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Planning & Economic Development Division

This Division is responsible for all planning and economic development activities for the City.  This includes improving the present and the future quality of life for residents by creating and implementing plans and regulating land uses for orderly growth and development.  This division is also in charge of formulating and implementing programs to increase job opportunities for residents, expanding the city's tax base and increasing the level of economic activity with particular emphasis on retail activity.

Activities currently being carried out include

  • Performing long range planning including implementing the Comprehensive Plan
  • Administering the adopted Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations;
  • Reviewing and evaluating annexations, rezoning and development proposals;
  • Revitalizing neighborhoods;
  • Establishing incentives and programs for new development and redevelopment;
  • Promoting the expansion of new and existing businesses;
  • Assisting Downtown Danville Inc. in the revitalization of the Downtown Area

Economic development incentives available through the City

Enterprise Zone Program - An Enterprise Zone is a specially designated area in which tax incentives and direct financial assistance are provided.  The Enterprise Zone provides property tax abatements as well as other tax credits and tax exemptions to businesses located within the Enterprise Zone.  For more information on the Enterprise Zone Program click on the heading above.  To determine whether a property is located within the Danville-Tilton-Vermilion County Enterprise Zone visit the maps page. 

Tax Increment Financing - Tax Increment Financing (TIF) is a financing tool available to local governments to spur economic development and revitalization of blighted areas.  The City of Danville has two new recently adopted TIF Districts.  For more information on redevelopment within the TIF Districts click on the heading above.

Special Service Areas - Special Services Areas are formed to finance the provision of additional or enhanced services, improvements, or a facility in a specific area in the community.  Danville currently has two special service areas.  SSA1 covers the Downtown area, with revenues going toward Downtown Danville Inc. for downtown revitalization activities.  SSA2 covers the Eastgate Industrial Park area and was put in place to fund infrastructure improvements related to the development of the Eastgate Industrial Park.

Small Business Revolving Loan Fund - The Small Business Revolving Loan Fund is designed to provide low interest loans to small business owners to help them establish a business and/or assist established small businesses in growing their business.

Facade Loan Program - The Facade Loan Program is designed to encourage owners of historical buildings in the downtown area to restore the facade of their buildings to their original luster.

For additional information on any of these incentive programs stop by our offices or call our office at (217) 431-2321.

Adopted plans

Comprehensive Plan – Danville 2025

A revised Comprehensive Plan was adopted by the City Council in 2006. The Comprehensive Plan outlines how we would like our community to grow and develop over the next 20 years. This document is our blueprint for the future and will serve as a guide for all future development decisions.

Downtown Plan.

In 2003 the City, along with Downtown Danville Inc., adopted a revised Downtown Plan.  This new Downtown Plan, coined "A Framework For Progress, was an update to the 1986 Revitalization Plan for Downtown Danville.  This revised plan lays out how the revitalization of downtown should continue to progress over the next few years and what the long term goals and objectives are for the Downtown area.

Zoning

What is zoning?

Zoning is designed as a means to regulate the use and development of land in cities.  Zoning tells WHAT can be built, while the Building Code tells HOW it should be built.

In 2008, the City adopted a revised Zoning Ordinance to regulate the growth and development of our community. The City and our 1 1/2 mile extraterritorial jurisdiction area around the City is divided up into four residential zones, four commercial zones, two industrial zones, a professional office zone, one mobile home zones, and two rural zones.  You must make sure your property is zoned for the proper use before you open a business or start any new construction project.  To view the City of Danville Zoning Map visit the maps page.  If you are still unsure if your property is zoned correctly for your proposed use contact our department and we will help you make this determination.  If your property must be rezoned, the process is relatively simple.  Our staff will be happy to provide the necessary information.  Here are a few basics to remember: Call our Department to find out exactly which zoning classification you need in order to do your project.  A Petition seeking rezoning must be filed with the City Clerk and filing fees must be paid, and then a Petition Number will be assigned. A Public Hearing Notice must be published once in the local newspaper at least 15 days before the zoning hearing.  The Danville Planning and Zoning Commission will then hear your petition on the First Thursday of the month at a public hearing held in the Community Room of City Hall located at 17 W. Main Street.  The Commission will make a recommendation to the City Council, and the Council will then take final action on your Petition.  The entire rezoning process usually takes from 30-45 days to complete and currently costs about $300, more if an attorney is retained.