Kevin Frost, Alderman - Ward 4 | City of Rockford
Kevin Frost, Alderman - Ward 4 | City of Rockford
City of Rockford Code & Regulation Committee met March 24.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
I. CALL TO ORDER
| Attendee Name | Organization | Title | Status | Arrived |
| Gabrielle Torina | City of Rockford | Alderman | Present | |
| Janessa Wilkins | City of Rockford | Alderman | Present | |
| Mark Bonne | City of Rockford | Alderman | Present | |
| Isidro Barrios | City of Rockford | Alderman | Present | |
| Jeffrey Bailey | City of Rockford | Alderman | Present |
Chairwoman Torina called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m. The invocation was offered by Pastor Cory Whitford of Stateline Youth for Christ. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Mayor Thomas McNamara presented a Proclamation to Joan Sage, Manager of Government Affairs at Comcast. He proclaimed March 24, 2025 as “Joan Sage Day” in honor of her retirement.
Mayor McNamara introduced Darren Gault, the Chief of Police in Moline, Illinois, and also the Vice President at large of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police Region 2. Chief Gault congratulated the Rockford Police Department on their Tier 2 Reaccreditation. He noted that the department must meet or exceed one hundred and eighty-one (181) standards in order to receive the accreditation, which the Rockford Police Department has done.
Mayor McNamara also presented a Proclamation to a several local Social Workers proclaiming the month of March, 2025 as “Social Work Month.”
SPEAKERS:
1. Prophet Yusef quoted scripture, and spoke about birth certificates.
2. John Tac Brantley spoke about his discontentment with those who wish to omit African American History. He also spoke about politics.
3. Denzil Wynter spoke about the importance of a community, and keeping children in the community safe. II. COMMITTEE REPORTS
1. Honorary Street Name Change - Tay Street
Request for an Honorary Street Name Change on Tay Street from Preston Street to Elm Street renaming said portion to Jessie B. Flint Way in honor of Ms. Jessie B. (Flint) Parham.
Chairwoman Torina announced that this item will be held out.
| RESULT: HELD OUT Next: 4/14/2025 5:30 PM |
Traffic Commission recommends approval to repeal the “2-Hour Parking” restriction on the west side of 7th Street from 4th Avenue to 5th Avenue, thus establishing unrestricted parking
A MOTION was made by Ald. Wilkins to Approve the request. The motion was SECONDED by Ald. Barrios.
Ald. Barrios stated that some of the businesses in the area do not want the 2-hour parking restriction. He asked that this item be sent back to the Traffic Commission for further review. Ald. Barrios and Ald. Wilkins WITHDREW their motions. A motion to have the item sent back to the Traffic Commission passed 5-0.
| RESULT: LAID OVER Next: 4/14/2025 5:30 PM |
There was no discussion on this item.
| RESULT: APPROVED BY COMMITTEE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Mark Bonne, Alderman SECONDER: Isidro Barrios, Alderman AYES: Torina, Wilkins, Bonne, Barrios, Bailey |
There was no discussion on this item.
| RESULT: APPROVED BY COMMITTEE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Mark Bonne, Alderman SECONDER: Isidro Barrios, Alderman AYES: Torina, Wilkins, Bonne, Barrios, Bailey |
1. A request to establish yield control at the intersection of Lawndale Avenue and Grenshaw Street;
2. A request to establish 2-way stop control at the intersection of Roncevalles Avenue and Burrmont Road; and
3. A request to establish 2-way stop control at the intersection of Roncevalles Avenue and Buckingham Drive.
There was no discussion on this item.
| RESULT: APPROVED BY COMMITTEE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Mark Bonne, Alderman SECONDER: Janessa Wilkins, Alderman AYES: Torina, Wilkins, Bonne, Barrios, Bailey |
There was no discussion on this item. Approval is subject to the following conditions:
1. Amending the annexation agreement to align the new building elevations and materials with the conditions of the agreement
2. A re-plat of Plat No. 1 of Arbor Heights Subdivision shell be filed so the adjusted lot lines coincide with the proposed building footprint and required parking. The plat shall be called Plat No. 2 of Arbor Heights
| RESULT: APPROVED BY COMMITTEE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Mark Bonne, Alderman SECONDER: Jeffrey Bailey, Alderman AYES: Torina, Wilkins, Bonne, Barrios, Bailey |
Zoning Board of Appeals recommends approval for a;
a. Special Use Permit for a drive-through restaurant; and
b. Variation to allow development as per submitted site plan; and
c. Special Use Permit for an off-premise sign in a C-2, Limited Commercial Zoning District at 5505 East State Street (5505 East State Street, LLC/Applicant)
A MOTION was made by Ald. Bonne to SUSTAIN ZBA. The motion was SECONDED by Ald. Bailey.
