IL Shore Holdings LLC’s request to rezone nearly two acres from residential to business was not supported Tuesday by the Richland Township Board of Zoning Appeals.
John Bodin, an attorney for IL Shore Holdings LLC, addresses the Richland Township Board of Zoning Appeals during Tuesday’s hearing and meeting, during which the BZA issued a recommendation to reject a rezoning proposal for a site in the Indian Lake Shore area. (EXAMINER PHOTO | JOEL E. MAST)
BZA members voted 5-0 to not recommend the new zoning at the end of a 90-minute public hearing and meeting at the Memorial Building in Belle Center.
For the most part, the meeting went smoothly with nearly 280 residents of the Indian Lake Shores and Long Island areas amassed to show their opposition to the zoning.
Repeatedly, opponents encouraged and asked the BZA to represent the residents and oppose the rezoning rather than support the commercial interests of IL Shore Holdings.
Logan-Union-Champaign Regional Planning Commission Executive Director Brad Bodenmiller started off the meeting noting the LUC’s opposition to the request.
He said the LUC doesn’t believe a business district is compatible in an R-2 (medium density residential) district.
John Bodin, an attorney representing IL Shore Holdings and its owners Suzanne and Derek Gillespie, argued that it was, and that the owners had entered into a legally enforceable memorandum of understanding binding them and future owners from further development of the land.
He said the proposed 46 docks with public parking would fill a need for more dock space at Indian Lake.
Steve Schierholt, who is the trustee of an Indian Shore property, said the request is not in line with orderly development and contrary to good zoning.
Read complete story in Wednesday’s Examiner.
CLICK HERE to subscribe today!
WEB EDITION STARTING AT $9.50 FOR 5 WEEKS!