Highland Park meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Highland Park agendas: 2027 water rates, housing policy and a seven-tree removal request

Four Highland Park bodies met in the past two weeks, and all four meetings are documented so far only by their agendas. Minutes have not been published for any of them, so this roundup reports what was scheduled for discussion or action, not what was decided. No vote tallies or outcomes appear in the available records.

2027 water rates and budget amendment on Council agenda

The City Council's October 13 agenda listed a vote on water rates effective January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2027. If approved, the rates would be in force for the 2027 calendar year.

The same agenda listed an ordinance amending the 2026 Annual Budget based on 2027 budget process estimates, a first amendment to a development agreement with One Realty Group LLC (1632 Second St.), and a second amendment to a development agreement with Walnut Street Group LLC (650 Walnut St.). It also listed referral of a variation request to the Zoning Board of Appeals for 1120 Crofton Ave N. No dollar figures appeared in the agenda materials.

Housing policy, single-use bags, and a closed session

The Committee of the Whole, also on October 13, listed a housing policy review and a discussion of methods to incentivize reduction in the use of single-use bags. The agenda also included a closed session regarding setting a price for a sale or lease. The summary does not identify the property involved.

Zoning Board: seven Heritage Trees and a Burton Ave. variation

The Zoning Board of Appeals scheduled a public hearing for October 15 on two requests. The first is a request to remove 7 Heritage Trees at 700 Vine Ave. (#TREE-2026-02846). The second is a request for variations to exceed Floor Area Ratio and to encroach into the side yard setback at 910 Burton Ave. (#VAR-2026-00077).

Plan and Design Commission: multi-family housing, golf club addition, towing lot

The Plan and Design Commission scheduled public hearings for October 20 on three matters:

• A Zoning Map Amendment and Planned Development for multi-family housing at 1696-1704 McGovern St. and 793 Laurel Ave.
• Design Review and Variations for an addition to the Bob O'Link Golf Club at 1120 Crofton Ave. N.
• A Special Use Permit for a towing and impound lot open storage yard at 1325 Park Ave. W.

The Crofton Ave. N. address also appears in the October 13 Council referral of a variation request to the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Coming up

City Council, October 26. The agenda lists approval of the City's 2026-2027 Snow and Ice Control Plan, renewal of an agreement with Placer Lab, Inc. for Location Analytics Services (Placer.ai), an amended Intergovernmental Agreement for the Northeastern Illinois Regional Crime Laboratory, and a Q3 update on the 2026 Major Project Work Plan.

Committee of the Whole, October 26. The committee is scheduled to discuss Independence Day Planning 2027 and to approve minutes from the October 13, 2026 regular and closed sessions.

Business and Economic Development Advisory Group, October 27. The group is scheduled to vote on its 2027 Meeting Resolution and 2027 Work Plan, and to approve minutes from its August 25, 2026 meeting.

Residents can attend any of these meetings; the water rate item and the multi-family housing request are the matters with the most direct bearing on household costs and neighborhood development in the current agendas.

Highland Park roundup: 2027 water rates, budget amendment and housing items fill two weeks of agendas

Highland Park's City Council is scheduled to take up 2027 water rates and an amendment to the 2026 budget at its Oct. 13 meeting, one of ten city meetings listed on agendas over the past two weeks. Other agendas covered development agreement amendments, a Housing Commission resolution on bank account signers, design review for an addition at Bob O'Link Golf Club, and a certificate of appropriateness for a memorial at 1755 St Johns Avenue.

No minutes have been published for any of these meetings, according to the records provided. This roundup reports what was scheduled, not what was decided; no vote tallies, outcomes or dollar amounts were available.

City Council, Oct. 13

The agenda lists approval of water rates effective Jan. 1, 2027 through Dec. 31, 2027, and an ordinance amending the 2026 Annual Budget based on 2027 budget process estimates. The council was also scheduled to discuss the 2027 proposed budget. Two development agreements were listed for amendment: a first amendment with One Realty Group LLC (1632 Second St.) and a second amendment with Walnut Street Group LLC (650 Walnut St.). The agenda also lists referral of a variation request to the Zoning Board of Appeals for 1120 Crofton Ave. N. No rate figures or budget amounts appear in the agenda summary.

Housing Commission, Oct. 7

The commission was scheduled to meet jointly with the Peers Housing Association, Ravinia Housing Association and Sunset Woods Association at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers. New business includes a resolution authorizing signers for a new Peers 6-month CD at First Bank Chicago. An omnibus vote covers payment of invoices and ratification of payments for Ravinia's annual report to the Illinois Secretary of State. The agenda also lists the ERES Management Report and financials, including a Peers pipe replacement update, a Sunset Woods Condominium Association Housing Commission liaison vote, an Illinois Funds Investment Pool update and the FY-2027 work plan.

Plan and Design Commission, Oct. 6

Public Meeting #DES-2026-00103 covers design review and variations for an addition onto the Bob O'Link Golf Club at 1120 Crofton Ave. N. The commission also listed its 2027 meeting resolution and work plan, an administrative design review update, and approval of minutes from its Sept. 15 regular meeting.

