Alton City Plan Commission met Jan. 7.
Here is the minutes provided by the commission:
PRESENT: Mark Hackworth (Chairman), John Rain, James Rogalsky, Joe Blair, Barry Clayton, Terry Dooley, Jonas Janek, Megan Van Hoy
ABSENT: Todd Harpole, Martha Kane
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 8 present and 2 absent.
Motion was made by Terry Dooley and seconded by Jonas Janek to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of November 19, 2019.
Vote was 8 to 0 in favor.
David and Jennifer Lando petitioned for a special use permit for 2211 Gillis for roof mount solar panels.
Motion was made by Joe Blair and seconded by Terry Dooley to open the public hearing. Vote was 8 to 0 in favor.
Jim Schrempf explained the public hearing procedure.
Valerie Corey, Straight Up Solar, was present and stated 35 solar panels will be placed on the southwest point of the roof facing the front of the house. A tree will be removed.
Alderman Carolyn MacAfee was present and is in favor of the special use permit.
Deanna Barnes read her report.
Motion was made by Terry Dooley and seconded by James Rogalsky to close the public hearing.
Vote was 8 to 0 in favor.
Motion was made by John Rain and seconded by James Rogalsky for a special use permit at the property identified by permanent parcel number 23-2-07-02-11-202-039, Southwest One Quarter Northeast One Quarter Section 2, Township 5 North, Range 10 West of the Third Principal Meridian, also known as 2211 Gillis, Alton, Illinois, for roof mounted solar panels.
Vote was 8 to 0 in favor Adjourned 1:20 p.m.
Alice Layton petitioned for a special use permit at 902 Alton Street for bed and breakfast.
Motion was made by James Rogalsky and seconded by Terry Dooley to open the public hearing.
Vote was 8 to 0 in favor.
Alice Layton stated she wants to have an air bed and breakfast on the second floor of her historic home that she lives in on the downstairs level. The house has been totally renovated. The upstairs is a private suite with three bedrooms.
Plan Commission questions:
There will only be one rental including 2 bedrooms and 1 bath.
Will rent for 1 or 2 nights or a limit of 2 weeks.
There will be no food preparation.
Public questions:
Anne Doucleff is concerned if there will be parking on the street? Also, even though it is an 80’ driveway, it is still only a single-car driveway. No one in audience in favor.
Those in opposition:
Alderman Carolyn MacAfee stated Ms. Layton has city code violations and allows her dogs to run loose. She has no respect for city ordinances and is not a responsible citizen. Alderman MacAfee has received complaints from the neighbors on Ms. Layton. She is also already renting the suite without a business license.
Chairman Hackworth asked Ms. Layton what would happen if the tenants are blocked in the driveway?
Ms. Layton explained the parking situation and how she would negotiate with the rentors. She also explained why she has already posted the bed and breakfast online. Ms. Layton responded to Ms. MacAfee’s remarks.
Dianne Burton, 808 Alton Street, stated that her dogs are never on a leash. Layton stated her dogs socialize with the neighbors dogs. Ms. Burton stated this is a blind corner and an area where school children are picked up. Ms. Layton’s dogs are loose and cars have to swerve around them. This is a health and safety issue. Ms. Layton disregards city ordinances.
Keith Edwards, 917 Alton, stated her dogs charge him when he leaves the house.
The neighbors submitted a petition with three signatures, which was read by Chairman Hackworth and placed on file.
Anne Doucleff asked if the city has codes in place for air bed and breakfast? Are codes adequate to enforce the B & B? This is a heavily traveled area. Alton should not allow bed and breakfasts. They have been eliminated in large cities.
Ms. Barnes showed interior photos of the house and read her report.
Alderman MacAfee asked how the city inspects bed and breakfasts? Ms. Barnes explained a business license is required, a special use permit is required, then inspectors go out for inspections before operation and a business license annual inspection. Fire and police departments are involved as well. What regulations are there in place to maintain property? Ms. Barnes stated same as regular codes. The special use permit will be revoked if the codes are not met.
