City of Rockford Code & Regulation Committee met Jan. 27
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
I. CALL TO ORDER
| Attendee Name | Organization | Title | Status | Arrived |
| Ann Thompson-Kelly | City of Rockford | Alderman | Absent | |
| Franklin C. Beach | City of Rockford | Alderman | Present | |
| Joseph Chiarelli | City of Rockford | Alderman | Present | |
| Karen Hoffman | City of Rockford | Alderman | Present | |
| Tuffy Quinonez | City of Rockford | Alderman | Present |
The invocation was given by Pastor Fred Lambert from Gomez African Methodist Episcopal Church
SPEAKERS:
Prophet Yusef quoted scripture and spoke about homelessness in Rockford.
John Tac Brantley quoted scripture and spoke about his dissatisfaction with President Trump. He also talked about the upcoming Black History Youth Quiz Bowl that will be held at Booker Washington Center. This event will be held on February 7th, 14th and the 21st.
Pamela Whiteside spoke about the hurt that she feels every day because of the loss of her son, and seeking justice for her son's murder.
II. COMMITTEE REPORTS
1. 2020-20-CR - Committee recommends sustaining the Traffic Commission's approval to establish a “No Parking Any Time” restriction on the west side of Sage Drive from Christy Circle to 150 feet to the north of Christy Circle. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.
Jeremy Carter, Traffic Engineer for the City of Rockford reviewed the January Traffic Commission Minutes. There were no questions.
All the traffic items (No. 1 - 5) were voted on as a group.
RESULT: APPROVED BY COMMITTEE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Tuffy Quinonez, Alderman
SECONDER: Karen Hoffman, Alderman
AYES: Franklin C. Beach, Joseph Chiarelli, Karen Hoffman, Tuffy Quinonez
ABSENT: Ann Thompson-Kelly
2. 2020-21-CR - Committee recommends sustaining the Traffic Commission's approval to repeal the “No Parking Any Time” except Paratransit restriction on the east side of Woodlawn Avenue from 75 feet south of Ashland Avenue to 95 feet south of Ashland Avenue. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.
Jeremy Carter, Traffic Engineer for the City of Rockford reviewed the January Traffic Commission Minutes. There were no questions.
All the traffic items (No. 1 - 5) were voted on as a group.
RESULT: APPROVED BY COMMITTEE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Tuffy Quinonez, Alderman
SECONDER: Karen Hoffman, Alderman
AYES: Franklin C. Beach, Joseph Chiarelli, Karen Hoffman, Tuffy Quinonez
ABSENT: Ann Thompson-Kelly
3. 2020-22-CR - Committee recommends sustaining the Traffic Commission's approval to establish a “Bus Parking Only” restriction on the south side of Harney Court from 325 feet west of Hawthorne Avenue to 195 feet west of Hawthorne Avenue. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.
Jeremy Carter, Traffic Engineer for the City of Rockford reviewed the January Traffic Commission Minutes. There were no questions.
All the traffic items (No. 1 - 5) were voted on as a group.
RESULT: APPROVED BY COMMITTEE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Tuffy Quinonez, Alderman
SECONDER: Karen Hoffman, Alderman
AYES: Franklin C. Beach, Joseph Chiarelli, Karen Hoffman, Tuffy Quinonez
ABSENT: Ann Thompson-Kelly
4. Committee recommends sustaining the Traffic Commission's approval to establish a 20 mph School Speed Limit restriction on Harney Court from Fairview Avenue to Hawthorne Avenue. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.
Jeremy Carter, Traffic Engineer for the City of Rockford reviewed the January Traffic Commission Minutes. There were no questions.
All the traffic items (No. 1 - 5) were voted on as a group.
RESULT: APPROVED BY COMMITTEE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Tuffy Quinonez, Alderman
SECONDER: Karen Hoffman, Alderman
AYES: Franklin C. Beach, Joseph Chiarelli, Karen Hoffman, Tuffy Quinonez
ABSENT: Ann Thompson-Kelly
5. 2020-23-CR - Committee recommends sustaining the Traffic Commission's recommendation for No Action on the request to establish traffic control at the intersection of Pioneer Drive and Winthrop Avenue.
