Zoning Board of Appeals

Meetings

• To see a schedule of this year’s Zoning Board of Appeals hearings, click here.
• To see agendas for past and future hearings or review approved minutes, please click here.

Members

Peoria County’s Zoning Board of Appeals consists of 7 members and 2 alternate members, appointed to 5-year terms by the County Board.

About the Zoning Board of Appeals

The purpose of the ZBA is to hold public hearings for the consideration of the requests to vary from requirements of the Zoning Ordinance, and to evaluate petitions for Special Use cases, Rezoning cases, and Appeals of Zoning Administrator decisions. The Zoning Board of Appeals conducts their hearings according to the Rules of Procedure.

Zoning Board of Appeals Process & Action

Step One: Preapplication Conference

Scheduling an appointment with a planner throughout the submittal process will allow both you and our staff to help maintain better social distancing and also help you feel confident that the person you need to see will be available.  Staffing levels will be impacted for several months.  If your question or issue could easily be handled over the phone or by email, please do so.  You may schedule an appointment by calling the office at 672-6915 from 8:30-4:30 Monday-Friday.

Step Two: File Application

Applications must be completed and filed by a date to be determined by staff. This initiates the process.

Step Three: Staff Report

Peoria County Planning and Zoning staff will prepare a report which reviews the Rezoning or Special Use request and provides a recommendation to the ZBA. This recommendation is based on a comprehensive evaluation that considers the proposal’s potential impact on the environment, transportation system, and surrounding uses.  Staff reports are not completed for Variance requests.

Step Four: ZBA Public Hearing

Public Hearings begin at 9 a.m. and are held in Room 403 of the Peoria County Courthouse. The hearing provides an opportunity for the petitioner to state their case and for objectors and/or consenters to make their comments. Involved parties will be notified of the scheduled hearing time prior to the date of their hearing.

Step Five: ZBA Deliberation

The ZBA will deliberate on the case, taking into consideration staff’s recommendation, if provided, along with the information presented by the petitioner and any consenters or objectors at the public hearing. New information is not allowed to be presented at this stage of the process. The ZBA will make final determinations on variances, and provide recommendations on Rezoning and Special Use cases. Should a variance petition be denied, the applicant would have the right to appeal that decision to the Circuit Court.

Step Six: Land Use Committee

The Land Use Committee will review Special Use and Rezoning cases and forward a recommendation to the County Board.

Step Seven: County Board

Special Use and Rezoning cases will go before the full County Board. If denied, the petitioner has the right to appeal the decision to the Circuit Court.