Grundy Reporter

City of Coal Planning and Zoning Board met Jan. 20.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

At 7 p.m. on Monday, January 20, 2020, chairman Georgette Vota called to order the regular meeting of the Coal City Planning and Zoning Board in the boardroom of the Village Hall. Members in attendance were: Maria Lewis, Jill Breneman, Richard Crotteau, John Hawkinson, Irving DeWald and Amanda Burns. Also in attendance were Matt Fritz, village administrator and Trustee Dave Togliatti.

The minutes of the December 2, 2019 meeting were presented. Lewis moved to approve the minutes as written, second by Burns. Roll call-Ayes; Lewis, Breneman, Crotteau, Vota, Hawkinson, DeWald and Burns. Nays; none, Motion carried.

There was no Public Comment,

SOLAR POWER

Mr. Fritz initiated discussion regarding solar power, explaining that the Village has received several requests for solar energy panels installed on Village resident's private homes. Registered companies are installing the solar energy panels but this Board expressed an interest and revisiting the Village's Code regarding alternative energy systems. Included in the discussion were:

• Private solar energy & the direction of the panels and pitch of the roof

• Wind Energy-guidelines are already in-place. Solar fields

• Solar/Wind Power are the energy of the future

• Commercial solar energy

• Concerns include the appearance and safety 

An Ad Hoc Committee consisting of Amanda Burns, John Hawkinson, Maria Lewis and Trustee Dave Togliatti will be formed to discuss and research the issue. They will bring their findings and recommendations back to this Board.

SIGNAGE & LIGHTING

The Board is interested in revisiting the Village Codes regarding signs and lighting within the village. Suggestions and topics of concern included:

• Brightness measurements-candlelight, lumens. 

• Restricting hours of illumination

• Permissible colors/non-permissible colors

• All signage to be reviewed for approval

An Ad Hoc Committee consisting of Irving DeWald, Jill Breneman, Richard Crotteau and Georgette Vota will research and discuss the options and present their findings and opinions to the Board at a later date.

Mr. Fritz informed the Board that McDonald's, at the corner of South Broadway and W. Division Street, will be requesting a conditional use petition for the expansion of the restaurant. The Board reviewed the proposed re-construction plans. Points of discussion included:

• The property is located in C-4 zoning..

• Traffic flow including entrance and exists. Parking

• Building expansion/demolition

• Usage of the alley west of the property

• IDOT to control curb cuts for ingress/egress

• Fence presently located on south side of property

• Delivery trucks

• Double drive-thru lanes

• Possible pork chop off Rt. 113; restricted entrance off Rt. 113 (W. Division Street) from the east/west bound lanes

• Time frame for construction and closure of McDonald's 

February 3, 2020 is the date of the presentation to the Planning and Zoning Board and February 17, 2020 is the Public Hearing date.

Burns moved to adjourn the meeting, second by Lewis. All signified by saying aye. No one opposed. Motion carried at 8:00 p.m.

https://coalcity-il.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/PZ-Meeting-Minutes-01-20-2020.pdf