Rockford Sun

City of Rockford Code & Regulation Committee met April 14.

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	Absent
Isidro Barrios	City of Rockford	Alderman	Present
Jeffrey Bailey	City of Rockford	Alderman	Present

Other Attendees:

Chairwoman Torina called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. The invocation was given by Chaplain Dave Zarembski.

Mayor McNamara presented a proclamation proclaiming the month of April, 2025 as “Child Abuse & Neglect Awareness Month.”

Mayor McNamara presented a proclamation proclaiming the month of April, 2025 as “National Therapy Dog Month,” and “17th Circuit Therapy Dog Day.”

Mayor McNamara presented a proclamation proclaiming April 13th-April 19th, 2025 “National Public Safety Telecommunications Week.”

Speakers: 

1. Rosie Blake spoke about the murder of her son. She stated that the case is yet to be resolved, and has been in the court system for nine (9) years. She spoke of her grief, and her disappointment in the slow process of the justice system.

2. Prophet Yusef quoted scripture, and spoke about the importance of pre-school, and the positive effects that it has on children.

3. John Tac Brantley spoke about his experience with having to go to court, and wanting to work with the police department.

4. Kenn Dickens - Absent

II. COMMITTEE REPORTS 

1. 7th Street/4th Avenue/5th Avenue

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

There was no discussion on this item.

RESULT: APPROVED BY COMMITTEE [UNANIMOUS]  MOVER: Janessa Wilkins, Alderman SECONDER: Jeffrey Bailey, Alderman AYES: Gabrielle Torina, Janessa Wilkins, Isidro Barrios, Jeffrey Bailey ABSENT: Mark Bonne

2. 5505 East State Street

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)

Chairwoman Torina noted that this item was previously laid over, and that Ald. Bonne wanted to amend some of the conditions concerning the sign. She further explained that although Ald. Bonne was absent tonight, he does plan to present an amendment for the sign at the City Council meeting next week, and after speaking with the developer, she plans to support it.

Approval is subject to the following conditions:

1. Must meet all applicable Building and Fire codes.

2. Submittal of a detailed landscape plan including replacement of dead landscaping for Staff’s review and approval.

3. Submittal of a dumpster permit and different location for the dumpster enclosure for Staff’s review and approval. Dumpster enclosure must be made of material similar to or match the material of the proposed restaurant.

4. Removal of the nonconforming pylon sign and submittal of a sign permit for Staff’s review and approval for a landmark style sign that meets the current sign ordinance for the off-premise sign.

5. Any future signage within the center must comply with current code. 

6. Submittal of a final plat of subdivision for Staff review and approval prior to issuance of a building permit.

7. Installation of sidewalk along East State Street to connect the gap of sidewalk to Arnold Avenue by August 1, 2025.

8. Removal of the nonconforming entrance signage at the corner of East State Street and Arnold Avenue and removal of the nonconforming exit signage at the shopping center entrance at Arnold Avenue.

9. Must comply with FEMA requirements for the building and site development.

RESULT: APPROVED BY COMMITTEE [UNANIMOUS]  MOVER: Jeffrey Bailey, Alderman SECONDER: Janessa Wilkins, Alderman AYES: Gabrielle Torina, Janessa Wilkins, Isidro Barrios, Jeffrey Bailey ABSENT: Mark Bonne

III. RESOLUTIONS 

1. Churchill Grove Garage Sale

This event is scheduled for May 3rd from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. The event will take place at 200 Sherman Avenue (Churchill Grove Neighborhood)

There was no discussion on this item.

RESULT: APPROVED BY COMMITTEE [UNANIMOUS]  MOVER: Janessa Wilkins, Alderman SECONDER: Isidro Barrios, Alderman AYES: Gabrielle Torina, Janessa Wilkins, Isidro Barrios, Jeffrey Bailey ABSENT: Mark Bonne

2. Rockford City Market

This event will take place on Friday evenings beginning on May 16th– September 5th from 4 p.m.- 8:30 p.m. The event will take place at the following location(s):

Water Street between East State Street and Short Jefferson; Market Street between Water Street and railroad tracks; City Market Pavilion

There was no discussion on this item.

RESULT: APPROVED BY COMMITTEE [UNANIMOUS]  MOVER: Janessa Wilkins, Alderman SECONDER: Isidro Barrios, Alderman AYES: Gabrielle Torina, Janessa Wilkins, Isidro Barrios, Jeffrey Bailey ABSENT: Mark Bonne

3. South Main Mercado

This event is scheduled for June 8th from noon – 7 p.m. The event will take place on South Main Street between Morgan Street and Kent Street.

There was no discussion on this item.

RESULT: APPROVED BY COMMITTEE [UNANIMOUS]  MOVER: Janessa Wilkins, Alderman SECONDER: Isidro Barrios, Alderman AYES: Gabrielle Torina, Janessa Wilkins, Isidro Barrios, Jeffrey Bailey ABSENT: Mark Bonne

4. Rockford Ironman

This event is scheduled for June 22nd from 4 a.m. – 5 p.m. The event will take place at the following locations:

Rock River/Davis Park/Downtown Rockford/West Rockford/Rock River Rec Path, and surrounding communities

Chairwoman Torina noted that volunteers are needed for this event. If anyone is interested they should go to the GoRockord website for more information.

RESULT: APPROVED BY COMMITTEE [UNANIMOUS]  MOVER: Jeffrey Bailey, Alderman SECONDER: Isidro Barrios, Alderman AYES: Gabrielle Torina, Janessa Wilkins, Isidro Barrios, Jeffrey Bailey ABSENT: Mark Bonne

5. One Table: An Open-Air dining Experience

This event is scheduled for August 23rd from 6 p.m. -10 p.m. The event will take place on Water Street (from Market Street to Lower Jefferson Street Bridge)

There was no discussion on this item.

RESULT: APPROVED BY COMMITTEE [UNANIMOUS]  MOVER: Jeffrey Bailey, Alderman SECONDER: Janessa Wilkins, Alderman AYES: Gabrielle Torina, Janessa Wilkins, Isidro Barrios, Jeffrey Bailey ABSENT: Mark Bonne

6. Spruce Up Day 2025

This event is scheduled for May 10th from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. The event will take place at the Veteran’s Roundabout, which is located on Main Street and Auburn Street.

There was no discussion on this item.

RESULT: APPROVED BY COMMITTEE [UNANIMOUS]  MOVER: Janessa Wilkins, Alderman SECONDER: Jeffrey Bailey, Alderman AYES: Gabrielle Torina, Janessa Wilkins, Isidro Barrios, Jeffrey Bailey ABSENT: Mark Bonne

IV. ADJOURN 

With no further business before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 6:02 p.m.

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