City of Alton Plan Commission met Sept. 10.
Here is the minutes provided by the commission:
PRESENT: Mark Hackworth (Chairman), Joe Blair, Barry Clayton, Terry Dooley, James Rogalsky, Jonas Janek ABSENT: John Rain, Todd Harpole, Martha Kane, Megan Van Hoy
OTHERS PRESENT: Deanna Barnes (Deputy Director of Planning and Development), Jim Schrempf (Corporation Counselor), and Micky Jones (Secretary)
Chairman Hackworth called the meeting to order and asked for a roll call. Roll call was taken with 6 present and 4 absent.
Motion was made by Terry Dooley and seconded by Joe Blair to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of August 13, 2019.
Vote was 6 to 0 in favor.
Thomas R. Hildebrand petitioned for a special use permit at 1720 Main Street to occupy portion of existing commercial building as office for business of used vehicle sales.
Jim Schrempf explained the public hearing procedure.
Motion was made by Terry Dooley and seconded by Joe Blair to open the public hearing. Vote was 6 to 0 in favor.
Thomas Hildebrand stated he wishes to use 1720 Main Street as an office for his used vehicle business. The other half of the building is a law firm, which has been in his family for many years. He stated there will be no large sign (just a small 3’ sign), no lighting, and no vehicles parked on the lot. This will be for office space only. There will be no storage of vehicles and nothing stored overnight for reasons of insurance. The vehicles will be stored off-site. There will be one- on-one deliveries with maybe one sale a month, like a broker. The building will not be open after sundown.
Questions from audience:
Jeff Pfeiffer, 1751 Washington, and 250’ from the property, stated this is mainly a residential area. The property in question now zoned C-2. Mr. Pfeiffer talked about spot zoning and the special use.
Jim Schrempf stated the special use permit can be customized and the Plan Commission can make restrictions. Building and Zoning can investigate if the city receives a complaint from someone.
Mr. Pfeiffer opposes of this special use request. He stated he wants the property only used for residential and does not want a car lot.
Brad Kreider, who owns the property nearby, stated he wants no mechanics on site working on the vehicles. He said he would allow maybe one or two vehicles at the most. He stated the city should put a restriction on the special use permit.
Alderman Charlie Brake stated a lot of lighting could be detrimental to the neighbors. The council can also amend the special use if needed. Mr. Hildebrand wrote a letter to Alderman Brake, since he is his Alderman. Alderman Brake has no objection to the special use permit.
Mr. Hildebrand has no objection to any restrictions placed on his special use permit. He stated the law office on the other side of the building has 1 to 3 cars parked in the lot now. Vehicle sales will be on-line only. He is the co-owner of the building and his business will be called “ Hildebrand Imports”.
Deanna Barnes stated the property in question is now zoned C-2 and this zoning opens up a lot of potential commercial uses. Ms. Barnes read her memorandum. The Plan Commission could put restrictions on the special use permit including the number of vehicles, hours of business and no maintenance of vehicles.
Motion was made by Barry Clayton and seconded by Terry Dooley to close the public hearing. Vote was 6 to 0 in favor.
Mr. Schrempf stated restrictions could be placed on the special use permit such as:
The petitioner intends to operate a boutique Used Vehicle Sales business on the subject property. Hildebrand Imports will occupy a portion of the existing commercial building as an office for used vehicle sales. No inventory for sale will be maintained on property. Office will maintain regular business hours and close at 5 pm. No construction or alterations to the existing building are proposed.
The anticipated hours of operation at the subject property at 9:00 A.M. until 5:00 P.M., Monday through Friday, with appointments only on Saturday. The business anticipates employing approximately one (1) individual. There is no inventory anticipated due to the fact that this is a boutique car buying operation.
No signage except attached to the building.
No long-term storage of cars over 4 hours.
No additional lighting.
Cars off the lot by 6:00 P.M.
Never more than two cars for sale on the lot.
No maintenance of vehicles.
C-2 zoning was discussed. Ms. Barnes listed all of the business allowed in C-2 per the city code.
Mr. Hildebrand stated he has to have the special use permit for his state license.
Motion was made by Joe Blair and seconded by Terry Dooley for a special use permit at the property identified by permanent parcel number 23-2-08-07-06-102-045, Section 7, Township 5 North, Range 9 West of the Third Principal Meridian, also known as 1720 Main Street, Alton, Illinois, to occupy portion of existing commercial building as office for business of used vehicle sales with the following restrictions:
The petitioner intends to operate a boutique Used Vehicle Sales business on the subject property. Hildebrand Imports will occupy a portion of the existing commercial building as an office for used vehicle sales. No inventory for sale will be maintained on property. Office will maintain regular business hours and close at 5 pm. No construction or alterations to the existing building are proposed.
The anticipated hours of operation at the subject property at 9:00 A.M. until 5:00 P.M., Monday through Friday, with appointments only on Saturday. The business anticipates employing approximately one (1) individual. There is no inventory anticipated due to the fact that this is a boutique car buying operation.
No signage except attached to the building.
No long-term storage of cars over 4 hours.
No additional lighting.
Cars off the lot by 6:00 P.M.
Never more than two cars for sale on the lot.
No maintenance of vehicles.
Vote was 6 to 0 in favor Adjourned 2:05 p.m.
https://www.cityofaltonil.com/minutes/6/2019-09-10%20Minutes.pdf
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