A diagnostic report on Glen Ellyn's zoning code found that the village's downtown and Roosevelt Road regulations are out of step with modern business needs, setting the stage for the first full code rewrite since 1989.
The Plan Commission will hold a special meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13, at the Civic Center, 535 Duane St., to discuss land uses in residential and commercial zoning districts. As we reported Aug. 5, the meeting is the next formal opportunity for residents and business owners to weigh in before a draft code drops in November.
What the diagnostic found
The Zoning Code Diagnostic Report, prepared by Cincinnati-based consultant ZoneCo, LLC and presented to the Plan Commission on May 28, concluded that Glen Ellyn's code "broadly supports long-standing community values" but falls short on housing variety, commercial reinvestment and regulatory clarity.
For downtown, the report found that the current C5/C5A/C5B zoning framework relies on highly specific use lists and frequent planned-unit-development triggers that make it difficult for businesses to adapt without lengthy discretionary negotiations. Along Roosevelt Road, zoning still tilts toward auto-oriented patterns with limited mixed-use permissions.
The report also flagged that common residential improvements like additions, garages and porches routinely require variances. That signals baseline standards no longer match what's already built in the village.
How the project is structured
The Village Board launched the rewrite on Jan. 28 when it approved a professional services agreement with ZoneCo. The project runs in four phases: kick-off, diagnostic, calibration and codification.
The calibration phase is underway.
The Plan Commission discussed downtown and commercial regulations at its July 23 meeting, and the Architectural Appearance Commission took up form-based code elements on July 15. Upcoming topic-based discussions will also cover supportive and affordable housing before the Community Relations Commission and Plan Commission.
The village is holding separate meetings with the Glen Ellyn Chamber of Commerce and the Alliance of Downtown Glen Ellyn as part of the process. A community survey ran from March 18 through April 15, and results fed into the diagnostic report.
What comes next
A draft zoning code is planned for November, followed by a public open house. Final adoption by the Plan Commission and Village Board is targeted for early 2027.
Community Development Director Jennifer Henaghan, who previously helped develop the Village of Lombard Downtown Redevelopment Plan, is overseeing the project.
An additional special Plan Commission meeting may be scheduled in September. Meeting agendas are posted to the village's project page by 4:30 p.m. the Friday before each meeting.
