Arlington Heights meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Arlington Heights building board approves most residential code amendments; village board weighs police vehicles and housing

The Arlington Heights Building Code Review Board on July 29 approved 13 of 15 proposed amendments to the 2024 International Residential Code, rejecting two. The board also acted on fire-resistance and foundation requirements. Other recent meetings covered police pension matters, a potential affordable senior housing development, and multiple TIF reports, though most were agenda-only with minutes not yet published.

Recent decisions

The Building Code Review Board voted on amendments to the 2024 International Residential Code. Approved items included R302.3.2 (fire-resistance rating, with one abstention), R302.13 (fire protection of floors), R401.4 (soil tests, as modified), R403.1.3.3 (slab reinforcing steel), R403.1.4.2 (accessory structure foundations, with wording change), R403.1.9 (trench foundation, as modified), and R408.6 (finished grade, slush coat, vapor retarder). Two amendments were not adopted: M1305.1.2 (attic appliance access) failed, and G2417.7.3.1 (abandoned fuel gas piping) was retained as original code. The board will continue reviewing amendments at its next meeting.

Other recent meetings

• **Village Board of Trustees (Aug. 3):** The consent agenda included the purchase of eleven police vehicles, a design engineering contract for the 2027 Water Main Project, an agreement with Cook County DOT for the Euclid Avenue Resurfacing Project, and an ordinance amending drive-through restaurant signage and alcohol regulations. The board also held an early review of an affordable senior housing development at 330 W. Golf Road. No votes were taken; the meeting was agenda-only.
• **Police Pension Fund (July 29):** The board discussed a professional services agreement for pension benefit payments, reviewed the actuarial evaluation and tax levy request, and considered retirement orders for Officers James Harkins and Mark Felser. Admission applications for Officers Andrew Baker and Liana Elayan, plus creditable service transfers for Sergeant Brian Clarke and Officers Juan Gonzalez and Jesse Wienski, were on the agenda.
• **Board of Fire and Police Commissioners (July 28):** The board held a closed session to conduct oral interviews for the position of Police Officer and to vote on candidate eligibility, citing state law for personnel matters.
• **Joint Review Board (Aug. 5):** Three separate meetings reviewed Fiscal Year 2025 State Comptroller Annual TIF Reports for Hickory Kensington, TIF IV, South Arlington Heights Road, and TIF V. All were informational; no formal decisions were indicated.
• **Other bodies:** The Board of Health reviewed an update on unregulated THC state legislation. The Design Commission reviewed an addition at 214 W. Fremont St. and discussed the 2027 budget. The Environmental Commission reviewed 2026 goals, recycling, and compost initiatives. The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission discussed the Windsor Drive Road Diet and CMAP travel plans. The Committee of the Whole interviewed Bridget Krause for a Performing Arts at Metropolis board appointment. The Arts Commission reviewed its 2027 budget and public art plans.

Coming up

• **Committee of the Whole (Aug. 10):** Discussion of a water meter replacement project and software implementation, plus police department staffing.
• **Zoning Board of Appeals (Aug. 10):** Five new zoning applications on Volz Drive, Beverly Lane, Mitchell Avenue, Bristol Lane, and Spring Ridge Drive.
• **Design Commission (Aug. 11):** Review of a single-family teardown at 515 S. Chestnut Ave. and nominations for the 2026 Alan F. Bombick Award.
• **Special Events Commission (Aug. 12):** Plans for Autumn Harvest (Oct. 10), Tree Lighting (Nov. 27), and Hearts of Gold 2027.
• **Historic Preservation Task Force (Aug. 13):** First organizational meeting, including presentations on the Open Meetings Act and FOIA.
• **Senior Citizens Commission (Aug. 14):** Transportation/Housing Subcommittee meeting; agenda is procedural only.

Arlington Heights boards weigh liquor licenses, police vehicles, and TIF reports in busy stretch

Arlington Heights officials packed the last two weeks with commission and board agendas covering liquor licensing, public safety hiring, environmental goals, and subdivision hearings. Because minutes have not yet been published for any of these meetings, the items below reflect what was listed on each agenda — not confirmed outcomes. Readers should consult the official minutes once posted.

