On June 22, 2010, the Village Board of Trustees approved a contract with Houseal Lavigne Associates, LLC, to provide professional services for the preparation of a Comprehensive Land Use Plan for the Village, based on a recommendation from the Building and Zoning Committee. 

A  Comprehensive Plan serves as the Village’s official guide for land use, physical improvement and development - a “road map” - for the future.  It provides long-range policies for elected and appointed Village officials to plan for the related factors that will affect growth and change in Niles.  These factors include: land use and development, transportation and circulation, community facilities and infrastructure, open space and sustainability, and community character and urban design.  The comprehensive plan also provides a framework that will be used to evaluate development proposals and direct the Village’s growth in the context of 15 to 20 years. Most importantly, the Comprehensive Plan allows residents and Niles decision-makers to identify and respond to changing community needs and desires in a thoughtful, rather than reactive, way. In Illinois, Comprehensive Plans may consider the municipality and also the unincorporated areas within 1-½ miles of its corporate limits.

Houseal Lavigne Associates, LLC, was selected by the Building and Zoning Committee after a thorough review of fifteen responses to a request for qualifications, sent by the Village.  Their selection was based on technical competence, expertise, and work in surrounding communities, cost-effectiveness and an extensive community outreach program.
 
Chairman Andrew Przybylo, along with the other members of the Building and Zoning Committee, Mayor Robert Callero, Trustee Chris Hanusiak, and Trustee James Hynes are enthusiastic about the comprehensive planning process and including as much participation from the community as possible. As Chairman Przybylo stated, “We want to get people excited about this, and reach as many people as possible to create a new vision for Niles’ future.”

The Building and Zoning Committee is also looking for volunteers to serve on a Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee.  Anyone interested in volunteering should apply on-line click here for application  or contact Marlene Victorine, Village Clerk, at (847) 588-8003 to obtain an application.