East Central Reporter

City of Olney Board of Appeals met June 2.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

AGENDA #1 “CALL TO ORDER” The June 2, 2025, 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, Samantha Brazil, Pat Everette, and David Abell. Scott Jones and Brad Williams were absent. Also present were City Clerk Kelsie Sterchi, Code Enforcement Officer Dallas Colwell, and City Attorney Bart Zuber.

AGENDA #3 “APPROVE MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF APPEALS MEETING ON MAY 5, 2025” Mrs. Jensen moved to approve the minutes from May 5, 2025, seconded by Mr. Everette. Mr. Ginder, Mrs. Jensen, Mrs. Brazil, Mr. Everette, and Mr. Abell voted yes. There were no opposing votes. The motion carried.

AGENDA #4 “SWEARING IN” Mr. Abell asked that anyone wishing to testify on behalf of the items being discussed to stand and be sworn in. City Clerk Sterchi asked the individuals to stand, raise their right hand, and “swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help me God.” Cris Ebeling, Jo King, Gary Brainard, Brian Kocher, Reta Kocher, and Amy Elliott were sworn in.

AGENDA #5 “PUBLIC HEARING: VARIANCE REQUEST FOR 311 S. ADAMS STREET” Brian and Reta Kocher had submitted a Request for Variation for 311 S. Adams Street, Olney, Illinois, Property Index Number 11-02-105-045. The petitioners requested a variance to allow for a 10-foot aggregate side yard setback rather than the 14-foot aggregate side yard setback as required in Title 17 (Zoning) of the City of Olney Municipal Code. The granting of the variance would allow the petitioners to place a home on the property following a fire loss with 5-foot side yard setbacks on each side.

The City Clerk had not received any comments for or against the request.

Mr. Abell asked if the Kochers would be placing a manufactured home on the property. The Kochers indicated so. Mr. Kocher explained that their home caught fire last year right before Christmas and it was no longer livable. They planned to demolish the current structure and replace it with the manufactured home.

Mr. Abell asked if the manufactured home would be brand new. The Kochers confirmed.

Mr. Abell asked Mr. Colwell if he had anything to add. Mr. Colwell stated that homes located in this particular neighborhood were all close together. Several other such variance requests had been approved. If this variance was approved, the Kochers would be requesting a Special Use Permit from the Plan Commission and Council in order to be able to place the manufactured home in an R-2 zoning district.

Mr. Everette felt that the addition would improve the neighborhood.

AGENDA #6 “VARIANCE: 311 S. ADAMS STREET” Mr. Everette moved to approve a variance that would allow for a 10-foot aggregate side yard setback, seconded by Mrs. Jensen. Mr. Ginder, Mrs. Jensen, Mrs. Brazil, Mr. Everette, and Mr. Abell voted yes. There were no opposing votes. The motion carried.

AGENDA #7 “PUBLIC HEARING: VARIANCE REQUEST FOR 112 E. MONROE STREET” Amy Elliott had submitted a Request for Variation for 112 E. Monroe Street, Olney, Illinois, Property Index Number 11-03-206-105. The petitioner requested a variance in the requirements in Title 17 (Zoning) of the City of Olney Municipal Code regarding private storage buildings as accessory buildings. The granting of the variance would allow the petitioner to have a storage shed for lawn care equipment without a residence on the property.

The City Clerk had not received any comments for or against the request.

Ms. Elliott told the Board that the property was owned by her mother, but her mother was transferring it to her. The house that sat on the property was taken down several years ago. Ms. Elliott had purchased a small shed to place on the property in order to store lawn equipment. She was now in charge of lawn care for the property, but she lived near Route 130 and drove a small vehicle that did not allow her to properly haul a mower.

Ms. Ebeling noted that the shed was brand new.

Mr. Abell asked Mr. Colwell if he had anything to add. Mr. Colwell indicated that similar requests had been granted in the past.

Ms. Ebeling felt that the granting of the variance would reduce hardship on Ms. Elliott.

Mr. Abell explained that the regulations were in place because the City did not want a town full of sheds on lots, but he understood this request.

AGENDA #8 “VARIANCE: 112 E. MONROE STREET” Mr. Ginder moved to approve the variance to allow an accessory building without a residence, seconded by Mrs. Jensen. Mr. Ginder, Mrs. Jensen, Mrs. Brazil, Mr. Everette, and Mr. Abell voted yes. There were no opposing votes. The motion carried.

AGENDA #9 “PUBLIC COMMENTS/PRESENTATIONS” There were no comments.

AGENDA #10 “ADJOURN” Mr. Everette moved to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Ginder. Mr. Ginder, Mrs. Jensen, Mrs. Brazil, Mr. Everette, and Mr. Abell voted yes. The motion carried.

The meeting of the Board of Appeals adjourned at 7:09 p.m.

https://cms2.revize.com/revize/olneynew/ba%20June%202%202025%20min.pdf