There is established and created the city of Wilmington, Will County, Illinois planning and zoning commission which shall perform all duties, functions and responsibilities required, necessitated or otherwise convenient to be performed by a plan commission under Division 12 Section 11 of the Illinois Municipal Code (65 ILCS 5/11-12-1 et seq.) and under Division 13 Section 11 of the Illinois Municipal Code (65 ILCS 5/11-13-1 et seq.) (Ord. 1284, passed 6-16-98)

All duties and functions of the city zoning board of appeals and the city plan commission shall be performed by the Wilmington planning and zoning commission upon the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter. Any reference to the zoning board of appeals or to the plan commission either at law or under the city of Wilmington Code of Ordinances shall mean the city planning and zoning commission. (Ord. 1284, passed 6-16-98)

The city planning and zoning commission shall consist of eight members, six who are residents of the city of Wilmington, and two who may be from Wilmington, Wesley or Florence Township who reside not more than one and one-half miles beyond the corporate limits and not included within any other municipality, who will serve respectively for the following initial terms: one for one year, one for two years, one for three years, one for four years, one for five years, one for six years, one for seven years and one for eight years, with the successor to each member initially appointed serving for a term of five years. The term of office for each commissioner shall begin on May 1 of the year of appointment and shall conclude on April 30 of the year the term of appointment concludes or thereafter until their successor is duly appointed and qualified. The mayor of the city may serve as a member of the planning and zoning commission. The terms of any current member of the city zoning board of appeals and the city plan commission shall automatically terminate and cease on the effective date of this chapter. (Ord. 1284, passed 6-16-98; Ord. 1514, passed 3-4-03)

The mayor of the city shall appoint all members of the city planning and zoning commission with the advice and consent of the city council. The mayor shall annually appoint the chair of the commission. The chair shall serve from May 1 to April 30 or thereafter until the chair successor is appointed and qualified. (Ord. 1284, passed 6-16-98)

The planning and zoning commission of the city shall have all powers, duties and functions as granted plan commissions under Division 12 Section 11 of the Illinois Municipal Code (65 ILCS 5/11-12-1) and zoning board of appeals under Division 13 Section 11 of the Illinois Municipal Code (ILCS 65 5/11-13-1 et seq.)
The planning and zoning commission shall solely make recommendations to the city council on the following:
(A) Comprehensive or other amendments to any city’s development, land use and development plans and ordinances including zoning ordinance, comprehensive plan, subdivision ordinance, storm water management ordinance, traffic control plans and ordinances, utility infrastructure plans, public grounds planning, city beautification improvement plans and annexations;
(B) Land planning use and development for a property within the corporate limits of the city and all property one and one-half miles beyond the city corporate limits;
(C) The subdivision of the development or redevelopment of any lands or lots within the city;
(D) Landscaping and sign on any lands or lots within the city for projects requiring commission approval;
(E) Building standards, building design criteria, building component standards and building elevations for any proposed, new buildings or structures or the remodeling or restoration within the city for projects requiring commission approval;
(F) To assist the economic development commission of the city in developing and fostering the retention of existing businesses and encouraging growth and development of a superior quality residential, commercial, and industrial facilities within the city;
(G) To cooperate with regional planning and zoning commissions to further local planning program and to assure harmonious in integrated planning for the area;
(H) All map amendments, planned unit developments, special use permits, special exceptions, variances and all other zoning issues;
(I) Positioning the city for its growth, development, and land use issues for the next millennium;
(J) To initiate such other programs and exercise such other duties and functions as may be from time to time granted to it under law or delegated to it by the city council.
The city council shall exclusively determine any issues coming before the commission. (Ord. 1284, passed 6-16-98)

The planning and zoning commission shall meet in accordance with schedules adopted by the commission or on the call of the chair or any three members of the commission. All meetings shall be held within the city and conducted pursuant to law. The chair may administer oaths and compel the attendance of witnesses.
Each member of planning and zoning will be compensated $45 per regular meeting or special meeting. The chair of the commissioner or anyone acting for the chair shall be paid for the regular meeting for each city council meeting on which the commission is placed on the agenda to deliver a report to and attends the meeting to deliver a report commencing May 1, 2002. (Ord. 1284, passed 6-16-98; Am. Ord. 1412, passed 3-20-02)

The commission shall keep minutes of each meeting showing, among other things, the attendance, the issues presented before the commission and the vote of each member of the commission on the issues before it. The commission may incur such expenses as are previously authorized by the city council. (Ord. 1284, passed 6-16-98)

(A) Four members of the commission shall constitute a quorum.
(B) A favorable vote of a majority of a quorum is required for any recommendation of approval to the city council. (Ord. 1284, passed 6-16-98)

Following adoption of the official plan by the city council, no plat or map of any subdivision or resubdivision presented for record affecting land within the corporate limits of the city as now or hereafter existing or in contiguous territory outside and not more than one and one-half miles from such limits and not included in any incorporated city or village, shall be entitled to record or shall be valid unless the subdivision thereon shall provide street, alleys, ways for public service facilities, storm or floodwater runoff channels and basins, and public ground in conformity with the requirements applicable thereof of the official plan. (‘69 Code, § 151.35)

The city clerk shall furnish the plan commission for its consideration a copy of all ordinances, plans, and data relative thereto for public improvements of any nature. The plan commission may report in relation thereto if it deems a report necessary or advisable for the consideration of the city council. (‘69 Code, § 151.40)

The commission may, at the direction of the city council, employ necessary technical help and incur necessary expenses for printing or stationery; and any wages, salary, fees, and expenses, if previously approved by the city council, shall be paid by the city. (‘69 Code, § 151.45)