City of Rockford Code & Regulation Committee met Sept. 11.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
I. CALL TO ORDER
| Attendee Name | Organization | Title | Status | Arrived |
| Tim Durkee | City of Rockford | Alderman | Present | |
| Gabrielle Torina | City of Rockford | Alderman | Present | |
| Gina Meeks | City of Rockford | Alderman | Absent | |
| Mark Bonne | City of Rockford | Alderman | Present | |
| Isidro Barrios | City of Rockford | Alderman | Present |
Ald. Torina called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m. The invocation was given by Chaplain Dave Zarembski followed by the Pledge of Alliance.
Mayor McNamara presented a proclamation for Literacy Month.
SPEAKERS:
John Brantley
Mr. Brantley spoke about the events that happened on September 11, 2001. He also talked about back to school events, and needing a van to transport children to and from school.
Larry Washington
Mr. Washington spoke about is displeasure with Rockford Mass Transit.
Prophet Yusef
Mr. Yusef quoted a scripture, and talked about veterans.
Ken Dickens
Mr. Dickens spoke about the Regrow Program, the cost of food, and its effects on families, and food pantries.
Wally Haas
Mr. Haas invited everyone to the Mayor’s Hunger Breakfast, which will be on September 26, 2023 at 7:30 a.m. The event will be held at the Indoor City Market Building. He also spoke about food pantries, and people needing help to feed their families.
Mayor McNamara presented a Proclamation regarding Military Service and POW’s.
Ald. Bonne announced that he attended a ribbon cutting earlier for a new restaurant by the name of Bento and Bowl, an Indonesian Restaurant located at 3415 E. State Street.
II. COMMITTEE REPORTS
1. Committee recommends denial of the Special Use Permit for the installation of a solar farm (freestanding solar panel racks and solar panels) in an R-1 Single Family Residential Zoning District at 2701 North Springfield Avenue (North Springfield Solar, LLC/Applicant), thus reversing the Zoning Board of Appeals' recommendation for approval.
A MOTION was made by Ald. Barrios to SUSTAIN ZBA. The motion was SECONDED by Ald. Durkee.
Scott Capovilla, Planning and Zoning Manager noted that the pre-annexation agreement for this property is also on the agenda for a vote tonight. He noted that the applicants have worked with the residents in the area concerning this project.
Ald. Bonne spoke about some complaints that he had received about this project.
Ald. Wilkins noted that she will not be supporting this project due to a lot of opposition by the residents. She also noted that the ward already has some solar farms, and she was conscious of future development in the area.
Ald. Durkee voiced his opposition with this project.
Ald. Rose asked if there was a decommissioning plan. Mr. Capovilla stated that there will be one in place.
Ald. Bonne voiced his opposition.
Ald. Torina stated that she will be supporting Ald. Wilkins on this project.
The motion FAILED with a 4-0 vote.
| RESULT: DENIED BY COMMITTEE [0 TO 4]
MOVER: Mark Bonne, Alderman SECONDER: Tim Durkee, Alderman NAYS: Tim Durkee, Gabrielle Torina, Mark Bonne, Isidro Barrios ABSENT: Gina Meeks |
A MOTION was made by Ald. Durkee to SUSTAIN ZBA. The motion was SECONDED by Ald. Bonne. The motion passed with a 3-1 vote. Ald. Torina voted "No."
RESULT: SUSTAINED
3. Project Labor Agreement (PLA) Policy
The Chair announced that this item will be held out.
RESULT: LAID OVER Next: 9/25/2023 5:30 PM
III. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was closed at
http://rockfordcityil.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=12&ID=2340&Inline=True
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