UPDATE: The Bensenville Village Board of Trustees unanimously adopted the Bensenville Comprehensive Plan on January 28, 2015. Download the final plan.
The Village of Bensenville is a mature community that takes pride in its cultural diversity, safe and friendly neighborhoods, exceptional school districts, and thriving local businesses. Originally incorporated in 1884, Bensenville has rapidly grown to become home to over 18,000 newcomers and long-time residents. Its proximity to O'Hare International Airport and Metra's Milwaukee District West line rail service makes Bensenville a desirable location for businesses and residents alike.
Bensenville has been impacted and shaped by the multi-billion dollar O'Hare Modernization Program. To help the community take advantage of this major capital project, CMAP's Local Technical Assistance (LTA) program is helping the Village develop a comprehensive plan that will inform officials and guide future development. Topic areas typically addressed in a comprehensive plan include land use, transportation, infrastructure, parks and open space, housing, retail/commercial development, and community image and identity.
Bensenville has undertaken a number of planning initiatives over the past few years, most recently completing its Airport Compatibility Study in April 2013. The new comprehensive plan will build upon these initiatives, bringing them together to help shape a more cohesive, community-wide plan.
The planning process will include three phases, with public input being a key component of each phase. The first phase will involve a thorough analysis of the existing conditions within the community using information gathered through one-on-one stakeholder interviews, steering committee meetings, focus group workshops, public meetings, review of previous studies, and available data. Phase two will focus on creating a vision for the future of Bensenville by identifying goals and objectives based on findings from the Phase 1 analysis and a public visioning workshop. The final phase will combine efforts from previous phases to create the comprehensive plan document containing policies, programs, and actions steps to be undertaken in order to achieve the community's future vision for the Village of Bensenville.
