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Council approves alley vacation and special permit for Prairie Farms expansion with buffering conditions after neighbor questions
Summary
Quincy aldermen received Planning Commission reports and approved the vacation of a 1,282 sq. ft. alley segment and a special permit allowing Prairie Farms Dairy to expand its manufacturing facility, subject to buffer and fencing conditions; a nearby homeowner raised concerns about property value and requested coordination on fencing
The Quincy City Council reviewed Planning Commission recommendations and approved a request to vacate about 1,282 square feet of public alley north of 2305 Broadway Street to allow expansion and upgrade of a nearby manufacturing facility and subsequently approved a special permit for Prairie Farms Dairy to upgrade and expand its facility at multiple addresses on North 20th and Broadway Streets.
Planning staff said the alley segment is a dead‑end section behind the properties and that adjacent property owners, including a neighbor identified as Kurt, discussed access concerns with staff. Kurt told the council he uses the alley when backing out of his garage and asked about retaining maneuvering room; staff and a Prairie Farms representative said the required setbacks and a 15‑foot buffer would allow sufficient space for turning. The Planning Commission’s approval of the special permit included two conditions: (1) Prairie Farms may extend its northerly building line for the expansion, exempting that portion from the city code’s 15‑foot buffer requirement where commercial abuts residential, and (2) Prairie Farms must provide the 15‑foot buffer with site‑proof landscaping and fencing along the western property line of 2305 Broadway Street where required by city code.
A homeowner who said his property currently feels “like being by a park” said the planned building would run the full length of his lot and could negatively affect his property value; he asked to work with planning staff on fencing and site design. Council members and staff indicated they would coordinate further with the neighbor and Prairie Farms on the fencing and setback details.
Council members moved to receive, concur with the Planning Commission report and have an ordinance drafted; the motion carried by voice vote. The special permit for the Prairie Farms expansion passed with the two conditions noted in the Planning Commission report.
Why it matters: The action allows an existing manufacturer to expand in place while placing conditions on buffering where commercial development abuts residential property. Nearby homeowners raised concerns about property impacts and requested direct coordination with staff and the company.
What’s next: Staff will draft the ordinance effecting the alley vacation and will work with Prairie Farms and the neighboring property owners on required landscaping, fencing and setbacks as specified in the special permit conditions.
