ORDINANCE NO. 2024-O-011

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE VILLAGE OF MOKENA CODE OF ORDINANCES, SECTION 9-20-3 RELATING TO ZONING DEFINITIONS

WHEREAS, the Village of Mokena is empowered to establish local ordinances that promote the health, safety, and welfare of its residents; and

WHEREAS, the Illinois Municipal Code, specifically 65 ILCS 5/11-13-1, authorizes municipalities to regulate, classify, and restrict the use of property based on familial relationships; and

WHEREAS, the current definition of "family" in the Village of Mokena Code of Ordinances includes individuals related by blood, marriage, or adoption, or a group of no more than three unrelated persons living together as a single housekeeping unit; and

WHEREAS, this definition has the potential to be misunderstood as it does not track the language provided in the Illinois Municipal Code thus potentially affecting residential density and the intended character of residential zones; and

WHEREAS, it is in the interest of the Village to align its zoning code more closely with the Illinois Municipal Code, which permits regulation based on family relationships without accounting for groups of unrelated individuals;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Mokena, County of Will, State of Illinois, as follows:

SECTION 1: That Section 9-20-3 of the Village of Mokena Code of Ordinances is hereby amended to read as follows:

9-20-3 - DEFINITION OF "FAMILY"

For the purposes of this ordinance and the zoning regulations of the Village of Mokena, the term "family" is defined as one or more persons each related to the other by blood, marriage, or adoption and maintaining a common household.

SECTION 2: All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with the provisions of this ordinance are hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict.

SECTION 3: This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage, approval, and publication in the manner provided by law.

PASSED this 8th day of April, 2024, by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Mokena, Will County, Illinois.

Ayes:    5

Nays:    0

Absent:   1

APPROVED this 8th  day of April, 2024.

Village President

ATTEST:

Village Clerk