DeKalb Times

The city council of DeKalb discussed several ordinances regarding installing antennas at Taylor Street Plaza, rezoning Sixth and Oak streets for a grocery store and taqueria and rezoning Fourth and Oak streets for an art studio.

“So it's a good thing for both parties,” City Manager Bill Nicklas said during the meeting. “A good thing, I think for the neighborhood. We haven't had any complaints from persons who were receiving notices for the planning and zoning discussion. So it comes to you with the Planning and Zoning Commission's unanimous support, 6 to 0, our staff recommendation and I believe the neighborhood.”

Alderman Barb Larson and Alderman Greg Perkins were absent from the Sept. 12 meeting.

There was a reading of a new ordinance that involved DISH wireless’ recommendation to put three new antennas on the top of the building at 507 Taylor Street, which is a 16-story high rise. Any antennas put on top of a building in the city require a special permit so that there are more levels of involvement in the passing. There haven’t been any complaints about other antennas put on the building and it comes with the recommendation of the committee, so the council accepted it.

The council also looked at various resolutions, such as one about paying no more than $558,845 to repair a bridge. The council hopes to find a professional engineering service to reconstruct the bridge over the Kishwaukee River near First street and Lucinda Avenue by 2023.

Another ordinance that the council was excited about was the rezoning of a building and parking lot from Light Industrial rating to Light Commercial. This was done for a family who had experience in the food industry and plan to use the vacant building as a combination grocery and restaurant. The offices that are currently in the building would be able to remain in the building.

The council will meet again at 6 p.m. on Monday at the DeKalb Public Library at 309 Oak Street.

The council also considered the rezoning of a parcel of land containing the First United Methodist Church building and the associated parking lot. The rezoning would allow a local artist and welder to expand his operations, which include creating artwork and furniture. The rezoning came with the recommendation of the committee and the city manager, who has made several visits to the artist at his current shop.