Motion was made by Barry Clayton and seconded by James Rogalsky to close the public hearing. Vote was 8 to 0 in favor.
Motion was made by Joe Blair and seconded by Todd Harpole for a special use permit at the property identified by permanent parcel number 23-2-07-11-19-403-022, Southwest One Quarter Southeast One Quarter Section 11, Township 5 North, Range 10 West of the Third Principal Meridian, also known as 902 Alton Street, Alton, Illinois, for a bed and breakfast.
Vote was:
In favor – James Rogalsky, Barry Clayton, Jonas Janek, Megan Van Hoy In opposition – Mark Hackworth, John Rain, Joe Blair, Terry Dooley
Jim Schrempf stated since it is a tie vote, it will go to the city council as defeated. Adjourned 2:00 p.m.
Review of roadway dedication plat, commonly known as #1 Golf Road, city owned property.
Mr. Schrempf stated that this was submitted by the City of Alton since this is owned by the city. The parcels will be subdivided for maybe potential users.
Motion was made by John Rain and seconded by Terry Dooley for approval of the roadway dedication plat, also known as #1 Golf Road, Alton, Illinois, for dedication of roadway and easements as on the plat.
Vote was 8 to 0 in favor.
Adjourned 2:04 p.m.
Consideration of appropriate zoning districts for recreational cannabis dispensaries.
Jim Schrempf explained the legislation from Illinois. He prepared the attached ordinance for the city to vote on. The 3% sales tax has already been passed. The number of licenses will be limited and locations are not known at this time.
Ms. Barnes stated as proposed the dispensaries will be allowed in C-5 and M-1 zoning and by special use permit in C-2 and C-4. They will be very regulated and they must have the correct zoning to apply to the state. This will be in addition to state regulations.
Mr. Schrempf explained the process of the centers in Illinois. Today we are discussing the retail dispensaries only, see attached ordinance. We will not be addressing the growing of cannabis today.
Public questions:
Kyle Miller, Deep Roots, Godfrey, Illinois, talked about cultivation centers and that the security required is like for casinos and banks. He would like the city to keep the companies local, if centers are allowed to open in the city. Most of the centers in Illinois are in manufacturing areas.
Motion was made by Terry Dooley and seconded by Barry Clayton that Section 12 (B) of Chapter 5 of Title 11 of the City Code of the City of Alton shall be amended by adding an additional permitted use: “Marijuana Stores, medical or recreational (uses within NAICS code 453998), that Section 15 (B) of Chapter 5 of Title 11 of the City Code of the City of Alton shall be amended by adding an additional permitted use: “Marijuana Stores, medical or recreational (used within NAICS code 453998)”, that Section 11 (D) of Chapter 5 of Title 11 of the City Code of the City of Alton shall be amended by adding an additional special use: “Marijuana Stores, medical or recreational (used within NAICS code 453998)”, that Section 10 (D) of Chapter 5 of Title 11 of the City Code of the City of Alton shall be amended by adding an additional special use: “Marijuana Stores, medical or recreational (used within NAICS code 453998)”, that Section 14 (B) of Chapter 5 of Title 11 of the City Code of the City of Alton shall be amended by deleting from the permitted uses “Retail use buildings under fifteen thousand (15,000) square feet including” and substituting it with the following wording therefore: “Retail use buildings under fifteen thousand (15,000) square feet, including:
Department stores (uses within NAICS code 4522).
Miscellaneous store retailers (used within NAICS code 453998) except Tobacco stores and Marijuana Stores.
Other general merchandise stores (used within NAICS code 452319).
Pharmacies and drug stores (446110).
Vote was 8 to 0 in favor.
Adjourned 2:15 p.m.
https://www.cityofaltonil.com/minutes/6/2020-01-07%20Minutes.pdf
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