McLean County Times

McLean County Zoning Board of Appeals met Oct. 7.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

1. CALL TO ORDER: Chair, James Finnigan called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.

2. ROLL CALL: Secretary Philip Dick called the roll and noted the presence of a quorum as follows: James Finnigan, Rick Dean, Ruth Novosad, Steve Kerber, Shirley Deerwester, Michael Kuritz and Alternate Member Matt Hughes. Julia Turner was absent. Also present were Darrell Mitchell, Zoning Enforcement Officer, and Don Rood, Assistant State’s Attorney.

3. APPEARANCE BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: No one came forward to speak on matters not on the agenda.

4. REGULAR AGENDA:

Case ZA-25-01, an application of the McLean County Land Use and Transportation Committee in case ZA-25-01. This is a text amendment of the Zoning Ordinance of the Code of McLean County Chapter 350 , Zoning Section 350-58 – Time Limit for Special Uses and Extensions, Section 205-42 - Fees for Zoning Special Use Extensions, Section 350-26 - Definitions, Section 350-42 – Use Table, and Section 350-43 - Use Standards for a Data Center.

Secretary Dick called the case, provided exhibits to the board, and submitted a staff report for review. He indicated that staff recommends the proposed amendment would promote the public health, safety, comfort, morals and general welfare of the County.

Lea Cline, 931 W. McArthur Ave., Bloomington, IL appeared to give testimony and was sworn. Ms. Cline indicated that she is the chair of the McLean County Land Use and Transportation Committee. She indicated that the first part of the text amendment was to allow large scale solar and wind farms to have more time allowed between the special use approval and the start of construction without having to waive the existing 2-year requirement. This amendment would also allow an extension of a special use for one year. Ms. Cline also indicated that HB4116 may extend this 3-year extension to a 5-year requirement. Ms. Cline indicated that the data storage amendment was added to have a use in place as a place holder in case an applicant came in to request a data storage facility. She indicated that she would begin a work group to study the data storage use.

Anna Ziegler, 2242 Westgate Dr., Bloomington, IL asked when the work group would get started.

Ms. Cline indicated that it would start this winter or the spring of 2026.

The board reviewed and discussed the proposed text amendment.

A motion was made by Kuritz/Kerber to approve Case ZA-25-01.

The roll call vote was seven members for the motion to approve, none opposed, and Member Turner was absent.

Case ZV-25-08, an application of McLean County in case ZV-25-08 on parcel 21-32-100-005. It is requesting a variance in front yard setback requirements to allow a business sign to be 15 feet from the property line rather than 25 feet as required in the Agriculture District in Bloomington Township at 13060 E. 850 North Rd., Bloomington, IL.

Secretary Dick called the case, provided exhibits to the board, and submitted a staff report for review. He indicated that staff recommends that the proposed application meets all the standards set forth in Section 350-17.F. (1) (c) (Standards for Variances) of the McLean County Code.

Anthony Grant, 115 E. Washington St., Bloomington, IL appeared to give testimony and was affirmed. Mr. Grant indicated that he is an Assistant County Administrator. He indicated that he agreed with the standards as identified in the staff report. He thanked the ZBA members for their help and service.

The board reviewed and discussed the proposed variance.

A motion was made by Kuritz/Deerwester to approve Case ZV-25-08.

The roll call vote was six members for the motion to approve, none opposed, Member Novosad, abstained and Member Turner was absent.

Case ZV-25-09, an application of Carlos Cordero in case ZV-25-09 on parcel 22-29-376-004. He is requesting a variance in maximum square feet of accessory buildings to allow 3,550 square feet rather than 2,400 square feet as allowed in the R-1 Single Family Residence District on property in Old Town Township at 19266 US Hwy. 150, Bloomington, IL.

Secretary Dick called the case, provided exhibits to the board, and submitted a staff report for review. He indicated that staff recommends that the proposed application meets all the standards set forth in Section 350-17.F. (1) (c) (Standards for Variances) of the McLean County Code.

