Vote on heated issue postponed
Andrew Thomason
Issue date: 3/7/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
In front of about 40 or 50 citizens on Monday night, the Macomb City Council decided to table the re-zoning of two lots on North McArthur Street that have been the source of heated debate in its past two meetings.
By tabling a motion, the council postponed a deciding vote until a later date still to be determined. The motion must be put on the agenda for a later council meeting to be taken off the table. If, on the other hand, the motion would have been voted down, it could not come before the council again for one calendar year.
While City Attorney Liz Wilhelm said the city planning commission did not find the proposed zoning in violation of any past precedents, several council members said there needs to be more discussion about the issue.
"I do not think we can move forward without creating (a dialogue) between developers and the neighbors," said Alderman-at-large Chris Senn. "We need to have some insurance that the developer has a plan."
Following this remark, Wilhelm said that when making re-zoning decisions, aldermen should "not consider a plan but rather how (re-zoning) will affect the neighborhood."
Other concerns raised included the conditions of the roadways surrounding the properties.
"If we move forward, we need to look at servicing the alley … it is a wreck," said Fourth Ward alderman John Maguire.
Apprehensions about the recent primary election, which drew a meager 14.25 percent of registered voters to the polls, were also debated.
"We need to consider reviewing holding the elections in February," said Second Ward alderman Tim Lobdell.
Lobdell said he believes holding the elections in April, alongside the McDonough County elections, would benefit both entities by eliminating wasted money and time. Lobdell was not alone in this sentiment.
"I'm in favor of moving elections to April," said Macomb Mayor Mick Wisslead.
Currently, since Second Ward write-in candidate Ed Lavin did not receive the same number of votes as he did petition signatures, there is no alderman for the ward when the new council takes power on May 7.
Wisslead said that a move to April elections would help to stop problems such as this one.
Citywide spring clean-up dates were also discussed. The dates are tentatively scheduled for May 14 to 18 and 21 for the Western Illinois University area.
By tabling a motion, the council postponed a deciding vote until a later date still to be determined. The motion must be put on the agenda for a later council meeting to be taken off the table. If, on the other hand, the motion would have been voted down, it could not come before the council again for one calendar year.
While City Attorney Liz Wilhelm said the city planning commission did not find the proposed zoning in violation of any past precedents, several council members said there needs to be more discussion about the issue.
"I do not think we can move forward without creating (a dialogue) between developers and the neighbors," said Alderman-at-large Chris Senn. "We need to have some insurance that the developer has a plan."
Following this remark, Wilhelm said that when making re-zoning decisions, aldermen should "not consider a plan but rather how (re-zoning) will affect the neighborhood."
Other concerns raised included the conditions of the roadways surrounding the properties.
"If we move forward, we need to look at servicing the alley … it is a wreck," said Fourth Ward alderman John Maguire.
Apprehensions about the recent primary election, which drew a meager 14.25 percent of registered voters to the polls, were also debated.
"We need to consider reviewing holding the elections in February," said Second Ward alderman Tim Lobdell.
Lobdell said he believes holding the elections in April, alongside the McDonough County elections, would benefit both entities by eliminating wasted money and time. Lobdell was not alone in this sentiment.
"I'm in favor of moving elections to April," said Macomb Mayor Mick Wisslead.
Currently, since Second Ward write-in candidate Ed Lavin did not receive the same number of votes as he did petition signatures, there is no alderman for the ward when the new council takes power on May 7.
Wisslead said that a move to April elections would help to stop problems such as this one.
Citywide spring clean-up dates were also discussed. The dates are tentatively scheduled for May 14 to 18 and 21 for the Western Illinois University area.
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