Village Board Set to Adopt New Zoning Map, Mayor to Swear in Incumbents

Likely eager to put the matter behind them, the village board appears set to adopt a new zoning map that has been at the center of controversy since the end of March.

The ordinance is just one item on a particularly busy agenda for the board's regularly scheduled meeting tonight.

Also on the agenda is an ordinance to grant a special use permit for a new carry-out restaurant and a resolution that will donate village money to the Community Service Council of Northern Will County.

Mayor Roger Claar is also set to swear in the , all of which are incumbents.

Zoning Map

The new zoning map stems from a federal lawsuit between the village and Liberty Temple Full Gospel Church that alleged village Bolingbrook officials discriminated against church officials' efforts to relocate to a long-vacant space inside the shopping center near Interstate 55 and Route 53.

Essentially, the spat was over whether the property the church was trying to move into was zoned B-2 commercial land, which would require a special use permit for the church,  or B-4 commercial land, which would allow the church to move in without such a permit.

U.S. Judge Harry Leinenweber said on April 12 it was  and ruled against the village in a zoning dispute against Liberty Temple Full Gospel Church. A few weeks later, Leinenweber issued a temporary restraining order against the village.

Both parties are still waiting on further action from the court.

Bolingbrook Mayor Roger Claar said the dispute is

He said several historical maps label the Bolingbrook Commons area as a B-2 zone, but when the village transferred its map from black and white to color, staff forgot or neglected to carry over the label.

The new map, which was not immediately attached to the board packet, will likely include clearer labels that the land is B-2.

Bolingbrok to Donate Money to Non-Profit

The board will also vote on whether to donate $32,000 to the Community Service Council of Northern Will County for counseling services to Bolingbrook residents.

The money, according to the village documents, will come from Community Development Block Grant funds.

The grant program, established in 1974, provides cities with funds to assist in achieving U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) national objectives — benefiting low- and moderate-income persons, preventing or eliminating slums and meeting community-specific development needs.

This year, the village received $343,748 in Community Development Block Grants, which go to fund a variety of projects. 

The village has participated in the grant program since 2000. 

Claar said the village typically receives $325,000 to $350,000 each year from HUD. He said the money is used out on a discretionary basis, with most of the money going to help those in need.

According to the CSC website, funding for the agency comes from the Villages of Bolingbrook and Romeoville, DuPage Township, United Way, CDBG funds, client fees, an annual fundraiser, and other donations.

Garden House Coming to Market Square Shopping Plaza

A new restaurant set to move into the Market Square Shopping Plaza is seeking a special use permit to offer carry-out services.

Garden House, which will be moving into 176 S. Bolingbrook Dr., is proposing a 1,350 square foot carry-out restaurant to occupy a space within the shopping center. 

Garden House, according to village documents, will serve a variety of stir-fry dishes and be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Other Business

Other business the board is set to vote on is whether to grant Zazatacos a liquor license and a number of construction bids that would use more than $500,000 for road projects.

Claar will also present a number proclamations, including proclamations for Poppy Days, the National Association of Letter Carriers Food Drive, the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life and National Police Week.