PZC FAQ
- Allison Longenbaugh
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 21 hours ago
Even with my experience on City Council, I had a lot to learn as a new Planning & Zoning Commissioner. I thought I’d share some high-level information I used to get up to speed.
WHAT IS THE PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION (PZC)? PZC is an advisory body to City Council. It reviews land-use requests to ensure they comply with Naperville’s Municipal Code and Land Use Master Plan. For example, we see cases for conditional use, rezoning, PUDs, code variances (parking, setbacks, height, signage). It does not make policy decisions.
WHAT IS ZONING? The general purpose of zoning is to “encourage the most appropriate use of land throughout the city”. The City is divided into “zoning districts” where the buildings & land use is relatively uniform. For example, R1/R2/R3/R4 covers low-to-high density residential housing, B1/B2/B3/B4 are shopping and business districts, ORI/RD/I are research, development, and light industry districts.
As part of the Municipal Code, City Council has codified a list of “permitted” and “conditional” uses within each zone. If a use falls into the permitted list, it doesn't need PZC approval. If it’s on the conditional list, it means it’s permitted, but conditional on approval by Council.
WHO COMES BEFORE PZC? Petitioners are usually residents, developers, business owners, and/or the attorney representing the petitioner.
HOW DOES A CASE GET TO PZC IN THE FIRST PLACE? If a project requests a variance, rezoning, or is a PUD or a special use, it comes before PZC.
WHAT IS CONDITIONAL USE? Each zoning classification has its own list of permitted and conditional uses. “Conditional Use” covers cases where a property use can be permitted within a zone but can't be easily classified without considering its impact on the adjacent locations. PZC reviews these to determine if the conditional use is compatible with the surrounding properties, won’t endanger public health & safety, won’t be injurious to the use of that property, won’t impede the normal development of that property, and is not in conflict with the master plan.
WHAT IS A PUD? A Planned Unit Development (PUD) is a large piece of land- owned or managed by one group- that’s planned as a single, coordinated project. Because everything is designed together, a PUD can request exemptions to some zoning or design rules to create a more flexible, well-designed community.
WHAT IS A VARIANCE? It’s a limited, case-specific exception to a zoning rule– things like setbacks, height, lot coverage, parking, signage. A property owner can request one (or more) when a strict application of the rule would create a unique hardship and the exception won’t negatively impact nearby properties or change the character of the neighborhood.
WHAT HAPPENS AT A PZC MEETING? It’s called “Public Hearing” for a reason. I’d loosely compare it to a court hearing.
Public Forum! Yes, there is a Public Forum just like at City Council. Speakers are limited to 3 minutes each.
Chair swears in anyone wishing to speak for a particular case. (There’s an oath "to tell the truth, and nothing but the truth”.)
Chair opens the Public Hearing
Staff presentation
Petitioner presentation
Public testimony. Unlike the Public Forum, there is no time limit for speakers providing testimony.
Petitioner closing remarks
Commissioner questions for staff and/or petitioner
Chair closes the Public Hearing
Motion and final votes
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PUBLIC FORUM & PUBLIC HEARING? Just like City Council meetings, the meeting starts with Public Forum. Speakers have 3 minutes to address the commission about issues not on the agenda.
WHAT INFORMATION DO COMMISSIONERS USE TO MAKE A DECISION? It’s evidence presented in the meeting: staff recommendations, Municipal Code, master plan, development petition, application, petitioner testimony, public testimony, legal requirements, etc. The meeting agenda item will have attachments of all relevant documents including the file petition, engineering plans, site plans, plat of survey, architectural & landscape renderings, written public comment, etc. Everything is published as part of the agenda and is available to the public.
HOW ARE PZC DECISIONS DIFFERENT THAN CITY COUNCIL? PZC has a narrower scope. PZC Commissioners are limited to evaluating a plan based on the zoning code. Council can consider broader community concerns: traffic, housing needs, economic impacts, community sentiment. Council can also change the Municipal Code by introducing new ordinances.
IS THE PZC VOTE BINDING? No. As an advisory board, the vote is a recommendation based on the Public Hearing. City Council is the final arbiter. A positive vote from PZC doesn’t mean the Council will approve. Alternatively, a negative vote doesn’t stop the petitioner from taking their case to Council.
HOW OFTEN DOES PZC MEET? First & third Wednesdays of the month at 7pm in Council Chambers. Meetings are live-streamed on the city’s website and on local cable TV and are available after the meeting on-demand on the city website.
WHO’S ON PZC? The commission is made up of 9 members. Each member can serve two 3-year terms. Three commissioners serve as the Executive Board: Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary.
CAN I CONTACT THE COMMISSIONERS? Yes! You can email planning@naperville.il.us and city staff will forward your comments to the commissioners.
HOW DO THE COMMISSIONERS GET APPOINTED? Just like all boards & commissions, the Mayor chooses (through an application and interview process), and Council approves.
DO COMMISSIONERS NEED SPECIAL EXPERIENCE? No. The Mayor appoints commissioners with diverse experiences to offer a well-rounded perspective on city planning. In other words, they don't have to be contractors or realtors to serve on PZC.