Plan Commission Meeting
Regular MeetingUrbana, IL · September 9, 2021
Minutes
September 9, 2021
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
URBANA PLAN COMMISSION APPROVED
DATE: September 9, 2021
TIME: 7:00 P.M.
PLACE: Zoom Webinar
MEMBERS ATTENDING Jane Billman, Andrew Fell, Lew Hopkins, Debarah McFarland,
VIA ZOOM: Karen Simms, Jonah Weisskopf, Chenxi Yu
MEMBER ATTENDING
AT CITY BUILDING: Dustin Allred
STAFF PRESENT: UPTV Camera Operator; Lorrie Pearson, Director of Community
Development Services; Kat Trotter, Planner I
OTHERS ATTENDING: Chaundra Bishop, Grace Wilken
1. CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL AND DECLARATION OF QUORUM
Chair Allred called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Roll call was taken, and there was a quorum
of the members present.
2. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
There were none.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of the August 5, 2021 regular Plan Commission meeting were presented for approval.
Mr. Fell moved that the Plan Commission approve the minutes as written. Ms. Billman seconded the
motion. Roll call on the motion was as follows:
Ms. Yu - Yes Mr. Weisskopf - Yes
Ms. McFarland - Yes Mr. Hopkins - Yes
Mr. Fell - Yes Ms. Billman - Yes
Mr. Allred - Yes
The minutes were approved by unanimous vote.
4. COMMUNICATIONS
There were none.
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September 9, 2021
5. CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARINGS
There were none.
6. OLD BUSINESS
There was none.
7. NEW PUBLIC HEARINGS
Plan Case No. 2425-T-21 – A request by the Urbana Zoning Administrator to amend the
Urbana Zoning Ordinance with changes to Article II (Definitions), Article V (Use
Regulations), and Article VI (Development Regulations), and other relevant sections, to
facilitate solar energy system installation.
Chair Allred announced that this case was continued to the September 23, 2021 regular meeting of
the Plan Commission.
Plan Case No. 2426-T-21 – A request by the Urbana Zoning Administrator to amend the
Urbana Zoning Ordinance with changes to Article XI (Administration, Enforcement,
Amendments and Fees) and other relevant section, to change how the Zoning
Administrator is appointed.
Chair Allred opened the public hearing for this case.
Kat Trotter, Planner I, stated that the newest member of the Plan Commission, Karen Simms,
joined the meeting. All members of the Plan Commission are in attendance.
Ms. Trotter presented the staff report to the Plan Commission. She began by stating the purpose of
the proposed text amendment, which is to have the Zoning Administrator be a designee by the
Community Development Services Director as opposed to being appointed by the Mayor and City
Council. The Zoning Administrator’s role is regulatory and administrative in nature because this
person interprets the Zoning Ordinance. The role does not change based on policy direction from
the Mayor or City Council, so the proposed change would be more efficient.
Chair Allred asked if any members of the Plan Commission had questions for City staff.
Mr. Hopkins asked who the appointed Zoning Administrator is currently. Ms. Trotter replied that
Lorrie Pearson, Director of Community Development Services, is the official Zoning Administrator.
Kevin Garcia, Principal Planner, is the Acting Zoning Administrator.
Mr. Hopkins asked if the Director of Community Development Services could appoint her or
himself as the Zoning Administrator. Ms. Trotter said yes. Ms. Pearson added that it does make
sense sometimes to have the Director of Community Development Services also be the Zoning
Administrator, especially when there is a small staff. However, it is important to have the
opportunity to separate the two roles in some circumstances so that there is not any implication of
political pressure to provide regulatory enforcement on something. Having maximum flexibility
allows the City to respond to a variety of situations.
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September 9, 2021
With there being no further questions for staff, Chair Allred opened the hearing for public input.
He reviewed the rules for a public hearing.
Ms. Pearson provided instruction for City Council members in attendance prior to making a
statement at the Plan Commission on this case. Since this is a case that will be heard by the City
Council, if a City Council members states an opinion on the matter at hand, then they will be
advised to recuse themselves from the vote in City Council.
Grace Wilken raised her hand to speak. She asked about the process for a case when it goes to Plan
Commission and to City Council. She thanked the Plan Commission members for their dedication
and time that they serve. Ms. Trotter explained the procedure. The Plan Commission will review
and make a recommendation on the case to City Council. This case will be forwarded to the City
Council meeting on Monday, September 13th. Ms. Pearson added that cases like this one require a
public hearing, which is held at the Plan Commission level. City staff sends out notices to the
neighbors and place legal ads in the newspaper.
There was no further public input. Chair Allred closed the public input portion of the hearing. He
then opened the hearing for Plan Commission discussion and/or motion(s).
