McLean County Times

City of Pontiac Planning & Zoning Board met Nov. 12.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The City of Pontiac Planning and Zoning Board held a meeting on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers to consider the following:

RP Lumber of Pontiac has requested a variance to allow for a pole sign exceeding the height limit. The legal address of the property is 15-29-101-001 $29 T28 R5 3.40 ACRES LOT 1 R P LUMBER SUB, commonly known as 820 EWING DR.

LSI of Pontiac are owners of a tract of land proposed to be subdivided. The legal address of the property is 15-22-186-004 2.54 ACRES ELY 124.66' ABAND RR ROW LYG S OF NORTH ST E NW (EX E20' STRIP LYG W & ADJ TO BLK 11) ALL LOTS 4 & 5 LY W OF E120 BLK 6 FELLS 1ST ADD, commonly known as 601 N COURT ST.

ILPO Redwood MHP LLC of Pontiac has presented a Pre-Annexation Agreement for the Determination of Zoning and Special Use for a mobile home park for Redwood Mobile Home Park as well as Zoning and Special Use for two storage facilities. The PIN for the mobile home park is 15-15-351-007, commonly known as 15242 E 1830 N RD. The PINs for the storage facilities are 15-15-15-376-002 and 15-15-15-326- 005, known collectively as Redwood Self Storage.

The following members were present: Bill Abraham, Rick Baier, Tim Fogarty, Don Hicks, Nate Miller, and Matt Stock. Also present were Building & Zoning Officer Greg Knowles, City Attorney Alan Schrock, and City Administrator Jim Woolford. With a quorum being present, the meeting began at 4:31 p.m.

Bill Abraham made a motion to approve the minutes from the October 15, 2024, meeting, and with a second from Nate Miller and a unanimous yes vote, the minutes were approved.

Sam York, General Manager for Pontiac RP Lumber, appeared before the board to request a variance to allow for a highway sign with an overall height of 60 ft and surface area of 189 sq ft. on a property zoned M1. The board inquired about the potential for the sign to fall onto the highway. Director Knowles confirmed that the sign will be located approximately 75 feet from the highway, with the sign itself standing 60 feet tall, leaving a 15-foot clearance from the highway. Attorney Schrock raised a concern regarding the property being sold to another entity. Mr. York verified that the property where the sign will be located is owned by a separate entity, with RP Lumber having permanent easement to allow for the sign. Attorney Schrock then clarified that the variance must also allow for an off-premises sign. The proposed sign will be installed with a new foundation. Bill Abraham recommended to the board to accept the variance to allow for a pole sign exceeding the height limit, and with a second from Nathan Miller and a unanimous yes vote, the motion was approved.

Dan Schumaker, Chief Financial Officer of LSI, presented a request to subdivide a portion of the property located at 601 N. Court St. Mr. Schumaker stated that LSI would like to sell the northern portion of the property. Incorporated in the property in question is a previously vacated portion of Court St. which is currently being used by three adjacent residential lots for access to parking. Resident Elsie Mislich of 619 N Division St. stated that she uses the vacated road as the only access to her garage and would like to see that access protected. The board discussed the road Right-of-Way (ROW) in question, specifically the considerations of dedication versus easement. Due to the uncertainty surrounding the ROW, the board agreed to table the request to allow the city engineer to consult with the applicant's engineering team for further clarification. The item will be revisited at the next scheduled meeting on November 25th at 4:30 PM. The motion to table was made by Stock and seconded by Hicks.

Ron Steed, Vice President of Construction for Endeavor Communities, presented a proposal for the annexation into the City of Redwood Mobile Home Park and two associated storage facilities. Attorney Schrock clarified that there will be a public hearing to consider the annexation, but the Zoning Board would need to recommend the proper zoning into which each property would annex. The mobile home park is proposed to annex in as A-1 zoning, while the storage facilities will annex in as M-1. Mr. Steed stated that the annexation is due to the installation of a new sewer system at the park, which requires the park to connect to the City sewer main. Mr. Steed stated that the new sewer system will deliver zero solids into the City sewer, and that streets and infrastructure would remain private. The proposed improvements include the installation of new sanitary sewer, storm sewer, and utility lines, with plans to repave roads within the trailer park community next fall. Endeavor intends to improve the quality of life for residents by upgrading amenities and facilities, including replacing homes and repaving roadways. Administrator Woolford stated that there will be a public hearing Monday, 11/18 at 7 pm to further consider the annexation proposal, and that an approval is contingent upon receiving 51% approval from the electors among the Redwood residents. Attorney Schrock is working with the Livingston County Clerk to identify the electors. The sewer director confirmed that the proposed improvements would be beneficial for both the city and the residents, noting a suitable connection point for the sewer system.

The board raised concerns about zoning the property as M1, as it could lead to potential misuse if the property is sold in the future. There was a reluctance to zone the area as M1 without further discussion of the long-term implications. Attorney Schrock advised that the proposed zoning was most beneficial to all parties. The motion to approve the zoning was made by Stock and seconded by Fogarty. The motion passed with the understanding that further review of zoning options will be necessary.

Attorney Schrock noted that both RP Lumber and Redwood proposals will go to City Council Monday, November 18th to be confirmed or rejected.

With no further business, Matt Stock adjourned the meeting at 5:19 p.m.

:https://www.pontiac.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_11122024-1096