City of Rockford Code & Regulation Committee met June 26.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
I. CALL TO ORDER
| Attendee Name | Organization | Title | Status | Arrived |
| Tim Durkee | City of Rockford | Alderman | Absent | |
| Gabrielle Torina | City of Rockford | Alderman | Present | |
| Gina Meeks | City of Rockford | Alderman | Present | |
| Mark Bonne | City of Rockford | Alderman | Present | |
| Isidro Barrios | City of Rockford | Alderman | Present |
1. 2023-129-CR - Committee recommends sustaining the Traffic Commission's approval to establish a “No Parking Any Time” restriction on the east side of Indian Terrace from Dickerman Drive to 45 feet south of Dickerman Drive, thus repealing the “2-Hour Parking” and “Residential Permit Parking” restrictions on the east side of Indian Terrace from Dickerman Drive to 45 feet south of Dickerman Drive. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.
There were no questions concerning this item.
| RESULT: APPROVED BY COMMITTEE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Mark Bonne, Alderman SECONDER: Gabrielle Torina, Alderman AYES: Gabrielle Torina, Gina Meeks, Mark Bonne, Isidro Barrios ABSENT: Tim Durkee |
Chairman Torina announced that this item is being held out.
| RESULT: HELD OUT Next: 7/17/2023 5:30 PM |
A request to designate a portion of 5th Avenue from East State Street to 1st Avenue as Renaldo D. Stone Way
Chairman Torina announced that this item is being held out.
| RESULT: HELD OUT |
a. Variation to increase the maximum allowed square footage of a free standing sign from 64 square feet to 406 square feet;
b. Variation to increase the maximum allowable height of a free-standing sign from 8 feet to 90 feet; and
c. Variation to allow a pylon free-standing sign when a landmark-style free-standing sign with a 2-foot brick or stone base is required in a C 3, General Commercial Zoning District at 8060, 8070 and 82xx East State Street (Andrew Smith for QuikTrip Corporation/Applicant).
A MOTION was made by Ald. Bonne to SUSTAIN ZBA. The motion was SECONDED by Ald. Meeks.
Scott Capovilla, Planning and Zoning Manager explained that in Staff’s opinion, the sign request dimensions were too big and not in line with the ordinance. Therefore, Staff denied the requests. ZBA also voted for denial of the requests.
Ald. Bonne wanted to know why the development was allowed on what is considered a prime piece of property. Mr. Capovilla explained that representatives for Quik Trip approached Staff before the Casino development was announced. Also, the owners of the property could not sell the property for years before they were approached by Quik Trip.
| RESULT: SUSTAINED |
Zoning Board of Appeals recommends approval for a:
a. Special Use Permit for a four-family residential unit and;
b. Variation to reduce the required parking spaces from eight (8) to four (4) in a C-3, General Commercial Zoning District at 3202 Kishwaukee Street (New Day Apartments, LLC-Elgin/Applicants)
Chairman Torina announced that this item is being held out.
| RESULT: HELD OUT Next: 7/17/2023 5:30 PM |
Zoning Board of Appeals recommends approval for a:
a. Variation to reduce the front yard setback from 40 feet to 12 feet along Reid Farm Road; and
b. Variation to allow a 12’ by 14’ shed within the front yard in an R-1, Single-Family Residential Zoning District at 6777 Heather Lane (Jay & Marianne Plath/Applicants).
Subject to conditions. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance. A MOTION was made by Ald. Bonne to APPROVE the request. The motion was SECONDED by Ald. Tornia. Mr. Capovilla explained that the property has three (3) front yards, which is a unique situation. He noted that a shed was previously erected on the property without a permit.
Because Ald. Durkee was absent, and the subject property is in his ward, Ald. Bonne MADE A MOTION to have the item LAYOVER. The motion was SECONDED by Ald. Torina.
The previous motions were WITHDRAWN.
| RESULT: LAID OVER Next: 7/17/2023 5:30 PM |
A MOTION was made by Ald. Bonne to SUSTAIN ZBA. The motion was SECONDED by Ald. Torina.
Ald. Meeks shared her concerns about the space where the solar farm will be erected. Mr. Capovilla stated that the solar farm will be specifically used by the Rockford School District.
