Meeting Schedule
The Combined Planning & Zoning Board meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 7:00pm in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1115 Broadway. These meetings are open to the public.
Please note: Due to ongoing construction at City Hall, the CPZB meetings will be relocated to the Highland Area Senior Center, located at 187 Woodcrest Drive, until further notice.
Click here for CPZB 2024 meeting dates and submittal deadlines
Master List of 2024 City of Highland Meeting Dates
Terms
Combined Planning & Zoning Board members serve 5-year terms. With the advice and consent of the city council, the mayor may remove any member for cause, including the member's failure to attend three consecutive meetings or failure to attend 50 percent of all meetings held within a 12-month period, after a public hearing. Vacancies on the board shall be filled for the unexpired term of the member whose place has become vacant in the same manner as provided for the appointment of the new member.
Members
Click here to contact a Combined Planning & Zoning Board member.
Anthony Walker, Chairman
Term Expires: August 31, 2025
Anthony Walker is an over 20 year resident of Highland where he lives with his wife Laura and their three children Madelyn, George and Max. As an architect with both local and national experience, Anthony is able to offer unique insights into the plan and development issues presented to the board. His goal is to offer positive contributions to the Highland community that support continued growth while continuing to promote the quality of life that Highland offers.
Brad Korte
Term Expires: August 31, 2026
Brad has lived most of his life in Highland. He and his wife, Jeannie raised their four children here. His career has been in manufacturing and has owned a successful small business. Brad is active with several local organizations, including his church. He is a graduate of Ranken Technical College and holds a Chancellor’s Certificate in Planning and Zoning from the University of Missouri – St. Louis.
Shirley Mersinger Lodes
Term Expires: August 31, 2027
Shirley Mersinger Lodes grew up on the family farm between St. Jacob and Lebanon and attended Triad High School. The farm, which is a Centennial Farm, is now owned by her and her sister. Shirley moved to Highland in the mid-60’s and worked at the Marine Garment Factory until the late 60’s. Upon her return from living in Germany for a year and a half, she worked as a para-legal in real estate for a local attorney for 22 years. In 1994, she began her career at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) and was employed there until her retirement in 2012. During her time at SIUE, she was awarded Employee of the Month out of the approximately 2,000 employees. Shirley took many varied classes while at SIUE and has earned the equivalent of an associate degree. After her retirement in 2012, Shirley was instrumental in helping create the Milestones Walk for the Highland 175th Jubilee. Shirley’s hobbies include collecting pottery, reading and traveling. Her travels have taken her to Europe, Asia, Africa and most of the USA. While residing in Highland she has been a renter, homeowner and is now a condominium owner as well as a farm owner. Shirley feels that these experiences give her an insight that is important as a member of the Combined Planning and Zoning Board. She has been a member of the Planning Commission, the Zoning Board of Appeals and now the Combined Planning and Zoning Board for over 25 years.
Bob Vance
Term Expires: August 31, 2026
Bob wrote a letter to the Highland News Leader regarding the installation of the first roundabouts in Highland. The letter triggered a phone call from then Mayor Rob Bowman asking Bob to be a member of the Planning Commission. Since accepting the offer, he has been involved with planning and zoning in the City of Highland since the early 2000s.
Bob was born in Storm Lake, Iowa and moved to DeKalb, Illinois where he graduated from high school. He graduated from the University of Illinois in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and earned a Master’s in Education from Greenville University. Bob has been teaching at Highland High School since 1997 with previous stints at Sterling Newman (1978-1986) and Highland St. Paul (1975-1978). The long-time educator has taught mathematics, business, physical education, personal finance, and spent several years as a Career Specialist with the Jobs for Illinois Graduates program at HHS. Coaching responsibilities through the years include cross country, track, basketball, baseball, and softball.
Bob is a member of the Heartland Community Chorus and the St. Paul Adult Choir, also serving as a cantor at St. Paul’s for over 30 years. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus, and volunteered his time for several years coaching summer baseball for the HYBSL.
Bob married Highland native Debbie Geiger in 1977. The couple raised five children and have nine grandchildren.
Bob considers being on the Combined Planning and Zoning Board as a tremendous responsibility and tries to look at not only the present needs of the city, but also what the city will need in the future.
Bill Koehnemann
Term Expires: August 31, 2025
Bill Koehnemann has served on the City of Highland's planning and zoning boards for 52 years. Koehnemann was a longtime member of the Zoning Board of Appeals, and has served on the Combined Planning and Zoning Board since it was founded in 2006. Koehnemann assisted the city with the transition of merging its planning and zoning boards and has been involved in overseeing major projects within the city. As a board member, Koehnemann continues to have the community's best interest in mind as he makes informed decisions utilizing a wide scope of expertise — from routine signs and fences to large subdivision and commercial developments.
Deanna Harlan
Term Expires: August 31, 2028
Deanna is a Pastoral Associate for Adult Formation at St. Paul Catholic Parish in Highland. Deanna has been very involved in her church and the Highland Community since moving here with her family in 1991. She has chaired the St. Paul Kirchenfest, the Highland Tree Commission, Highland’s Relay for Life, Habitat for Humanity and has been involved with many other groups and committees such as TreeKeepers, Highland’s 175th Anniversary celebration, Square Renovation, among others. She was the Market Master for the Highland Farmer’s Market for 5 years. Deanna is married with two grown children and two grandchildren. She feels strongly that all residents have a responsibility to help keep the city great. And, everyone has a duty to share their time and talents in gratitude for what they have been given.
Larry Munie
Term Expires: August 31, 2024
