City of Peoria Planning & Zoning Commission met June 6

Timothy Riggenbach, 3rd District Council Member | City of Peoria Website

By Kristine Gonzales-Abella

Jul 7, 2024

City of Peoria Planning & Zoning Commission met June 6.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

A meeting of the Planning & Zoning Commission was held on Thursday, June 6, 2024, at 1:00 PM, at City Hall, 419 Fulton St., in Room 400 with Chairman Eric Heard presiding and with proper notice having been posted.

ROLL CALL

The following Planning & Zoning Commissioners were present: Edward Barry, Eric Heard, Branden Martin, Richard Unes, and Mike Wiesehan – 5.

Absent: George Ghareeb and Theresa Koehler– 2.

City Staff Present: Jer’Rell Sprattling Jr. and Josh Naven

SWEARING IN OF SPEAKERS

Speakers were sworn in by Julia Rose

MINUTES

Commissioner Wiesehan moved to approve the minutes of the Planning & Zoning Commission meeting held on May 2, 2024; seconded by Commissioner Martin.

The motion was approved unanimously by a viva voce vote 5 to 0.

REGULAR BUSINESS

PZ 1756-2024

Hold a Public Hearing and forward a recommendation to City Council on the request of the City of Peoria to amend Appendix A, the Unified Development Code, relating to Parking Garages.

Senior Urban Planner, Josh Naven, Community Development Department, read the case into the record and summarized the request.

The Development Review Board recommended approval of the proposed text amendment. Chairman Heard opened the public hearing at 1:04 PM

With no public testimony the public hearing was closed at 1:04 PM

Motion:

Commissioner Wiesehan made a motion to APPROVE; seconded by Commissioner Barry The motion was unanimously approved by viva voce vote 5 to 0.

PZ 1821-2024

Hold a Public Hearing and forward a recommendation to City Council on the request of Steve Kerr of Mohr & Kerr Engineering, on behalf of the Tri County Urban League, to rezone property from Class R4 (Single-Family Residential) District to Class CN (Neighborhood Commercial) District for the property located at 308, 310 & 312 S Saratoga St (Parcel Identification Nos. 18-08-420-004; 18-08-420-005; 18-08-420-006), Peoria IL (Council District 1)

Senior Urban Planner, Josh Naven, Community Development Department, read the case into the record and summarized the request.

The Development Review Board recommended approval for the rezoning request.

Petitioner, Steve Kerr, presented the case. Mr. Kerr explained that the intent is to make the current residential zoned parcels to be consistent with the surrounding commercial parcel.

Chairman Heard opened the public hearing at 1:10 PM

With no public testimony the public hearing was closed at 1:10 PM

Commissioner Martin read the Findings of Facts.

Motion:

Commissioner Unes made a motion to APPROVE; seconded by Commissioner Wiesehan. The motion was unanimously approved by viva voce vote 5 to 0.

PZ 1838-2024 Withdrawn

Hold a Public Hearing and forward a recommendation to City Council on the request of Willie Simmons to obtain a Special Use in a Class CN (Neighborhood Commercial) District for a Medical/Adult Use Cannabis Dispensary, for the property located at 2203 SW Jefferson Avenue (Parcel Identification No. 18-17-180- 001), Peoria, IL (Council District 1)

PZ 1842-2024

Hold a Public Hearing and forward a recommendation to City Council on the request of Kimberly Giraldo to discuss the allowance of Backyard Chickens within the City of Peoria.

Senior Urban Planner, Josh Naven, Community Development Department, read the case into the record and summarized the request.

The Development Review Board has no recommendations at this time.

Commissioner Barry questioned if staff had any official documents from PCAPS or Humane Society. Mr. Naven replied no.

Commissioner Unes questioned since staff doesn’t have any recommendations, would Council make the decision. Mr. Naven replied yes.

Petitioner, Kimberly Giraldo, presented the case. Ms. Giraldo explained the reason for the request is to promote health, teaching, and a way to combat food scarcity in the City of Peoria. Ms. Giraldo explained that the maximum number of chickens is 5 and that a permit would need to be required in order to have chickens. Ms. Giraldo believes this will be sustainable for the community.

