Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee

City of Joliet 150 West Jefferson Street Joliet, IL 60432 Meeting Minutes - Final Wednesday, April 2, 2025 10:00 AM City Hall, Council Chambers Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee Committee Members: Mayor Terry D'Arcy Councilman Cesar Cardenas Elaine Bottomley Warren Dorris Nora Gruenberg Jen Howard Wendell Martin Hugh O'Hara Christopher Parker Doug Pryor Steve Randich Juan Rico Jim Roolf Dr. Theresa Rouse Diana Viveros Boise Walker Damon Zdunich Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes - Final April 2, 2025 Citizens who are unable to attend the meeting can email comments in advance of the meeting to publiccomment@joliet.gov. CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL Present Terry D'Arcy, Elaine Bottomley, Cesar Cardenas, Warren Dorris, Nora Gruenberg, Jen Howard, Hugh O'Hara, Steven Randich, Jim Roolf, Theresa Rouse, Boise Walker and Damon Zdunich Absent Wendell Martin, Christopher Parker, Doug Pryor, Juan Rico and Diana Viveros ALSO PRESENT: Deputy City Manager Christa Desiderio, City Clerk Lauren O’Hara, Media Engagement and Communications Director Rosemaria DiBenedetto, Community Development Director Dustin Anderson, Economic Development Director Paulina Martinez, Interim Corporation Counsel Todd Lenzie, Deputy Director of Engineering Sean Mikos, Traffic Engineer Russ Lubash, CDBG Program Manager Jackie Lozada, Planner Jayne Bernhard, Planner Raymond Heitner, Planner Helen Miller, Legal Assistant Katy Fyksen, and Community Development Administrative Assistant Lauren Helland Diana Viveros arrived at approximately 10:10 a.m. Wendell Martin arrived at approximately 10:35 a.m. Damon Zdunich and Nora Gruenberg left at approximately 11:00 a.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes TMP-8410 3-5-25 Attachments: CPAC Meeting Minutes 3-5-25.pdf A motion was made by Steven Randich, seconded by Boise Walker, to approve Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes 3-5-25. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: D'Arcy, Bottomley, Cardenas, Dorris, Gruenberg, Howard, O'Hara, Randich, Roolf, Rouse, Walker and Zdunich Absent: Martin, Parker, Pryor, Rico and Viveros CITIZENS TO BE HEARD ON AGENDA ITEMS None OLD BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS Page 1 of 3 Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes - Final April 2, 2025 Joliet Comprehensive Plan - Plan Branding TMP-8409 Planner Jayne Bernhard introduced Muse consultants, Katrina Balog and Meredith Felt, to the Committee members. Ms. Bernhard introduced Lamar Johnson Collaborative consultants, Lesley Roth and Prayag Bagde, who appeared via Microsoft Teams. Ms. Balog and Ms. Felt provided an overview of four Comprehensive Plan branding concepts, including 1A, 1B, 2, and 3. A robust discussion was held among the Committee members about the four branding concepts. Existing Conditions Report - Outline TMP-8408 Attachments: 20250319_Memo_ECR Outline.pdf Ms. Roth provided an overview of the Existing Conditions Report and inquired about the Committee’s interests and priorities for the Existing Conditions Report topics. There was discussion regarding housing diversity, housing availability, vertical housing, affordable housing, ownership based housing, and attainable housing. Committee members discussed retention of young adults, transportation, job opportunities, and accessible paths. There was discussion about economic development, community development, land use, zoning, infrastructure, and redevelopment opportunities throughout Joliet. Committee members and Ms. Roth highlighted speaking with the Joliet Community about the Comprehensive Plan process and bringing feedback to the Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee discussions. Ms. Roth provided an overview of the Existing Conditions Report outline. Ms. Roth responded to Mayor Terry D’Arcy’s inquiry about the relationship between the Existing Conditions Report and the Urban 3 Economic Analysis. Mayor D’Arcy highlighted the economic valuation of parcels and infrastructure as components of the Urban 3 Economic Analysis. Ms. Roth discussed in greater detail Chapter 3 titled Past/Ongoing Plans and Reports of the Existing Conditions Report. STAFF REPORTS Ms. Bernhard explained that a Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee Special Meeting would take place on April 23 to confirm project branding and described an Equitable Transit Oriented Development open house that would take place on May 14 at Gateway Transportation Center. MEMBER COMMENTS There was a comment about a vertical housing development near Fox Valley Mall and similar vertical housing opportunities in Joliet. Page 2 of 3 Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes - Final April 2, 2025 Mayor D’Arcy and Jim Roolf highlighted the importance of Community feedback and the generation of ideas relating to the Comprehensive Plan. Comments were made regarding new development and redevelopment areas within Joliet, including partnering with African American churches to develop east of the Des Plaines River, residential housing at the Country Club location, sites listed in the Equitable Transit-Oriented Development plan, U.S. Steel property, and near Interstate 80. Mayor D’Arcy thanked Ms. Roth and her team. PUBLIC COMMENT Katy Garthus spoke about development. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Steven Randich, seconded by Cesar Cardenas, to approve adjournment. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: D'Arcy, Bottomley, Cardenas, Dorris, Gruenberg, Howard, Martin, O'Hara, Randich, Roolf, Rouse, Viveros, Walker and Zdunich Absent: Parker, Pryor and Rico This meeting will be held in an accessible location. If you need a reasonable accommodation, please contact The City Clerk Office, 150 West Jefferson Street, Joliet, Illinois 60432 at (815) 724-3780. Page 3 of 3