Palos Park City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 1278
SPECIAL USES
1278.01 PURPOSE.
The principal objective of this Zoning Code is to provide for an orderly arrangement of compatible building and land uses and for the proper location of all types of uses required for the social and economic welfare of the Village. To accomplish this objective, each type and kind of use is classified as permitted in one or more of the various districts established by this Zoning Code. However, in addition to those uses specifically classified and permitted in each district, there are certain additional uses which it may be necessary to allow because of their unusual characteristics or the service they provide the public. These special uses require particular consideration as to their proper location in relation to adjacent established or intended uses or to the planned development of the community. The conditions controlling the location and operation of such special uses are established in this chapter.
1278.02 PERMITTED USES; COUNCIL AUTHORITY.
Council has authority to permit, by special ordinance, the following uses of land or structures, or both, subject to conditions contained in this chapter, if it finds that the proposed location and establishment of any such use will be desirable or necessary to the public convenience or welfare and will be harmonious and compatible with other uses adjacent to and in the vicinity of the selected site.
(a) Art galleries and studios. Permitted in a B district only;
(b) Assisted Living Residence. Permitted in any R-5 District. The density and bulk parameters of an assisted living residence, including, but not limited to, height, setback, floor-area ratio, parking, loading, unit size and other unit restrictions, shall be as prescribed by Council, not withstanding the density and bulk parameters of the zoning district in which the assisted living residence is located;
(c) Auditorium, Stadium, Arena, Armory, Gymnasium and Other Similar Places for Public Events. Permitted in any B or M District;
(d) Bus Terminal, Railroad Passenger Station, Freight Terminal or Any Other Public Transportation Terminal Facilities. Permitted in any use district;
(e) Clinic or Medical Center. Permitted in any use district;
(f) Cemeteries, Crematories or Mausoleums. Permitted in any use district other than a B District;
(g) Churches, Convents, Rectories and Monasteries. Permitted in any use district other than an M District or a B District;
(h) Cultural Arts Center. Permitted in any R district only. The density, landscaping and bulk parameters of a cultural arts center, including, but not limited to, height, setback, floor area ratio, parking and loading, shall be as prescribed by Council, notwithstanding the density, landscaping and bulk parameters of the zoning district in which the cultural arts center is located;
(i) Golf Courses, Public or Private. Permitted in any use district;
(j) Hospitals or Sanitariums, Public or Private. Permitted in any use district other than an M District;
(k) Institutions for the Care of the Mentally Ill, Public or Private. Permitted in any use district other than an M District or a B District;
(l) Municipal or Privately Owned Recreation Building or Community Center. Permitted in any use district;
(m) Nursery School or Day Nursery. Permitted in any use district other than a B District;
(n) Planned Unit Developments. Permitted in any use district except R-4 and R-5 Districts, where such developments are permitted uses;
(o) Police Station or Fire Station. Permitted in any use district;
(p) Public Buildings, Including Art Gallery, Post Office, Library, Museum or Similar Structures. Permitted in any R district only;
(q) Publicly Owned Camping Grounds. Permitted in any R-1-A District on a parcel of property of no less than fifty (50) acres in size; provided, however, that the underlying parcel of property, as well as the camping grounds, are owned by a unit of local government as defined by Article VII, Section 1 of the 1970 Illinois Constitution, that is authorized by State statute to construct, equip, acquire, extend, improve, maintain and operate recreational facilities;
(r) Public or Private Park or Playground. Permitted in any R district only;
(s) Public or Privately Owned and Operated Fairgrounds, Permanent Carnivals, Kiddie Parks or Other Similar Amusement Centers. Permitted in any B-2 or M District;
(t) Public Utility Facilities, i.e. Filtration Plant, Water Reservoir or Pumping Station, Heat or Power Plant, Transformer Station and Other Similar Facilities. Permitted in any use district other than B-2 or M Districts, where such facilities are permitted uses;
(u) Radio and Television Transmitting or Antenna Towers (Commercial), Antenna Towers Used for the Sending of Private Messages (Including Cellular Telephone Antenna Towers), and Other Electronic Equipment Requiring Outdoor Structures Related Thereto, But Not Including Private Receive-Only Radio, and Television Aerials or Antennas and Small Wireless Facilities. Permitted in any B or M District, and on any government owned property, with a Public Lands (PL) designation on the Village's Zoning Map, located in any R-1-A District;
(v) Rest Homes and Nursing Homes. Permitted in the R-5 district only;
(w) Schools, Elementary, High, College, Public or Private, but not Including Trade or Commercial Schools Operated for Profit. Permitted in any "R" District;
(x) Small Wireless Facilities. As defined and regulated in Chapter 1032, are permitted in any use district except where such facilities are permitted uses (within the right-of-way in any zoning district, and outside of the right-of-way in the O and M-1 Districts);
(y) Stable, Livery. Permitted in an R-1 District;
(z) Telephone Exchange, Antenna Towers and Other Outdoor Equipment Essential to the Operation of the Exchange. Permitted in any R-5 District, in addition to the B and M Districts, where such facilities are permitted uses.
(Adopting Ordinance; Ord. 1998-28. Passed 9-14-98; Ord. 2006-34. Passed 7-10-06; Ord. 2015-02. Passed 2-9-15; Ord. 2015-25. Passed 8-10-15; Ord. 2016-13. Passed 3-28-16; Ord. 2018-24. Passed 8-13-18; Ord. 2023-20. Passed 10-23-23.)
1278.03 CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL.
The Plan Commission may recommend, and the Village Council may impose, such restrictions upon, or variations in regard to, the height, bulk and area of lot coverage of any structure so approved for special use as may be reasonable under the particular circumstances. Off-street parking facilities, as well as off-street loading and unloading spaces, may also be stipulated in the order permitting the special use.
(Ord. 2016-13. Passed 3-28-16.)
1278.04 APPROVAL PROCEDURE.
The procedure to be followed in considering applications for special uses shall be as follows:
(a) Application. An application, verified by the owner or authorized agent of the owner of the property involved, shall be filed with the Village Clerk for the attention of the Plan Commission, which application shall contain or be accompanied by all required information.
(b) Review and Notice. All requests for special use shall be reviewed by Village staff for completeness, and then forwarded in a timely manner to the Plan Commission, who shall consider said request at a public hearing, and make recommendations to the applicant and to the Village Council, who shall approve or deny said request. The notices and public hearing procedures shall conform to Section 1262.10 of the Village Code.
(c) Determination. The Plan Commission shall make its findings and recommendations to Council and Council may then authorize a special use, by specific ordinance, provided that Council finds that:
(1) The proposed use at the particular location requested is necessary or desirable to provide a service or a facility which is in the interest of public convenience, and will contribute to the general welfare of the neighborhood or community;
(2) Such use will not, under the circumstances of the particular case, be detrimental to the health, safety, morals or general welfare of persons residing or working in the vicinity, or injurious to property values or improvements in the vicinity; and
(3) The proposed use will comply with the regulations and conditions specified in this Zoning Code for such use and with the stipulations and conditions made a part of the authorization granted by Council.
(Ord. 2010-06. Passed 2-8-10.)