Rockford Sun

Village of Rockton Board of Trustees met Jan. 21.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Mayor Peterson called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.

Present: Mayor Peterson, Mr. Baumgartner, Mr. Danielson, Mrs. Honkamp, Ms. May, Mr. Winters, Mr. York and Atty. Dave Kurlinkus

Staff present: Dan Barber, Sally Bennett, Tricia Diduch, Chief Hollinger and Connie Kieffer Also present: Dave Bennington & Jamin Unger

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion by Mr. Winters, second by Mr. York, to waive the reading of the January 7, 2025 Village Board meeting minutes. All ayes. Motion approved 6-0.

Motion by Mr. Winters, second by Mr. Baumgartner, to approve the January 7, 2025 Village Board meeting minutes. All ayes. Motion approved 6-0.

AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA

None.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Lori Penzi, resident of 1029 High Point Drive, stated that she was representing the Summit Condo Board of Directors and that they had several concerns regarding the special use permit being requested for the Red Barn Golf Course. Mrs. Penzi commented that their condo association requires single owner occupancy and that they do not permit rentals. Mrs. Penzi said that Mr. Barnes’ rentals would be located directly adjacent to their neighborhood. Mrs. Penzi stated that this would also affect the current infrastructure (water, sewer, utilities, streets, local amenities and schools). Mrs. Penzi shared her concern of increased traffic in the area as well. Mrs. Penzi commented that she believes the entire neighborhood would be impacted by the zoning change and asked the Village Board to deny the request.

Richard Barnes, owner of the Red Barn Golf Course (12379 Wagon Wheel Road), addressed the Village Board about the special use permit. Mr. Barnes stated that he purchased the golf course four years ago and that this past June the Village Board amended the nuisance ordinance which has since affected his business. Mr. Barnes stated that at the public hearing last Thursday there were inquiries about keeping it a range instead of building luxury townhomes, but Mr. Barnes said that it needs to be profitable. Mr. Barnes proceeded to show the Village Board an award he was given by the Beloit Daily News that the Red Barn was the “Best Golf Course” in 2024. Mr. Barnes said that the golf course has been there since the 1960’s and that the neighboring condos should build a net to protect their assets. Mr. Barnes also held up a list that was created with the Summit Condos Homeowners Association (HOA) of how he was trying to be a good neighbor. Mr. Barne’s explained that golf courses aren’t responsible for errant shots and said that his insurance company had denied several claims. Mr. Barnes requested that the nuisance ordinance be revisited and looked at again. Mr. Barnes stated that he would like to work this out, but if it can’t be worked out he will come back to the Village with a new application for a planned unit development (PUD).

Sandy Basel, resident of 12028 Summit Court, addressed the Village Board about the special use permit being requested for the Red Barn Golf Course as well. Mrs. Basel stated that she is a realtor and that by adding these proposed units (where the driving range is currently located) won’t add any value to the 142 condos in the area.

Mrs. Basel said that the Village currently receives approximately $5,500/year in property taxes per unit and that the Village will not get that money if these complexes are built.

Richard Stasica, resident of 1018 Williamson Circle and member of the Summit Condo Association Board, stated that the errant balls are coming from the driving range. Mr. Stasica shared a photo showing where the errant golf balls are occurring and that they are aligned to go right at the condos. Mr. Stasica also shared a photo of the signs placed facing the condos that read “Coming soon. Future home of Red Barn Apartments”. Mr. Stasica said that the HOA tried to work with Mr. Barnes, but felt that Mr. Barnes is the one who should be installing a net. Mr. Stasica said that Mr. Barnes offered to pay $10,000 of the estimated $185,000 for the net.

Paul Grossen, resident of 1017 High Point Drive and President of the Summit Condo Association, addressed the Village Board and stated that the errant golf balls are coming from the driving range. Mr. Grossen said that the incidents increased after the Toptracer came in and that he’s worried about personal injuries occurring. Mr. Grossen added that the addition of the potential units would increase traffic with only one entrance and exit to the development. Mr. Grossen ended his comments with the question, “Would this be good for Rockton?”

MAYOR PETERSON

None.

VILLAGE ATTORNEY

None.

ZONING

Motion by Mr. Winters to approve Resolution 2025-101: Approval of Rockton Farm & Fleet Subdivision Plat No. 2, Farm & Fleet of Dekalb, Inc., second by Ms. May. Roll call. All ayes. Motion approved 6-0.

Motion by Ms. May to approve Resolution 2025-102: Approval of Design Review for Verizon Wireless, 4751 E. Rockton Rd., second by Mr. Winters. Roll call. All ayes. Motion approved 6-0.

Motion by Ms. May to approve Ordinance 2025-1: Approval of a Special Use Permit for Accessory Dwelling Units, 12379 Wagon Wheel Rd., Red Barn Golf Course, Rag-Barn Real Estate, LLC, second by Mr. York. Ms. Diduch, Planning & Development Administrator, advised the Village Board that Mr. Barnes applied for a special use permit and that he can submit a new application for a PUD if he would like to do that. Ms. Diduch said that there wasn’t a public hearing held at the Planning Commission meeting and it was determined that there wasn’t enough information to make a decision to approve the special use permit. Ms. Diduch stated that a public hearing was held at the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) meeting and that they listened to testimony regarding the special use permit request. Ms. Diduch advised that there are four special use criteria (findings of fact) and that the request didn’t meet the criteria, therefore, the ZBA didn’t recommend approval unanimously. Ms. Diduch stated that the ZBA made a motion to deny Mr. Barnes’ request. Roll call. Ayes: None. Nayes: Mr. York, Mrs. Honkamp, Mr. Danielson, Mr. Winters, Ms. May and Mr. Baumgartner. Motion not approved 0-6.

PUBLIC SAFETY AND LEGAL & BUDGET – MR. WINTERS

Mr. Winters shared the Rockton Police Department activity summary from January 1st – 15th with the Village Board.

Motion by Mr. Winters to approve Ordinance 2025-2: An Ordinance Abating the Ad ValoremTax Previously Levied for the Year 2024 to Pay Debt Service on the $1,585,000 General Obligation Alternate Bond (Waterworks System Alternate Revenue Source), Series 2012A, of the Village of Rockton, Winnebago County, Illinois, second by Mr. York. Roll call. All ayes. Motion approved 6-0.

ADMINISTRATION – MR. YORK

None.

WATER, SEWER, AND GARBAGE – MS. MAY

None.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT – MR. DANIELSON

None.

BUILDINGS AND PARKS – MRS. HONKAMP

Motion by Mrs. Honkamp to approve the special events application for “Yeti Fest” to be held February 5th – 8th, second by Mr. Danielson. Roll call. All ayes. Motion approved 6-0.

STREETS AND WALKS – MR. BAUMGARTNER

None.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

None.

ACTION ON ITEMS ARISING OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION

None.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

None.

PAYMENT OF BILLS

Motion by Mr. Winters, second by Mr. York, to pay bills in the amount of $318,187.37. Roll call. All ayes. Motion approved 6-0.

ADJOURN

Hearing no further business, motion by Mr. Winters, second by Mr. Danielson, to adjourn at 7:28 pm. All ayes. Motion approved 6-0.

https://rocktonil.gov/vertical/sites/%7B5EFC50B8-A3D6-48DC-ACA0-E05F307CFA0B%7D/uploads/1-21-25_Village_Board_Meeting_Minutes.pdf