Village of Frankfort Meeting | November 17, 2025

The Frankfort Village Board on Monday, November 17, 2025, approved a series of measures focused on new business development, public safety upgrades, and administrative adjustments. As part of a packed unanimous consent agenda, the board granted special use permits for three new businesses to open in the village: Dimes Coffee Lounge on Laraway Road, Solyne Café on Frankfort Square Road, and Arena Jiu Jitsu on LaGrange Road. For more details on these new establishments, see the full standalone article.

The board also took steps to enhance public safety and government operations by authorizing the purchase of five new Taser units for the police department, a purchase fully funded by a state grant. Additionally, a nearly $20,000 upgrade to the boardroom’s audio-visual equipment was approved to improve meeting functionality. In a procedural change, the board shifted its 2026 meeting start time to 6:00 p.m. and realigned its committee schedule.

The Mayor’s Report highlighted a full slate of upcoming holiday events, including Small Business Saturday on November 29, the Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 4, and the “Home for the Holidays” weekend on December 13-14.

News Briefs

Holiday Events Schedule Announced: Mayor Keith Ogle encouraged residents to participate in Frankfort’s festive season, announcing several upcoming events. The holiday season kicks off with “Small Business Saturday” on November 29. Other highlights include the annual “Lighting of the Green” ceremony on December 4, the Frankfort Area Historical Society’s Candlelight House Walk on December 5, the Chamber of Commerce’s “Midnight Madness” shopping event on December 12, and the “Home for the Holidays” weekend on December 13-14.

Variances Granted for New Home on Oak Street: O’Malley Builders, Inc. received approval for multiple zoning variances to construct a new single-family residence on a vacant, non-conforming lot at 223 Oak Street. The board approved reducing the minimum lot width from 100 feet to 75 feet and the minimum lot size from 15,000 square feet to 14,545 square feet. A variance was also granted to allow the use of non-masonry James Hardieboard siding on the first floor. A plat of subdivision was also approved as the parcel had not been previously platted.

Surplus Police Vehicles to be Auctioned: The board passed an ordinance declaring three police squad vehicles and one 2007 Ford F-350 pickup truck as surplus property. The vehicles, which are no longer necessary for village operations due to mechanical issues or age, will be disposed of through a public auction.

Industrial Grant Awarded for Center Road Building: A $25,000 grant from the Target Industry and Industrial Incentive Program (T3IP) was awarded to 22530 Center, LLC for the construction of a new 32,960-square-foot industrial building at 22530 S. Center Road. The facility will be occupied by Assured Energy Solutions. The grant funds will be applied toward village permit and plan review fees, with the remaining balance of $6,872 issued to the property owner.

Frankfort Releases Certain Closed Session Minutes: As part of its required semi-annual review of executive session records, the Village Board voted to release the full written minutes of its closed session meetings from April 21, 2025, and July 9, 2025, making them available for public inspection. The board also authorized the destruction of verbatim audio recordings from meetings held on April 17, 2023, and April 25, 2024, as they are now more than 18 months old.