Board of Trustees

Village of Peoria Heights Board of Trustees January 6, 2026 The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. Everyone stood for a moment of silence and the Pledge to the Flag. Mayor Wigginton explained Trustee Khazzam was attending remotely, and the Board would have to make a motion to accept her attendance. Trustee Khazzam was attending remotely due to illness. Trustee Wisenburg made a motion to accept Trustee Khazzam’s remote attendance, and Trustee DeVore seconded the motion. The Board voted 5-0 to approve the remote attendance. Trustee Khazzam abstained from the vote. Upon calling roll, the following Trustees were present: Nate Steinwedel, Elizabeth Khazzam, Teresa Symmonds, Sarah DeVore, Brandon Wisenburg, and Jen Reichert. Trustee Khazzam was present remotely. Others present included Mayor Matt Wigginton, Administrator Dustin Sutton, Village Clerk Stephanie Turner, Superintendent of Public Works Chris Chandler, Chief of Police Chris Ahart, Interim Fire Chief Austin Szentes, and Village Counsel Mark Walton. Trustee DeVore made a motion to approve the Board minutes from December 16, 2025. Trustee Symmonds seconded the motion. The motion passed 6-0. Mayor Wigginton opened the meeting to public comment. Ms. Cathy Stevenson came forward to express opposition to the appeal by 4425 N Prospect Road LLC. She noted it was against the comprehensive plan. She spoke about the importance of walkability to small scale retail. She urged the Board to stick to the principals that made the Village successful and not allow parking in front of the building. She urged the Board to deny the request for variance noting the Board should look to its plans, resident input, and long-term plans when deciding the Village’s future. Mr. Norm Reichert stated he favored golf carts allowed on the streets. He cited various landscaping vehicles which are allowed to use the streets. Mr. Beau Landry expressed support for walkability calling it an asset but stated the location is a transition point. He stated front facing parking supports restaurant operation. He expressed support for the appeal by 4425 N Prospect, LLC. Mr. Hugh Higgins spoke about growing up in the community noting he considers the Village his first home. He shared he’s seen the community evolve in a wonderful way speaking of customers’ awe who visit after years away. He noted that the businesses that had sustained the Village were no longer here, but there were new ones which had prospered because of the Board’s policies. He urged residents to trust the vision of the Board and advised the Board to continue its vision started years ago. Hearing no public comment, Mayor Wigginton closed the meeting to public comment. Mayor Wigginton announced his appointment of Dr. Ethan Lynn to the Fire Pension Board (2024-2027 unexpired term) for the Board’s consideration. Mayor Wigginton noted with regret he had received notice from Ms. Meri Philips who could no longer serve on the Fire Pension Board. Trustee Wisenburg made a motion to accept, with regret, the resignation of Ms. Phillips, and Trustee DeVore seconded the motion. The Board voted 6-0 to accept the resignation. Mayor Wigginton shared Dr. Lynn’s biography noting his work to help establish a wildflower and native plant area in Poplar Lane Park. Trustee Wisenburg made a motion to approve Dr. Lynn’s appointment. Trustee Steinwedel seconded the motion. The Board voted 6-0 to approve the appointment. The Board moved on to old business. Hearing no old business, the Board moved on to new business. Trustee DeVore noted the appeal was for the Save-A-Lot property. She stated there were two variances requested by the developer and one was denied as it didn’t match the overlay district. Chairman of the Zoning Board of Approval, Mr. Rick Picl, came forward. Trustee Wisenburg asked if the variances would support the harmony and general purpose of the zoning code. Mr. Picl explained that a variance request failed if any standard was not met. He also stressed he can’t speak to other members’ votes or their reasons for voting. He did note in general there seemed to be a consensus among the ZBA that the front facing parking didn’t fit with the overlay district. Mr. Picl stated the developer had offered alternate options if Prospect Road parking was allowed, but he stressed that was an issue for the Board of Trustees rather than the ZBA. Trustee Steinwedel asked to hear the developers' reason for appealing. Trustee DeVore asked if the site plan would also be under discussion or if the appeal was only considering the variance. Mayor Wigginton stated that both variances and site plan would be under discussion. Mr. Ciaron Graham, one of the developers and the general contractor, came forward to speak about the project. He stated the potential inhabitants of the building have all expressed a desire for front facing parking. He shared the grading of Prospect Road along that block makes development difficult. Trustee Steinwedel asked if the ground floor would be exclusively retail. Mr. Graham stated he wasn’t certain, and they were in discussions with retailers. Trustee Steinwedel asked if there was a chance the building would be all office. Mr. Graham stated hopefully not. Trustee Steinwedel asked if