City of Colona Plan Commission

City of Colona Plan Commission Helping shape Colona's future through long-term planning. If you have an immediate emergency, please call 9-1-1.

The City Plan Commission prepares and updates the Comprehensive Plan and advises the City Council on zoning, land use, and community improvements. On behalf of our Elected Officials, City Plan Commission and our City Staff, we welcome you to our official page. It is our vision to create a platform that will enable us to better connect with the residents we serve, while providing a more tr

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08/20/2026

❓What's next for Colona's Comprehensive Plan?

Over the past several days, we've shared an overview of all 12 chapters of the City's 2026 Draft Comprehensive Plan.

The Planning Commission has completed its work on the draft plan and the next step in the process is consideration by the City Council.

We encourage residents to take some time to review the full draft and become familiar with the vision, goals, and strategies outlined for Colona's future.

📖 Read the full draft Comprehensive Plan here:https://www.colonail.com/vertical/sites/%7BFC142F78-E9D2-49AE-8B50-7910B5B74E0C%7D/uploads/07.29.26_-_Colona_Comp_Plan_2026_-_Draft.pdf

Thank you to everyone who participated in the planning process and shared your ideas throughout the process. Your input helped shape the plan.

This plan is about Colona's future—and we want our community to be informed and involved. 💚

08/09/2026

❓What tools will help turn the plan into reality?

Comprehensive Plan Series – Chapter 12: Plan Implementation Tools

The final chapter looks at the tools the City can use to put the Comprehensive Plan into practice.

The plan isn't intended to stand alone.

Chapter 12 explains how it can work together with existing development tools, including:

🏡 Zoning regulations

📋 Subdivision regulations

🗺️ The official map

🏗️ Building and housing codes

💧 Utility specifications

💰 Capital improvement programming

These tools help guide development and public investment in a way that is consistent with the City's long-term vision.

The chapter also discusses the importance of regularly updating the City's capital improvement program so that long-term projects can be connected to budgeting, funding opportunities, and the City's ability to pay for improvements.

Finally, implementation isn't something the City has to do alone. Cooperation with school districts, other special districts, neighboring communities, the county, and state and federal agencies can help make projects possible and provide access to potential funding opportunities.

📖 Read the full draft Comprehensive Plan here:https://www.colonail.com/vertical/sites/%7BFC142F78-E9D2-49AE-8B50-7910B5B74E0C%7D/uploads/07.29.26_-_Colona_Comp_Plan_2026_-_Draft.pdf

💬 What do you hope this Comprehensive Plan helps Colona accomplish over the next 15 years?

08/09/2026

❓How will we turn the Comprehensive Plan into action?

Comprehensive Plan Series – Chapter 11: Implementation Strategies

This may be one of the most important chapters in the plan because it moves from “What do we want for Colona?” to “How do we work toward it?”

Chapter 11 identifies specific implementation strategies connected to the five goals established in Chapter 2: Engage, Support, Invest, Refresh, and Collaborate/Innovate.

The strategies are organized by timeframe:

🟢 Short Term – 0–3 years
Actions that can begin within the next three years.

🟡 Medium Term – 3–6 years
Projects or policy changes requiring additional coordination, resources, or planning.

🔵 Long Term – 6+ years
Larger or longer-range projects and policy changes that may require additional preparation.

The chapter also identifies roles and responsibilities for helping move these strategies forward, including the City Council, Planning Commission, City staff, committees, and other community partners.

Importantly, the plan recognizes that implementation will be an ongoing process. Strategies will need to be reviewed as needs, timing, funding, and opportunities change.

📖 Read the full draft Comprehensive Plan here:https://www.colonail.com/vertical/sites/%7BFC142F78-E9D2-49AE-8B50-7910B5B74E0C%7D/uploads/07.29.26_-_Colona_Comp_Plan_2026_-_Draft.pdf

💬 If you could see one improvement from this plan happen in the next 3 years, what would it be?

08/09/2026

❓How will technology and utilities support Colona's future?

Comprehensive Plan Series – Chapter 10: Telecommunications & Utilities

Reliable utilities and communications are easy to take for granted—until we don't have them.

Chapter 10 looks at the telecommunications and utility services that support Colona's residents, businesses, schools, emergency services, and future development. This includes internet and telecommunications, postal and other communications, electricity, natural gas, waste and recycling services, and considerations for future energy efficiency.

The chapter recognizes that reliable high-speed internet and dependable utility services are increasingly important for education, healthcare, businesses, remote work, and everyday life.

It also encourages consideration of energy-efficient and alternative energy options when City facilities are constructed or renovated.

📖 Read the full draft Comprehensive Plan here:https://www.colonail.com/vertical/sites/%7BFC142F78-E9D2-49AE-8B50-7910B5B74E0C%7D/uploads/07.29.26_-_Colona_Comp_Plan_2026_-_Draft.pdf

💬 What technology or utility service do you think will become increasingly important to Colona over the next 15 years?

08/09/2026

❓How can Colona's services, finances, and community image support our future?

Comprehensive Plan Series – Chapter 9: Public Facilities & Services, Finance, Intergovernmental Relations & Image

A community's future depends on more than new development. It also depends on maintaining the services, facilities, partnerships, and financial resources that support residents every day.

