DeKalb Times

City of Sycamore Planning and Zoning Commission met July 12.

Here is the agenda provided by the commission:

1. CALL TO ORDER

2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

3. CONSENT AGENDA

A. Approval of Minutes from the June 14, 2021 Regular Meeting

4. AUDIENCE TO VISITORS

5. OLD BUSINESS

6. NEW BUSINESS/ACTION ITEMS

A. Consideration of the 2021 City of Sycamore Comprehensive Updated Plan.

The City of Sycamore, in cooperation with NIU, coordinated several surveys designed to gather input of local residents and city stakeholders as part of the City’s comprehensive planning process. These surveys from residents and business-owners marked the first step in gathering input that will be used in the process of updating the City’s Comprehensive Plan and Land Use Map from 2014. Participants were asked to complete an analysis outlining specific strengths, weaknesses, issues, and opportunities currently facing the City and downtown.

NIU compiled the information from these various groups into four specific categories: patterns for the City of Sycamore’s Real Estate Market and Economic Development strategies; Land Use and Zoning; Access and Circulation; and Signage and Way Finding. The overarching theme of the sessions was to preserve the established identity of the City of Sycamore.

A general synopsis of the more common themes related to land use is as follows:

· No significant changes were noted on the land use maps.

· Ensure housing stock appeals to multiple segments; focus on home-ownership as opposed to rental housing.

· Identify specific redevelopment areas.

· Attract new stores, activities, and forms of recreation.

· Establish an interconnected network of walks and trails.

· Emphasize traffic management.

· Ensure an established identity via the use of buffer zones, signage and gateway features.

· Targeted landscape improvements at gateways and downtown.

General comments regarding the downtown included:

· Work closely with DeKalb County to ensure active communication of future plans. Preserve home-grown businesses.

· Attract more unique independent small businesses and restaurants; consider incentive programs.

· Add more residential components downtown, notably the upper floors of buildings. 

· Look to expand footprint after all downtown spaces are occupied.

· More landscaping, green space, and park land.

· Preserve the diagonal parking and penny parking meters.

· Look for ways to expand parking.

· Make downtown more bicycle-friendly.

· Expand elements of streetscapes and signage to define the downtown area.

A public workshop was held in May to discuss where emphasis should be placed on the Future Land Use Map and downtown. Residents were encouraged to identify specific changes to the document that they would like to see implemented in the updated version. In addition to land use adjustments and redevelopment opportunities, participants were specifically asked to note potential infrastructure improvements, possible preservation areas, streetscape enhancements, community gateways, and any other thoughts regarding land use in the City of Sycamore.

The comments provided in the survey and public workshop were used to help guide staff in identifying revisions and objectives for the 2021 Comprehensive Plan update. The draft 2021 Comprehensive Plan, which is available on the City’s website, incorporates feedback from the various steps in the process with conventional planning objectives.

A public hearing will be held for this item at the Plan Commission level on July 12th and at the regular City Council meeting on July 19th. Plan Commission feedback and a recommendation to the City Council is requested.

7. REPORTS

8. ADJOURNMENT

https://cityofsycamore.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/071221PZC-Final.pdf