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1. What is the status of this case?

The petitioner withdrew the petition in November 2020, therefore, this application is no longer being considered.

2. What Is Itasca Country Club requesting?

The Itasca Country Club is requesting preliminary approval for the development of a data center and accessory electrical utility substation on portion of the Country Club property. The Country Club is also requesting final approval for a subdivision of their property to allow for the construction of the data center.

3. Does this mean a Data Center will be built if the Country Club’s request is approved?

The request is for preliminary approval only. The company that will build the data center will have to return to the Plan Commission and the Village Board for final approval for the construction of the actual building.

4. How long will the Plan Commission Hearing be?

Evening public hearings generally run from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.  In order to ensure every person is heard, the public hearing may be continued to future dates until all interested parties have an opportunity to be heard.

5. Will the public hearing be conducted differently because of COVID?

Yes. In September 2020, the Plan Commission adopted new public hearing protocols to ensure the health and safety of participants. The new protocols, which can be found here, allow for remote participation in public hearings in order to comply with gathering restrictions issued by the State of Illinois.

Under the remote public hearing protocol, Petitioners will present their entire case before questions and comments from the general public are accepted. Only Plan Commissioners and established Interested Parties will be able to question a witness directly after individual testimony. See question "Will the public have an opportunity to ask questions or make comments on the case" for information on how and when questions and comments from members of the public will be received and heard.

6. Will the public have an opportunity to ask questions or make comments on the case?

Yes. Anyone wishing to ask a question or provide comment should review the Step-by-Step Guide to the Public Hearing Process.

During Public Questioning, citizens are provided an opportunity to ask the Petitioner or Interested Parties questions about the information presented. Questions submitted by the public will proceed following the conclusion of the presentation of cases.

Following Public Questioning is Public Comment. This time is reserved for members of the public to express their opinions or make general statements to the Plan Commission regarding the matter.

The public is highly encouraged to submit written questions/comments in lieu of live questions/comments. Questions or comments submitted remotely will carry the same weight as those presented during a meeting.

• Submit a Comment Online by clicking here.
• Email a Question or Comment to commdev@itasca.com. The subject line must indicate whether it is a comment or question and reference PC 20-008.
• Mail a Question or Comment to Village of Itasca, Attn: Mo Khan/PC 19-014, 550 W. Irving Park Road, Itasca, IL 60143. The subject of the letter must indicate whether it is a comment or question and reference PC 20-008.

Members of the public may also sign up in advance of the hearing to ask live questions and state public comments over the phone. All members of the public wishing to provide public comment or to ask a question, must pre-register with the Village, at least two hours prior to the meeting. However, any new documents that will be referenced during public comment or questioning should be provided to Village staff no less than five days before the Plan Commission meeting, so that these documents may be made available to the Plan Commissioners, petitioner, interested parties and the public.

Persons who choose to participate live will be permitted to ask a question or comment via phone at the appropriate time during the public hearing.  Live questions and comments will be considered separately in the order in which the registration is received.

• Sign-up to participate live by clicking here.

7. What is an “Interested Party” and how do I become one?

“Interested Parties” are those individuals or entities which have a special interest, above and beyond the interests of the general public. Individuals or entities must apply to be recognized by the Plan Commission as an “Interested Party.” Please refer to Section V on Page 2 of the Plan Commission Public Hearings Protocols During COVID-19 for Larger Hearings to see the definition of an “Interested Party.” The deadlines to register to be considered an interested party and to submit exhibits have been extended through November 13, 2020. Please click here for the application. 

8. When is the first meeting scheduled for?

The Plan Commission was scheduled to hear the case on Wednesday, October 7, 2020. 

At the request of the petitioner, the first meeting has been postponed until Wednesday, November 18, 2020.

9. When are agendas published?

As required under section  5 ILCS 120/2.02 of Illinois Open Meeting Act, the Village will post all agendas 48 hours prior to a meeting on the Village’s Agenda Center. You can sign up for agenda notifications here. 

10. Is the Plan Commission’s decision final?

No. The Plan Commission makes recommendations to the Village Board, who will be the final authority on whether or not the petition is approved or denied. The Village Board will not begin its consideration of this petition until the Plan Commission has made its recommendation.

11. Can I just wait to testify at the Village Board meeting?

No. While members of the public have the ability to comment at Village Board meetings, the law provides that the Plan Commission is the authority that conducts the public hearing, where evidence may be submitted, and the record is created.

12. How can I watch the meeting?

The Village will be casting the meeting on YouTube. The link will be available on the day of the meeting at the Village’s meeting page for Itasca Country Club.

13. What if I have technical difficulties viewing the meeting?

Unfortunately, the Village is unable to offer any technical assistance during the meeting. Anyone who experiences technical difficulties will have an opportunity to make a technology objection before the Plan Commission makes their final decision.  

Technology objections are any objections to the Plan Commission’s proceedings based solely on the failure to access the hearing due to a failure of technology (i.e., internet failure, inability to log into the meeting, etc.). Within seven (7) calendar days of the meeting at which the proofs (the evidence and testimony) is closed, members of the public must submit in writing to commdev@itasca.com or Village of Itasca, Community Development Department, 550 W. Irving Park Rd., Itasca, IL 60143, explaining in detail any technology objection. The petitioner, any interested party, or the Village may respond to the technology objection by three (3) calendar days before the next Plan Commission meeting. The Plan Commission shall hear any technology objections submitted in the interim at its next meeting and, at that point, either reopen proofs or move to a final recommendation to the Village Board.