Germantown Code Audit

The Village of Germantown has experienced demand for residential and commercial growth in recent years. While the community has effectively managed this growth, some dated language and inconsistencies in the zoning code made it difficult to regulate development in a way that the Village desired. As such, an audit of the Zoning Code was initiated.

Moran Economic Development (MED) performed a detailed review of the Zoning Ordinance, which in the case of Germantown, includes both the Subdivision Design Standards, Plats and Plans, and the Sign Code. The Code Audit resulted in a detailed memo, which provided the Village with general observations and recommendations related to organization and usability. The Code Audit Memo also provided recommendations about how to remedy inconsistencies between different sections of the Code, as well as details of recent case law which necessitate updates to certain code sections.

Additionally, several new definitions were provided for incorporation into the Zoning Ordinance. For example, language regarding mobile homes has been replaced with current manufactured home definitions and regulations. Similarly, definitions for “Conventional Construction” and “Modular Construction” were better defined, as well as the term “Drive-Through”. Along with these new definitions, MED recommended language regulating cell towers and / or small cell equipment pursuant to Illinois Public Act 100-0585, known as the Small Wireless Facilities Deployment Act.

Recommendations were also made regarding the Subdivision Code. Specifically, procedural changes were suggested, as were changes to the acceptable methods of assurance, the requirement for as-built drawings, and the additional requirement of third-party inspection for infrastructure installation.

MED also provided a marked-up version of the Code, which included minor language and grammatical recommendations, which make the code more user-friendly for both Village staff and the public.

The Village of Germantown was able to use these recommendations and resources to prioritize text updates for their Zoning Code.