Group approves change for lot 

DANVILLE – Danville Area Planning and Zoning Commission members approved a rezoning petition Thursday filed by Kevin Gombert.

Gombert had requested a vacant lot at 12 Corrine St. be rezoned from R2 single family residential to B3 general business. Gombert acquired the lot through the county tax auction and wants to use it in conjunction with his business, Kevin’s Auto Sales, at 540 E. Main St.

In his remarks to the commission, Gombert said he will be installing fencing on the property as well as paving the lot. He plans to use the lot to park U-Haul trailers he will be renting as well as additional cars from his used car lot, which is located across the alley from the vacant lot.

According to Gombert, he has spoken to all of the surrounding neighbors of the vacant lot and none have expressed any concern with his plans.

Gombert said he already has the auto sales lot covered with video surveillance cameras and plans to install additional cameras to cover the new lot.

Commission members approved Gombert’s request along with stated stipulations. The petition will go to the full city council for final approval.

Commission members also approved the final plat for the Meijer Danville subdivision.

The plat includes the 191,000 square-foot megastore as well as a gas station/convenience store and an out lot for future development. The plat also includes right-of-way access for future improvements to Vermilion Street.

The final approval of the plat will go to the full city council at its Jan. 15 meeting.

Commissioners also heard from Chris Milliken, Danville planning and zoning manager, about changes to the animated/electronic sign regulations.

Two changes that will be made to the regulations are the requirement for auto-dimming on all electronic signs. This feature “tones” down the brilliance of the lights at night.

The other change will be to allow animated/electronic signs for both public and private use in the B4 central business zone, which is primarily the downtown business district.

The initial proposal would have allowed only public uses of animated/electronic signs, such as the city and library. The change would allow businesses to also have such signs.

The signs still must meet the city’s other requirements such as height and size.

Milliken also informed the commission on a possible ordinance to regulate wind energy systems. Currently, such wind energy systems are forbidden in the city.

Milliken said there are many decisions that would have to be made in putting together such an ordinance. Some of things commissioners would need to decide are what areas the wind energy systems would be allowed. Milliken suggested that they only be allowed in industrial-zoned areas of the city.

There also would have to be decisions on setbacks, height limitations, number of units allowed on a lot, as well as requirements for removal of abandoned systems, color, fencing, noise and lighting of such wind towers.

Milliken said so far the city has had four inquiries about installing wind energy systems. Those have all been businesses seeking information. The proposed ordinance would still not allow the wind turbines in residential areas.

What’s next

Danville City Council members will meet at 6 p.m. Jan. 15 in the Robert E. Jones Municipal Building, 17 W. Main St.