East Central Reporter

City of Olney Plan Commission met Oct. 2.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

AGENDA #1 “CALL TO ORDER” The meeting of the Plan Commission was called to order at 7:31 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Olney City Hall, 300 S. Whittle Avenue, Olney, Illinois, with Chairperson Steve Eichhorst presiding.

AGENDA #2 “ROLL CALL” The following Plan Commission members were present: Zachary Holder, David Abell, Elliot Brazil, Vicki Lobacz, Wesley Tolliver, Vic Colwell, Pat Everette, and Steve Eichhorst. Scott Jones was absent. Also present were Code Enforcement Officer Dallas Colwell, City Manager Allen Barker, City Attorney Bart Zuber, and City Clerk Kelsie Sterchi.

AGENDA #3 “PUBLIC COMMENTS & PRESENTATIONS” No one from the public wished to speak.

AGENDA #4 “APPROVE MINUTES OF THE PLAN COMMISSION MEETING ON JUNE 5, 2023” Mrs. Lobacz moved to approve the minutes of the Plan Commission meeting on June 5, 2023, seconded by Mr. Holder. Mr. Holder, Mr. Abell, Mr. Brazil, Mrs. Lobacz, Mr. Tolliver, Mr. Colwell, Mr. Everette, and Mr. Eichhorst voted yes. There were no opposing votes. The motion carried.

AGENDA #5 “SWEARING IN” Mr. Eichhorst asked that anyone wishing to testify on behalf of the items being discussed to stand and be sworn in. City Clerk Sterchi asked those standing to raise their right hand and “swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help me God.” Mary Hubble-Tibbs, Shelley Brinkley, Cheryl Welker, George Leaf, Jr., and Gerald Foster were sworn in.

AGENDA #6 “PUBLIC HEARING: SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR 1109 W. NORTH AVENUE” George Leaf, Jr., pursuant to the terms of Section 17.80.010, of the City of Olney Municipal Code, submitted a Petition for Special Use Permit. The petitioner requested the Commission to consider the placement of a manufactured home at 1109 W. North Avenue, Olney, Illinois, with Property Index Number 11-04-101-006. If the request for Special Use Permit is granted, the property would be used for placement of a manufactured home.

No comments had been received for or against the request.

AGENDA #7 “SPECIAL USE PERMIT: 1109 W. NORTH AVENUE” Mr. Abell asked if Mr. Leaf planned to purchase the lot. Mr. Leaf replied that he already owned the property.

Mr. Abell then asked if the manufactured home would be brand new. Mr. Leaf indicated so. The home was likely already being constructed by Clayton Homes.

Mrs. Lobacz asked where the manufactured home would be placed on the lot. Mr. Leaf stated that the home would be centered east to west.

Mr. Holder moved to recommend the granting a Special Use Permit for placement of a manufactured home at 1109 W. North Avenue, seconded by Mr. Tolliver. Mr. Holder, Mr. Abell, Mr. Brazil, Mrs. Lobacz, Mr. Tolliver, Mr. Colwell, Mr. Everette, and Mr. Eichhorst voted yes. There were no opposing votes. The motion carried.

AGENDA #8 “PUBLIC HEARING: REZONING OF 203 A W. NORTH AVENUE FROM R-3 (TWO FAMILY RESIDENCE DISTRICT) TO M-1 (LIGHT INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT)” Shelley Brinkley, pursuant to the terms of Section 17.12.040 of the City of Olney Municipal Code, submitted a Petition for Rezoning. The petitioner requested that the Commission consider changes in zoning from R-3 (Two Family Residence District) to M-1 (Light Industrial District) at 203 A W. North Avenue, Olney, Illinois, with Property Index Number 11-03-114-006. If the request for rezoning is granted, the property would be used for a resale shop.

Mary Hubble-Tibbs, 115 W. North Avenue, submitted a packet of information speaking against the request for rezoning. No other comments were received for or against the request.

AGENDA #9 “REZONING: 203 A W. NORTH AVENUE FROM R-3 (TWO-FAMILY RESIDENCE DISTRICT) TO M-1 (LIGHT INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT)” Mrs. Lobacz asked for the reasoning behind the request for rezoning. Ms. Brinkley explained that the owners of the building where the current resale shop was located were selling the property. Claws & Paws had raised funds to build a new store at this location on W. North Avenue.

Mrs. Lobacz asked if there were any plans for parking. Ms. Brinkley replied that parking would be available on the front and side of the building.

Mr. Abell asked why Ms. Brinkley was asking for a zoning change to Light Industrial instead of Commercial. Code Enforcement Officer Dallas Colwell explained that the adjoining lot was also zoned Light Industrial, so Ms. Brinkley was wanting to keep in accordance with that in order to adjoin the lots together. Mr. D. Colwell noted that a Commercial zone would also be sufficient.

Mrs. Lobacz asked if the building could be placed with the current zoning. Mr. D. Colwell replied that the zoning would need to change because a resale shop could not currently be placed in a Residential zone.

Mr. Eichhorst asked if Ms. Brinkley had purchased the property. She indicated so.