Ms. Billman asked why this amendment was being proposed. Ms. Pearson explained that there are
three reasons, which are as follows:
1. Ms. Pearson is resigning from the City, and a new Zoning Administrator needs to be
designated to do important things like issue building permits and Certificates of Occupancy;
2. This text amendment is part of a larger discussion amongst City Council about the list of
people who are appointed versus those who should not be appointed; and
3. She felt it is a good idea to separate the two roles. Having the same person serve both roles
opens the City up to have political influence or a perception of it in areas where a situation is
black and white. For example, zoning interpretation is administrative and if a building meets
code, then the permit should be approved. Separating the two roles eliminates any political
influence that could occur when approving a building permit.
Mr. Hopkins moved that the Plan Commission forward Case No. 2426-T-21 to the Urbana City
Council with a recommendation for approval. Mr. Fell seconded the motion. Roll call on the
motion was as follows:
Ms. Billman - Yes Mr. Fell - Yes
Mr. Hopkins - Yes Ms. McFarland - Yes
Ms. Simms - Yes Mr. Weisskopf - Yes
Ms. Yu - Yes Mr. Allred - Yes
The motion passed by unanimous vote.
Ms. Trotter noted that Plan Case No. 2426-T-21 would be forwarded to the City Council on
Monday, September 13, 2021.
8. NEW BUSINESS
There was none.
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September 9, 2021
9. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
There was none.
Ms. Billman said she was sorry to see Ms. Pearson leaving the City, but happy she will be working
for Champaign County. Ms. Pearson said it is bittersweet. While she will miss working for the City
of Urbana, she could not pass up the opportunity to work for the Forest Preserve. She felt it is her
calling.
10. STAFF REPORT
There was none.
11. STUDY SESSION
There was none.
12. CLOSED SESSION
To Consider Security Procedures, Pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(8)
Chair Allred announced that this item on the agenda was continued to the next in-person meeting of
the Plan Commission.
13. ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING
The meeting was adjourned at 7:22 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kevin Garcia, Secretary
Urbana Plan Commission
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Agenda
URBANA PLAN COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
DATE: Thursday, September 9, 2021
TIME: 7 :00 P.M.
PLACE: Due to COVID-19, this meeting will be held via Zoom Webinar.
AGENDA
1. Call to Order, Roll Call & Declaration of Quorum
2. Changes to the Agenda
3. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting
Minutes from the August 5, 2021 Plan Commission Regular Meeting
4. Communications
5. Continued Public Hearings
6. Old Business
7. New Public Hearings
Plan Case No. 2425-T-21 – A request by the Urbana Zoning Administrator to amend the
Urbana Zoning Ordinance with changes to Article II (Definitions), Article V (Use
Regulations), and Article VI (Development Regulations), and other relevant sections, to
facilitate solar energy system installation. {Case continued to September 23, 2021 regular
meeting of the Plan Commission.}
Plan Case No. 2426-T-21 – A request by the Urbana Zoning Administrator to amend the
Urbana Zoning Ordinance with changes to Article XI (Administration, Enforcement,
Amendments and Fees), and other relevant sections, to change how the Zoning
Administrator is appointed.
8. New Business
9. Audience Participation
10. Staff Report
11. Study Session
12. Closed Session
To Consider Security Procedures, Pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(8) {Item continued to next
in-person meeting of the Plan Commission.}
13. Adjournment
NOTE: Please note that the details of a request or application related to an agenda item may change
during the public review process.
September 9, 2021
INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO JOIN THE MEETING and HOW TO PROVIDE INPUT
Plan Commission Meeting on Thursday, September 9, 2021
Anyone can watch the meeting on streaming services or UPTV. You can attend virtually via
Zoom webinar if you wish to provide public input during the meeting. If you attend the
meeting via Zoom webinar, please turn off any sound from other sources such as UPTV, as
there will be a lag in the audio. The meeting will be recorded by the City as part of the record.
The recorded video will be available on the City's website by noon on the following Friday.
Providing Public Input by Email:
Staff asks that you submit your written public comments by email by 5:00 pm (Central Time) on
Wednesday, September 8, 2021 to Planning@urbanaillinois.us so that it can be included as
communications and become part of the official record of the meeting. Due to the high volume
of emails, please put PUBLIC INPUT and the meeting date in the subject line.
Providing Public Input from a computer browser or the Zoom app on a mobile device:
You will be able to use a phone to call in:
• Call 1-312-626-6799.
• You will be asked to enter the Webinar ID number, which is 840 3970 9086 followed by
the # key.
• All callers are muted by default. If you wish to speak, please "raise your hand" by
pressing *9 once (this toggles the raise/lower hand option. When called on by the chair
or host by your phone number, you will be unmuted and you should state your name for
the record per city code*. When you finish speaking, the host will "lower your hand"
and mute you - there is no need to press any more buttons.
