Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Planning Commission Meeting

Sat in on tonight's Planning Commission meeting.  The request for rezoning by Lindsay Fisher for 413 N. Oakland was postponed to August 16, due to none of the principals being able to attend.

Randy Throgmorton requested a Special Uses permit for a heating and air conditioning business he is operating at 1500 Neal Lane.  The business has operated in violations of city codes and has been issued a citation in the past.  Several residents on Neal Lane spoke in opposition to the permit, citing the residential and agricultural nature of the area and increased traffic along Neal Lane as a result of the business.  As part of his application, Trogmorton indicated he would build a residence on the property within 5 years, to complain with the permit he has been issued in the past.  City staff recommended approving the request, primarily because the business was already established.   However, the commission voted not to approve it, indicating they made the decision based as if the business did not currently exist, since it was in violation of its prior permit.  City council will make the final decision.

The commission recessed for five minutes at 7:30, then took up TitleMax's request for a Special Uses permit to open a consumer credit business in the old Wendy's building at 500  East Walnut.  City staff recommended denial of the request, due to the existence of 11 other consumer credit business in Carbondale, 4 of which are located within 200 yards of the proposed location and the negative impact another consumer credit business with high interest rates could have upon the community.Jeff Cermak, who spoke for TitleMax, pointed out that the city was relying on reports on the industry that dated back to 2005, that consumer credit rates in Illinois are now capped.  The Planning Commission voted to approve the permit request and will pass that recommendation along for city council consideration at the next council meeting.


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