Anchoring the Future!
Over the past year, the Village of Fox Lake, in partnership with The Lakota Group, has led an engagement-driven planning process to shape the Community Reflections Comprehensive Plan and Downtown Plan. Guided by community input, the plans are built on eight themes that aim to advance Fox Lake toward a strong future while anchoring its history, unique character, and quality of life.
To learn more about the robust engagement process, scroll down to “Fox Lake Speaks!”
To download draft versions of the Comprehensive Plan and Downtown Plan, scroll past the engagement section to the “Planning Documents” section.
“Join Us! September 10th at 6.30 pm at Village Hall for Plan Commission Mtg to talk about the Plan! ”
Fox Lake Speaks!
Village leadership ensured the process was inclusive, every step of the way! Below is a list of engagement touchpoints that encouraged Fox Lake residents to share their input:
Fox Lake Conversations – Kickoff event at Lakefront Park that celebrated recent Village achievements and invited residents into round-table discussions on housing, economic development, Downtown revitalization, and placemaking.
Fox Lake Tales – A podcast series sharing personal stories from longtime residents and newcomers, helping to shape a shared vision for Fox Lake’s future.
Pop-Up Series – Informal engagement at events like the Friday Night Concert Series and the Mayor’s Fish Fry, where residents joined creative exercises to highlight priorities that should “rise to the surface” or “sink to the bottom.”
Community Workshop 1 – The largest engagement event, blending information with interactive exercises such as visual preference boards, mapping, and priority-setting activities.
Community Workshop 2 – Held at the Farmers Market, giving residents the chance to weigh in on goals, strategies, and action steps either in person or through a QR code.
Planning Documents
All project exhibits, drafts, and final reports will be available for download below.
Existing Conditions Report (2024): This report marks the completion of Phase 1 of the Comprehensive Planning Process, offering an in-depth look at the engagement efforts so far and initial findings that paint a picture of Fox Lake today. Click on the link below to download.
Draft Comprehensive Plan (Aug 2025): The Comprehensive Plan is the culmination of this planning process and is the blueprint for the Village’s future. This plan includes eight different themes, with dedicated strategies, and action steps. Click on the link below to download.
Draft Downtown Plan (Aug 2025): The Downtown Plan focuses on Fox Lake’s core and expands on the Downtown theme presented in the Comprehensive Plan, with targeted redevelopment sites and a future vision for your downtown! Click on the link below to download.
Welcome to the Fox Lake Tales podcast! We’ve been collecting Tales from residents in Fox Lake at each community event. Through personal stories and cherished memories, we uncover what makes this community unique one episode at a time.
Listen to the three episodes of the podcast below.
Stay in the Know
Want to be the first to know about Fox Lake Comprehensive Plan news or want to provide the Planning Team your thoughts and ideas? Please fill out the form!