Rock Island Today

City of Moline Plan Commission met April 24.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

Present: Victoria Graves, Mark Harpole, Sam Moyer, Craig Loken, Alan Silas, Brett Carter, Butch Trevor, Cindy Wermuth

Absent: Billy Allison

Staff: Seán Foley, Irene Muñoz, Savanna Cruz, Jennifer Bizarri, David Silverman (Corporation Counsel, Virtual)

Others: Casey Thompson (Virtual), Chris Stepp (Virtual)

1. Call to Order

Chair Graves called the meeting to order at 4:01 p.m.

2. Roll Call

3. Remote Electronic Attendance

No remote attendance.

4. Approval of Minutes from April 10, 2024

Motion made by Commissioner Carter, seconded by Commissioner Silas to approve the April 10, 2024 Plan Commission minutes. Discussion had. Chair Graves would like to have the itemization of differences of the 2022 draft ADU Ordinance and the 2024 draft ADU Ordinance she had stated in the April 10, 2024 meeting to be added to the minutes. Commissioner Carter withdrew his motion to approve the minutes. Motion made by Commissioner Loken, seconded by Commissioner Wermuth to table the minutes for consideration to reflect Chair Graves additions until the next Plan Commission meeting. Motion carried unanimously.

5. Public Comment - None

6. Public Hearing

2024-10-PC: To consider a request of KIN, Inc./Kohl’s Inc. (owner) and McDonalds Corporation (developer) for a variance to Section 3-2105, Table 3-2105.2 of the Moline Advertising and Sign Code, and such other and further zoning approvals as may be required, to allow a decrease in the minimum spacing distance between freestanding signs to 105 feet, where 150 feet is required for such a sign under the “B-4” Highway/Intensive Business District classification for lots having greater than 100 feet of street frontage, on property located at 810 41st Avenue Drive, Moline, Illinois 61265 (PIN 17-17-116-002).

Chair Graves swore in the applicants testifying in front of the Plan Commission.

Mr. Foley presented the staff report. KIN, Inc. and McDonald’s Corporation request that Plan Commission grant a variance to allow a reduced separation distance between two freestanding pole signs. The developer intends to build a new McDonald’s restaurant on the property and install a freestanding pylon sign closer to the existing Kohl’s sign than the sign code permits (105 feet apart instead of 150 feet apart). The proposed site is just under one acre, located mid-center of a larger existing commercial shopping center that was originally developed in the mid-1990s. Unless a variance is granted, pursuant to Section 3-2113 of the Advertising and Sign Code, the sign would be shunted to a location that would make little sense for the business or its customers. In staff’s opinion, the variance request meets all of the approval criteria contained in Section 3-2113(8)(b) of the Moline Advertising and Sign Code. Staff would recommend approval of the request with the following conditions-of-approval: 1) The applicant/owner or legal successor(s) shall file a building (sign) permit application within six (6) months of approval of this variance. A six (6) month extension of time may be granted for cause by the Zoning Administrator. Additional extensions beyond one year shall require approval by the Plan Commission. 2) Sign installation shall substantially comply with the approved site plan and elevations. 3) The use of the property shall comply with all applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations.

Mr. Thompson stated he does not expect blockage of any existing signs. Mr. Stepp explained branding and visibility is very important to McDonald’s success. They have tried to get the McDonald’s sign as far away from the existing signs as possible without having to put the sign behind the restaurant.

Motion made by Commissioner Moyer, seconded by Commissioner Trevor to close the Public Hearing. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion made by Commissioner Wermuth, seconded by Commissioner Silas to approve a request of KIN, Inc./Kohl’s Inc. (owner) and McDonalds Corporation (developer) for a variance to Section 3-2105, Table 3-2105.2 of the Moline Advertising and Sign Code, and such other and further zoning approvals as may be required, to allow a decrease in the minimum spacing distance between freestanding signs to 105 feet, where 150 feet is required for such a sign under the “B-4” Highway/Intensive Business District classification for lots having greater than 100 feet of street frontage, on property located at 810 41st Avenue Drive, Moline, Illinois 61265 (PIN 17-17-116-002); to approve the staff’s findings-of-facts and recommendations; and to approve the Resolution that is attached in the staff report packet. Motion carried unanimously.

7. Old Business - None

8. New Business

Discussion regarding removal of quarter-page ad requirement under Section 35-2202(e)(3) and Section 35-2203(e)(2); and instead follow Section 35-2201 Common Elements of Procedures, Subsection (3) Notice.

Quarter-page ads are required to be published in the newspaper if there are any text amendments, and if a map amendment request is made relating to more than 5% of the entire city. Mr. Foley explained the removal of the quarter-page ad for a public notice was a suggestion made by Ryan Hvitløk, former Director of Community and Economic Development (CED). Chris Mathias, current Director of CED, also feels that the cost of the quarter-page ad does not bring much more benefit than a regular column ad. The cost of a quarter page ad costs around $500, while a regular ad cost between $75-$85. Ms. Bizarri mentioned putting the public notices on the City’s website or placing signs in yards. Chair Graves stated some other cities have their city logo or more of a description of what will be discussed at the public hearing on their notices. Mr. Silverman explained that by statute, the City of Moline is required to run a published notice in the newspaper. The City goes above what is required by the State by running a quarter-page ad. City staff is to do research on what is available, and what other cities are doing to get the word out to the public on city wide notices.

9. Reports and Communications

a) Director’s Report(s) - None

Ms. Bizarri stated that the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Ordinance went to City Council last night for a first reading, and it was passed. The ADU Ordinance will go back to City Council for a second reading on May 7, 2024.

b) Other Report(s), Announcements, & Upcoming Applications

i. 2024-11-PC: To consider a request from Kay Reet Real Estate LLC (current owner) for a Future Land Use Map Amendment to the Comprehensive Plan/Avenue of the Cities Corridor Plan of a 0.32-acre tract of land, addressed as 4320 Avenue of the Cities and 2303 & 2307 44th Street (PINs 17-03-427-001, -002 and -003), FROM: Neighborhood Commercial; High Density Residential; and Single Family Detached Residential TO: Regional Commercial.

ii. 2024-12-PC: to consider a request from Kay Reet Real Estate LLC (current owner) and 722 Rose Street, LLC, La Crosse, Wisc. (prospective owner) for Reclassification of Zoning of a 0.16-acre tract of land, addressed as 2307 44th Street (PIN 17-03-427-003), FROM: “R-2” One-Family Residence district TO: “B-3” Community Business District.

iii. A Special Use Permit for a Food Truck Park is being reviewed and will come before the Plan Commission soon.

iv. A Code Amendment for Solar Farms will be coming to Plan Commission. 10. Upcoming Meeting – Next Plan Commission Meeting is May 8, 2024

11. Public Comment – None

12. Adjournment

Motion made by Commissioner Carter, seconded by Commissioner Loken to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 4:54 p.m.

http://www.moline.il.us/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/9980