Latest news with #UnifiedDevelopmentOrdinance
Chicago Tribune
2 days ago
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Who should endorse nightclubs becomes topic during Waukegan City Council meeting
A number of Waukegan's 69 taverns or restaurants with bars offer their customers entertainment in one form or another but none of the establishments are nightclubs as defined by the city's Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) approved in a 6-3 vote of the City Council last July. Ald. Lynn Florian, 8th Ward, expressed concern at Monday's City Council meeting that Encore Events was about to receive a nightclub endorsement from Mayor Sam Cunningham. The ordinance gives him the sole right to approve an endorsement. Florian said Encore was denied a nightclub endorsement by the council last year. She and a majority of the colleagues did not think it was appropriate then and she has not changed her mind. 'My (8th Ward) residents overwhelmingly did not want a nightclub there due to the history of the previous nightclub. There was a murder in the parking lot. The fact that it's nestled in a neighborhood and we had approved an assisted living facility on the same property,' Florian said at the meeting. Cunningham has no intention of giving Encore or any other applicant a nightclub endorsement on its liquor license in Waukegan any time soon until he takes an in-depth look at how the UDO treats nightclubs. 'I'm going to hold off on any nightclub endorsements until we have a better understanding of who can and can't have them,' Cunningham said Tuesday. 'We have a new ordinance out there. We need to know the background of people asking for a nightclub endorsement.' Both under the former regulations before the UDO was enacted and the current rules, any business serving liquor — nightclub or not — needed a liquor license. Cunningham said the difference is a nightclub imposes a cover charge on all patrons while a tavern offering entertainment does not. By the time an individual operating a restaurant or bar receives a liquor license, Cunningham said, the person is thoroughly vetted before the City Council votes to approve or reject the application. The police department, as well as those responsible for reviewing business and liquor licenses, must approve. Before the UDO became law just under a year ago, Cunningham said someone who wanted a nightclub endorsement had to get a conditional use permit. The permit requires additional steps that are no longer necessary. In addition to getting a liquor license to serve alcoholic beverages, before the UDO, an applicant for a nightclub endorsement was required to make its case to the Waukegan Planning and Zoning Commission for a recommendation before the council took a vote. Florian said she thinks the City Council should have a say in whether a nightclub endorsement is granted to a business rather than leaving it to the mayor. She thinks a liquor commission, rather than the mayor — state law makes a mayor the liquor commissioner — should make the decisions. 'I believe this is something that should be the decision of the council,' Florian said. ' The alderman of the ward should have a say.' With the council already approving a liquor license for an individual seeking a nightclub endorsement, Cunningham said he is comfortable taking the information gleaned from the police, the fire department, business licensing, and the liquor staff and deciding whether or not to issue the endorsement.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
June 9-13: Ottawa to interview admin candidates, Zeeland to host hearing on Mead Johnson
In 2025, The Sentinel is providing a weekly round-up of the biggest topics in upcoming municipal meetings, giving our readers a chance to engage with their local officials on the projects, appointments and decisions that hit closest to home. These round-ups are written on Fridays, and will not include an agenda if one hasn't been posted by 1 p.m. Municipalities are not required by the Michigan Open Meetings Act to provide an agenda in advance of a meeting, but they are required to provide notice. Please visit your local municipality website for the most updated information. Here are the biggest topics for meetings Monday-Friday, June 9-13: Planning and Policy Committee: 9 a.m. Tuesday, June 10, at the Ottawa County Fillmore Street Complex An agenda was not immediately available Finance and Administration: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 10, at the Ottawa County Fillmore Street Complex An agenda was not immediately available Board of Commissioners Special Meeting: 9 a.m. Thursday, June 12, at the Ottawa County Fillmore Street Complex A meeting to interview candidates for Ottawa County Administrator Board of Commissioners: 9 a.m. Tuesday, June 12, at the Allegan County Services Building An agenda was not immediately available Holland Board of Public Works: 4 p.m. Monday, June 9, at the Holland Board of Public Works Service Center The agenda includes: Consideration of a motion to approve a Resolution of Appreciation for Mutual Aid provided to HBPW by the Zeeland Board of Public Works, Hillsdale Board of Public Works, Niles Utilities Department, and Lowell Light and Power Consideration of a motion to approve a contract value increase with CTC Technology and Energy for $118,000 for Change Order #1, plus an