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Council approves modified zoning relief for 223 N. MacArthur Boulevard with signage and fencing conditions
Summary
The city council approved a modified staff recommendation for the reclassification/use variance and several variances for property at 223 N. MacArthur Boulevard, with petitioners withdrawing requests for landscaping street-frontage relief and barbed-wire fencing; the measure passed unanimously.
The Springfield City Council on Sept. 16 approved zoning relief for properties at 223 North MacArthur Boulevard and 11004 West Jefferson Street after petitioners and objectors agreed to changes limiting signage and removing requests for landscaping and barbed-wire fencing.
The council accepted staff recommendations with modifications, including a condition that total new ground signage be limited to 374 square feet and that any sign facing Jefferson Street be placed south of the south property line of 1020 West Jefferson Street so as not to obstruct the neighboring property. Attorney Segato, representing the petitioner, told the council his client "is also not gonna do the barbed wire fencing" and agreed to place the sign south of the neighboring property's south line.
Why it matters: The council's action grants limited commercial uses while preserving site controls that neighboring property owners sought, and the vote closes a contested zoning item after negotiated concessions between petitioner and objector.
Planning staff originally recommended denial of rezoning to B-2 general business but recommended approval of a use variance in S-2 to allow the site to be used as a construction company office, showroom and storage, subject to conditions including no on-site manufacturing and enclosed exterior storage of vehicles and equipment. The regional planning commission concurred with staff.
At the council meeting, the petitioner withdrew the request for relief to section 155.48(g) (landscaping street frontage) and confirmed the property owner would not install barbed wire fencing. Alderman Williams moved to approve the staff recommendation with the amendment limiting signage to 374 square feet and requiring the sign facing Jefferson Street to be placed south of the south property line of 1020 West Jefferson; the motion passed with nine votes in favor and none opposed.
The council also confirmed that use of an existing entrance on West Jefferson Street would require Illinois Department of Transportation approval before being used for regular ingress and egress.
What to watch next: Implementation will follow the zoning administrator's review of the required screening, fencing and signage placement and any conditions attached to the use variance.
