The McLean County Regional Planning Commission is a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) designated by the federal and state governments, as well as a functional unit of the McLean County Government. The Strategic Land Use Plan is one of the many work projects produced by MCRPC, in collaboration with local government partners, and is still in the draft stage of development. Once the plan has been completed, it will go through the public adoption process of each local government wishing to adopt the plan.

The McLean County Strategic Land Use Plan is currently in the drafting stage of plan development. This means that the plan is not currently ready for adoption by MCRPC or any local government entity. Once a final draft has been completed by MCRPC, local government entities that wish to adopt the plan can then review and adopt it through their respective processes.

This plan does not change current zoning districts. Any zoning change would still be required to go through a separate public process established by the decision-making body charged with zoning authority. This includes public notification of a public hearing, review of the proposed change by the zoning board of appeals or municipal planning commission, and opportunity for public comment. Typically, zoning change petitions are initiated by the property owner or the owner under contract. Proposed developments that do not currently meet the zoning ordinance for an area would still be required to go through this same process. This plan outlines potential future land uses for broad planning purposes and does not grant any immediate development or zoning changes.

This plan is intended to serve as a guide to assist planners and elected officials in making educated decisions regarding future development. Many different factors are considered when making decisions regarding zoning, future development, infrastructure, etc. The content in this plan is intended to be advisory and used in conjunction with other applicable plans and information when making decisions. 

Extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) refers to the state-granted ability of incorporated municipalities to regulate subdivisions, land use, and zoning within one and one-half miles of their corporate limits. ETJs can be established in a number of ways; the most common in McLean County is when an official Comprehensive Plan, or part thereof, is adopted by the corporate authority and clearly defines an intention to regulate an area up to one and one-half miles from their corporate limits. The authority granted can differ based on several different factors. The specific powers granted to corporate authorities are further defined in Illinois Compiled Statutes 65 ILCS 5- Municipalities. 

Within one and one-half miles of their corporate limits, the City of Bloomington and Town of Normal exercise extraterritorial jurisdiction (“ETJ”). Subdivisions within the City and Town’s ETJ must comply with the City and Town's Subdivision Codes. The City and Town also have a statutory right to receive notice of special use applications and may protest certain proposed zoning changes within their ETJ. The rural incorporated municipalities in McLean County are also allowed extraterritorial jurisdictions. However, they too must meet the requirements outlined in the Illinois State Statutes to establish an ETJ. Please refer to the rural municipality's websites or contact information for further information.

For more information, please refer to the Illinois State Statutes (65 ILCS 5/), Illinois Municipal Code.

Subdivisions within the Town’s ETJ must comply with the Town’s Subdivision Code. The Town also has a statutory right to receive notice of special use applications and may protest certain proposed zoning changes within its ETJ. 

Staff from MCRPC will hold five open house meetings in August, all around McLean County, to meet with the public and local stakeholders. Staff will use these meetings to clarify the intent of the Strategic Land Use Plan and gather suggestions on updates to the plan. Staff from MCRPC will also be hosting tables at community events such as the McLean County Fair, the Sweet Corn Circus, the Bloomington Farmer's Market, and the LeRoy Farmer's Market. 

MCRPC also intends to collaborate with rural incorporated municipalities to assist in verifying existing land uses within their corporate limits. MCRPC staff will be available to provide informational presentations at the request of organizations and local stakeholder groups, if scheduling allows.

Since the start of the first round of public comment, MCRPC has received numerous suggestions and comments from members of the public and local stakeholders. Potential edits and updates that are being considered for the revised draft include, but are not limited to, additional emphasis on infill development, collaboration with rural municipalities on land use verification, adjusting future growth areas, splitting the Industrial and Employment Center future land use categories, reassessing the proposed future roads map, and additional clarification regarding data collection and processing. 

MCRPC staff utilized data received from the McLean County Supervisor of Assessments, the City of Bloomington Township (COBT) Assessor, and the Normal Township Assessor. The Assessor data provided parcel information, as well as each parcel's "use code" as defined by the Assessors. The data was then processed using ArcGIS geospatial tools to create a map that visualized the existing Assessor classifications into existing land use classifications defined by staff. Planning staff from the City of Bloomington, the Town of Normal, and the McLean County Building & Zoning Department then conducted a visual review of the parcel data from the Assessor and made warranted corrections. The existing land use map was then used as the foundation for the creation of all subsequent maps.

The primary point of contact for this plan is:

Anthony Baumann, Community Planner

Email: abaumann@mcplan.org

Phone: (309) 434-6838

You may also visit the MCRPC office in person, located in the Government Center in Suite M-103 on the mezzanine level (not the second floor). The closest entrance is on Washington Street. Unless otherwise noted, general office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. If the door is locked, please ring the doorbell. Scheduling an appointment is encouraged.

McLean County Regional Planning Commission (MCRPC)

Government Center

115 E. Washington St, Suite M-103

Bloomington, IL 61701

www.mcplan.org