additional contingency of $135,000, for a new total contract value of $764,951. Consideration of a motion to approve an increase in the EX2 Engineering and Construction Contract contingency of $300,000, for a new approved contract price of $17,864,961.20. Consideration of a motion to approve a contract with Utility Contracting Co. for Fiscal Year 2026. Read the agenda: Planning Commission: 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 10, at Holland City Hall The agenda includes: Review of Unified Development Ordinance Section 39-2.16 Industrial Zone District and Section 39-3.13 Building Envelope Overview Table Consideration of a rezoning request and site plan review from Resthaven for 740 College Ave. and 49 E. 32nd St. and 11 E. 32nd St. The plan includes constructing a building addition, a parking lot, a driveway entrance and to combine all three properties into a single PUD. Consideration of a special land use request and site plan review for 1033 Lincoln Ave. The plan includes a Speedway fuel station, a seven-slot auto canopy and a full access driveway. Read the agenda: City Council Study Session: 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 11, at Holland City Hall The agenda includes: An update on Windmill Island Gardens from General Manager Matt Helmus Read the agenda: Board of Public Works Board of Commissioners: 3:30 p.m. Monday, June 10, at the Water Warehouse Meeting Room An agenda was not immediately available Cemetery and Parks Commission: 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 11, at Zeeland City Hall An agenda was not immediately available Planning Commission: 6 p.m. Thursday, June 11, at Howard Miller Community Center An agenda was not immediately available An expected public hearing for a rezoning request at 605 and 633 E. Main Ave. — submitted by applicant Mead Johnson as part of a draft expansion plan City Council: 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 9, at Saugatuck City Hall The agenda includes: Consideration of a motion to change the city's fee schedule Consideration of a motion to enter closed session to conduct an annual personnel evaluation of the city manager Read the agenda: Planning Commission : 6 p.m. Thursday, June 12, at Douglas City Hall An agenda was not immediately available Planning Commission: 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 10, at Fennville City Hall An agenda was not immediately available Board of Trustees: 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 11, at the Port Sheldon Township Offices The agenda includes: Consideration of a motion to approve a resolution for firefighter Olivia Ohlman Consideration of a motion to assume and assign a contract for Pierce Pumper/Tanker Consideration of a motion to approve the MERS Surplus Division Consideration of a motion regarding extra storm clean-up compensation Read the agenda: Board of Trustees: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 12, at Park Township Offices An agenda was not immediately available Planning Commission: 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 10, at Zeeland Township Hall The agenda includes: Consideration of a site plan review from T Bosgraaf Homes for a 9-unit condominium development at 7400, 4394 and 7386 Byron Road Read the agenda: Township Board: 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 11, at Laketown Township Hall The agenda includes: Hearing a report from the Laketown Parks and Recreation Commission Updates regarding the municipality's manager search A discussion regarding options for Wolters House A discussion on short-term rentals Read the agenda: Township Board: 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 10, at Ganges Township Hall A public hearing regarding the proposed budget and property tax millage rate Township Board: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 10, at Overisel Township Hall An agenda was not immediately available Board of Trustees: 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 11, at Saugatuck Township Hall An agenda was not immediately available — Cassidey Kavathas is the politics and court reporter at The Holland Sentinel. Contact her at ckavathas@ Follow her on Twitter @cassideykava. This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: June 9-13: Big meetings coming in Ottawa County, Zeeland, Holland
Chicago Tribune
14-05-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Union Township residents show up in force to protest data centers proposed for rural community
The Porter County Expo Center was a mass exercise in solidarity Tuesday evening as over 1,000 Union Township residents crammed into the main ballroom to vehemently oppose two data centers proposed for Wheeler. The sea of orange T-shirts that read 'Wheeler Country Not Corporate' covered nearly every body in the 530 chairs, while hundreds more stood on three sides around them. That visual message was audibly reinforced at a deafening level as the crowd cheered their neighbors who spoke against the proposal and booed a NIPSCO official and other business leaders who spoke in favor of it. The town hall was organized by the Porter County Plan Commission as an extra step not required by state statute to allow petitioner QTS to hear the questions, concerns, and feedback from residents as it finesses its application for a planned unit development that would allow for changes to the county's Unified Development Ordinance through a vote of the Board of Commissioners. While the Plan Commission will run the majority of the application process it is strictly an advisory body, meaning it will take a vote to make a non-binding favorable or unfavorable recommendation to the Board of Commissioners which has the final say. 