Title
Resolution - Land Use Moratorium
History
The Development Services Department is about to begin a full review of its Comprehensive Plan, last adopted in 2013, which as outlined in the Land Development Code, is “an official statement of the policy of the Village with respect to the existing and developing character of various areas of the Village; the proper objectives, standards, and directions for future maintenance, growth and development of the Village; and the actions and programs to be undertaken by the Village with respect to its future maintenance and development.”
The Village has identified an updated Comprehensive Plan as a key part of the Village’s next steps in updating its development goals and defining the Village’s future to ensure a continued vibrancy and diversity in the Village’s character of strong social, community, and fiscal health.
This review will include updating each of the existing chapters including demographics, integrating more recent studies into the documents such as the parks plan and future utility needs, removing projects that have already been completed like infrastructure improvements, reviewing the goals and objectives of each of the planning areas, and recommending changes to the Land Development Code, which guides the implementation of Plan.
Similar to the temporary moratorium that the Village placed on rental housing licenses in 2024, Staff is recommending a period of analysis of regulations connected to certain land uses and business licensing that advance the goals of identifying development objectives that prevent the overdevelopment of certain specific types of businesses, to protect the viability of the current businesses present in the Village, and to reduce the potential for unstable commercial turnover. As the nature of business changes over time, certain uses may reduce business diversity, overtax parking and access, limit redevelopment options, and are less likely to spur facility and site improvements.
Staff is recommending a temporary moratorium on the acceptance, approval, and issuance of new business licenses, and the acceptance, approval, and issuance of zoning relief, for the following uses as defined herein for the purposes of this Ordinance. The moratorium will apply only to new applications; issuance of business licenses and/or zoning relief to existing licensed businesses will not be affected and the moratorium will only apply to applications completed and filed after the passage of this Resolution, exempting any businesses with complete applications prior to the effective date:
1. Repossession Lot - A facility where repossessed motor vehicles or other personal property are stored, processed, and/or sold, whether wholesale or retail.
2. Scrap or Junk Yard - A facility where used, discarded, salvaged, or scrap materials are collected, stored, dismantled, processed, or resold.
3. Retail Mattress Businesses - A business primarily engaged in the retail sale of mattresses, bedframes, and/or other items accessory to the sale of mattresses.
4. Pawn Shops, Secondhand Stores, or Flea Markets - A business primarily engaged in the buying, selling, or pawning of used goods or merchandise, including goods sold or traded in a temporary or permanent market setting, but excluding non-profit resale stores and antique stores.
5. Unlicensed Day Labor Center - A facility not licensed by the State of Illinois that functions as a location for the hiring of individuals for short term or casual labor.
6. Temporary Employment or Placement Agency - A business primarily engaged in the placement of individuals in temporary employment positions with third-party employers.
7. Coffee and/or Tea Shop - A business primarily engaged in the preparation and sale of coffee, tea, or similar beverages, and/or retail goods or light café items accessory to the preparation and sale of coffee, tea or similar beverages.
8. Breakfast Restaurant - A business primarily engaged in the preparation and sale of breakfast items for on-premises consumption.
9. Alternative Financial Services - A business that offers financial services such as currency exchange, check cashing, money transfers, or short-term high interest lending, other than a bank, savings and loan association, or credit union regulated and insured by the United States or the State of Illinois.
10. Grocery Stores which fall into the use category of commercial retail establishments not exceeding 50,000 square feet of floor area - A business primarily engaged in the sale of food, beverages, and household products for off-premises consumption.
11. Standalone convenience store (excluding accessory usage) - A business of less than 5,000 square feet of total floor area primarily engaged in the sale of food, beverages, tobacco products, and household items, that is not a part of a larger retail grocery store or a gasoline service station.
12. Jewelry Store - A business primarily engaged in the retail sale, repair or manufacture of jewelry, watches, precious metals, or gemstones.
13. Personal grooming establishment - A business primarily engaged in hair care, nail care, skin care, or other personal grooming services.
14. Lodging Establishment - A business providing temporary accommodations for a fee, including hotels, motor inns, extended-stay facilities, bed and breakfasts, and similar establishments.
Following the review of these uses, Staff will recommend changes, if necessary.
Financial Impact
During the period of the moratorium, there will be a slight reduction in permit activity, entitlement activity, commercial occupancy.
Recommended Action/Motion
I move to recommend adopting a Resolution entitled: A RESOLUTION IMPOSING A NINE-MONTH TEMPORARY MORATORIUM ON THE ACCEPTANCE AND APPROVAL OF CERTAIN BUSINESS LICENSES, DEVELOPMENT, AND ZONING APPLICATIONS IN THE VILLAGE OF ORLAND PARK, ILLINOIS.