Macon Reporter

Village of Forsyth Planning & Zoning Commission met Sept. 28.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

CALL TO ORDER

Planning and Zoning Chairman R. C. Campbell called the meeting to order at 5:30 P.M.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

ROLL CALL

Upon call of the roll, the following Commissioners were physically present:

Regular Commissioners: Chairman R. C. Campbell, Cathy Mitteer, Dan Doerfler, Larry Perkins, Steve Ragan, Matt May

Alternate Commissioners: Colleen Brinkoetter, Tom Cantwell Regular Commissioners Absent: Vice Chair Dennis Downer

Other Staff Present: Village Administrator Jill Applebee, Village Clerk Cheryl Marty, Building Inspector Dustin Pruitt, Village Attorney Andrew Jarmer, Stephanie Brown (Chastain & Associates Engineer representative)

Others Present: Two owners of Speed Lube, New Era sign representative

SWEARING IN CEREMONY OF NEW ALTERNATE COMMISSIONER TOM CANTWELL

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

MOTION: Commissioner Brinkoetter made a Motion to approve the minutes of August 24, 2023 as presented and Commissioner Doerfler seconded the motion.

Upon a call of the roll, the vote was as follows:

Yeas: 7 - Campbell, Mitteer, Doerfler, Perkins, Ragan, Brinkoetter, May

Nays: 0 - None

Absent: 1 - Downey

Abstain: 1 - Cantwell

Motion declared carried.

PUBLIC HEARING #1

• Request submitted by Speed Lube IO-Minute Oil Change Shops, Inc. to vary the requirements of the Development Ordinance Section 7.4 C. and for special use in accordance with Section 7.4 C.(2)(b)(vii) to convert portion of a pole sign that exceeds 15 feet in height from an existing 32 sq. ft. static sign to a 32 sq. ft. digital message center on the real property located at 1345 Koester Rd, Forsyth, IL and legally described as: FORSYTH PLAZA SOUTH LOT I (PIN: 07-07-23-151-002).

Administrator Applebee explained the request to vary the requirements of the Development Ordinance. The focus regards altering the free-standing pole aspect of the Ordinance; however, the sign size (same as old sign) is fine as is. The two owners of Speed Lube introduced themselves and briefly explained that this was an oversight on their part for not contacting the Village office beforehand. The New Era sign representative apologized for his part in overlooking the necessary steps as well. General discussion was held about what the old sign looked like versus the new digital board.

MOTION: Commissioner May made a Motion to recommend approval of this request as presented and Commissioner Mitteer seconded the motion.

Upon a call of the roll, the vote was as follows:

Yeas: 7 - Campbell, Mitteer, Doerfler, Ragan, Perkins, Brinkoetter, May

Nays: 0 - None

Absent: 1 - Downey

Abstain: 1 - Cantwell

Motion declared carried.

PUBLIC HEARING #2

Request submitted by Matt Roush to vary the requirements of the Development Ordinance Section 7.4 C. and for special use in accordance with Section 7.4 C.(2)(b)(vii) to convert portion of a pole sign that exceeds 15 feet in height from an existing 32 sq. ft. static sign to a 32 sq. ft. digital message center on the real property located at 109 Lucile Ave., Forsyth, IL and legally described as: OLDWEILER & WALTERS HIGHLAND PLACE LOTS 7-8 & N13 OF LOTS 9 & 10- MCDONALDS-FORSYTH IRREG (PIN: 07-07-23-102-001).

Administrator Applebee explained that this is very similar to the Public Hearing #1 above. The New Era representative shared that the sign will be slightly smaller than the existing one. A brief discussion ensued by the Commissioners.

MOTION: Commissioner Doerfler made a Motion to recommend approval of the request as presented and Commissioner Perkins seconded the motion.

Upon a call of the roll, the vote was as follows:

Yeas: 7 -- Campbell, Mitteer, Perkins, Ragan, Brinkoetter, May, Doerfler

Nays: 0 - None

Absent: 1 - Downey

Abstain: 1 - Cantwell

Motion declared carried.

PUBLIC HEARING #3

Petition by Busey Trust Company Trust No. 4307 for approval of a final plat creating two lots at the property on West Weaver Road legally described as A PART OF THE NORTHEAST QUARTER (NIE 1/4) OF THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER (SE 1/4) OF SECTION SIXTEEN (16) TOWNSHIP SEVENTEEN (17) NORTH, RANGE TWO (2) EAST OF THE THIRD (3RD) PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, MACON COUNTY, ILLINOIS (PINs: 07-07-16-400-026, 07-07-16-400-027).

Administrator Applebee explained that Busey Bank has been asked to survey as one tract all the farmland identified above and provide access to the farmland from Weaver Road. General discussion ensued by the Commissioners and ultimately agreed to recommend this request.

MOTION: Commissioner Doerfler made a Motion to recommend approval of a final plat as presented and Commissioner May seconded the motion.

Upon a call of the roll, the vote was as follows:

Yeas: 7- Campbell, Mitteer, Perkins, Ragan, Brinkoetter, May, Doerfler

Nays: 0 - None

Absent: 1 - Downey

Abstain: 1 - Cantwell

Motion declared carried.

OLD BUSINESS

Review and discussion of Forsyth Code of Ordinances

Per Administrator Applebee no discussion was held regarding the Code of Ordinances. However, future discussion will focus strictly on the development ordinances which are more pertinent to the Commissioners and their work.

NEW BUSINESS

None.

ADJOURNMENT

Commissioner Perkins made a Motion to adjourn and Commissioner Brinkoetter seconded the Motion. Motion was approved by voice vote, and the meeting was adjourned at 6:00 P.M.

https://forsyth-il.gov/vertical/sites/%7B18717005-44FD-438D-B0BC-B86101984F4F%7D/uploads/Full_packet_10-26-23.pdf