Rock Island Today

City of Kewanee Plan Commission met Feb. 26.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

The Plan Commission convened on February 26, 2025 in City Council Chambers, at 401 E Third Street, commission member Costenson was absent. For business, there was one case to be heard.

Case Number 1:

Parcel 20-28-328-016, 1047 N. Main St., Request for a Special Use Permit to allow an automobile, truck, utility trailer, tractor, or bus storage yard, operable vehicles only

Property Owner: BARNES, ROBERT E & RUTH A, 824 ROCKWELL ST., KEWANEE, IL. 61443.

Address: 1047 N. Main St.

Legal Description: E 1/2 OF N 1/2 LT 2 SUB OF E E SW SEC 28 T15N R5E LANDS INCORP, CITY OF KEWANEE, Henry County, Illinois.

Location: On the West side of the 1000 Block of N. Main St.

Dimensions: Combined property is 295 feet from East to West and 66 feet from North to South.

Area: 19470 Square feet.

Existing buildings or uses: Two-car accessory structure, fenced in storage.

Current Zoning District: B-3 Business Service & Wholesale District.

Surrounding Zoning: B-3 Business Service & Wholesale District to the South, B-1 Business District, Limited Retail to the North and R-2 One-Family Dwelling District to the West.

Existing Land Use: Low Density Residential.

Proposed Land Use Map: Commercial.

Background Information:

Robert Barnes is applying to re-establish his Special Use Permit that was granted on February 25, 2021 and was later revoked on March 27, 2023. Following is a brief review of the case.

At the February 25, 2021 Plan Commission meeting, the Planning Commission recommended that the City Council approve a request for a Special Use Permit Petition to allow an automobile, truck, utility trailer, tractor, or bus storage yard, operable vehicles only to Robert Barnes with the following stipulations:

1. The Special Use Permit is granted to Robert Barnes, DBA Barnes Trucking, only, and is not transferable to any successor property owners.

2. The demolition work, proposed fence and building repairs shall be completed to the satisfaction of the City.

3. All work requiring permits shall only be performed after first acquiring the required permits and all inspections shall be requested and performed as required by Kewanee City Codes,

4. All structures and fences on the property shall be kept in good repair, appearance maintained and in compliance with all applicable Codes.

5. Six foot privacy fence shall be installed in full compliance with Chapter 158 of the Kewanee City Code.

6. All activities associated with this Special Use Permit to operate an automobile, truck, utility trailer, tractor, or bus storage yard, operable vehicles only shall be conducted in full compliance with the Kewanee City Code and the laws and regulations of the State of Illinois.

7. Any violations of the terms and conditions of the Special Use Permit are subject to review and possible revocation by the Plan Commission and City Council.

The request was heard, by the City Council, at the March 28th meeting. The City Council added a stipulation to require the fence to be completed within 6 months, being September of 2021.

An inspection of the property in September of 2021 showed the fence was not completed. Notice was sent to Barnes advising that I observed some progress was made and asked him to contact me with a finish date.

October 6, 2022

Notice was sent advising Barnes to contact me regarding the unfinished work.

October 26, 2022

Notice was sent advising that if Barnes does not contact my office by November 8, 2022 that I would be forced to take the case to the Planning Commission to revoke the special use permit.

February 14, 2023

Notice was sent advising of the Planning Commission hearing date to revoke was set for March 23, 2023.

March 23, 2023

The Planning Commission made recommendation to the City Council to NOT revoke the special use permit.

March 27, 2023

The City Council rejected the Planning Commission recommendation. The City Council REVOKED the Special Use Permit with ordinance #4131.

April 5, 2023

Notice sent to Barnes advising the storage of vehicles is unlawful with the revocation of the special use permit and that the vehicles and trailers must be removed. The notice also advised that the existing garage is still in a state of disrepair and must be repaired or demolished and required permits must be applied for.

Ultimately the case was sent to the City Attorney to begin legal proceedings. As with any legal action, this process takes quite some time. Barnes made several appearances with the City Attorney which resulted in the case being rescheduled and there were several Status Hearings and ultimately a trial date. The trial date was also pushed out to other dates. During all this time, Barnes finished the fence and it was ordered by the Judge and City Attorney that Barnes must apply to re-establish the Special Use Permit since the City Council had revoked the original permit at the March 27, 2023 Council meeting. Said application was ordered to be received by the City by January 2025, which it was.

The City has no issue with the application and would suggest the following stipulations:

1. The Special Use Permit is granted to Robert Barnes, DBA Barnes Trucking, only, and is not transferable to any successor property owners.

2. All work requiring permits shall only be performed after first acquiring the required permits and all inspections shall be requested and performed as required by Kewanee City Codes.

3. All structures and fences on the property shall be kept in good repair, appearance maintained and in compliance with all applicable Codes.

4. Six foot privacy fence shall be maintained in full compliance with the Kewanee City Code.

5. All activities associated with this Special Use Permit to operate an automobile, truck, utility trailer, tractor, or bus storage yard, operable vehicles only shall be conducted in full compliance with the Kewanee City Code and the laws and regulations of the State of Illinois.

6. Any violations of the terms and conditions of the Special Use Permit are subject to review and possible revocation by the Plan Commission and City Council.

The Public hearing:

At 5:30 p.m. on February 26, 2025 the hearing for the requested Special Use Permit began. Ruth Barnes was present to support the petition.

Sellers asked for a motion to consider the application.

Hodge made a motion to consider the application. Hasse 2nd the motion.

Edwards read the background information.

Barnes came forward to support the petition but had no further comment.

Sellers asked if the trucking company was owned by both Ruth and Robert?

Barnes stated it is owned by Robert.

Recommendation:

The Plan Commission recommends, by a vote of seven in favor, none opposed, one absent, to approve the Subdivision as proposed.

Sellers asked for a motion to consider the stipulations.

Hasse made a motion to consider the application. Hemphill 2nd the motion.

Edwards read the stipulations.

Johnson asked for clarification on the revocation process.

Edwards explained the process.

Kuffel asked if postcards were mailed to the neighboring properties.

Edwards stated that postcards were mailed to every property owner within 300 feet.

Recommendation:

The Plan Commission recommends, by a vote of seven in favor, none opposed, one absent, to approve the Stipulations for the Special Use Permit.

There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 5:09 p.m.

https://cms5.revize.com/revize/kewaneeillinois/Plan%20Commission%20Minutes%20February%2026%202025.pdf