Key results are how those will be implements. Initial Objectives and Key Areas are (1) Sub Area Planning; (2) Housing; (3) Transportation and Infrastructure; (4) Business, Development, and Growth; and (5) Parks and Recreation. There was also a popup open house today at the Richland Community Center that gave residents of Richland Farms an opportunity to make sure that they were heard accurately in key concerns, issues, and opportunities. There will be at least one additional steering committee meeting before the open house to focus on the draft future land use map and the draft implementation strategy. The future land use map and the future implementation strategy will be the focus of the open house. From there, the plan will begin being drafted.

Mayor Kahl asked for any other comments from the City Council. There was no response. He thanked Ms. Hardin and Ms. Anderson for their work.

Mayor Kahl asked for any comments from the audience. There was no response.

Motion by Commissioner Mingus, seconded by Commissioner Decker; Mr. Mayor, I move you that we adjourn the meeting.

Yeas: Commissioners Decker, Hill, Mingus, and Sutherland, and Mayor Kahl.

Nays: None.

Mayor Kahl declared the motion carried and the meeting adjourned at 5:31 P.M.

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