Chambana Sun

City of Monticello Planning and Zoning Board met April 21

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Chairman Mike Hawkins called the meeting to order at 7:00pm. Roll Call was taken by the City Clerk.

ROLL CALL:

Present: Hawkins, Beem, Johnson, Riegel, Pontious, Spillman, Stone

Absent: None

Also Present: Jim Grabarczyk, Zoning Administrator

The board had a moment of silence for Gerald Day a former Planning and Zoning Board Member due to his recent passing away.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: There was no in-person or remote participation.

APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES:

A motion was made by Will Pontious, seconded by Shawn Spillman, to approve the February 18, 2025 Planning & Zoning Board Meeting minutes. The motion passed with all present voting yes.

NEW BUSINESS:

A Conditional Use Permit per section (§153.020 (C)) to construct a circular aboveground pool, pool deck, and to bring three existing legal non-conforming accessory structures (garage, out building, garden shed) into accordance with current zoning regulations on a parcel zoned RD – Urban Residential at the property commonly known as 1206 N State Street, Monticello, IL.

Jim Grabarczyk gave an overview of this Conditional Use Permit. Applicant is seeking a Conditional Use Permit per section (§153.020 (C)) to construct a circular aboveground pool, pool deck, and to bring three existing legal non-conforming accessory structures (garage, out building, garden shed) into accordance with current zoning regulations on a parcel zoned RD – Urban Residential at the property commonly known as 1206 N State Street, Monticello, IL. The City of Monticello Code of Ordinances section §153.020 (C)(2) allows such a structure once a conditional use permit is issued.

Granting the Conditional Use Permit will not be detrimental to or endanger the public health, safety, morals, comfort or general welfare of the normal and orderly development and improvement of surrounding properties.

Attached is a copy of the PZB Motion, Public Notice, Vicinity map & Pool exhibit.

Due to the applicants not being present questions from the board were directed towards Jim Grabarczyk. 

Michael Beem asked if the pool requires a fence around it? Jim stated no because it meets the 48 inches height requirement, however the applicants will have some type of fencing along with a secure lock for safety.

There was a discussion about the out buildings already grandfathered in being legal nonconforming, however bringing the out buildings up to current standards with the conditional use permit is ideal and will stay with the property if sold in the future.

Chairman Mike Hawkins opened the Public Hearing at 7:06pm.

Steve Shreffler stated the proposal that you have in front of you is setting a new precedent in regards to pre-existing non-conformance that's addressed in our zoning ordinance. To come along and simply rubber stamp something that is already legal under its current proposal. Seems to be setting a bad precedent and there's no legal advantage to doing it for the city or probably to the property owner because it is already allowed. I would separate that from the issue of the pool and I see no reason why the conditional use for the above ground pool should not be allowed. If I was on your board, I'd vote no simply because of the fact that there's no reason to be passing unnecessary conditions.

There was no in-person participation.

The Public Hearing was closed at 7:08pm with a motion from Michael Beem and a second by Jody Stone.

There was further discussion between board members, Jim Grabarczyk, and Steve Sheffler concerning the out buildings and the conditional use permit.

A motion was made by Michael Beem, seconded by Will Pontious, to approve Conditional Use Permit per section (§153.020 (C)) to construct a circular aboveground pool, pool deck, and to bring three existing legal non-conforming accessory structures (garage, out building, garden shed) into accordance with current zoning regulations on a parcel zoned RD – Urban Residential at the property commonly known as 1206 N State Street, Monticello, IL.

The motion passed 7-0.

A motion was made by Chad Johnson, and seconded by Shawn Spillman, to adjourn the meeting at 7:14pm.

https://www.cityofmonticello.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/8059?fileID=6400