Chapter 9 looks at Colona's existing public facilities and services and considers future needs. It also addresses City finances, opportunities to work with other governmental agencies, and ways to strengthen Colona's community image.

Some of the areas discussed include:

🏛️ Public facilities & services – Identifying operational, facility, public safety, and service needs.

💰 Finance – Planning for the financial resources needed to carry out projects and identifying potential grant and funding opportunities.

🤝 Intergovernmental cooperation – Continuing partnerships with surrounding communities, school districts, counties, and other agencies.

🌆 Community image – Building on Colona's small-town atmosphere, community pride, events, beautification efforts, and positive identity.

📖 Read the full draft Comprehensive Plan here:https://www.colonail.com/vertical/sites/%7BFC142F78-E9D2-49AE-8B50-7910B5B74E0C%7D/uploads/07.29.26_-_Colona_Comp_Plan_2026_-_Draft.pdf

💬 What do you think makes Colona a great place to live?

08/07/2026

❓What could the future of Colona's parks and recreation look like?

Comprehensive Plan Series – Chapter 8: Recreational Facilities

Parks and recreational spaces help make a community a great place to live.

Chapter 8 looks at Colona's parks, recreational facilities, and open spaces while identifying opportunities to enhance these amenities as the community grows. The goal is to ensure residents of all ages have access to places to play, gather, exercise, and enjoy the outdoors.

Recreation isn't just about having fun—it's about supporting health, building community connections, and improving quality of life.

📖 Read the full draft Comprehensive Plan here:https://www.colonail.com/vertical/sites/%7BFC142F78-E9D2-49AE-8B50-7910B5B74E0C%7D/uploads/07.29.26_-_Colona_Comp_Plan_2026_-_Draft.pdf

💬 What's your favorite park or recreational amenity in Colona, or what would you like to see added in the future?

08/07/2026

❓How can we make it easier and safer to get around Colona?

Comprehensive Plan Series – Chapter 7: Transportation System

Transportation is about more than just roads—it's about safely connecting people to where they need to go.

Chapter 7 examines Colona's transportation network, including streets, sidewalks, trails, and connections to surrounding communities. It identifies opportunities to improve safety, mobility, and accessibility while supporting future growth and development.

Planning for transportation today helps ensure residents, businesses, and visitors can continue to move around the community safely and efficiently for years to come.

📖 Read the full draft Comprehensive Plan here:https://www.colonail.com/vertical/sites/%7BFC142F78-E9D2-49AE-8B50-7910B5B74E0C%7D/uploads/07.29.26_-_Colona_Comp_Plan_2026_-_Draft.pdf

💬 What's one transportation improvement you'd like to see in Colona?

08/07/2026

❓How are we planning for wastewater and stormwater needs?

Comprehensive Plan Series – Chapter 6: Wastewater System

Much of a city's infrastructure is out of sight—but it's vital to everyday life.

Chapter 6 reviews Colona's existing wastewater system, identifies future improvements, and discusses stormwater management. Planning for these systems helps protect public health, support future development, and reduce flooding while ensuring infrastructure keeps pace with the community's needs.

Investing in infrastructure today helps prepare Colona for tomorrow.

📖 Read the full draft Comprehensive Plan here:https://www.colonail.com/vertical/sites/%7BFC142F78-E9D2-49AE-8B50-7910B5B74E0C%7D/uploads/07.29.26_-_Colona_Comp_Plan_2026_-_Draft.pdf

💬 What do you think is most important when planning for Colona's future infrastructure?

08/07/2026

❓How will Colona continue to provide safe, reliable water?

Comprehensive Plan Series – Chapter 5: Water System

Reliable infrastructure is essential to a growing community.

Chapter 5 reviews Colona's existing water system and identifies improvements needed to continue providing safe and dependable water service as the community grows. It also looks ahead to future water system needs to help guide long-term planning and investment.
Planning ahead helps ensure the City's water system can continue meeting the needs of residents and businesses for years to come.

📖 Read the full draft Comprehensive Plan here:https://www.colonail.com/vertical/sites/%7BFC142F78-E9D2-49AE-8B50-7910B5B74E0C%7D/uploads/07.29.26_-_Colona_Comp_Plan_2026_-_Draft.pdf

💬 Did you know infrastructure planning is a key part of a Comprehensive Plan?

08/05/2026

❓Where could future homes, businesses, and parks be located?

Comprehensive Plan Series – Chapter 4: Land Use

How a community grows matters.

Chapter 4 looks at existing land uses throughout Colona and provides guidance for future development. It includes general development considerations and a land use decision-making framework to help ensure future growth is thoughtful, balanced, and consistent with the community's vision.

The goal is to encourage responsible development while protecting neighborhoods, supporting businesses, preserving open space, and planning for future opportunities.

📖 Read the full draft Comprehensive Plan here:https://www.colonail.com/vertical/sites/%7BFC142F78-E9D2-49AE-8B50-7910B5B74E0C%7D/uploads/07.29.26_-_Colona_Comp_Plan_2026_-_Draft.pdf

💬 What types of future development would you like to see in Colona?

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100 E 9th Avenue
Colona, IL
61241

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