Village Board: liquor licenses, drainage, and CDBG hearing

The Village Board of Trustees agenda for July 20 called for adopting an ordinance raising the number of Class A liquor licenses to 37 and recommending licenses for SHUN SUSHI INC at 138 E. Rand Road and ARLINGTON GRACE, LLC at 858 S. Arthur Avenue. The same meeting was set to consider an Electric Vehicle Charger Ordinance with clarifications to Chapters 23 and 27, a resolution approving a contract for Backyard Drainage Improvements 2026, and a purchasing-card agreement with U.S. Bank National Association. A public hearing was scheduled for the 2026–2027 Community Development Block Grant action plan.

Earlier that evening, the Committee of the Whole was slated to interview Sean Anderson for Arlington Grace LLC and Ting Ting Liang and Qiugui Jiang for Shun Sushi Inc as part of the liquor commissioner's process.

Public safety and pension business

The Board of Fire and Police Commissioners planned a July 28 closed session under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) and (c)(21) to conduct oral interviews for Police Officer candidates and vote on eligibility of specific candidates.

On July 29, the Board of Trustees of the Police Pension Fund was scheduled to review and approve an actuarial evaluation and tax levy request, discuss a professional services agreement for pension benefit payments, and act on retirement orders for Officer James Harkins and Officer Mark Felser. Admission applications for Officer Andrew Baker and Officer Liana Elayan and creditable-service transfers for Sergeant Brian Clarke, Officer Juan Gonzalez, and Officer Jesse Wienski were also listed.

Plan Commission and Design Commission

The Plan Commission set a July 22 public hearing on the subdivision plat and variations for 950 E. Rand Road (Consumers Credit Union, PC#26-007), plus discussion of the 2027 Plan Commission budget.

The Design Commission's July 28 agenda included review of a single-family addition at 214 W. Fremont St. (DC26-048) and discussion of the 2027 Design Commission budget.

Health, environment, and mobility

The Board of Health on July 27 was to receive updates on unregulated THC state legislation, nursing services, social services, and environmental health and senior services from the Health & Human Services Director.

The Environmental Commission's July 28 agenda covered 2026 goals including landfill diversion education, Village sustainability metrics publication, a livestream event with Arlington Heights Memorial Library on "Greener Living in Arlington Heights," curbside composting awareness, and benchmarking of textile recycling and polystyrene foam ordinances in surrounding communities.

The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission on July 30 listed updates to the CMAP Travel Choice Plan and ADA Public Right-of-Way Transition Plan, a Windsor Drive Road Diet public meeting scheduled for August 6, 2026, and Ride to Farmers Market Day on August 1, 2026.

Senior Citizens Commission

Two Senior Citizens Commission agendas for July 20 listed approval of June 15 minutes, reports on the Age-Friendly Community Certification covering transportation, housing affordability, and communication, a Kenneth Hood Award presentation, and a public comment period with a 3-minute limit.

Coming up

• **Aug. 3 — Committee of the Whole:** Interview of Bridget Krause for appointment to the Performing Arts at Metropolis Board of Directors.
• **Aug. 3 — Village Board of Trustees:** Purchase of eleven police vehicles; design engineering contract for the 2027 Water Main Project; Euclid Avenue Resurfacing Project agreement with Cook County DOT and Highways; ordinance amending drive-through restaurant signage and alcohol regulations; early review of 330 W. Golf Road (COIUM) Affordable Senior Housing Development.
• **Aug. 5 — Joint Review Board (multiple sessions):** Review of Fiscal Year 2025 State Comptroller Annual TIF Reports for Hickory Kensington, TIF V, TIF IV, and South Arlington Heights Road.
• **Aug. 5 — Building Code Review Board:** Proposed amendments to the 2024 International Fire Code, 2023 NFPA 70 National Electric Code, 2024 International Existing Building Code, and 2024 International Residential Code.
• **Aug. 5 — Arts Commission:** Review of 2027 budget, Downtown Public Art Plan, new mural ordinance, and Cultural Arts Award updates.
• **Aug. 11 — Commission for Citizens with Disabilities:** Planning for the Fall 2026 Educational Event and Abilities Celebration.