Approval is subject to the following conditions:
1. Meet all Building and Fire Codes
2. Submittal of Fence Permit for Staff’s review and approval
3. Submittal of Decommissioning Plan for the solar farm for review and approval by Staff
4. Submittal of landscape buffer along the south property line for Staff’s review and approval
5. All conditions must be met prior to establishment of use
| RESULT: SUSTAINED |
A MOTION was made by Ald. Bonne to SUSTAIN ZBA. The motion was SECONDED by Ald. Torina. Approval is subject to the following conditions:
1. Meet all Building and Fire Codes
2. Submittal of Fence Permit for Staff’s review and approval
3. Submittal of Decommissioning Plan for the solar farm for review and approval by Staff
4. All conditions must be met prior to establishment of use
| RESULT: SUSTAINED |
A MOTION was made by Ald. Bonne to SUSTAIN ZBA. The motion was SECONDED by Ald. Torina. Approval is subject to the following conditions:
1. Meet all Building and Fire Codes
2. Submittal of Fence Permit for Staff’s review and approval
3. Submittal of Decommissioning Plan for the solar farm for review and approval by Staff
4. All conditions must be met prior to establishment of use
| RESULT: SUSTAINED |
A MOTION was made by Ald. Bonne. The motion was SECONDED by Ald. Torina. Approval is subject to the following conditions:
1. Meet all Building and Fire Codes
2. Submittal of Fence Permit for Staff’s review and approval
3. Submittal of Decommissioning Plan for the solar farm for review and approval by Staff
4. All conditions must be met prior to establishment of use
| RESULT: SUSTAINED |
A MOTION was made by Ald. Bonne to SUSTAIN ZBA. The motion was SECONDED by Ald. Barrios.
| RESULT: SUSTAINED |
A MOTION was made by Ald. Bonne to SUSTAIN ZBA. The motion was SECONDED by Ald. Meeks.
Nicholas Meyer, Legal Director for the City of Rockford explained that this matter has was previously before the Committee. At this time Staff is asking that the date giving individuals to come into compliance be amended.
Ald. Meeks wanted to know how many commercial properties need to come into compliance. Mr. Capovilla stated that there are approximately 20 commercial properties that need to come into compliance.
Ald. Meeks asked about financial assistance. Karl Franzen, Director of Community Development stated that Staff would be happy talk to businesses and provide resources, if needed.
Ald. Wilkins asked about funding. Mr. Capovilla stated that Staff will look into establishing some kind of financial program.
| RESULT: SUSTAINED |
A MOTION was made by Ald. Bonne to SUSTAIN LTAB. The motion was SECONDED by Ald. Torina.
Approval is subject to the following conditions:
1. Meet all applicable Building and Fire Codes
2. Compliance with all City of Rockford Code of Ordinances including Liquor Codes
3. Window display signage is limited to 20% of window area
4. The windows shall not be covered with bars or other devices that block the windows
5. The sale of liquor by the drink shall be in conjunction with a restaurant
6. Hours of operation are limited to Tuesday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday 11 a.m. to midnight (12:00 a.m.) and Saturday 9 a.m. to midnight (12:00 a.m.), Sunday 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., and closed on Monday. The food service hours will be from 11 a.m. to p.m., Tuesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
7. Applicant would be required to hire private security licensed by the State of Illinois upon the written request of the Liquor Commission
8. The proposed use shall not have a cover charge, a dance floor or any DJs
9. The restaurant shall not operate as a nightclub
10. Any pending general ordinance case(s) must be resolved prior to issuance of the license
11. All outstanding general ordinances fines must be paid prior to issuance of the license
12. All conditions must be met be met prior to establishment of use
| RESULT: SUSTAINED |
a. The Sale of Tobacco Products in conjunction with a convenience store and gas station; and
b. The Sale of Packaged Liquor (Class PKG) in conjunction with a convenience store and gas station in a C-2, Limited Commercial Zoning District at 3005 North Rockton Avenue (Jino John/Save Food Mart, Inc., dba Save Food Mart, Inc./Applicant).
Subject to conditions. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinances.
A MOTION was made by Ald. Meeks to SUSTAIN LTAB. The motion was SECONDED by Ald. Barrios.