RESULT: APPROVED BY COMMITTEE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Tuffy Quinonez, Alderman
SECONDER: Karen Hoffman, Alderman
AYES: Franklin C. Beach, Joseph Chiarelli, Karen Hoffman, Tuffy Quinonez
ABSENT: Ann Thompson-Kelly
6. 2020-24-CR - Committee recommends sustaining the Zoning Board of Appeals' approval for a:
a. Variation to reduce the required 20 feet front yard setback for a parking lot to 10.5 feet along Ware Avenue
b. Variation to reduce the required 20 feet wide frontage landscaping to 10.5 feet wide along Ware Avenue
c. Variation to reduce the required frontage landscaping units and shade trees
d. Variation to reduce the required shade trees from 31 to 14 and;
e. Variation to reduce the required interior landscaping in a C-2, Limited
Commercial Zoning District at 551, 501, and 455 Ware Avenue (ARC Design Resources, Inc.,/Applicants). Subject to conditions and amended findings in fact. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.
Scott Capovilla, Zoning and Land Use Administrator explained that the applicant is Napleton Autowerks. The subject property would be a remote parking facility for the temporary casino project housed at Giovanni's. They wish to develop the properties into temporary valet parking with a shuttle. However, the ultimate goal is to convert to supplemental use for car sales, remote sales facility, and extra car storage once the permanent casino is completed. ZBA voted for approval. Staff recommends approval with nine (9) conditions.
Approval is subject to the following conditions:
1. Meet all Building and Fire Codes
2. Submittal of Parking Lot Permits for Staff’s review and approval
3. Must develop site in accordance with site and landscaping plans approved by Staff
4. That interior landscaping be added adjacent to any future building such that at least 50% of the building base or foundation facing the parking area is planted with shrubs or trees
5. Must submit fence elevations and fence permit for Staff review and approval
6. Submittal of a photometric plan with fixture details and fixture specifications for Staff’s review and approval
7. Must obtain separate permits for signage for Staff review and approval
8. Submittal of drainage calculations to Staff for review and approval to determine and confirm the adequacy of the existing detention basin
9. All conditions must be met prior to establishment of use
RESULT: SUSTAINED
7. 2020-25-CR - Committee recommends sustaining the Zoning Board of Appeals' approval for a Modification of Special Use Permit#003-16 to allow for an asphalt/concrete batch plant in an I-2, General Industrial Zoning District at 349 Quaker Road (N-Trak Group LLC/applicants) Subject to conditions. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.
Mr. Capovilla explained that the subject property is located on the south side of Quaker Road, west of Seminary Street and north of Harrison Avenue. The property is approximately eleven (11) acres with an existing asphalt and concrete crushing facility owned by N-Trak. ZBA voted for approval. Staff recommends approval with seven (7) conditions.
Ald. Hervey asked if Staff was aware of any potential environmental impacts from the proposed asphalt plant, ground water, or surface soil. Mr. Capovilla explained that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would regulate these issues. N-Trak would be required to meet all of the EPA standards, and the EPA would monitor them on an ongoing basis. Ald. Hervey wanted to know if City Staff had a role in monitoring. Mr. Capovilla answered "no," and reiterated the EPA's role.
Danielle Schlichting from N-Trak Group was present and allowed to address Ald. Hervey's questions. She explained that there are filter systems that will control the odors. The property would be surrounded by trees, which would help with noise reduction. Ms. Schlichting noted that they have been housed at the subject location for four (4) years and they have been good neighbors to the surrounding area and have not had any complaints.
Ald. Hervey asked her to explain the process used to keep the odors under control. Ms. Schlichting commented that through technology there are odor additives and suppressants that can be used, and she talked about the make-up of the materials in the asphalt, and noted that a small portion of the mix is in the oil. She explained that a lot of the smell could come from the heat that is being omitted as part of the process.
Ald. McNeely wanted to know how long they had been at the current location. Ms. Schlichting stated that they have been at the subject location for four (4) years providing crushing operations. They take concrete and asphalt from road construction projects that happen throughout town, or from landscapers and homeowners that bring it in, and they crush and recycle it.
