Peoria Standard

City of El Paso Zoning Board of Appeals met Oct. 2.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The City of El Paso Zoning Board Meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm by Chairman, Chris Gentes.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Roll call was taken with Members Chris Gentes, Renee Donaldson, John Landrus and Josh Gray present.

Absent was Maureen Drake and Mary Wilkey.

Others present were Director of Public Service, Barry Kauther, Administrative Assistant Sandee Kessinger, Council Member Karen Wilkey, Jackson Hickok and Ronald Gimbel.

Discussion began on a Variance request and possible recommendation for Jackson Hickok who is requesting a two-part area variance for the property at 20 W. 5th Street (old address 498 N. Central) in the City of El Paso, County of Woodford, Illinois, parcel # 16-05-306-020

Legal Description: T26N - R2E - S05 PT LOT 1 BLK 12 ORIGINAL TOWN. Zoned RC – Residential - Multi Family. The request is to receive a variance to allow an accessary building to have setbacks on the rear yard (south side) and the interior yard (west side) be two feet. Under City Ordinance for Residential A-2 District in Chapter 315-43 Yards and Maximum Size of Detached Accessory Structures and Attached Garages under section C and D five feet is the required setback for an interior and rear lot line. A motion was made by Landrus and seconded by Gentes to recommend that the City Council approve the setback. A voice vote was taken of all ayes.

Hickok is also requesting under the same ordinance under section E (2) to have an extra 42.98 square feet for the detached accessary building. Under the ordinance you can have 65% of the primary structure foundation not including the attached garage. Under this section 65% would be 878.80 square feet and the owner is requesting 921.78 square feet. A motion was made by Landrus and seconded by Gentes to recommend that the City Council approve Hickok’s request. A voice vote was taken of all ayes.

The next variance request is from Ronald Gimbel who is requesting an area variance for property at 850 W. Main Street, in The City of El Paso, County of Woodford, Illinois. He plans to split off 110 feet by 126 feet on the east side of the property and a new address would be assigned. The request is to receive an area variance to allow a billboard to be located on a lot of 13,970 square feet. Under General Legislation under Ordinance Chapter 243 Signs under section B(1)(d) the lot, block, or parcel of real estate upon which said billboard is located must have an area of no less than 20,000 square feet and must be zoned for commercial or industrial use.

Kauther stated that after this meeting was scheduled, it was discovered that Ordinance 315-113 Restrictions on Variations specifically states no variation shall be allowed to permit a billboard to be erected or maintained. Kauther previously spoke with City Attorney Stoller, and he would be open to a discussion with Mr. Gimbel’s attorney. The Zoning Board did not make any recommendation to the Council.

A motion was made to adjourn the meeting by Donaldson and seconded by Gentes. The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 pm.

https://www.elpasoil.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_10022025-336