'I know a lot of people are impatient and they want it to stop now,' said Porter County's Director of Development & Storm Water Management Mike Jabo, 'but there's a process.' The proposed projects are being called Jeremiah A and Jeremiah B. Jeremiah A is proposed for a 351.85-acre parcel at the northeast corner of County Road W 450 N and County Road N 750 W owned by John Loxas of Hammond. Jeremiah B is proposed for 434.46 acres owned by Johnson Sunnybrook Farm, LLC and Ceres Cedar Creek Farm, LLC, of Hobart, at the southeast corner of W 450 N and N 650 W due north of Union Township Middle and High schools. QTS, a Kansas City-based data center owner, operator, and developer, was given 45 minutes to make a presentation. The formal petition came from AXPK, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, on behalf of the property owners who would transfer ownership upon adoption of the ordinances. Attorneys for AXPK filed papers with the county naming QTS as an affiliate. Nick Blessing, of the land policy and development department for QTS, started off with a lot of talk about core values. 'Integrity, character, and trust are foundational to every relationship,' he said while two women who live in Union Township and serve the children in the cafeteria at Union Center Elementary chuckled over his remarks in the middle of the audience. Upon his mention of QTS taking a team of boys from one of its data center towns to the Little League World Series someone in the audience muttered, 'He's gaslighting.' To talk of the installation of a 50-foot American flag on a 'Freedom Wall' another said, 'Oh big deal!' And to his claims that the company's data centers provide 'very skilled labor jobs' and 'highly skilled technology jobs,' someone shouted, 'That's a lie.' Blessing said 125 to 175 full-time permanent jobs were anticipated at the sites upon completion. He also said the county could expect $10 million in tax revenues upon full buildout. He then passed the presentation to his colleague Chris Kapper of the predevelopment team who addressed a series of particular concerns, including building height, setbacks, and site lines. Building height in the proposed light industrial zone would be 75 feet, plus additional height for mechanical equipment. 'We understand that is what is causing some angst,' Blessing said. A 32-foot landscaping berm with a 5-foot elevation change from the road level is proposed. 'We envision you will be able to shield the view of the development at maturation in about 10 years,' he added. He explained that setback plans have been expanded to 2,000 feet from the nearest school building, 1,000 feet from the nearest ball field, 100 feet from agriculture, 200 feet from residential development, and 500 feet from school property. The audience was unimpressed. After a few brief remarks from Blessing regarding noise and EMFs the meeting was turned over to public comment. What had been planned for two hours eventually stretched 45 minutes over schedule as moderator and Plan Commission President Rick Burns failed to maintain control of the event. While the audience was originally told each speaker would be given a maximum of two minutes to speak, some were haphazardly given up to five because they were deemed to have special status, such as a physician, or the crowd demanded they be allowed to continue. Rex Richards, president of the Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce, spoke first. 'I'm here to compliment the county on going through this type of process,' he said. 'If you need to hire experts to help please consider doing that.' NIPSCO's Rick Calinski, director of public affairs and economic development, got big boos when he introduced himself next. He said NIPSCO's Generation Company is pursuing the separation of the cost of infrastructure for large projects like data centers from that of regular customers. Several county officials were in attendance, including the entire Board of Commissioners, Treasurer Jimmy Albarran, and County Council members Red Stone, R-1st; Michelle Harris, R-At-Large; Mike Brickner, R-At-Large; and Andy Vasquez, R-4th. Vasquez was the only one to speak. 'If it comes to me for a vote for an abatement, my answer is no,' he said. Speakers made a variety of points including statements that the project would not be a data center, but a hyper-scaled data center the size of many WalMarts and that Blackstone, which is considered by many to have contributed to the 2008 housing crisis, bought QTS in 2021. Porter Township School Corporation Superintendant Stacey Schmidt joked that despite Union Township Bearcats being their arch-rivals, her community did not support a data center being thrust upon them. 'Parents send our most precious asset (to school),' she said. 'School safety is lacking in your presentation.' Union Township resident Chris Navetta summed up the ethos of the crowd. 'I've moved here for this and I've never been more proud of Wheeler. These are your constituents.'
