East Central Reporter

City of Olney Board of Appeals met Aug. 4.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

AGENDA #1 “CALL TO ORDER” The August 4, 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, Scott Jones, Brad Williams, Pat Everette, and David Abell. Bridgett Jensen and Samantah Brazil were absent. Also present were City Clerk Kelsie Sterchi, and Code Enforcement Officer Dallas Colwell.

AGENDA #3 “APPROVE MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF APPEALS MEETING ON JUNE 2, 2025” Mr. Everette moved to approve the minutes from June 2, 2025, seconded by Mr. Jones. Mr. Ginder, Mr. Jones, Mr. Williams, 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. No one from the public was present.

The applicant was absent due to medical reasons. Due to this, Mr. Colwell would be presenting the details of the request in his official capacity. No members of the public were sworn in to provide testimony.

AGENDA #5 “PUBLIC HEARING: VARIANCE REQUEST FOR 502 W. CHESTNUT STREET” Ron Holtz had submitted a Request for Variation for 502 W. Chestnut Street, Olney, Illinois, Property Index Number 11-03-138-011. The petitioner requested variances to allow for a 13-foot front yard setback on the east side rather than the 25-foot front yard setback and a 6-foot front yard setback on the south side rather than the 25-foot front yard setback as required in Title 17 (Zoning) of the City of Olney Municipal Code. The granting of the variances would allow the petitioner to construct a home on the property.

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

Mr. Colwell told the Board that the home to be constructed would be “stick built” with a single car garage.

The City had demolished the structure on this property a while back, and the property was then quitclaimed to the City. The City sold the property to Mr. Holtz via sealed bid. The new home would have the same footprint as the prior structure. Additionally, the home would be set back in line with other homes on Chestnut Street, and farther back than other homes on Saratoga Street. The reason for the variance request was because the lot was small at a size of 50-foot by 95- foot.

Mr. Abell felt that this process of demolition, quitclaim, sale, and construct of a new home was a success story for the City. The Board affirmed.

AGENDA #6 “VARIANCE: 502 W. CHESTNUT STREET” Mr. Jones moved to approve variances that would allow for a 13-foot front yard setback on the east side and a 6-foot front yard setback on the south side, seconded by Mr. Everette. Mr. Ginder, Mr. Jones, Mr. Williams, Mr. Everette, 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 Mr. Williams. Mr. Ginder, Mr. Jones, Mr. Williams, Mr. Everette, and Mr. Abell voted yes. The motion carried.

The meeting of the Board of Appeals adjourned at 7:04 p.m.

https://cms2.revize.com/revize/olneynew/ba%20Aug%204%202025%20min.pdf