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The Planning Division has two major areas of responsibility: Planning and the Community Development Block Grant. In the area of planning, the Division interprets the Zoning Code, updates and provides City maps with various types of information such as zoning designations, ward divisions, annexations, and revises the Future Land Use Plan based on major changes in public and private sector investment. The Planning Division reviews site plans of any new buildings or additions to existing buildings for compliance with the zoning regulations regarding setbacks from property lines, maximum coverage of lots, and provision of required parking. Commercial buildings and any buildings in the City s historic core are also reviewed architecturally. Signs are also reviewed for design, as well as for maximum size and height. Proposed subdivisions are reviewed for compliance with the design standards for minimum lot area, lot width and lot depth within a specific zoning district.
Several boards and commissions are staffed by the Planning Division. These include the Planning and Zoning Commission, the Board of Adjustment, the Historic Landmarks Preservation and Architectural Review Board, the Special Business District Advisory Board and the Fair Housing Commission. For more detailed information on each of these, please click on Boards and Commissions.
The City of St. Charles receives an annual grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development through the Community Development Block Grant Program. As an entitlement City, St. Charles is assured of receiving funding. The amount is determined by a weighing of population, economic distress and age of housing. All funds must be used to meet specific national objectives, which are; 1) to benefit low and moderate income households; 2) to remove slum and blight; and 3) to meet an urgent community need. The guidelines for the grant also list eligible activities. Some activities maybe eligible but cannot be funded because they do not meet one of the national objectives. A major ongoing activity which is included in the CDBG budget each year is the Home Improvement Loan Program. Public Works projects in low income neighborhoods have also been funded. These have included upgrading of streets, sidewalks, stormwater facilities and sanitary sewer facilities. A Code Enforcement Officer is assigned to the CDBG eligible neighborhoods to assist with the Home Improvement Loan Program and other activities.
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