You will be able to use a computer to address the Plan Commission:
• Join the Zoom meeting here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84039709086
• Make sure you have a microphone on your computer if you wish to speak. Please
identify yourself with first and last name in Zoom for the record. FCC Guidelines will be
followed.
• Public participants will be muted during public input. If you wish to speak, please "raise
your hand" using the option at the bottom of the screen.
• When called on by the chair or host, you will be unmuted and you should state your first
and last name for the record per city code."
• Video will remain off for all members of the public, even while they are speaking.
Persons with disabilities needing special services or accommodations for this meeting should contact the City of
Urbana's Americans with Disabilities Coordinator at 384-2466.
September 9, 2021
PUBLIC INPUT
The City of Urbana welcomes Public Input during open meetings of the City Council, the City
Council’s Committee of the Whole, City Boards and Commissions and other City-sponsored
meetings. Our goal is to foster respect for the meeting process, and respect for all people
participating as members of the public body, city staff, and general public. The City is required
to conduct all business during public meetings. The presiding officer is responsible for
conducting those meetings in an orderly and efficient manner.
Public Input will be taken in the following ways:
Zoom Webinar Participant
Click on the link listed in the agenda to join the Webinar. You must provide your name and
email address in order to join the Webinar. If you wish to speak during Public Input, “raise your
hand” and wait to be called on by the meeting host. You must state your first and last name for
the meeting record. Participants will be muted except when they are called on to speak; video
will remain off for all members of the public when speaking.
Telephone Participant
Call the phone number listed on the Agenda. Enter the Webinar ID followed by the # key. All
callers are muted by default. If you wish to speak, “raise your hand” by pressing *9 once. When
you are called on by the host or presiding officer, you will be un-muted. You must state your
first name and last name for the meeting record.
Email Input
Public comments must be received prior to the closing of the meeting record (at the time of
adjournment unless otherwise noted) at the following: Planning@urbanaillinois.us. The subject
line of the email must include the words “PUBLIC INPUT” and the meeting date. Emailed public
comments labeled as such will be incorporated into the public meeting record, with personal
identifying information redacted. Copies of emails will be posted after the meeting minutes
have been approved.
Written Input
Any member of the public may submit their comments addressed to the members of the public
body in writing. If a person wishes their written comments to be included in the record of Public
Input for the meeting, the writing should so state. Written comments must be received prior to
the closing of the meeting record (at the time of adjournment unless otherwise noted).
Verbal Input
Protocol for Public Input is one of respect for the process of addressing the business of the City.
Persons with disabilities needing special services or accommodations for this meeting should contact the City of
Urbana's Americans with Disabilities Coordinator at 384-2466.
September 9, 2021
Obscene or profane language, or other conduct that threatens to impede the orderly progress
of the business conducted at the meeting is unacceptable.
Public comment shall be limited to no more than four (4) minutes per person. The Public Input
portion of the meeting shall total no more than one (1) hour, unless otherwise shortened or
extended by majority vote of the public body members present. The presiding officer or the city
clerk or their designee, shall monitor each speaker's use of time and shall notify the speaker
when the allotted time has expired. A person may participate and provide Public Input once
during a meeting and may not cede time to another person, or split their time if Public Input is
held at two (2) or more different times during a meeting. The presiding officer may give priority
to those persons who indicate they wish to speak on an agenda item upon which a vote will be
taken.
The presiding officer or public body members shall not enter into a dialogue with citizens.
Questions from the public body members shall be for clarification purposes only. Public Input
shall not be used as a time for problem solving or reacting to comments made but, rather, for
hearing citizens for informational purposes only.
In order to maintain the efficient and orderly conduct and progress of the public meeting, the
presiding officer of the meeting shall have the authority to raise a point of order and provide a
verbal warning to a speaker who engages in the conduct or behavior proscribed under “Verbal
Input”. Any member of the public body participating in the meeting may also raise a point of
order with the presiding officer and request that they provide a verbal warning to a speaker. If
the speaker refuses to cease such conduct or behavior after being warned by the presiding
officer, the presiding officer shall have the authority to mute the speaker’s microphone and/or
video presence at the meeting. The presiding officer will inform the speaker that they may
send the remainder of their remarks via e-mail to the public body for inclusion in the meeting
record.
Accommodation
If an accommodation is needed to participate in a City meeting, please contact the Planning
Division staff at least 48 hours in advance so that special arrangements can be made using one
of the following methods:
• Phone: 217.384.2440
• Email: Planning@urbanaillinois.us
Persons with disabilities needing special services or accommodations for this meeting should contact the City of
Urbana's Americans with Disabilities Coordinator at 384-2466.
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