Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Shabbona board denies multiple downtown variance requests, tells applicants to reapply
Summary
After questioning the findings of fact and procedure, the board denied reconsideration and upheld prior denials of several zoning variances tied to a single property and similar downtown proposals; the board advised reapplication through the zoning board with revised plans.
The board considered a set of variance requests tied to downtown properties and to Calum’s property in particular, including petitions to add hotel/motel use and confectionary use to various first- and second-floor spaces. After extended discussion about the clarity of findings of fact and because the village attorney was absent, trustees voted to deny reconsideration and to stand by prior variance denials.
Trustees emphasized process: one trustee said the variance process is the same across residential, commercial and industrial zones and urged applicants to reapply with updated drawings for the zoning board to review. A roll-call series of votes denied multiple requested variances for hotel/motel or confectionary uses at addresses on West Comanche and related downtown parcels. The board instructed that changes should be routed back to the zoning board of appeals, which will make a recommendation before the village board acts.
Why it matters: The denials shape downtown development options and clarified a procedural path for applicants who want to change use in the central business district: reapply with revised plans to the zoning board rather than seek immediate reconsideration before the village board.
