Rock Island Today

City of Geneseo Plan Commission met July 22.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

The Plan/Zoning Board of the City of Geneseo was called to order on Monday, July 22, 2024, at 6:00 PM, in the Council Chambers, with the following members present:

PLAN COMMISSION PRESENT: Plan/Zoning Board Member Joe Bedford, Plan/Zoning Board Member Julia McAvoy, Plan/Zoning Board Member Alberto Rosales, Plan/Zoning Board Chairman Butch Will, Plan/Zoning Board Member Gary Bell, Plan/Zoning Board Member Jim Schmedding, Plan/Zoning Board Vice Chair Steve Catton, and Plan/Zoning Board Member Derek Bolme

PLAN COMMISSION ABSENT: Plan/Zoning Board Member Jeff Cowan

STAFF PRESENT: Building Inspector Rick Mills, City Administrator Brandon Maeglin, and City Clerk Paige Seibel

PUBLIC PRESENT:

1 Pledge of Allegiance

Led by Joe Bedford.

2 Roll Call

Meeting began at 6:00 PM

3 Public Comment

City Ordinance allows members of the Public to speak and give input up to 3 minutes during Public Comment, there can be no debate or action by the board at this time.

None

4 Review of Plan/Zoning Board Structure/Duties with City Attorney Price/Welcome New Board Members

4.1. Review of Structure/Duties of the Board

City Attorney Derke Price gave the Plan/Zoning Board a review of the newly combined board.

A Q&A took place between Chairman Will and City Attorney Price.

City Administrator Maeglin welcomed Derek Bolme and Alberto Rosales to the Plan/Zoning Board.

5 Approval of Previous Minutes

5.1. Approval of Previous Minutes

A conversation took place between Chairman Will and City Attorney Price.

Steve Catton moved, seconded by Gary Bell, Motion to approve the 05/29/24 Plan Minutes and the 04/01/24 Zoning Minutes as presented.

RESULT: Carried

MOVER: Steve Catton

SECONDER: Gary Bell

AYES: Joe Bedford, Julia McAvoy, Alberto Rosales, Butch Will, Gary Bell, Jim Schmedding, Steve Catton, and Derek Bolme

ABSENT: Jeff Cowan

6 OPEN PUBLIC HEARING

6.1. Open Hearing

Mike and Lauren Cox addressed the Board regarding their proposal to construct an 8-foot fence along the rear property line of their home, aimed at reducing noise and light from Hammond Henry Hospital. Mike indicated that this would be a two phase project and emphasized that they were unsure if this solution would completely resolve their concerns. They expressed openness to hearing suggestions from the Board. The proposed fence would exceed the maximum allowable height by 18 inches.

Arnold Swanson, a neighbor of the Coxes, voiced his support for the zoning variance during the meeting.

City Clerk Seibel read aloud a letter from a concerned nearby resident regarding the approval of the variance.

Julia McAvoy moved, seconded by Steve Catton, Motion to open the public hearing for public input on the zoning variance application for the properties located at 537 N State and 547 N State, owned by Michael and Laura Cox, to construct a fence at a height of 8'6," over the max height allowable in the code of 7.'

RESULT: Carried

MOVER: Julia McAvoy

SECONDER: Steve Catton

AYES: Joe Bedford, Julia McAvoy, Alberto Rosales, Butch Will, Gary Bell, Jim Schmedding, Steve Catton, and Derek Bolme

ABSENT: Jeff Cowan

7 Close Public Hearing

7.1. Close the Public Hearing

No discussion was had.

Jim Schmedding moved, seconded by Joe Bedford, Motion to close the public hearing.

RESULT: Carried

MOVER: Jim Schmedding

SECONDER: Joe Bedford

AYES: Joe Bedford, Julia McAvoy, Alberto Rosales, Butch Will, Gary Bell, Jim Schmedding, Steve Catton, and Derek Bolme

ABSENT: Jeff Cowan

8 New Business Item(s)

8.1. Consideration of a zoning variance to allow the properties located at 537 N State and 547 N State, owned by Michael and Laura Cox, to construct a fence at a height of 8'6," over the max height allowable in the code of 7.'

The board shall consider a variance to Section 40-20 Fences, of the code of ordinance (attached).

No further discussion took place.

Jim Schmedding moved, seconded by Joe Bedford, Motion to approve a zoning variance to allow the properties located at 537 N State and 547 N State, owned by Michael and Laura Cox, to construct a fence at a max height of 8'6," 1'6" over the allowable 7' max per the zoning code, noting that all other provisions of section 40-20 of the zoning code regarding fence

construction must be followed.

RESULT: Carried

MOVER: Jim Schmedding

SECONDER: Joe Bedford

AYES: Joe Bedford, Julia McAvoy, Alberto Rosales, Gary Bell, Jim Schmedding, and Derek Bolme

NAYS: Steve Catton

ABSTAINED: Butch Will

ABSENT: Jeff Cowan

9 Adjournment

Chairman Butch Will announced to the Plan/Zoning Board that this meeting would be his last, as he has decided to resign from his position on the Board. After many years of service, he acknowledged the need to create opportunities for a younger generation to take on roles and responsibilities within the Board.

9.1. Move to close the meeting

Meeting adjourned at 6:27 pm

Joe Bedford moved, seconded by Jim Schmedding, Motion to Adjourn

RESULT: Carried

MOVER: Joe Bedford

SECONDER: Jim Schmedding

AYES: Joe Bedford, Julia McAvoy, Alberto Rosales, Butch Will, Gary Bell, Jim Schmedding, Steve Catton, and Derek Bolme

ABSENT: Jeff Cowan

https://cityofgeneseo.civicweb.net/document/87956/Plan_Zoning%20Board%20-%2022%20Jul%202024%20-%20Minutes%20-%20Pdf%20(1.pdf?handle=4C7549D881D64C31962BE6788F594E30