Urbana council approves parking restrictions, landfill solar lease, redevelopment amendment and liquor-license increase
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Summary
Council voted to amend parking rules on Vine Street, authorize a solar ground-lease at the landfill, approve redevelopment-agreement amendments with CU Adventures in Time and Space, and permit beer-and-wine service at La Via Mexican Restaurant (one council member voted no on the liquor license).
At its Committee of the Whole meeting, the Urbana City Council approved a series of ordinances and resolutions on local land use, traffic control and business licensing.
Parking restriction: Council approved an amendment to the Urbana local traffic code (ordinance recorded in the minutes as 2026-03-007) to prohibit parking at all times on a section of Vine Street from Pell Circle to Philo/Florida Avenue. Council member Evans moved the ordinance; the motion was seconded and passed on roll call.
Landfill solar lease: Council approved an ordinance (2026-03-009 in the record) authorizing a ground lease and easement for a solar facility at the Urbana Landfill Complex. Staff clarified terms during council Q&A, noting a 27-year lease term and confirming the leased area as 16 acres; the ordinance passed after a roll-call vote.
Redevelopment agreement amendment: Council approved resolution 2026-03-011RA to amend a redevelopment agreement with MCDJ LLC (CU Adventures in Time and Space, 302 N. Broadway). The motion was moved and seconded with no additional discussion and carried on roll call.
Liquor-license increase: Council approved a resolution to increase the number of Class R and T-2 liquor licenses to permit on-premise beer-and-wine sales at La Via Mexican Restaurant (1805 Philo Road). Council debate centered on corridor goals and whether alcohol sales align with violence-prevention objectives; one council member said they would vote no on principle. The motion passed with a single recorded 'no' vote (Council member Jones).
Votes at a glance (as recorded in meeting roll calls): - Ordinance 2026-03-007 (Vine Street no-parking): passed (ayes recorded for Wu, Evans, Hersey, Jones, Wilkin, Quisenberry) - Ordinance 2026-03-009 (Landfill solar lease): passed (ayes recorded) - Resolution 2026-03-011RA (Redevelopment agreement amendment with MCDJ LLC): passed (ayes recorded) - Resolution 2026-03-012 (Increase liquor license for La Via): passed (recorded vote: majority yes, Council member Jones recorded a 'no')
Council recorded movers and seconders where noted in the minutes. No further amendments were recorded during the meeting.
The council proceeded to additional presentations and discussion items after the votes.
