Highland council approves façade incentives, code updates and property sale; adopts midyear budget amendments

The Highland City Council met Dec. 16 and approved a slate of ordinances and resolutions affecting downtown redevelopment, zoning rules, city codes and budget priorities.

Mayor Kevin Hemann called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. and the council first approved the minutes of the Dec. 2 regular session. Mayor Hemann then administered the oath to probationary Patrol Officer Enna Turan.

During public comment, business owner Roy Wells said the impending closure of Tullighans reflected a change in the owners’ larger vision for the downtown square, adding that "the decision is not specifically financial" and that the owners intend to keep the properties and make upgrades. Mayor Hemann thanked Wells for his contributions to the square.

Council members approved several façade-improvement incentives under the city’s Façade Improvement Program. Coordinator Mallord Hubbard explained program mechanics: businesses in the Business District with at least $10,000 in minimum improvement costs are eligible for up to 25% of the improvement costs with a $10,000 cap, and funds are reimbursed after improvements and invoice review. The council approved incentives for properties at 818 Main Street (Corranmore Holdings LLC), 821–825 Main Street (Roy Wells), 1011 Washington Street (Corranmore Holdings LLC) and 1005 Washington Street (Kevin Dewaele) by roll call vote, with councilmembers Sloan, Bellm and Napper voting aye.

On land use, the council approved rezoning three parcels from R-1-C (single-family) to I (industrial) and granted a special-use permit to Highland Affordable Solar, LLC, clearing the way for a planned six-megawatt solar field west of Highland. City Manager Conrad said the project is a joint effort with the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency (IMEA) as part of IMEA’s 2025 Green Initiative and a federal grant program. The council adopted associated findings of fact and approved the special-use permit by roll call.

Council members also amended the zoning code to require special-use permits for parking lots in certain residential- and commercial-zoned areas, approved a special-use permit for a parking lot at 516 9th Street on behalf of Family Bible Church, and authorized sale of city-owned surplus property to the church under a conditional contract. The sale ordinance recorded votes in favor by councilmembers and Mayor Hemann.

The council approved a suite of code updates affecting land development standards (lots, street design, stormwater, water and sanitary sewer) and amendments to utilities chapters on water meters, pipe standards, service connections and sewer materials and sizes. Public Works Director Joe Gillespie said the code updates align city regulations with current practices used when working with developers.

On labor and finance, the council approved a collective bargaining agreement between the city and International Association of Fire Fighters Local 3672 on behalf of Emergency Medical Technicians; City Manager Conrad said the city had been without a contract since May and that the agreement runs into 2027. Council members also adopted a midyear amendment to the FY2024–25 budget, shifting planned work (postponing the Public Works building roof replacement while funding roof repairs for the senior citizens’ center damaged in a storm) and approved Ordinance #3372 for the levy, assessment and collection of 2024 taxes payable in 2025. The council accepted Expenditures Report #1280 for Nov. 30–Dec. 13, 2024.

The meeting ended with holiday remarks from Mayor Hemann and an adjournment at 7:15 p.m.

Votes at a glance: Bill #24-123/Resolution #24-12-3146 (818 Main St. façade incentive) — approved (moved: Bellm; second: Sloan; roll call: Sloan, Bellm, Napper aye). Bill #24-124/Resolution #24-12-3147 (821–825 Main St. façade incentive to Roy Wells) — approved (moved: Sloan; second: Bellm). Bill #24-125/Resolution #24-12-3148 (1011 Washington St. façade incentive) — approved (moved: Bellm; second: Napper). Bill #24-126/Resolution #24-12-3149 (1005 Washington St. façade incentive) — approved (moved: Sloan; second: Bellm). Bill #24-127/Ordinance #3363 (rezoning for solar farm) — approved. Bill #24-128/Resolution #24-12-3150 (findings of fact for solar farm) — approved. Bill #24-129/Ordinance #3364 (special-use permit for Highland Affordable Solar, LLC) — approved. Bill #24-130/Ordinance #3365 (require special-use permits for parking lots in R3 and C2) — approved. Bill #24-131/Resolution #24-12-3151 (findings of fact for parking lot at 516 9th St.) — approved. Bill #24-132/Ordinance #3366 (special-use permit to city on behalf of Family Bible Church for parking lot) — approved. Bill #24-133/Ordinance #3367 (sale of surplus real estate to Family Bible Church) — approved (Mayor Hemann recorded an aye vote). Bill #24-134/Ordinance #3368, Bill #24-135/Ordinance #3369, Bill #24-136/Ordinance #3370 (land development, water and sewer code updates) — all approved. Bill #24-137/Resolution #24-12-3152 (collective bargaining agreement with IAFF Local 3672 for EMTs) — approved. Bill #24-138/Ordinance #3371 (budget amendment) — approved (Mayor Hemann recorded an aye vote). Bill #24-139/Ordinance #3372 (2024 levy for 2025 collection) — approved. Expenditures Report #1280 — accepted.

Next steps noted in the meeting: implementation of approved façade projects depends on property owners completing improvements and submitting invoices for reimbursement; the solar project will proceed through IMEA channels and grant requirements; the city plans the Public Works roof in a future budget year.