East Central Reporter

City of Olney Board of Appeals met July 1.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

AGENDA #1 “CALL TO ORDER” The July 1, 2024, meeting of the Board of Appeals was called to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Olney City Hall, 300 S. Whittle Avenue, Olney, Illinois, by David Abell.

AGENDA #2 “ROLL CALL” The following Board of Appeals members were present: Kurt Ginder, Bridgett Jensen, Brad Williams, and David Abell. Scott Jones and Samantha Brazil were absent. Also present was City Clerk Kelsie Sterchi and Code Enforcement Officer Dallas Colwell.

AGENDA #3 “APPROVE MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF APPEALS MEETING ON JUNE 3, 2024” Mrs. Jensen moved to approve the minutes from June 3, 2024, seconded by Mr. Ginder. Mr. Ginder, Mrs. Jensen, Mr. Williams, and Mr. Abell voted yes. There were no opposing votes. The motion carried.

AGENDA #4 “SWEARING IN” No one was present to speak on the request.

AGENDA #5 “PUBLIC HEARING: VARIANCE REQUEST 1213 WILLOW DRIVE” Jayne Harting had submitted a Request for Variation for 1213 Willow Drive, Olney, Illinois, Property Index Number 06-35-303-007. The petitioner was requesting a variance to allow for a 25-foot front yard setback rather than the 30-foot front yard setback as required in Title 17 (Zoning) of the City of Olney Municipal Code. The granting of the variance would allow the petitioner to construct a covered front porch.

No comments had been received for or against the request.

AGENDA #6 “VARIANCE: 1213 WILLOW DRIVE” Due to Mrs. Harting’s absence, Mr. Colwell offered to explain the request. He told the Board that Mrs. Harting was wanting to build a covered porch and found out that the setback requirements would not allow for this. The house itself was set back at about 31-feet.

Mrs. Harting was indecisive on whether or not to move forward with the variance request, but ultimately decided to at least construct the concrete portion with footings. If the variance request passed, then she could move forward with covering the porch. Mr. Colwell clarified that placing the concrete porch would not infringe on setback requirements, but since the plan was to construct a roof, a variance was needed.

Mr. Colwell also told the Board that areas zoned R-2 and R-3 had 25-foot setback requirements. Because this property was zoned as R-1, 30-foot setbacks were put in place for such bigger lots in newer neighborhoods.

While the Board had denied a front yard setback variance request at its last meeting, they noted how this was a much different circumstance. In viewing the property themselves, some Board members commented that they did not feel that this addition would be out of line for the neighborhood. They also felt that the addition would add property value.

Mr. Abell moved to approve a variance that would allow for a 25-foot front yard setback for 1213 Willow Drive, seconded by Mr. Williams. Mr. Ginder, Mrs. Jensen, Mr. Williams, and Mr. Abell voted yes. There were no opposing votes. The motion carried.

AGENDA #7 “PUBLIC COMMENTS/PRESENTATIONS” No one from the public was present.

AGENDA #8 “ADJOURN” Mr. Ginder moved to adjourn, seconded by Mrs. Jensen. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

The meeting of the Board of Appeals adjourned at 7:05 p.m.

https://cms2.revize.com/revize/olneynew/ba%20July%201%202024%20min.pdf