Chairman Heard opened the public hearing at 1:22 pm.

Michael Smallberger expressed support for the request.

Chairman Heard questioned Mr. Smallberger about the noise from chickens.

Mike Van Cleve expressed support of the request.

Chairman Heard questioned if Mr. Van Cleve thinks having chickens will either increase or decrease property value. Mr. Van Cleve stated that he believes the right people will come along.

Commissioner Wiesehan mentioned how new ideas have been shared to the Planning and Zoning Commission, but people still are caught by surprise to those ideas and questioned how Mr. Van Cleve can address the potential issues that could rise.

Kelli Martin expressed support for the request.

Commissioner Wiesehan questioned what if neighbors don’t want the eggs grown. Commissioner Wiesehan also questioned how chicken coops could be heated especially if electricity needed. Ms. Martin responded that chickens are cold hardy birds and if the chicken coop is well insulated, there shouldn’t be an issue. Ms. Martin also stated that if a coop is heated and has light, chickens will give eggs throughout the year.

Melody Glowaty expressed support for the request.

Jessamyn Hill expressed support for the request.

Alaysia Mitchell expressed opposition for the request.

Dawnie Mahrt expressed support for the request.

Commissioner Wiesehan left the meeting at 1:58 PM.

Commissioner Wiesehan returned at 2:01 PM.

Chairman Heard questioned what the size of a coop would be for 5 chickens.

Ms. Giraldo explained that the commissioners were provided the size in their packets, but also mentioned it would need to be about 12ft and its predator proof.

Commissioner Barry questioned Ms. Giraldo if the official document from PCAPS or Humane Society were provided. Ms. Giraldo stated no.

Commissioner Martin left the meeting at 2:05 PM.

Josh Hunt expressed support for the request.

Commissioner Martin returned at 2:07 PM.

Andrea Schnowske expressed support for the request.

Christey Frausto expressed support for the request.

Jelina Sonnenberg expressed support for the request.

Commissioner Unes questioned if signs were provided for this case. Mr. Naven replied no since this is a discussion regarding a possible text amendment.

Natesha Ziele expressed support for the request.

Raul Giraldo expressed support for the request.

Jami Burgess expressed support for the request.

Chairman Heard questioned if the eggs would be sold to local farmers.

Ms. Burgess explained that the eggs would be shared with those who want them.

Nathan Burgess expressed support for the request.

River Giraldo expressed support the request.

With no further public testimony, the public hearing was closed at 2:40 pm.

Commissioner Barry stated he would not support the request until an official document from PCAPS or Humane Society would be provided.

Commissioner Wiesehan suggested that the Commission vote to move the request forward to City Council for further discussion.

Motion:

Commissioner Barry made a motion to forward to City Council with blessing from PCAPS and Humane Society; seconded by Commissioner Wiesehan.

The motion was unanimously approved by viva voce vote 5 to 0.

PZ 1843-2024

Hold a Public Hearing and forward a recommendation to City Council on the request of the City of Peoria to amend Appendix A, the Unified Development Code, relating to Ground Mounted Solar Energy Devices.

Senior Urban Planner, Josh Naven, Community Development Department, read the case into the record and summarized the request.

The Development Review Board recommended approval of the text amendment.

Commissioner Wiesehan questioned if ground-mounted solar panels would be prohibited in front yards. Mr. Naven replied yes.

Chairman Heard opened the public hearing at 3:02 pm.

With no further public testimony, the public hearing was closed at 3:02 pm.

Motion:

Commissioner Barry made a motion to approve with; seconded by Commissioner Wiesehan. The motion was approved unanimously by viva voce vote 5 to 0.

CITIZENS' OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION

There were no citizen requests to address the Commission.

ADJOURNMENT

Commissioner Barry made a motion to adjourn; seconded by Commissioner Martin at approximately 3:03 PM.

The motion was approved unanimously by viva voce vote 5 to 0.