the developer planned to pursue TIF and BDD funds to complete the project, and Mr. Graham shared they would. Mr. Graham posited that office staff would be beneficial to the restaurants along Prospect Road. Trustee Steinwedel noted the importance of retail to the Village's finances, and his concerns of using TIF and BDD funds for a project that could solely be office space. The Board spoke with ZBA members and the developers regarding the amount of glass in the project. Mayor Wigginton noted that the Village was unique in reimbursing the school district from the TIF funds. Trustee Khazzam stated she had started in the ZBA and has long worked to promote walkability. She noted the Village has had many plans, meetings, and discussions regarding walkability. She shared she had concerns about the positioning of the building on the lot. She suggested the Village needed additional discussion with the developer and tenants to try to broker a compromise. Mr. Graham stated the glass variance had been granted, but the position of the building was still under consideration. Trustee DeVore noted it wasn’t necessary for the building to sit right on the curb, but the site plan was for a large building occupying an entire block. Trustee DeVore noted the current ongoing development of Prospect Road made it difficult to make decisions. She noted if the developer were able to design one lane of parking with a set back similar to the Pabst Building she would be more in favor. Mr. Graham noted the developers were willing to compromise and have further discussions with the Village. Trustee DeVore noted the development would impact future development along Prospect Road past the building. Trustee DeVore asked how deliveries specifically which side street would be used as there was no access along Prospect Road. Mr. Graham stated they were intending to use Marietta Avenue. The Board discussed concerns with that plan. Trustee Khazzam suggested the Board defer the motion for two weeks to continue discussions with the developer as well as the Village’s consultants. Trustee Symmonds agreed. Mr. Graham welcomed the idea to defer. Trustee Khazzam made a motion to defer the item until the January 20, 2026 Board meeting. Trustee Symmonds seconded the motion. The Board voted 6-0 to defer the appeal. Trustee Wisenburg began the discussion of the impact of approving golf carts on Peoria Heights roads. He noted Trustee Symmonds had requested the item so deferred to her. Trustee Symmonds described the type of vehicles noting it wasn’t limited to just golf carts. She offered a list of regulations, policies, and fees for the operation of such vehicles. She shared a list of communities in the area that have similar policies noting they also have major roads. She stated smaller vehicles could park more efficiently relieving the perception of a parking issue. Trustee Khazzam expressed concern for safety as residents could be more reckless and not consider low speed vehicles as dangerous as other vehicles. She noted the Village did allow the ped-i-cab so it was an interesting proposal. She questioned if there would be designated parking. Trustee DeVore noted that only one vehicle could inhabit a spot. Chief Ahart agreed noting that parking was already a concern. Trustee DeVore noted that enforcement would be a concern. Chief Ahart agreed and shared he was very concerned about the low speed vehicles crossing Prospect Road and getting involved in an accident. He also discussed the increase workload explaining officers would need to be diverted from active policing to process registrations, write reports, and enforce traffic regulations which requires court time. He noted the policy would result in increased overtime. Trustee Symmonds stated the vehicles weren’t so different from a bike referring the Village’s gas bike policy. Trustee Symmonds suggested registration could be appointment only. Chief Ahart noted that officers will still need to be off the street in order to process a registration. Chief Ahart noted he had previously done the inspections for a golf cart that was regulated. The inspection was thirty minutes alone, and an additional thirty minutes for writing the required reports. Trustee Symmonds suggested it was a change to remain competitive with other popular communities. Trustee DeVore questioned the permit fee for gas bikes, and the Board concluded it was $400. Trustee DeVore asked about registration, and Trustee Symmonds stated the vehicles weren’t required to be registered by the DMV. Trustee DeVore stated the Board would need to discuss a fee structure. Mayor Wigginton questioned if residents below the hill could even benefit from the policy as they would need to travel Route 29 to Gardner Lane eventually to Prospect Road. Trustee Symmonds noted the vehicles couldn’t operate on Galena Road because of the speed limit regulations set by the State of Illinois. Trustee Wisenburg asked Attorney Walton about low speed vehicles operated by City of Peoria residents in the Village. Attorney Walton noted it would be an enforcement issue. Trustee Steinwedel noted he had seconded the discussion in order to allow public discussion. He questioned the registration process noting that motor vehicles aren’t inspected in