Rock Island Today

City of Moline Plan Commission met April 23.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

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

Absent: Brett Carter

Staff: Seán Foley, Jennifer Bizarri, Savanna Cruz, Chris Mathias, Chris Parr, Dan Bolin (Corporation Counsel, Virtual)

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 for Plan Commissioners.

4. Approval of Minutes from April 9, 2025

Motion made by Commissioner Trevor, seconded by Commissioner Silas to approve the April 9, 2025 Plan Commission minutes. Motion carried unanimously.

5. Public Comment - None

6. Public Hearing - None

7. Old Business - None

8. New Business

a. Artisan Zoning Discussion

Artisan Zoning was an idea that came from Mayor Rayapati. Her thoughts are that the Urban Growers Network is interested in Artisan Zoning, and sees potential in it. She believes it could serve as a middle ground for producers not eligible for full agricultural zoning, and would help position Moline as an attractive place for small-scale makers and growers. Ms. Bizarri went through a PowerPoint presentation on Artisan Zoning. Artisan Zoning is an approach to land use and development that provides space for small-scale manufacturers that produce little to no vibration, noise, fumes, or other nuisances. The zoning can fit within a wide variety of industrial, commercial, and even residential districts. U.S. cities lost thousands of blue-collar jobs as large scale manufacturing moved overseas, and a new generation of small-scale makers—brewers, bakers, woodworkers, and artists—can revive local economies. Local producers create good paying jobs, enrich neighborhoods, generate tax revenue, and support small-scale production, which will allow Moline to benefit from this economic opportunity. By creating zoning that supports small-scale production, Moline unlocks new opportunities to grow local businesses, revitalize underused spaces, support entrepreneurs and creatives, strengthen the local economy, and attract and retain talent. Ms. Bizarri discussed cities across the country that currently use Artisan Zoning including Indianapolis, IN, Nashville, TN, and Bozeman, MT. The goal for Artisan Zoning is to revitalize underused areas and support low-cost sustainable businesses that fuel the local economy.

The Plan Commission discussed how they would be able to start Artisan Zoning in the City. Staff replied that the Moline Code of Ordinances would need to be updated. You could allow the zoning in a district or more broadly across the City. There was a discussion on agriculture, current zonings, and overlays. Commissioners shared their thoughts/notes on Artisan Zoning. Dan Bolin, Corporation Counsel, suggested some decisions and direction from the Commission so Staff can bring back a text amendment for Artisan Zoning, such as what uses they want to allow, where they want the uses to be allowed, and what standards the uses are going to operate under. The Commission would like to see the following from Staff: Non-conforming buildings opened up for more uses, promoting a district to Artisan Zoning, reviewing more research on Artisan Zoning, and Ordinances from other cities that use Artisan Zoning.

b. Riverfront Master Plan Update

Mr. Mathias gave an update on the Moline Riverfront Master Plan. Staff has been working on a 90% draft of the plan. Mr. Mathias went over the Draft District Focus, the Draft Concept, Amphitheaters, and Adventure Based Play Areas. The scheduled plan is to have the 100% Draft by May 2025, City Council will review the Plan in May/June 2025, and adopt the Plan by July/August 2025.

c. Comprehensive Plan Update

Staff shared the draft RFP (Request for Proposals) for the City of Moline Comprehensive Plan with the Plan Commission. Mr. Mathias explained he wanted the Commission to see all of the different elements they are pursuing in the Comprehensive Plan. He said that there will need to be a steering committee for the Plan. Ideally, there would be a few people from the Plan Commission, a few from City Council, some community stakeholders, and City Staff. The process of the plan would result in adopting the Comprehensive Plan, which leads to a new zoning code, and that will lead to a new zoning map.

9. Reports and Communications

a. Director’s Report(s)

Mr. Mathias was directed to not cancel any more Plan Commission meetings. There will either be a case on the agenda, or a Plan Commission Work Plan item. He also wants to bring back the Tiny Homes item. Mr. Mathias also reported a change to the Revolving Loan Fund Committee’s program description that was on City Council’s agenda last night. It will make it a little easier for applicants to apply.

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

The next Plan Commission meeting will have a case for the new City Services Center. It will involve design adjustments for the Form-Based Code. There will also be another Form-Based Code case for the Dispatch Apartments going to Plan Commission in the future.

An email was sent to the Commission regarding the American Planning Association Virtual Conference this Thursday and Friday. The email has a code for the Commissioners to join for free, as the City paid for a group discount.

10. Upcoming Meeting – Next Plan Commission Meeting is May 14, 2025

11. Public Comment

12. Adjournment

Motion made by Commissioner Wermuth, seconded by Commissioner Allison to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 5:35 p.m.

http://www.moline.il.us/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/10906