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Johnsburg commission tables proposed ordinance to allow automobile condos, asks for fines and comparables
Summary
The Special Zoning Commission tabled a proposed text amendment that would add "automobile condos" and sales showrooms as conditional uses in the B2 district, seeking clearer enforcement language, comparables from other municipalities and pending technical studies before acting.
The Johnsburg Special Zoning Commission on March 26 opened a public hearing on a proposed text amendment to Section 16 of the village zoning ordinance to add Section 16.9 — automobile condominiums and automobile clubhouse/display facilities — and to list automobile sales showrooms as a conditional use in the B2 zoning district. After questions from commissioners and a public comment period, the commission voted to table the amendment to the May 14 meeting to allow staff and the petitioner to refine enforcement language and gather comparables.
Chair Kurt Larson introduced the hearing and said the amendment would create new conditional uses in the B2 district. Commissioner Robert Calhoun pressed staff on enforcement, asking whether motor-condo units could be occupied as residences and urging a substantial daily fine to deter illegal habitation. "I'm thinking like $1,000 a day fine if you're caught," Calhoun said; staff replied the village could impose fines but is capped as a non-home-rule municipality and noted $750 per day would be the maximum in some circumstances while adding that enforcement practicality should be researched.
Resident Laura King, who said she lives across from the proposed site, urged caution and asked the commission not to vote until feasibility and infrastructure studies were complete, citing conversations with MCDOT and the Army Corps indicating formal reports were still pending. "Feasibility studies aren't done," King said, urging the commission not to "put the cart before the horse."
After discussion about model ordinance language and research into fines and enforcement used by other towns, a commissioner moved to table the text amendment. The commission set a next hearing date of May 14 at 7:00 p.m. and asked staff to bring sample language and comparisons from other municipalities prior to that meeting.
The vote to table was recorded by roll call; staff will post materials for the May meeting and the commission indicated the amendment would return only after the requested details and legal clarifications are provided.
The commission also noted that if the amendment passes at a later date, any application to apply the new use to a specific property (such as the Hidden Harbor site discussed later in the same meeting) will be the subject of a subsequent, separate public hearing.
