Fulton County Board Committee Minutes
Fulton County Board Office, 257 West Lincoln Street, Lewistown, IL 61542
Committee: Community Development, Zoning & 200th Anniversary
Meeting Place: 257 W Lincoln, Lewistown, IL
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Date: April 5, 2023
Call in:
Call in information: 1-425-436-6307
Access code: 835427
1. Call to Order
Time: 5:30pm
Members:
Laura Kessel (present/xxxxxx)
BJ McCullum (present/xxxxxx)
Ryan Sloan (present/xxxxxx)
Lauren Southwood (present/xxxxxx)
David Widger (present/xxxxxx)
OTHER BOARD MEMBERS: John Spangler
ELECTED & APPOINTED OFFICIALS: Janice Emmons – Planning and Zoning Director
STAFF: Cindy Simpson – Fulton County Board Administrative Assistant
GUESTS: None
2. Roll Call
Roll call was taken, quorum was present
3. Call for Additions/Deletions to and Approval of the Agenda
Member McCullum moved to approve the agenda with a second from Member Widger. Motion carried by roll call vote (5-0).
4. Approval of Previous Minutes – March 7, 2023
Member McCullum moved to approve the minutes from March 7, 2023 with a second from Member Southwood. Motion carried by roll call vote (5-0).
5. Announcements, Communications and Correspondence
Zoning Officer Janice Emmons discussed an upcoming meeting with the Region 5 Floodplain manager regarding the Buckheart Wind project in the floodplain. Emmons will provide an update at the next Community Development, Zoning & 200th Anniversary committee meeting.
6. Public Comments – None
7. Claims/Financial Report
Member Southwood moved to approve the claims with a second from Member Sloan. Motion carried by roll call vote (5-0).
8. Zoning Office Report
Zoning Officer Emmons reported the Zoning Office received $4,837.68 in revenue during the month of March. Thirteen new construction permits were received and 12 initial construction inspections performed. There were eight final construction inspections performed, 13 plat act affidavits have been signed and one subdivision plat is pending approval. There were 150 consultations conducted over the phone concerning zoning matters. There is a rezoning request and text amendment to the zoning ordinance pending for the month of May.
COMPLAINTS
The office received several complaints from local residents regarding fence construction and property lines. All complaints have been directed to contact a surveyor. A property owner came in the Zoning office and indicated there is an issue with a building being over a property line.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Two public hearings are pending for the month of April. Jed Rhoades purchased a tract of land outside the Canton City limits, and is seeking rezoning for the property from AC to B. The intended development will be a drive through liquor store, a drive through coffee shop, and a gaming facility. There are several other business facilities in this location, and the proposal could fit within the current characteristics of the area.
A public hearing to address the adoption of two new solar and wind energy-siting ordinances to allow compliance with State of Illinois standards for wind and solar development. The State has mandated adoption by May 27, 2023.
9. New Business
a. Discussion/Action: Resolution: Jokers Estates Subdivision Plat
Zoning Officer Emmons reported the property is less than 5 acres and requires a subdivision plat.
This Subdivision Plat meets all requirements for the plat.
Member McCullum moved to approve the resolution with a second from Member Widger. Motion carried by roll call vote (5-0).
b. Discussion/Action: Ordinance: Commercial Solar Energy and Wind Energy
Zoning Officer Emmons summarized up the Commercial Solar Energy and Wind Energy Ordinance; the documents were revised to be compliant with the State of Illinois mandate. The state regulates the sites of Commercial Solar Energy and Wind Energy and the information states the county cannot be more restrictive than the State of Illinois. Fulton County revised the State Ordinance to be specific to Fulton County and comply with the State of Illinois. States Attorney Justin Jochums, Fulton County Highway Engineer Keith Munter and ESDA Director Chis Helle reviewed the ordinance and made changes specific to Fulton County.
Emmons stated the State of Illinois mandated all counties be in compliance with the ordinance by May 27, 2023.
The ordinance will go to the Zoning Board of Appeals for approval and Community Development, Zoning and 200th Anniversary Committee will approve and present the ordinance to the Fulton County Board for approval.
Member Southwood moved to approve the ordinance and send the ordinance to the Zoning Board of Appeals with a second from Member McCullum. Motion carried by roll call vote (5-0).
c. Discussion/Action: Jed Rhoades petition to Rezone parcel #09-08-28-100-014 from AC to B.
Zoning Officer Emmons stated rezoning does not happen that often and any rezoning needs to have a very good reason to rezone. This request application is for an area that has similar business and operations. The proposal is to operate a gaming facility, drive thru liquor and coffee shop. This will first be presented to the Zoning Board of Appeals for approval. Then, the rezoning application will move to Community Development, Zoning & 200th Anniversary committee for approval and finally, the Fulton County Board will approve the rezoning.
Member McCullum inquired where the business would be located. Emmons stated the business is located west of Canton on Old West Locust near Bolon’s repair. This is outside the Canton City Limits.
Member McCullum moved to approve the Jed Rhoade’s petition to Rezone parcel #09-08-28-100-014 from AC to B and send to the Zoning Board of Appeals committee for approval with a second from Member Southwood. Motion carried by roll call vote (5-0).
10. Old Business
a. Discussion/Action: 200th Anniversary Planning
Member Kessel discussed with Executive Director Carla Bobell, of the Canton Chamber of Commerce on events the Chamber sponsors, forms needed for events.
Member Murphy has acquired sponsorship from businesses in Canton for the 200th Anniversary event. Member Kessel asked hold off on obtaining additional sponsorships until Fulton County has the official sponsorship information available to allow sponsors to choose the level of sponsorship they would want to commit to. Member Kessel proposed the committee holds a special meeting to share documents and review the events of the day.
Member Widger inquired what to do about the securing the bands. Member Widger discussed the three bands; 1 – Costa Jones, the charge is $200.00 per hour with a minimum of 3 hours, 2- The Reflex, the charge is $200.00 per hour with a minimum of 3 hours , and 3 – Mister Sister, charges $300.00 per hour with a minimum of 3 hours and is sponsored by Miller Lite. Member Kessel inquired if the bands would be willing to give up a Saturday for the event to play for one hour. Member Kessel would like each band to play for an hour or 90 minutes each. The other thought was to invite local High School bands to fill in for the afternoon with music and to showcase local youth talent.
Member McCullum stated with local high school bands and professional bands is mixing two different types of music that people would attend.
Chairman Spangler discussed that the afternoon could be for the local high school Bands to play and the bigger band for the evening entertainment.
Member Kessel stated should there be two bands that play in the evening. Member McCullum stated a period needs to be determined for the bands to play.
Member Southwood inquired is there a fee for the band to set up. Member Widger stated the band takes care of their own set up, lights and teardown.
Member Kessel stated she would like to have a separate meeting to discuss all the details for the day.
Member Kessel asked Member Widger to send the band contract States Attorney Justin Jochums to review prior to signing.
The Community Development, Zoning & 200th Anniversary committee will have a special meeting on April 20, 2023 at 5:30pm at the Fulton County Board office, Lewistown, Illinois.
11. Executive Session – None
12. Misc. – None
13. Adjournment
Time: 6:11pm
Member Southwood moved to adjourn at 6:11pm with a second from Member Sloan. Motion carried by roll call vote (5-0).
