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CITY OF WEST CHICAGO
DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
ITEM TITLE:
AGENDA ITEM NUMBER: &.B.
Zoning Code Text Amendment
Pet Shops FILE NUMBER:
COMMITTEE AGENDA DATE: Mar. 11, 2019
Ordinance No. 19-O-0008
COUNCIL AGENDA DATE: March 18, 2019
STAFF REVIEW: Tom Dabareiner, AICP SIGNATURE ZO
APPROVED BY CITY ADMINISTRATOR: Michael Guttman SIGNATURE
ITEM SUMMARY:
The City of West Chicago, in response to an inquiry from DuPage County, seeks to initiate a set of
text amendments that would restrict the sale of dogs and cats from retail outlets in an effort to deter
so-called “puppy mills” and “kitten mills.” Also this month, Police Department personnel will propose a
new section to the Animal Care and Control Ordinance to enhance their enforcement abilities on the
topic. Community Development needs to establish its own regulations, consistent with the Animal
Care and Control Ordinance, to discourage the sale of “puppy mill” animals and to encourage demand
for shelter animals and those from rescue organizations. The changes involve defining Pet Shops and
related uses, and adding Pet Shops as part of our use list in allowed districts.
As proposed, Pet Shops would be added as a Permitted Use in the B-1, B-2 and B-3 zoning districts.
Pet Shops would be defined in a manner to preclude the sale of dogs and cats, with certain excep-
tions. Pet Shops would be allowed to collaborate with animal care facilities and animal rescue organi-
zations to offer space for such entities to feature adoptable dogs and cats. The text amendments
would affect no existing businesses in West Chicago.
At its March 5, 2019 meeting, the Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals (PC/ZBA) conducted a
public hearing to consider the proposed text amendment. By a vote of four (4) “yes” and two (2) “no”,
the Plan Commission recommended approval of the text amendment as presented. Dissenters ques-
tioned if such a restriction is legal and whether the prohibition is too broad.
Attachments:
Draft Ordinance
PC Report
ACTION PROPOSED:
Consideration of the proposed Zoning Ordinance text amendments for Pet Shops.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:
At its March 11, 2019 meeting, the Development Committee voted 6-0 in favor of the text amendment.