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: May 2, 2023
Call in:
Call in information: 1-425-436-6307
Access code: 835427
1. Call to Order
Time: 5:32pm
Members:
Laura Kessel (present/xxxxxx)
BJ McCullum (xxxxxxx/absent)
Ryan Sloan (present/xxxxxx)
Lauren Southwood (present/xxxxxx)
David Widger (present/xxxxxx)
OTHER BOARD MEMBERS: None
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 Widger moved to approve the agenda with a second from Member Southwood. Motion carried by roll call vote
(4-0).
4. Approval of Previous Minutes – April 5, 2023
Member Southwood moved to approve the minutes from April 5, 2023 with a second from Member Sloan. Motion carried by roll call vote (4-0).
5. Announcements, Communications and Correspondence
Zoning Officer Emmons reported she attended a Zoom meeting with Buckheart Solar, and Erin from IDNR and Marilyn from FEMA. A variance can be granted to Buckheart Solar. Buckheart Solar would need to come up with some partial mitigation strategies to present to IDNR and FEMA. This was conveyed to the drainage commissioners that are affected.
Emmons stated it is important to remember, FEMA can withhold disaster assistance if Fulton County permits Buckheart Solar to build in a flood plan without FEMA and IDNR approval. The drainage commissioners spoke about putting up elevated solar panels to run the pump station in East Liverpool. This must get approval from the Army Corps of Engineering in order to utilize the levee for elevated solar panels.
If the Army Corps of Engineering approves a variance, the Zoning Board of Appeals would require a hearing before an approval could be considered.
On May 8, 2023, a meeting was held with States Attorney Justin Jochums, Fulton County Engineer Keith Munter, Zoning Officer Janice Emmons and Attorney Kate Duncan of Doral Solar. Attorney Duncan wanted to discuss estimates on the cost of applicant expenses for solar. Emmons stated the Zoning Board of Appeals tried to address Attorney Duncan’s concerns at the April 26, 2023 ZBA meeting. The ZBA stated it is impossible for anyone to identify the limits of the expense until Fulton County knows what the project entails.
The ZBA recommended minor changes for the Commercial Wind and Solar ordinances. The ordinances were approved and will be presented to the Fulton County Board of approval.
Joe Alexander, from Navigator Heartland Greenway, visited the Zoning office and provided his contact information.
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 (4-0).
8. Zoning Office Report
Zoning Officer Emmons reported the Zoning Office received $5,395.20 in revenue during the month of April. Twenty new construction permits were received and 19 initial construction inspections were performed. There were three final construction inspections performed, 10 plat act affidavits have been signed and one subdivision plat approved. There were 160 consultations conducted over the phone concerning zoning matters.
COMPLAINTS
No complaints were received by the Zoning Office.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Jed Rhoades submitted a petition for rezoning of a parcel outside the city limits of Old West Locust in Canton, IL for a new proposed business venture at the April 26, 2023 Zoning Board of Appeals meeting, the ZBA recommended the Fulton County Board approve the request for rezoning. The request was sent back to the Community Development, Zoning and 200th Anniversary Committee for approval and then will be presented to the Fulton County Board for approval.
The Zoning Board of Appeals recommended the large scale, wind and solar ordinances be adopted by the Fulton County Board. A couple of minor changes will be implemented upon review with State’s Attorney Jochums. The ordinances for commercial wind and solar will be presented to the Fulton County Board for approval. The dead line to adopt the State Mandated Ordinance is May 27, 2023.
9. New Business
a. Discussion/Action: Building Permit Fees Waived for April 4 Disaster Victims of Fulton County
Member Kessel discussed that the Administrative Assistant for the Fulton County Board Cindy Simpson discussed with Member Kessel an idea to waive building permit fees for the April 4, 2023 tornado victim’s in Fulton County. Simpson stated for Fulton County to profit from the demise of others is not ethical.
Member Southwood moved to approve the Building Permit Fees be waived for April 4 Disaster Victims of Fulton County with a second from Member Sloan. Motion carried by roll call vote (4-0).
10. Old Business
a. Discussion/Action: Ordinance: Commercial Solar Energy and Wind Energy
Zoning Officer Emmons discussed the ordinances are mandated by the State of Illinois and must be approved by May 27, 2023 to be compliant.
Fulton County revised the State Ordinance received 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. The ordinances for the commercial wind and solar were approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Member Widger moved to approve the ordinances with a second from Member Southwood. Motion carried by roll call vote (4-0).
b. Discussion/Action: Jed Rhoades petition to rezone parcel #09-08-28-100-014 from AC to B.
The Zoning Board of Appeals approved the rezoning petition to rezone parcel #09-08-28-100-014 from AC to B.
Member Southwood moved to approve the rezoning of parcel #09-08-28-100-014 from AC to B with a second from Member Widger. Motion carried by roll call vote (4-0).
c. Discussion/Action: 200th Anniversary Planning
Member Kessel discussed the band “Long Hard Ride” is confirmed for September 3, 2023. The event time was changed to 12:00noon to 9:00pm and fireworks will take place at the 200th Anniversary event after 9:00pm.
The balloon artist confirmed from 12:00n – 4:00pm, kids events from 4:00pm – 5:00pm.
Letters asking for local High School bands to participate in the 200th Anniversary celebration event will be mailed.
Member Kessel stated the Fulton County Fair Grounds waived the fees to hold the event.
11. Executive Session – None
12. Misc. – None
13. Adjournment
Time: 5:58pm
Member Widger moved to adjourn at 5:58pm with a second from Member Sloan. Motion carried by roll call vote (4-0).
