Planning and Development Updates

The Planning and Development Department has received an application from Amy Wong, on behalf of the current property owner of 919 West Hill Street, to allow a multifamily property to continue operating in the SF2, Single- and Two-Family Zoning District. The applicants are seeking to address property maintenance and building code issues at this vacant property, then use the building as a four one-bedroom apartment. A Special Use Permit is required to allow a multifamily use in the SF2 Zoning District before property renovation work can begin.

PLAN COMMISSION MEETING (4/16/25)

On April 16, 2025, at 4 p.m. in City Council Chambers (102 N. Neil St.), Plan Commission will consider a petition from the applicant to continue this case to May 21, 2025. The applicant has requested this second continuation so they can attend in person and address questions from Plan Commissioners and nearby residents. The applicant will not be present for the April 16, 2025 meeting. Meeting materials will be posted when available.

PLAN COMMISSION MEETING (3/5/25)

On March 5, 2025, at 4 p.m. in City Council Chambers (102 N. Neil St.), Plan Commissioners approved a petition from the applicant to continue this case to a later meeting so the applicant could attend in person. Plan Commissioners approved a continuation to the April 16, 2025 Plan Commission meeting. At the April 16 meeting, Plan Commission will consider the applicant's petition to continue this case a second and final time to a May meeting so the applicant may attend and answer questions from Plan Commission and nearby residents.

Meeting materials for the March 5th meeting are linked below.

Plan Commission Agenda for March 5th, 2025

CGTV Online Recordings - Board and Commission Meetings

PLAN COMMISSION MEETING (2/19/25)

On February 19, 2025, the Plan Commission held a public hearing to review a Special Use Permit application for 919 W. Hill St. Staff presented the case, answered technical questions, and the applicant addressed commissioners and residents. After discussion and a split vote (3-3), the Commission voted to reopen the public hearing and continue the case at its March 5, 2025, meeting.

Planning staff recommended approval, citing that allowing multifamily use would support property renovations, occupancy, and prevent further deterioration. The Neighborhood Services Department is working with the property owner on an improvement plan, with ongoing property maintenance enforcement separate from the Special Use Permit process.

Meeting materials and a recording are linked below.

Report to Plan Commission for PL-25-7: A Proposed Special Use Permit for 919 West Hill Street

CGTV Online Recordings - Board and Commission Meetings

February 19, 2025 Plan Commission Meeting Minutes

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS

If you have any questions, or prefer to provide comments on the proposed Special Use Permit in writing, please reach out to:

Daniel Saphiere, AICP
Associate Planner
daniel.saphiere@champaignil.gov
(217) 403-8800

PLAN COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING

The Plan Commission held a public hearing to consider the omnibus text amendment case (PL-25-8) on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. at 102 North Neil Street, Champaign, Illinois in the City Council Chambers.

Meeting materials and a recording are linked below.

Report to Plan Commission for PL-25-8: Omnibus Text Amendment (external link)

CGTV Online Recordings - Board and Commission Meetings

The Plan Commission unanimously forwarded the omnibus text amendment case to the City Council with a recommendation of approval. This case will go to the City Council meeting on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. at 102 North Neil Street, Champaign, Illinois in the City Council Chambers.

OMNIBUS TEXT AMENDMENT

The Champaign Zoning Ordinance is Chapter 37 of the Municipal Code. The omnibus text amendment is a package of minor modifications to the Zoning Ordinance. Some of the proposed amendments are non-substantive in nature. Non-substantive amendments do not change how the ordinance operates in practice but rather fix incorrect references, correct typographical errors, and clarify vague language.

Some of the proposed amendments are substantive in nature and thus change how the ordinance operates in practice. These include:

• The revision of the definition for “Floor Area” to remove “enclosed recreational space”
• The addition of “Drive-Through” as a provisional use in the CN, Commercial Neighborhood District
• The elimination of “Freestanding Parking Lot” as a permitted use in the CB2, Central Business Downtown, and CB3, Central Business Campustown Districts
• The elimination of the permitted, provisional or special use requirement for accessory uses
• The elimination of the maximum area for child and adult day care centers
• The revision of code language for calculating vehicle parking space requirements
• The revision of code language for calculating accessory dwelling unit area
• The revision of code language requiring an Administrative Site Plan review, and
• The revision of code language prohibiting activity prior to subdivision approval.

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS

If you have any questions or comments on the proposed omnibus text amendment, please reach out to:

Kat Trotter

Zoning Administrator

katherine.trotter@champaignil.gov

(217) 403-8800

212 E. University Ave (Ahrens-Divan-Wojnar Residence)

UPDATE: The application to remove the Local Landmark Designation for 212 E University Ave. was withdrawn by the applicant.

The Planning and Development Department has received an application from Deborah Cox and Mary Wojnar, the current property owners 212 East University Avenue, to remove the Local Landmark Designation for the Ahrens-Divan-Wojnar Residence. The applicants are seeking the removal in order to market the property for sale and demolition. The application and supporting documentation is provided in the materials for the Historic Preservation Meeting. The Ahrens/Wojnar Residence was designated as a Local Landmark by City Council on August 4, 1998. The residence was also listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 11, 2011.

HISTORIC PRESERVATION MEETING

The Historic Preservation Commission will review the application to remove the Landmark Designation on Thursday December 5, 2024 at 4 p.m. in the City Council Chambers (102 North Neil St, Champaign) to review the application and hear public input. Meeting materials are posted below:

PL24-0031 Report to HPC

Attachment A - Location and Zoning Map

Attachment B - Application, Supporting Narrative and Photographs

Attachment C - Council Bill 1998-215

Attachment D - National Register of Historic Places Registration Form

Attachment E - Administrative COA

PLAN COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING

The Plan Commission will hold a public hearing to consider the application to remove the Landmark Designation on Wednesday December 18, 2024 at 4 p.m. in the City Council Chambers (102 North Neil St, Champaign) to review the application and hear public input. Meeting materials are provided below.

PL24-0031 Report to Plan Commission + Attachments

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS

If you have any questions, or prefer to provide comments on the proposed removal of the Landmark Designation in writing, please reach out to:

Eric Van Buskirk, AICP
Senior Planner
eric.vanbuskirk@champaignil.gov
(217) 403-8800

Upcoming Garden Hills Neighborhood Improvements and Construction – Public Meeting

The City will soon begin construction on improvements to make Garden Hills safer, more resilient, and better connected. To share project details, including the timeline and construction impacts, we invite you to a public information meeting on November 18, 2024, from 4-6 pm at 1804 North Mattis Avenue. Residents, property owners, and community stakeholders are encouraged to attend to learn more and provide feedback.

At the meeting, City project staff and our partners from Clark Dietz engineering will share details of the planned improvements to Paula Drive, Cynthia Drive and Garden Hills Drive, including road closures and detours. There will be opportunities for questions and community input. Design work is being finalized now. Construction will begin in 2025.

Attendees can also learn about the construction underway on the south side of Garden Hills. Hedge Road and Summerlin Lane, between Hedge and Holly Hill, will be reconstructed with new curbs, gutters, sidewalks, and lighting.

Two large ponds will capture stormwater runoff, helping to alleviate neighborhood flooding. Walking trails, landscaping, and a new Hedge Park with playgrounds, sports courts, and picnic areas will surround the basins.

These improvements reflect years of collaboration between the City and Garden Hills residents. Your partnership has shaped this vision, and we’re excited for the enhanced quality of life you will experience after construction.

We hope to see you on November 18th! If you have any questions in the meantime, please reach out to the project management team (contact information on the right side of this page).

More information on the Garden Hills page.