Ald. Bonne made a MOTION to AMEND the conditions by removing conditions #4 and #5. He noted that the request came from the applicant.
Assistant City Attorney Jacob Rubin stated that condition #4 requests the removal of the nonconforming pylon sign and submittal of a sign permit for Staff’s review and approval for a landmark style sign, and condition #5 states that any future signage within the center must comply with the current code. Ald. Bonne stated that the applicant shared with him that it was not made clear at the ZBA meeting that the feasibility of the project hinged on the sign remaining.
Scott Capovilla, Planning and Zoning Manager noted that the applicants were well aware of all of the conditions. He further explained that Staff would like to see the sign come into compliance.
Ald. Rose commented that he agreed that the sign should come into compliance with City Codes and indicated that he doubted that the development could not go forward if the sign were to be brought into conformance.
Ald. Wilkins asked Ald. Bonne if he wanted the item laid over. He agreed, and WITHDREW his motion. Ald. Bailey WITHDREW his second.
Ald. Wilkins made a MOTION to have this item LAYOVER. Chairwoman Torina SECONDED the motion. The motion was CARRIED by a vote of 5-0.
| RESULT: LAID OVER Next: 4/14/2025 5:30 PM |
There was no discussion on this item. 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 Tobacco Ordinance
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 tobacco products shall be limited to the location as shown on the interior floor plan, Exhibit E
6. 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
7. The sale of water pipes and “huka” or “hookah” pipes are prohibited
8. Hours of operation would be Sunday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
9. Any pending general ordinance case(s) must be resolved prior to issuance of the license
10. All outstanding general ordinance fines must be paid prior to the issuance of the license
11. All conditions must be met prior to issuance of license and establishment of use
| RESULT: SUSTAINED |
Liquor and Tobacco Advisory Board recommends approval for the Sale of Liquor by the Drink (Class L50) in conjunction with a restaurant and video gaming terminals in a C-2, Limited Commercial Zoning District at 3130 North Rockton Avenue (Harwinder Kaur/AAG Groceries, Inc. dba Wicked Wings/Applicant) Ald. Bonne asked about the square footage of the subject building. Mr. Capovilla explained that the square footage was not listed in the information that he had. However, Payless Shoe Store was formerly housed in that building, and had a sufficient footprint.
Chairwoman Torina stated that the applicant does not have a clear business plan. She noted her skepticism with moving forward with this item. She recommended that this item be laid over.
Ald. Rose noted that the applicant has an existing business, and has done well with that business, but he agreed that this item should be laid over.
The motions on the floor were WITHDRAWN.
Chairwoman Torina made a motion to have this item LAY OVER for sixty (60) days. The motion was SECONDED by Ald. Bonne, and CARRIED by a vote of 5-0.
| RESULT: SUSTAINED |
QuikTrip/Applicant). Subject to conditions. The Legal Director shall prepare the appropriate ordinance.
Chairwoman Torina asked Staff to clarify how many video gaming terminals the applicant was requesting. Mr. Capovilla indicated as a truck stop, they could have up to ten (10).
A MOTION was made by Ald. Wilkins to SUSTAIN LTAB. The motion was SECONDED by Ald. Barrios. Approval is subject to the following conditions:
| RESULT: SUSTAINED |
1. 2025-68-R - Committee recommends approval of the authorization to allow the Zoning Officer to file a Text Amendment to codify Zoning Officer's
determination on Electric Vehicle Charging Stations.
Mr. Capovilla explained that it has been requested that the City of Rockford codify the rules already enforced regarding electric charging stations. Attorney Rubin noted that this item is not being voted on tonight, but approval by
Committee will give the Zoning Officer permission to file an application with the Zoning Board of Appeals. The request would then be brought back before the Committee for a vote. There were no questions.
| RESULT: APPROVED BY COMMITTEE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Mark Bonne, Alderman SECONDER: Janessa Wilkins, Alderman AYES: Torina, Wilkins, Bonne, Barrios, Bailey |
http://rockfordcityil.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=12&ID=2732&Inline=True
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