Approval is subject to the following conditions:
1. Meet all applicable Building and Fire Codes
2. Compliance with all City of Rockford Code of Ordinances including Liquor Codes
3. Submittal of a revised interior floor plan that indicates the location of the tobacco products for Staff review and approval
4. The sale of package alcohol and tobacco products shall be limited to the submitted floor plans
5. The hours of operation and days will be 5 a.m. to 12 a.m. (midnight) Monday through Sunday
6. Liquor sales hours must comply with the liquor code
7. There shall be no single serving sales of beer and wine in volumes of 16 oz. or less
8. The sale of rose tubes, airplane-sized bottles (50 ml(1.7 ounces) or Less) and any other products that can be deemed to be easily manufactured into drug paraphernalia is prohibited
9. The windows shall not be covered with bars or other devices that block the window
10. The sale of water pipes and “huka” or “hookah” pipes are prohibited 11. Window display signage is limited to 20% pf window area
12. The cinder blocks around the landscaping must be replaced with solid concrete curbing
13. The use and facility is prohibited from having video gaming terminals 14. Any pending general ordinance case(s) must be resolved prior to issuance of the license
15. All outstanding general ordinance fines must be paid prior to issuance of the license
16. All conditions must be met prior to establishment of use
| RESULT: SUSTAINED |
a. The Sale of Liquor by the drink (Class NG-L) in conjunction with a craft brewery and pub; and
b. The Sale of Packaged Liquor (Class PKG) in conjunction with a craft brewery and pub in a C-4, Urban Mixed-Use Zoning District at 125 North Madison Street (Alexander Blondin/Bent Oak Brewing, LLC dba Bent Oak Brewing/Applicant).
Subject to conditions. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.
A MOTION was made by Ald. Bonne to SUSTAIN LTAB. The motion was SECONDED by Ald. Torina.
Approval is subject to the following conditions:
1. Meet all applicable Building and Fire Codes
2. Compliance with all City of Rockford Code of Ordinances including Liquor Codes
3. The sale of liquor by the drink shall be in conjunction with a craft brewery and pub
4. Submittal of the revised interior floor plan
5. Window display signage is limited to 20% of window area
6. The windows shall not be covered with bars or other devices that block the windows
7. The hours of operation are Monday through Thursday 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday noon to 12:00 a.m.(midnight), and Sunday noon to 10 p.m.
8. The proposed use shall not have a cover charge, dance floor or any DJs
9. The proposed use shall not operate as a nightclub
10. The proposed use and facility is prohibited from having any video gaming machines
11. Any pending general ordinance case(s) must be resolved prior to issuance of the license
12. All outstanding general ordinance fines must be paid prior to issuance of the license
13. The sale of packaged liquor is limited to beer brewed on the site
14. All conditions must be met prior to establishment of use
| RESULT: SUSTAINED |
A MOTION was made by Ald. Meeks to SUSTAIN LTAB. The motion was SECONDED by Ald. Barrios.
Ald. Torina asked if this property was currently a pharmacy. Mr. Capovilla said that the business still operates as a pharmacy, but plans to add groceries and alcohol if approved.
Approval is subject to the following conditions:
1. Meet all applicable Building and Fire Codes
2. Compliance with all City of Rockford Code of Ordinances including Liquor Codes
3. Submittal of interior floor plan showing proposed location of packaged liquor and package liquor shall not exceed 10% of the floor area
4. The sale of packaged liquor shall be limited to the revised plan to be approved by Staff
5. Window display signage is limited to 20% of window area
6. The windows shall not be covered with bars or other devices that block the windows
7. The windows shall not be covered with film
8. The hours of operation and days will be Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and closed on Sunday
9. There shall be no single serving sales of beer or wine in volumes of 16 oz. or less
10. The sale of rose tubes, airplane-sized bottles (50 ml(1.7 ounces) or Less) and any other products that can be deemed to be easily manufactured into drug paraphernalia is prohibited
11. Any pending general ordinance case(s) must be resolved prior to issuance of the license
12. All outstanding general ordinance fines must be paid prior to issuance of the license
13. All conditions must be met prior to establishment of use
With no further business before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned.
| RESULT: SUSTAINED |
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