Ald. Quinonez asked about the roads that lead into the landfill. Ms. Schlichting responded that currently it is a gravel road from Quaker to the site. The entrance will be paved in the future.
Approval is subject to the following conditions:
1. Meet all Fire Codes
2. That the property conform within all City, State and Federal Regulations
3. Submittal of detailed landscape plan to include the type of species to be planted for Staff’s review and approval
4. The outside storage will be limited to concrete, asphalt, or other aggregated material that will be crushed into IDOT approved recycled aggregate
5. Must obtain separate permits for signage and signage must be in compliance with Zoning Ordinance and be approved by Staff
6. All conditions must be met prior to establishment of use
7. Pave the driveway as required by ordinance with material approved by the City Engineer
RESULT: SUSTAINED
8. 2020-26-CR - Committee recommends sustaining the Zoning Board of Appeals' approval for a Special Use Permit for a Planned Unit Development consisting of a community center, site, parking, and landscaping plans with deviations from the regulations in an R-1, Single-Family Residential and R-2, Two-Family Residential Zoning Districts at 615 and 625 Adams Street and 1347, 1357, and 13xx Rural Street (John Guth for Ken-Rock Community Center/Applicants). Subject to conditions. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.
Mr. Capovilla explained that the applicant is Ken Rock Community Center. They have had issues with their current location. There was a 275% increase in rent at their current location. ZBA voted for approval. Staff recommends approval with twelve (12) conditions.
Ald. Tuneberg commented that there were some concerns from members of the immediate community concerning parking. He noted that he had been working with Jeremy Carter to address some of those issues. There will be ongoing oversight and issues will be addressed if and when they arise. Some residents have concerns with having liquor on premises.
Todd Cagnoni, City Administrator noted that the request for consideration tonight does not include liquor. Further, he explained that if the Community Center wanted to request liquor on premises, they could hire a caterer that has a liquor license. The caterer would have to follow the guidelines of the Liquor Code, which includes the sale of food with the sale of liquor. The Center could also apply for a Special Event Permit Liquor License. This would require the application to be reviewed and approved internally.
Ald. Tuneberg commented that he felt comfortable and supports the request for consideration before the Committee tonight.
Ald. Quinonez asked if the alderman of the ward would have to sign off on any requests for a temporary permit for liquor. Mr. Cagnoni responded that he was correct.
Approval is subject to the following conditions:
1. Meet all applicable Building and Fire Codes
2. Submittal of Building Permits for Staff’s review and approval
3. Submittal of a revised site plan with the removal of the timber all and proposed wall replacement with alternative permitted material and dumpster enclosure location for Staff’s review and approval
4. That the property be developed as per revised site plan approved by Staff
5. That the property be developed as per Exhibit D the approved landscaping plan
6. Submittal of a Dumpster Enclosure Permit with a dumpster detail and rendering for Staff’s review and approval
7. Submittal of a photometric plan with fixture details and fixture specifications for Staff’s review and approval
8. Must obtain separate permits for signage and any sign must be constructed to match building design and in accordance with plans approved by Staff
9. Submittal of a Winnebago County Real Estate Combination Request from for Staff review and approval to create one lot
10. Submittal of a Final Agreement for Staff’s review and approval that addresses the business operations and improvements to the site
11. No outside storage of any kind shall be permitted
12. All conditions must be met prior to establishment of use
RESULT: SUSTAINED
9. 3224 South Alpine Road
9. 3224 South Alpine Road
Liquor and Tobacco Advisory Board recommends denial for a Modification of an Existing Tobacco License to allow the sale of glass pipes and water pipes in conjunction with tobacco products in a C-3, General Commercial Zoning District at 3224 South Alpine Road (Adam Jay Fitzgerald/Applicant)
Ald. Chiarelli announced that he received a request to have this item lay over. A MOTION was made by Ald. Beach to have this item LAY OVER. The motion was SECONDED by Ald. Quinonez, and CARRIED by a vote of 4-0.
With no further business before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 6:03 p.m.
RESULT: LAID OVER Next: 2/10/2020 4:00 PM
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