City of Moline Plan Commission met Jan. 14.
Here are the minutes provided by the commission:
Present: Sam Moyer, Craig Loken, Mark Harpole, Alan Silas, Butch Trevor, Cindy Wermuth, Nathan Tillberg, Brett Carter, Brittni Thorington
Absent: None
Staff: Chris Mathias, Seán Foley, Savanna Cruz, Jennifer Bizarri, Bill Atkins, Roger Strandlund (Corporation Counsel)
Others: None
1. Call to Order
Chair Moyer called the meeting to order at 4:01 p.m.
2. Roll Call
3. Remote Electronic Attendance
No Remote Electronic Attendance by Plan Commissioners.
4. Approval of Minutes from December 10, 2025
Motion made by Commissioner Carter, seconded by Commissioner Silas to approve the December 10, 2025 Plan Commission minutes. Motion carried unanimously.
5. Public Comment – None
6. Public Hearing
Chair Moyer opened the public hearing for case 2025-47-PC.
a. 2025-47-PC: Consideration of a positive recommendation to City Council for a request from the City of Moline to consider text amendments to the City of Moline’s Zoning and Land Development Code to add Artisan Production and Sales as a permitted use in the “NC” Neighborhood Center District to the Principal Storage, Wholesaling and Industrial Land Uses found in Section 35-3410.
Mr. Mathias presented case 2025-47-PC. The City of Moline would like to add a new land use category, Artisan Production & Sales, that will be a permitted use within the Neighborhood Center (NC) zoning district. The Artisan Production & Sales use category includes indoor work spaces used by artists for creation of art or the practice of their artistic endeavors or by craftspeople that produce consumer goods by hand manufacturing, involving the use of hand tools and small-scale, light mechanical equipment in a completely enclosed building with no outdoor operations, storage or regular commercial truck parking. Typical uses include, but are not limited to, woodworking; custom furniture shops; cabinet-making; upholstery shops, ceramic studios; jewelry manufacturing; confections and custom-made food items; micro-breweries and micro-distilleries; and artwork including painting, printmaking and sculpture. Areas in the City of Moline where the Artisan land use would be possible are: Old Towne, Uptown, Avenue of the Cities (from 27th to 34th Streets), Floreciente Neighborhood, and the East End Neighborhood. City Staff recommends to add the Artisan Production & Sales as a permitted land use in the “NC” district and include regulations to mitigate any potential nuisances. Plan Commission’s recommendation will go to City Council on February 3, 2026. The Commission discussed store fronts, walkability, incentives, and removing some language in the description and regulations of Artisan Production & Sales.
Chair Moyer closed the public hearing for case 2025-47-PC at 4:21 p.m.
Motion made by Commissioner Wermuth, seconded by Commissioner Loken to forward a positive recommendation to City Council for case 2025-47-PC with staff’s findings-of-fact, and Legal Counsel’s review of the description and regulations of Artisan Production & Sales. Motion carried unanimously.
Chair Moyer opened the public hearing for case 2025-48-PC.
b. 2025-48-PC: Consideration of a positive recommendation to City Council for a request from the City of Moline to consider text amendments to Section 35-3111 of the City of Moline’s Zoning and Land Development Code that will allow for more legal nonconforming use rights for two family homes in all zoning districts.
Mr. Mathias presented case 2025-48-PC. The purpose of the amendments is to upgrade the treatment of nonconforming two-family homes to the same rights as nonconforming single family homes. This will allow for two-family homes, namely duplexes, in the R-2 zone, to be restored as a duplex use rather than be prohibited due to the loss of nonconforming rights after 12-months of abandonment with the only options being to convert to a single-family home or remain a source of blight until torn down. This will not allow for the conversion of a house originally built as a single-family home, but it will allow nonconforming duplexes historically embedded in R-2 neighborhoods to reactivate. Furthermore, this supports zoning reform to reduce barriers for housing and to seek restoration of the “missing middle” housing, and it implements, in part, the 2026-2029 Strategic Plan goal to stabilize and grow Moline’s population through improved housing opportunities.
Chair Moyer closed the public hearing for case 2025-48-PC at 4:28 p.m.
Motion made by Commissioner Loken, seconded by Commissioner Carter to approve case 2025-48-PC with staff’s recommendations and findings-of-fact. Motion carried unanimously.
7. Old Business
Mr. Mathias stated Storage of America, located at 2200 36th Avenue, is looking to expand their storage. He asked Storage of America to come to a Plan Commission meeting to present a concept plan to get the Commission’s feedback. Commissioner Wermuth questioned if Texas Roadhouse would be still be opening a store in Moline. Mr. Mathias stated it would be a year before there are any certainties.
8. New Business
Election of Officers
There were multiple nominations made for Chair and Vice Chair that included Commissioners Moyer, Loken, and Silas.
Motion made by Commissioner Carter, seconded by Chair Moyer to seize nominations and move to vote. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion made by Commissioner Wermuth, seconded by Chair Moyer to elect Commissioner Silas as Chair and Commissioner Loken as Vice Chair for the 2026 Plan Commission calendar year. Motion carried unanimously.
9. Reports and Communications
a. Director’s Report(s)
Mr. Mathias explained that the Reasonable Accommodations Amendment had come to Plan Commission at the last meeting, and then went to City Council for approval. Alderperson Timion proposed to amend the definition of ‘family’ in the ordinance. He worked on this amendment with Bill Atkins, City Attorney, so it is legal. Staff is not in support of the proposed change, but wanted to share the update with the Plan Commission, as he believes this amendment should come back to a Plan Commission meeting. Mr. Mathias is looking for feedback from the Commission today, and he will take that feedback to the Mayor to see if the item needs to come back to Plan Commission for further discussion. The Commissioners shared a variety of opinions, and they would like City Council to know their thoughts.
Mr. Mathias announced the Community and Economic Development Department will be moving to the new City Services Center, located at 1830 6th Avenue. The Building Division and Parks & Recreation Department will also be moving into that building. The Plan Commission meetings will take place at City Services Center after all procedures to relocate have been completed per the Open Meetings Act.
b. Other Report(s), Announcements, & Upcoming Applications
Year End Report & 2026 Work Plan
If the Commissioners have any thoughts on the 2026 Work Plan, they should let staff know so a list can be created.
10. Upcoming Meeting – Next Plan Commission Meeting is January 28, 2026
11. Public Comment – None
12. Adjournment
Motion made by Commissioner Carter, seconded by Commissioner Silasto adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 5:04 p.m.
http://www.moline.il.us/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/11580