Carlos Cordero and Ellen Nuckols, 19266 US Hwy. 150, Bloomington, IL appeared to give testimony and were sworn. Mr. Cordero indicated that he appreciated the time of the board members.

Ann Brown, 19533 Nottingham Dr., Bloomington, IL asked if the decision at this hearing is binding to make the applicant do what the staff report states.

Mr. Rood, Assistant State’s Attorney, indicated that the applicant needs to comply with information provided to the ZBA.

Jane Callahan, 19312 US Hwy. 150, Bloomington, IL asked why the applicant needs a 3,550 square foot building.

Mr. Cordero indicated that the proposed building would be 1,800 square feet. And that the square feet of the attached garage is included in the 3,550 square feet request.

Ann Brown, 19533 Nottingham Dr., Bloomington, IL appeared to give testimony and was sworn. She indicated that she lives behind the subject property and that there are woods between her property and the applicant’s property. Mrs. Brown indicated that the applicant is removing the trees from her property and has caused drainage problems by filling in the stream that runs between their properties.

Ellen Nuckols indicated that they were only removing trees from their property. She indicated that they recently had a survey done of the property.

The board reviewed and discussed the proposed variance.

A motion was made by Kuritz/Dean to approve Case ZV-25-09.

The roll call vote was seven members for the motion to approve, none opposed, and Member Turner was absent.

Case ZA-25-02, an application of Megan Ketelsen in case ZA-25-02. This is a text amendment of the Zoning Ordinance of the Code of McLean County Chapter 350, Zoning Section 350-36 F -Yard Regulations in the R-1 Single Family residence District for Hen Chickens, Section 350- 42 Use Table, and Section 350-43 - Use Standards for Keeping Hen Chickens.

Secretary Dick called the case, provided exhibits to the board, and submitted a staff report for review. He indicated that staff recommends the proposed amendment would promote the public health, safety, comfort, morals and general welfare of the County.

Kelli Holton, 6 Candle Ridge Rd., Towanda, IL appeared to give testimony and was sworn. Ms. Holton indicated that she lives in the Indian Creek Subdivision near Towanda. She indicated that since the Village of Towanda allowed chickens, she thought that she could have them until she received a notice from the County. She indicated that having chickens was not addressed in the Indian Creek Subdivision covenants (HOI).

Anna Ziegler, 2242 Westgate Dr., Bloomington, IL asked if this is a permitted use. Secretary Dick indicated that it would be.

Megan Ketelsen, 3 Timber Creek Ct., Towanda, IL appeared to give testimony and was sworn. She indicated that the Indian Creek HOI allows chickens but not for commercial purposes.

The board reviewed and discussed the proposed text amendment.

A motion was made by Dean/Novosad to approve Case ZA-25-02.

The roll call vote was seven members for the motion to approve, none opposed, and Member Turner was absent.

Case SU-25-08, an application of Crestwicke Country Club in Case SU-25-08 on parcel 21-27- 455-001. It is requesting a special use to allow the construction of a pool pavilion and a baby pool and deck accessory to an existing golf course in the R-1 District on property in Bloomington Township at 15671 E 910 North Rd., Bloomington, IL.

Secretary Dick called the case, provided exhibits to the board, and submitted a staff report for review. He indicated that staff recommends that the proposed application meets all the standards set forth in Article VIII Section 350-56 (Standards for Special Use Permits).

James Pearson, 14 Hearthstone Ct., Bloomington, IL appeared to give testimony and was sworn. He indicated that he is the owners’ architect and that he agrees with the staff report. Mr. Pearson indicated that he is working with the County Health Department on issues for the new facility.

The board reviewed and discussed the proposed special use.

A motion was made by Novosad/Kuritz to recommend approval of Case SU-25-08.

The roll call vote was seven members for the motion to approve, none opposed, and Member Turner was absent.

5. ADJOURNMENT: The Chair declared the meeting adjourned at 8:31 PM.

https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_10072025-1038