Lee County schedules March 25 hearing on rezoning for former Magnus/Magnuson Hotel site

Lee County officials confirmed a public hearing for March 25 at 5 p.m. on a rezoning petition (25p658) from Dixon Apartments LLC that would change the former Magnus/Magnuson Hotel property from C3 commercial zoning to R4 residential zoning.

Jack Scragstead and Alice told the board the Palmyra Township Planning Commission held a hearing and recommended 'no objection,' and the township board approved that recommendation. County staff encouraged residents to attend the March 25 hearing (in-person, Zoom and YouTube options will be provided) to raise concerns and ask questions before the county votes.

Alice said the petitioner has stated the project is not planned as low-income housing and emphasized that a zoning change would trigger a change-of-use review, likely requiring compliance with ADA and fire-safety codes that could include elevators and sprinkler systems. "We don't want to end up back with another Magnuson Hotel," Alice said, describing local residents' concerns tied to past conditions at the site.

Board members and staff also noted what C3 zoning currently allows — a wide range of commercial and industrial uses — and said R4 residential zoning would narrow the range of allowable future uses. Scragstead and Alice urged residents to attend the March 25 hearing rather than rely on secondhand information circulated in the neighborhood.

The county indicated no supermajority vote would be required because the township issued only a "no objection" recommendation. The hearing will be the public forum for testimony; the board instructed residents that the March 25 meeting is the appropriate time to present facts and perspectives to the county.

If approved, the rezoning's practical effect would be to restrict the range of uses at the property; exact project details such as unit count, developer commitments, or financing were not provided in the meeting packet and are listed as not specified.