City Planning Staff Engages with the “Next Generation”
In October 2019, staff members from Champaign’s Planning and Development Department – Rob Kowalski and TJ Blakeman – shared their expertise about Downtown development and city government with students from the Next Generation School after-school STEAM program. The students were highly engaged and asked great questions. Could be some future city planners in the group!
2020 Census Information
2020 Census Information In preparation for the upcoming 2020 Census, The Census Bureau will be conduction address canvassing in neighborhoods throughout Champaign County between August 4, 2019 and October 18, 2019. Census workers will be checking to ensure that all addresses are accurate for the official census count on April 1, 2020. These Census workers […]
New Way to Access Zoning Cases Online
Staff from the City of Champaign’s Planning and Development Department recently worked with the Geographic Information Systems Administrator to make previously approved zoning cases, including Planned Developments, Special Use Permits, Historical Landmarks, Rezonings, Mitigation Plans, Variances, and Annexation Agreements, available to the general public through the City’s Interactive City Map. The City Map is available […]
Tax Incentives Available to Champaign Residents Living in Enterprise Zone
With construction season ramping up, the City of Champaign reminds homeowners and landlords of an incentive program offered for the renovation and upgrade of single family and renter-occupied homes located in the City of Champaign’s Enterprise Zone. The Targeted Neighborhood Improvement Program strives to improve properties within the Enterprise Zone (see map below) in order […]
City Employees Set New Records for Charitable Giving
In 2018, the City of Champaign once again participated in the Combined Charities Campaign that was organized by the United Way of Champaign County. Each year, the City participates in this campaign by encouraging City employees to donate to a wide variety of local, state, and national charitable organizations. The campaign wrapped up late last […]
Downtown Traffic Counts
On October 11, the City of Champaign began working with the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission to perform traffic counts at three intersections in Downtown Champaign: Walnut/Main, Walnut/Washington, and Neil/Main. Traffic counts will be taken over a three-week period using video cameras that will quickly count both pedestrians and vehicles. The camera method is superior […]
Champaign Recognized with Planning Award
The American Planning Association – Illinois Chapter (APA-IL) has recognized the City of Champaign with its 2018 “Best Practice” Award for the City’s elimination of minimum parking requirements in and around Campustown and Downtown. Minimum parking requirements are a land use regulation requiring each new building to have a certain amount of parking based on its […]
Dockless Bike Share Service Launches in Champaign-Urbana
Champaign residents have a new way to get around town with the launch of dockless bike share. Rather than requiring riders to hunt for a fixed docking station when they’re done with a bike, dockless bike share lets riders park right by their destination, so long as there’s a legal and safe place to do so. Some […]
Council to Consider Changes to Floor Area Ratio
An informational meeting is being held at the Champaign Public Library to present potential zoning changes to address concerns heard at the January 9th City Council Study Session on increasing the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) for narrow lots in the Single Family Residential Zoning District. An agenda of the meeting is included here. An overview […]
Kowalski Named Visit Champaign County Board Chair
Rob Kowalski, Assistant Director of the City of Champaign Planning and Development Department, assumed responsibility as the new Board Chair for Visit Champaign County. Visit Champaign County is the official destination marketing and management organization for Champaign County. Their mission is to advance the overall destination experience for the greater Champaign County area. Visit Champaign […]