McLean County Times

McLean County Zoning Board of Appeals met Oct. 1.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

1. Call to Order: Chair, James Finnigan called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM.

2. Roll: Secretary Philip Dick called the roll and noted the presence of a quorum as follows: James Finnigan, Rick Dean, Brian Bangert, Drake Zimmerman and Mary Beth Taylor. Members Michael Kuritz and Julia Turner were absent. Also present were Darrell Mitchell, Zoning Enforcement Officer, and Trevor Sierra, Assistant State’s Attorney.

3. Approval of Minutes: Motion was made by Zimmerman/Dean to approve the minutes from the September 3, 2019 Zoning Board of Appeals meeting.

The roll call vote was five members for the motion to approve, none opposed and Members Kuritz and Turner were absent.

4. Appearance By Members of the Public: No one came forward to speak on matters not on the agenda.

3. Regular Agenda:

Case ZV-19-03, application of John and Rozanna Spencer in case ZV-19-03 on parcel 23-14-376-001. They are requesting a variance in maximum square feet of accessory buildings to allow 2,700 square feet rather than 2,400 as allowed in the R-1 Single Family Residence District on property in Dawson Township at 11159 N 2850 East Rd., Ellsworth, IL.

Secretary Dick called the case, provided exhibits to the board and submitted a staff report for review. He indicated the seven standards for a variance are met. John and Rozanna Spencer, 11159 N 2850 East Rd., Ellsworth, IL appeared to give testimony and were sworn. Mr. Spencer indicated that they need the extra area to store tractors that had previously been stored on a family farm.

The board reviewed and discussed the seven standards and found them met.

Motion was made by Dean/Bangert to approve case ZV-19-03.

The roll call vote was five members for the motion to approve, none opposed and Members Kuritz and Turner were absent.

Case ZV-19-04, application of Scott Henrichs in case ZV-19-04 on parcel 21-06-179- 008. He is requesting a variance in front and side yard requirements to allow a proposed single-family dwelling to be 20 feet from the front rather than 30 feet and 14 feet from the side rather than 20 feet as required in the A-Agriculture District on property in Bloomington Township at 108 Constantine St., Bloomington, IL.

Secretary Dick called the case, provided exhibits to the board and submitted a staff report for review. He indicated the seven standards for a variance are met.

Scott Henrichs, 2506 Newport Dr., Bloomington, IL and Paul Sonetz, 9223 Orion Dr., Bloomington, IL appeared to give testimony and were sworn. Mr. Henrichs indicated that they propose to put the dwelling at the same location on the lot where the previous dwelling, that was destroyed by fire in 2018, had been located. Mr. Sonetz indicated that they placed granular in the old basement and that they proposed to place the new house on a slab foundation. Mr. Sonetz indicated that the proposed location of the house is necessary since the location of the existing septic system was very close to the former dwelling. He indicated that the proposed dwelling will have access to a public potable water supply.

The board reviewed and discussed the seven standards and found them met.

Motion was made by Zimmerman/Taylor to approve case ZV-19-04.

The roll call vote was five members for the motion to approve, none opposed and Members Kuritz and Turner were absent.

Case SU-19-11, application of Pavel Portnoy in case SU-19-11 on parcel 21-17-326- 008. He is requesting a special use to allow a Vehicle Repair Facility - for vehicles not over 1½-ton capacity, in the C-Commercial District on property in Bloomington Township at 306 Greenwood Ave., Bloomington, IL.

Secretary Dick called the case, provided exhibits to the board and submitted a staff report for review. He indicated the seven standards for a special use are met. Pavel Portnoy, 1418 Ridgeport Ave., Bloomington, IL appeared to give testimony and was sworn. Mr. Portnoy indicated that he started out washing cars and has worked in the car business for 13 years. He stated that there will be no semi-trucks on the property.

The board reviewed and discussed the seven standards and found them met.

Motion was made by Taylor/Bangert to recommend approval of case SU-19-10.

The roll call vote was five members for the motion to recommend approval, none opposed and Members Kuritz and Turner were absent.

4. Adjournment:

The Chair declared the meeting adjourned at 7:44 p.m.