Place of Remembrance sculpture review, Oct. 8

A joint special meeting of the Place of Remembrance Working Group and the Cultural Arts Advisory Group was scheduled to review submissions to the Port Clinton sculpture RFQ and discuss which finalists to invite to create proposals. The working group is guiding planning for a permanent memorial to those killed in the July 4, 2022 shooting, described in the agenda as a multi-year, trauma-informed process. The agenda also lists approval of July 20, 2026 working group minutes and a status update. No dollar amounts or contract awards appear in the agenda text. The next meeting is scheduled for Dec. 2, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.

Historic Preservation Commission, Oct. 8

The agenda lists a certificate of appropriateness for 1755 St Johns Avenue (Laurel Park Gardeners Memorial), a resolution setting the commission's schedule of regular meetings, and approval of the 9-10-26 regular minutes. The meeting was scheduled entirely in person, with no virtual viewing or participation.

Zoning Board of Appeals, Oct. 15

A public hearing lists two requests: removal of 7 Heritage Trees at 700 Vine Ave. (#TREE-2026-02846), and variations to exceed Floor Area Ratio and encroach into the side yard setback at 910 Burton Ave. (#VAR-2026-00077).

Other agendas

• **Cultural Arts Advisory Group, Oct. 6:** minutes from July 14, 2026, a 2027 meeting resolution, a 2027 workplan discussion, and chair and staff reports.
• **Human Relations Advisory Group, Oct. 8:** a 2027 work plan, a 2027 meeting resolution, a 2027 MLK Day of Service, 2027 HP Awards, and minutes from May 14 and Aug. 13, 2026. The meeting is at the Highland Park Police Department.
• **Board of Fire and Police Commissioners, Oct. 9:** a special meeting at 3:30 p.m. to determine post-offer elements for a Police Officer (Entry Level) candidate and a Firefighter/EMT II candidate, plus a closed session.
• **Committee of the Whole, Oct. 13:** a housing policy review, incentivizing reduction in use of single-use bags, and a closed session regarding setting a price for a sale or lease.

Coming up

The Plan and Design Commission meets Oct. 20 at City Hall, 1707 St Johns Avenue, with public hearings on a Zoning Map Amendment and Planned Development for multi-family housing at 1696-1704 McGovern St. and 793 Laurel Ave.; design review and variations for the Bob O'Link Golf Club addition at 1120 Crofton Ave. N, listed again after the Oct. 6 meeting; and a Special Use Permit for a towing and impound lot open storage yard at 1325 Park Ave. W.

Highland Park City Council to vote on 2027 water rates; housing, zoning and memorial items fill the week's agendas

Highland Park's City Council is scheduled to vote on water rates for the 2027 calendar year and to consider an ordinance amending the 2026 annual budget when it meets Tuesday, Oct. 13. The same night, the Committee of the Whole is set to discuss housing policy and ways to incentivize reducing single-use bags, and to meet in closed session regarding setting a price for a sale or lease.

A note on this roundup: the nine meetings held in Highland Park over the past two weeks are documented in the city's records by agenda only — minutes have not yet been published. That means the record shows what was scheduled for review or a vote, not what was decided. No dollar amounts, contract awards, or vote tallies appear in the agenda text for those meetings.

City Council: water rates, budget, development agreements

Scheduled for Oct. 13:

• Approval of water rates effective Jan. 1, 2027 through Dec. 31, 2027.
• An ordinance amending the 2026 Annual Budget based on 2027 budget process estimates.
• A first amendment to a development agreement with One Realty Group LLC (1632 Second St.).
• A second amendment to a development agreement with Walnut Street Group LLC (650 Walnut St.).
• Referral of a variation request to the Zoning Board of Appeals for 1120 Crofton Ave. N.
• An ordinance regarding liquor license applications.

Housing Commission

At its Oct. 7 regular meeting, held jointly with the Peers Housing Association, Ravinia Housing Association and Sunset Woods Association, the commission was scheduled to vote on a resolution authorizing signers for a new Peers 6-month CD at First Bank Chicago. The agenda also listed an omnibus vote on payment of invoices and ratification of payments for Ravinia's annual report to the Illinois Secretary of State, review of the ERES Management Report and Financials including a Peers pipe replacement update, a Sunset Woods Condominium Association liaison vote, an Illinois Funds Investment Pool update, and the FY-2027 work plan.

Zoning: addition variance and heritage trees

The Zoning Board of Appeals held a public hearing Oct. 1 on three requests: variance #VAR-2026-00076 for a 27-ft rear addition at 280 Hastings Ave in the R5 district; removal of one 48-inch Bur Oak at 550 Skokie Ave (#TREE-2026-02830); and removal of 10 heritage trees at 700 Vine Ave (Exmoor Country Club) (#TREE-2026-02846).

The board meets again Oct. 15 on a request to remove 7 heritage trees at 700 Vine Ave under the same case number, and on a request for variations to exceed floor area ratio and encroach into a side yard setback at 910 Burton Ave (#VAR-2026-00077). The two agendas list different tree counts for 700 Vine Ave.

