Matt Timion, 4th Ward Council Member | City of Moline
Matt Timion, 4th Ward Council Member | City of Moline
City of Moline Plan Commission met March 26.
Here are the minutes provided by the commission:
Present: Sam Moyer, Victoria Graves, Alan Silas, Butch Trevor, Craig Loken, Cindy Wermuth, Brett Carter
Absent: Billy Allison, Mark Harpole
Staff: Seán Foley, Jennifer Bizarri, Irene Muñoz, Savanna Cruz, Bill Atkins, Dan Bolin (Corporation Counsel)
Others: Drake Fisher
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 for Plan Commissioners.
4. Approval of Minutes from February 26, 2025
Motion made by Commissioner Trevor, seconded by Commissioner Graves to approve the February 26, 2025 Plan Commission minutes. Motion carried unanimously.
5. Public Comment - None
6. Public Hearing
2025-08-PC: Consideration of a Resolution granting a Variance to allow an internally illuminated wall sign to be located on a wall immediately abutting residentially zoned property for a business located at 161 5th Avenue, Moline, Illinois 61265 (PIN 08-31-416-020).
Chair Moyer swore in Drake Fisher to testify on Case 2025-08-PC.
Mr. Foley presented the Staff Report for Case 2025-08-PC. The applicant/owner proposes to affix an illuminated wall sign to the west elevation of his commercial building, located on the northwest corner of Fifth Avenue (a one-way eastbound, major arterial thoroughfare) and Second Street (a local street). The frontage along Fifth Avenue is essentially a zero lot-line frontage. The Code precludes signs from facing immediately abutting residentially-zoned properties, and it precludes casting direct light or significant glare on adjacent residentially-zoned properties used for residential purposes. The proposed illuminated sign would face toward abutting and adjacent properties to the west. The previous business (Mark’s Rod Shop) that had occupied this commercial building had a non illuminated, painted sign on the west elevation that has since been removed or painted over. In City Staff’s opinion, the variance request appears to meet all the approval criteria contained in Section 35-2113(8b) of the Moline Advertising and Sign Code.
Drake Fisher, Owner of Fisher Construction, LLC, came to the podium to testify his case. Mr. Fisher is asking the Commission for permission to keep his current illuminated sign. He explained he could use a timer to control when the sign is lit. Mr. Fisher has addressed the illuminated sign with his neighbor, who said the sign was okay, and Mr. Fisher bought the neighbor light-blocking blinds as well. Mr. Fisher had a letter that his neighbor had signed off on, but wasn’t able to find it before today’s meeting. Commissioner Graves suggested the timer for the illuminated sign should be a condition of approval. Discussion was had if the timer should be a condition of approval.
Motion made by Commissioner Carter, seconded by Commissioner Wermuth to approve a Resolution granting a Variance to allow an internally illuminated wall sign to be located on a wall immediately abutting residentially zoned property for a business located at 161 5th Avenue, Moline, Illinois 61265 (PIN 08-31-416-020) with City Staff’s findings-of-fact and no other conditions of approval. Ayes: Commissioners Carter, Loken, Silas, Trevor, and Wermuth. Nays: Commissioner Graves. Motion passes.
7. Old Business
2025 Plan Commission Annual Work Plan
Chair Moyer stated there had been some conversation between City Staff, himself, and Vice Chair Loken regarding discussion sessions for the 2025 Plan Commission Annual Work Plan items. He explained these discussions would take place in the Committee of the Whole Conference Room (COW) with no Public Hearings, and just to discuss the topic that was up for discussion. If there were a Public Hearing, the meeting would take place in Council Chambers. The following discussion dates for 2025 are: April 23, June 25, August 27, & October 22. There would be no voting on these dates, just discussion. Artisan Zoning will be the first topic of discussion at the April 23 meeting. If any Commissioners have information they would like to share with the rest of the Commission on this topic, they should share with City Staff so they can communicate their findings with the Commission (staying within Open Acts Meeting, OMA, rules).
8. New Business - None
9. Reports and Communications
a. Director’s Report(s)
Ms. Bizarri stated the Public Art Commission is working on the Leading Light Project at the Q Parkway. They have narrowed it down to their three finalists. Staff went through PowerPoint slides with the Plan Commission to show where the site is, and the finalists’ previous artwork.
b. Other Report(s), Announcements, & Upcoming Applications - None
The next Public Hearing will be on April 9, 2025 for a lot reduction variance. There will also be a variance of the form-based code at the Bethany Building (new City Services Center), and one for the Thompson Building (market-rate units).
10. Upcoming Meeting – Next Plan Commission Meeting is April 9, 2025
11. Public Comment
12. Adjournment
Motion made by Commissioner Wermuth, seconded by Commissioner Loken to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 4:33 p.m.
http://www.moline.il.us/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/10827
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