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Weddington mayor breaks tie to deny 62-home development near eagle habitat
WEDDINGTON, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A 167-acre housing development was denied after the mayor broke the Weddington Town Council's tie Monday night. Luxury home builder Toll Brothers proposed building 62 homes on the site on both sides of Weddington Road west of Baron Road. The Weddington Crossing development would have had 1-acre lots after amendments to increase their size. Council members Jeff Perryman and Brannon Howie voted to approve the conditional rezoning, while Tom Smith and Darcey Ladner voted against it. Mayor Jim Bell's vote was required, and sided with Smith and Ladner. Trader Joe's expected to be part of planned Matthews mixed-use development The development was originally presented the board in November 2023. There have been three significant lot-count revisions: from 93 to 82 to 70, and finally down to 62. The latest change lies outside the 660-foot buffer around an eagle habitat. The original application was for a conservation subdivision with significant areas for tree-save. The lot sizes are beyond what is required by the town's Unified Development Ordinance. Since the lots were proposed to be 40,000 square feet or larger, town leaders determined they were in compliance with the Land Use Plan. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Chicago Tribune
21-03-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Porter County postpones meeting on data center proposal to get more information
Porter County officials will not address a proposed data center possibly in Wheeler at the March 26 Plan Commission meeting, citing the need to do their homework on the proposal and not rob a previously scheduled item of its due. 'We never published the agenda with them on it,' said Mike Jabo, Porter County's director of planning and stormwater management. He said the petitioner, which has already filed with the county, requested placement on the March 26 agenda. However, a subdivision seeking approval is expected to draw a large crowd that evening. 'I think the people who were already scheduled to be at the meeting would not get their due,' Jabo said, adding that the county might need a larger venue when the data center is discussed. 'The commissioners chamber would probably not be suitable to hold that meeting.' A date to address the proposed data center has not been chosen. The Post-Tribune, through an Access to Public Records Act request, is awaiting an opportunity to review the data center application. Under the county's Unified Development Ordinance, a petitioner has to go before the Plan Commission if it does not meet the zoning requirements for a project. Residents in Chesterton, Burns Harbor and, most recently, Valparaiso, have fought back against data centers proposed for land adjacent to residential areas over concerns about noise, bright lights, and their requirements for water and other resources. A rezoning request would have a first hearing where the public may comment. Property owners within 500 feet from any property line of the parcel in question would receive a formal letter informing them of the hearing, while other forms of advertisement are also employed. 'What we have is a very publicly-involved process,' Jabo said. The plan commission forwards a recommendation either favorable or unfavorable to the Porter County Board of Commissioners who would then have two readings, the first at a public hearing, while the second does not require a public hearing. 'They weren't happy that that meeting was canceled,' Board of Commissioners President Jim Biggs, R-North, said of the petitioner, 'but we need time to do some of our own homework. We're talking about a generational decision here.' Biggs said several companies have expressed interest in developing data centers in Porter County, but he, Porter County Council President Andy Vasquez, R-2nd, and County Attorney Scott McClure have met with representatives from one of them. 'They're from out west somewhere,' he said. 'There was no talk of what they'd pay in taxes. There was no talk of where they'd be located,' he added. 'The rumor is it would be out there in the Wheeler area and it very well may be, but they had not disclosed that.' Should a data center be approved for Porter County, Biggs said it would be a 'game-changer' and the largest economic development project the county has taken on since the development of Bethlehem Steel. He said while the county is absolutely committed to responding to public sentiment – 'We've already done that with solar, telling them to go away.' – every option needs to be fairly considered to meet the state's growing demands that counties become more fiscally independent. 'We're already having the discussion on raising the income tax, which is going to be less popular than data centers,' Biggs said. Jabo and Biggs have talked about chartering a bus to visit a data center to witness noise levels and see how they're kept. Biggs promises, particularly to the communities that would potentially be affected, that the county would not approve anything detrimental. 'I hope we have proven ourselves with solar,' he said. 'Please allow us just to do our job. Let us process this.'