Memorial planning

Two joint special meetings — Oct. 1 and Oct. 8 — of the Place of Remembrance Working Group and the Cultural Arts Advisory Group were scheduled to review submissions to the Port Clinton sculpture RFQ and to discuss which finalists to invite to create proposals. The working group is guiding planning for a permanent memorial to those killed in the July 4, 2022 shooting, described in the agenda as a multi-year, trauma-informed process. The next meeting is Dec. 2, 2026.

Historic Preservation

The Historic Preservation Commission met Oct. 8, entirely in person with no virtual option, to consider a certificate of appropriateness for 1755 St Johns Avenue (Laurel Park Gardeners Memorial) and a resolution setting its regular meeting schedule.

Other business

• Cultural Arts Advisory Group (Oct. 6): 2027 meeting resolution and 2027 work plan.
• Plan and Design Commission (Oct. 6): design review and variations for an addition onto Bob O'Link Golf Club, 1120 Crofton Ave. N (#DES-2026-00103), plus its 2027 meeting resolution and work plan.
• Human Relations Advisory Group (Oct. 8): 2027 work plan, 2027 meeting resolution, and planning for a 2027 MLK Day of Service and 2027 HP Awards.
• Board of Fire and Police Commissioners (Oct. 9): determination of post-offer elements for an entry-level police officer candidate and a firefighter/EMT II candidate, plus a closed session.

Coming up

• Oct. 13, Committee of the Whole: housing policy review; incentivizing reduction in single-use bags; closed session on setting a price for a sale or lease.
• Oct. 13, City Council: 2027 water rates, 2026 budget amendment, development agreement amendments.
• Oct. 15, Zoning Board of Appeals: 700 Vine Ave tree removal; 910 Burton Ave variations.

Highland Park meeting roundup: No decisions published; City Council to consider grants, zoning

Highland Park's recent board and commission meetings were all agenda-only, with minutes not yet published, so no decisions have been reported. The most consequential upcoming item is the City Council's regular meeting on August 17, which includes votes on grants, contracts, and zoning changes.

Housing Commission

The Housing Commission met August 5 to review financial reports for the Peers, Ravinia, and Sunset Woods associations and the Housing Trust Fund. The agenda included payment of invoices and ratification of an HDA Peers Mortgage Loan IHDA Check Reimbursement, a review of the ERES Management Report, discussion of Peers pipe replacement funding and 2026-27 insurance renewals, and resolutions for CPAH grant drawdowns—one for the 2026 Operating Grant Agreement Quarter 2 and one for the 2025 Scattered Site Grant Agreement final drawdown for 1500 McCraren Road. No votes were recorded.

Zoning Board of Appeals

On August 6, the Zoning Board of Appeals held a public hearing on two variation requests: one for 85 Hemlock Ln to encroach into a side yard setback for a new shed, and one for 1569 Forest Ave to exceed the four-foot maximum fence height in the front yard. The agenda did not list any decisions.

Human Relations Advisory Group

The Human Relations Advisory Group met August 13 at the police department. The agenda included approving minutes from May 14, 2026, public comments, and discussions on the MLK Day of Service, the 2027 meeting schedule, the 2027 work plan, and HP Awards. No votes or decisions were listed.

Police Pension Board

The Police Pension Board met August 13 to handle routine pension business. The agenda included votes on duty disability benefits for Casey Foley and regular retirement benefits for Thomas Spanos, an investment performance review by Sawyer Falduto Asset Management, LLC, approval of bills and a cash management policy update, and board officer elections and FOIA/OMA designee appointment. No outcomes were published.

Historic Preservation

The Historic Preservation Commission met August 13 in person at City Hall. The agenda included an amendment to a Certificate of Appropriateness for 2276 Linden Avenue, a determination of historic significance for 1752 Spruce Avenue, a discussion of land-use incentives to encourage historic preservation, and administrative demolition reviews for 406 Woodland Road and 1867 Spruce Avenue. No decisions were reported.

Board of Fire and Police Commissioners

The Board of Fire and Police Commissioners held a special meeting August 14 to determine post-offer elements for an entry-level police officer candidate. The agenda also included approval of minutes, a closed session, and a public comment period. No other substantive decisions were listed.

Coming up

• **City Council** – August 17: The council will vote on exterior and interior improvement grants for local businesses (Bean Bar Corporation + Mezze at 565 Roger Williams Ave, and Faye's Diner at 473 Roger Williams Ave), an amendment to an economic incentive agreement with Bandido Inc. at 493 Central Avenue, a zoning ordinance regarding data centers, and a special use permit for a planned development at 1850 Green Bay Road.
• **Committee of the Whole** – August 17: Discussion items include the 2027 proposed library operating and capital budget, the Place of Remembrance project status and timing, and a comprehensive review of Chapter 119 (Alcoholic Beverages). No final decisions are expected.
• **Plan and Design Commission** – August 18: Public hearings on two special use permit applications—one to amend an existing permit at 2132 Green Bay Rd. and another for a storage container at 581 Roger Williams Ave. The agenda also includes approval of minutes from July 21, 2026, and an update on administrative design review.