Zoning petitions prompt discussion about Dixon mayor’s objections

DIXON — Rezoning petitions that came before the City Council on Monday prompted a discussion before the council passed the items over the mayor’s standard objection.

The rezoning petitions will be heard Nov. 4 by the Lee County zoning and planning committee.

The resolutions were an opportunity for Mayor Liandro Arellano Jr. to explain why he objects to most such petitions, irrespective of the individuals and the circumstances.

“I almost always vote to object, typically, on behalf of the city residents who bear the costs of maintaining this community,” Arellano said.

He was the lone vote objecting to two petitions and was joined by Mary Oros on the other only after the discussion seemed to suggest that in that particular case, annexation by the city seemed as viable a remedy as rezoning in the county.

Arellano restated his reason for objecting to the petitions as a procedural matter.

The council’s majority position appeared to be that vote should be made on the merits of each petition.

“You’re taking a broad approach to all these votes,” council member Mike Venier said.

Arellano acknowledged that. He said he only makes an exception when a petitioner provides ample notice so that the city staff has time to review and make recommendations.

But usually, “the petitioners have very little reason to be concerned with the city,” he said.

Council member Dennis Considine suggested that if receiving short notice on county petitions is the main sticking point, then “a better thing is for the two agencies to come up with a plan, to have a better working relationship with the county.”

Arellano pursued that point; suggesting it should be an initiative led by the city and county staff members, so as to remove politics from the process.

“We need time to vet it, deal with it meaningfully,” Arellano said.

As for the petitions themselves, they were as follows:

The first petition, from Patrick and Joanie Mulligan, was to relocate their business, Palmyra Pines Auto Service, from 225 N. Lincoln Ave. to 907 state Route 2. It passed 4-1.

The second petition came from Steven C. and Tracy Kitzman, who want their property at 1201 N. Brinton Ave. to be rezoned from residential to agriculture so they can keep their goats, sheep, ducks and other farm animals.

“I love the Kitzmans; they have a fondness for animals,” Oros said.

Dee Duffy, administrator for Lee County’s planning and zoning, said if the county did not grant the zoning change, the animals would have to be removed in two weeks.

Arellano pointed out that should the property, which is contiguous to the city, be annexed, the Kitzmans’ would be allowed to raise small farm animals by city ordinance.

It passed 3-2.

The third petition was from Matthew P. Lindstrom, who recently bought 1886 Wildcat Road, where he wants to raise goats.

His request for an agriculture designation passed 4-1.