Mrs. Lobacz pointed out that the Claws & Paws pet rescue had already moved to this new location.

Mr. Abell had concern with rezoning to M-1 due to the allowable uses under that zoning. He wondered if requesting a Commercial rezoning would be more appropriate.

Mr. Eichhorst was in favor of the M-1 request so that Ms. Brinkley would not have to wait another month to make a different request to the Plan Commission. He understood that their contractor was ready to build.

Ms. Brinkley agreed that she was ready to move forward as soon as possible. The funding for the rescue came from the resale shop.

Mr. Abell agreed that the location was suitable for Ms. Brinkley’s pursuits, but if the business ceased at some point and the property sold, different types of business could be placed there that may not conform well to the area if it were rezoned to M-1.

Mr. Tolliver moved to recommend approval of rezoning 203 A W. North Avenue from R-3 (Two-Family Residence District) to M-1 (Light Industrial District).

Mrs. Lobacz asked Mrs. Hubble-Tibbs if she wanted to say anything further. Mrs. Hubble-Tibbs stated that she had hoped her packet would speak for itself. She said that she had looked into the property at the courthouse and Ms. Brinkley was not listed on the record of deed. She was also concerned whether or not the new building would be permanent or temporary.

Mrs. Welker stated that the building would be a permanent, built structure.

Ms. Brinkley said that she was purchasing the property on contract. They had worked with the property owner and their lawyer to complete the necessary paperwork.

Mrs. Hubble-Tibbs was a close neighbor to this property, and she did not wish to see a resale shop moving so close to her backyard. She requested that the Commission not recommend approval of this request.

Mr. Everette asked if the property would have landscaping added. Ms. Brinkley indicated so and that her desire was to make the property look very nice.

Mrs. Lobacz asked if the semi trailers currently on the property would be staying. Mrs. Welker hoped not. Currently, they were only being used for storage. If plans worked out, the semi trailers would not be needed.

Mrs. Hubble-Tibbs asked if a business could keep “that many” dogs in one location. Mr. D. Colwell indicated that there were no restrictions for businesses. Ms. Brinkley added that she was also approved by the State as a licensed rescue.

Mr. Eichhorst felt that the M-1 zoning change would be acceptable since no other Commercial lots were in that area. He was not interested in spot zoning.

Mrs. Lobacz seconded Mr. Tolliver’s motion above. Mr. Abell, Mr. Brazil, Mrs. Lobacz, Mr. Tolliver, Mr. Colwell, Mr. Everette, and Mr. Eichhorst voted yes. Mr. Holder abstained. The motion carried.

AGENDA #10 “PUBLIC HEARING: REZONING OF LAND ON W. MAIN STREET IDENTIFIED BY PROPERTY INDEX NUMBER 11-04-150-001 FROM C-2 (COMMERCIAL DISTRICT) TO M-1 (LIGHT INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT)” Gerald Foster, pursuant to the terms of Section 17.12.040 of the City of Olney Municipal Code, submitted a Petition for Rezoning. The petitioner requested the Commission to consider changes in zoning from C-2 (Commercial District) to M-1 (Light Industrial District) at land on W. Main Street, Olney, Illinois, with Property Index Number 11-04-150-001. If the request for rezoning is granted, the property would be used for an auto wrecking and tow yard.

No comments were received for or against this request.

AGENDA #11 “REZONING: LAND ON W. MAIN STREET IDENTIFIED BY PROPERTY INDEX NUMBER 11-04-150-001 FROM C-2 (COMMERCIAL DISTRICT) TO M-1 (LIGHT INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT)” Mr. Foster explained that access to his lot on W. North Avenue was difficult to get into due to some changes in the area. He bought this property because it had a circle drive. He had also added gravel to the area. This location housed vehicles that Mr. Foster had towed. He was requesting the rezoning so that he could “do whatever he wanted” on the property as it related to his business.

Mrs. Lobacz asked if fencing would be required if the property was rezoned. Mr. D. Colwell indicated so and said that the State and the City would require an eight-foot fence around the property. The fencing would need to be the privacy-type so that no one could see through it.

Mr. Foster believed that semi trailers surrounding the property should be allowable as a fence. Mr. D. Colwell stated that semi trailers were not an allowable type of fence.

Mr. Foster argued the requirement for fencing and said that if he would need one, then everyone should need one.

Mr. Tolliver moved to recommend approval of rezoning land on W. Main Street identified by Property Index Number 11-04-150-001 from C-2 (Commercial District) to M-1 (Light Industrial District), seconded by Mr. Brazil. Mr. Brazil, Mrs. Lobacz, Mr. Tolliver, Mr. Colwell, Mr. Everette, and Mr. Eichhorst voted yes. Mr. Abell voted no. Mr. Holder voted present. The motion carried.

AGENDA #12 “ADJOURN” Mr. Tolliver moved to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Everette. Mr. Holder, Mr. Abell, Mr. Brazil, Mrs. Lobacz, Mr. Tolliver, Mr. Colwell, Mr. Everette, and Mr. Eichhorst voted yes. There were no opposing votes. The motion carried. The Plan Commission meeting adjourned at 7:58 p.m.

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