The DeKalb Plan Commission meeting was moved to the large conference room in the DeKalb Municipal Building Annex, 223 S. Fourth St. Wednesday night, reflecting the relaxed mood of the meeting.

At the meeting, commercial and industrial design guidelines were discussed. Issues such as the height of buildings, the distance between streets and buildings and the placement of truck docks were debated.

“The goal is to be aesthetically pleasing,” said Plan Commission Chairman Rich Fassig.

Setting high standards can help a city raise its value, but it also has other consequences.

“The problem with raising the bar is I think you eliminate the small contractor,” said Plan Commissioner John Guio. “We are making it harder for them to do business in their own town.”

Even though all the members of the plan commission were present, the group considered adding an attendance clause to the by-laws to combat the reoccurring absence problem.

Most recently, former Plan Commissioner Nolan Davis was absent for several meetings until he was replaced. “We need a tool to use if it’s needed,” Fassig said.