Arlington Heights review: Budget ceilings, Pep Boys redevelopment, liquor licenses on recent agendas

Arlington Heights officials reviewed the proposed 2027–2031 Capital Improvement Program and 2027 budget ceiling amounts for the General and Water & Sewer Funds at the July 6 Village Board of Trustees meeting. Minutes from that meeting and others covered in this roundup have not yet been published, so outcomes — including any votes taken — are not yet confirmed in the public record.

Village Board: Budget, liquor licenses, noise rules on July 6 agenda

The Board of Trustees was scheduled to consider several items July 6, including an ordinance to change Class A liquor licenses to 36 and Class AA to 20, an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Rolling Meadows for the Weber Drive Roadway Improvements Project, an ordinance amending Chapter 9 of the Municipal Code regarding noise regulations, and proposed alcohol regulations for a downtown social district pilot program. Because minutes are not yet published, it is not confirmed which items were approved, tabled, or continued.

Committee of the Whole: Interviews and policy discussions

The Committee of the Whole met July 6 to interview Henry Beardsley for an Arts Commission appointment and David Jaffe for an Arlington Economic Alliance appointment, each term ending April 30, 2027. No final appointments were scheduled at that meeting.

A second Committee of the Whole meeting on July 13 included discussion of illicit THC, Kratom, Tianeptine, and other unregulated psychoactive substances, plus an update on the downtown ice rink. Outcomes are not yet available.

Plan Commission: Pep Boys site hearing

The Plan Commission held a public hearing July 8 regarding the redevelopment of 375 E. Rand Rd., known as the Pep Boys site. The commission was to consider requests for rezoning, a Planned Unit Development, special uses, and variations. Minutes are not yet published.

Zoning Board of Appeals: Four variance requests

The Zoning Board of Appeals met July 13 to consider four requests: 702 S. Chestnut Avenue (ZBA26-00016), 819 S. Bristol Lane (ZBA26-00017), 1606 N. Yale Avenue (ZBA26-00018), and 3304 N. Betty Drive (ZBA26-00019). The board was also scheduled to approve minutes from its June 8 meeting. Results are not yet confirmed.

Design Commission and Senior Citizens Commission

The Design Commission met July 14 to review DC26-041, a new single-family project at 520 W. Wing St., and to review nominations for the 2026 Alan F. Bombick Award.

The Senior Citizens Commission Housing/Transportation Subcommittee met July 17 to review transportation and housing affordability reports and approve minutes from April 14.

Coming up

• **July 20, 6:00 PM — Senior Citizens Commission:** The full commission will discuss Age-Friendly Community Certification topics including transportation, housing affordability, and communication, plus a Kenneth Hood Award presentation. A public comment period is limited to 3 minutes per speaker.
• **July 20 — Village Board of Trustees:** The Board will consider adopting an ordinance increasing Class A liquor licenses to 37 and recommending licenses for SHUN SUSHI INC at 138 E. Rand Rd. and ARLINGTON GRACE, LLC at 858 S. Arthur Ave. Also on the agenda: an electric-vehicle charger ordinance, a contract for Backyard Drainage Improvements 2026, a purchasing-card agreement with U.S. Bank National Association, and a public hearing on the 2026–2027 Community Development Block Grant action plan.
• **July 20 — Committee of the Whole:** Interviews for the two Class A liquor license applicants — Sean Anderson for Arlington Grace LLC at 858 S. Arthur Ave. and Ting Ting Liang and Qiugui Jiang for Shun Sushi Inc at 138 E. Rand Rd.
• **July 22 — Plan Commission:** Public hearing on a subdivision plat and variations for 950 E. Rand Rd. (Consumers Credit Union, PC#26-007), plus discussion of the 2027 Plan Commission budget.
• **July 27 — Board of Health:** Update on unregulated THC state legislation, plus routine reports from Health & Human Services, nursing services, and social services.