Illinois. Trustee Reichert noted the Board was discussing possibilities without considering how many would purchase and use a low speed vehicle. She suggested that it could increase mobility for older residents. She expressed she understood the safety issue, but it was worth considering. Chief Ahart noted the danger of opening the possibility as lawn mowers could become another vehicle. Attorney Walton urged the Board to speak to the communities that have such regulations. He suggested speaking to the Police Departments regarding issues and successes. He noted the Village was unique and shouldn’t mimic others necessarily but can consider their regulations and policies. Administrator Sutton noted the topic returns every decade. He shared it was a major public safety issue. He stated Chief Ahart could solicit information from local communities but emphasized the Village’s differences from other nearby communities like Chillicothe and Canton. He noted that the Village has significant cut through traffic from the City. He noted that with his background in the Police Department he knows what kind of work such a policy would require. He noted the Village isn’t rural. He questioned if the Village wanted its officers spending time on this issue instead of on the streets. He noted that it might start small but the number would grow and it would be a high demand that would require a lot of work from the PD. He noted that the one that was allowed in the past had caused major issues, and it was a constant issue for enforcement. He stated there would be responsible people who will get permits and follow laws, but that the majority unfortunately doesn’t so the Village needs to investigate any change carefully. He stated he was not in favor. Trustee Symmonds rebutted that fines and suspension are options. Administrator Sutton explained that the issue isn’t fines, or revenue, but compliance which is difficult to achieve. Administrator Sutton noted the residents would look to the Village for compliance rather than citations if there were issues. Trustee Steinwedel questioned how Grandview Drive would be enforced as it is Park District land and maintained by them. Administrator Sutton noted it would likely require an intergovernmental agreement. Trustee Khazzam spoke about her experience spending time in another community which has a lot of low speed vehicles that are operated on the roads. She shared she had witnessed many dangerous situations. Trustee DeVore made a motion to approve the proposal from Thouvenot, Wade, & Moerchen, Inc for Engineering and Community Development Oversight. Trustee Reichert seconded the motion. Trustee DeVore explained the proposal was similar to one the Village had previously. She noted that Mr. Mark Lee was very influential and helpful with the Village’s projects, and it was important to continue the momentum. Trustee Steinwedel noted the costs look different. Trustee DeVore agreed noting the Village would be saving a substantial amount noting a savings of approximately $85 / hour. Trustee Steinwedel asked if there were any penalties to cancel the previous contract. Administrator Sutton noted it had already been terminated as both contracts had notice periods. Mayor Wigginton noted Mr. Lee’s work in improving infrastructure and overseeing the Village’s many projects. He stated it was a vote of confidence in Mr. Lee’s work for the Village. The Board approved the proposal 6-0. Hearing no additional new business, Mayor Wigginton opened the meeting to public comment. Mr. Norm Reichert questioned vehicles changing lanes to pass a bike when on a road without another lane. Chief Ahart noted he would need to review the law in detail. Mr. Reichert questioned if the vehicle would have to follow in the case of double yellow lines noting the Village had not included a bike lane in the Prospect Road design. Chief Ahart and Administrator Sutton agreed vehicles can’t pass double yellow lines. Ms. Cathy Stevenson noted that companies are moving from working in person to working remotely. She noted the importance of buildings being designed to be versatile. She spoke about her recent experience with Clifton Gunderson the only signed tenants for the project to date. She stressed that Clifton Gunderson themselves had expressed to her no one meets in person anymore. She noted again that the Village operates on sales tax. She questioned the number of parking spots. She noted the developer had cited 300 jobs but hadn’t commented if there was capacity for that many people to park. She noted that the slope in the block had been cited as a concern before, but it was also a concern for other buildings that had found solutions. She stressed the building design needed to be adaptable. She expressed her appreciation for the Board’s consideration. Hearing no additional public comments, Mayor Wigginton closed the meeting to public comment. Mayor Wigginton asked for miscellaneous business. The Board had no miscellaneous business at this time. Trustee Wisenburg made a motion to adjourn, and Trustee DeVore seconded the motion. The Board of Trustees voted 6-0 to adjourn at 7:17 p.m. ____________________________________ ______________________________________ Matthew Wigginton, Mayor Stephanie Turner, Village Clerk