Galesburg City Council tonight will make their decision on rezoning a piece of property on West Carl Sandburg Drive to make way for a thrift store.
The lot in question sits between Lowe’s and residential properties.
Currently it’s zoned for office, with the original intent for it to serve as a transitional area between commercial and residential.
But administration has recommended going back on that logic.
The Planning and Zoning Commission approved the rezoning but the Development Review Committee voted to not approve.
Alderman will also vote on authorizing the demolition of a commercial property at 426 S. Chambers St.
Administration says the property is “dangerous and unsafe” and the owner has been given notifications since April with charges through the City’s Administrative Adjudication system.
The cost is estimated as somewhere between $30,000 and $35,000.
Aldermen also will have on first reading an amendment to the city’s ordinance on cannabis possession.
City staff recommends setting the penalty for possession of less than 10 grams of marijuana at $100, down from $300.
Gov. Bruce Rauner effectively decriminalized possessing less than 10 grams of cannabis in Illinois in July 2016.
That made possessing small amounts a civil offense, punishable by a fine of $100 to $200.
Prior to the state law being enacted, city code made possession of less than 2.5 grams punishable by $300, and while council have already amended the allowed amount they hadn’t change the associated fee.
Council will also vote on granting $10,000 in the form of a Water Infrastructure Grant to replace a water line to a downtown building.
The water line runs to 325-329 East Main Street, which is undergoing renovations.
The property long was home to New China and will eventually reopen as The Whiskey Barrel.
