 Enterprise zone legislationEnterprise zone administrator
Will D'Andrea reported that at a recent zoning conference it was
announced that new and completely different legislation will begin
in 2016, when all of the enterprise zones in Illinois will expire
and new boundaries will have to be drawn. As a result, communities
in Illinois will have to reapply under a new set of guidelines.
"Anything the administrators knew about the enterprise zone got
thrown out, because the whole landscape has changed," said D'Andrea.
He said that early next year, he will begin providing information to
relevant organizations in the area in order to prepare for the
reapplication process.
D'Andrea did not have much information as to all of the
specifics, but he is hoping more will be available early in the
spring.
Septic permit requirements
Chairman David Hepler reported to the committee that he had
received questions as to why the county requires a septic permit in
order to obtain a building permit. Hepler asked zoning officer Will
D'Andrea about this prerequisite.
"We do require as part of the building permit, as part of the
application, that they (the builder) provide adequate septic service
at the proposed location. I think that's a wise idea," said D'Andrea.
D'Andrea also said that a septic permit is also required when
building an addition, should the building in question not be able to
support the extra sewage use. Otherwise, problems could arise via
septic systems breaking down sooner, causing problems for owners and
any future owners.
D'Andrea also said that while he issues septic permits, the
health department also has to provide their own permits. D'Andrea
also asks to see the health department permits before he authorizes
a building permit. Both of these permits last for 90 days. Within
that time, any builder has to begin construction. Under repeated
circumstances that prevent construction, a waiver that removes a
reapproval fee might be granted, depending on the conditions.
"Once that permit leaves my hand and gets in the hands of the
owner, I'm done," said D'Andrea. After that step, he is not required
to inspect the septic system; that becomes the job of the health
department.
Quarry rezoning
D'Andrea told the committee that there will be a new meeting of
the zoning appeals board on Monday at 7:30 at West-Lincoln Broadwell.
The appeals board is expected to have a recommendation for the
county board to vote on this month. The recommendation will concern
whether or not Doug Muck should have his land rezoned in order for
Hanson Materials to build a new limestone mining operation.
Muck was present to provide a small update on the situation.
Hanson will send two representatives to attend the meeting Monday
for any questions that arise. Muck also said that they have nearly
finished the written agreement that was requested after the meetings
in November.
"I required in our agreement that they (Hanson) agree to take
care of water for all the objectors, landscaping, provide them with
water equivalent to what they have now," said Muck. Muck said the
likely first step, should the agreement be approved, would be to
test the wells in the area in order to determine quantity.
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Muck also said that he has been coordinating efforts between
Hanson and AWEM, which is overseeing the Sugar Creek wind farm. The
two companies are using Muck as a coordinator to ensure that the
power demands of the two companies do not potentially interfere with
one another in the future.
At this point, the county board is not required to hold any more
public hearings. D'Andrea recommended that the committee take a
moment to think about how they want to approach this topic at the
board of whole meeting.
Hepler suggested that both sides be given five to 10 minutes to
present a short summary of their argument. D'Andrea agreed, saying
that both sides have voiced their concerns adequately over the past
few months.
Muck said he believes both sides have received adequate time to
voice their opinions. "Those guys are patient," he said, referring
to the appeals board members and the amount of information presented
to them.
"They don't want anybody to say, ‘We did not get a chance to
speak,'" said D'Andrea.
Bill Martin commended the appeals board for their efforts in
ensuring everyone has had their chance to speak.
When the recommendation is brought to the county board, a vote of
three-quarters majority will be required to take action.
Those present for the meeting were committee chairman David
Hepler, Bill Martin, Jan Schumacher, Robert Farmer, Andy Meister and
zoning officer Will D'Andrea. Doug Muck was present as a guest.
[By DEREK HURLEY]
For more information on the
Lincoln/Logan County Enterprise Zone, contact zoning officer Will D'Andrea:
Logan County Zoning Office
529 S. McLean St.
Lincoln, IL 62656
Phone: 217-871-6606
Email:
wdandrea@co.logan.il.us
Enterprise zone
territories and extensions are shown on Logan County's GIS. Zoning
and other optional layers are also there. Go to the county's
website,
http://www.co.logan.il.us/. Click on "GIS" on the navigation bar
at the side, and then under "Welcome," click on the words "Internet
Mapping." Or go direct from this link:
http://www.centralilmaps.com/LoganGIS/.
Articles on rezoning
request
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