Cases 2023-01, 2023-02 and 2023-03 are all related to Project Yukon.  In order to meet the needs of this 1.24 million square-foot cold storage distribution center, 55 acres located southwest of S. Appleton Road and the R/R tracks needed to be rezoned from general industrial to heavy industrial in order to mirror the surrounding property's zoning. The remaining lots in Crosslink Business Park plus the 55 acres were preliminary platted to show 2 detention lots, one large lot for Project Yukon and a smaller building lot west of Crosslink Parkway. Also, due to traffic safety concerns and logistical needs- Crosslink Parkway and Morreim Drive’s intersection will be reconfigured. The project will be developed as a planned development. Although the majority of the property has been zoned industrial since at least 1973 and distribution centers and semi-truck parking are permitted uses, the applicant requested deviations from the zoning ordinance. Deviations include the height of the building, due to enclosing the roof-top mechanical and space needs, portions of the building will be up to 125 feet. Parking lot design and signage will also be catered towards truck traffic versus passenger vehicle traffic. PZC recommended approval for all 3 cases and forwarded them to city council for consideration.

Case 2023-04 is for a daycare center that will be occupying the vacant medical building (2170 Pearl Street) between Belvidere Family Pet and Symphony Northwoods nursing home . The applicant intends to accept children between the ages of 6 weeks and 6 years and there will be a fenced in outside play area. The applicant requested a special use to allow a daycare center within the planned office district. PZC recommended approval and forwarded to city council for consideration.

Case 2023-05 is for a variance for the General Mills distribution center being constructed at 1210 Irene Road. Due to the realignment of Irene Road, in order to avoid access points on the curve, all traffic is being directed through a singular access drive. Due to the amount of semi-truck and passenger vehicle traffic, this drive aisle will function more as a road than a driveway so it is being constructed wider than the code permits in order to accommodate 6 lanes of traffic and turning movements. PZC approved (variances are not forwarded to city council).

Cases 2023-06 and 2023-07 are for a cannabis dispensary at 1874 Crystal Parkway. Once an end user was located, it was determined that Lot 3 was too small so 4 lots within the 7 lot Belvidere Retail Subdivision are being replatted in order to increase the size of Lot 3. The request of a planned development for Lot 3 is to permit the retail sales of cannabis products (no on-site consumption) as well as certain parking, lighting and signage deviations. In order to avoid numerous curb cuts, a frontage road type access drive is being created to cater to Lots 3-7 of the subdivision. Due to this, the drive will be wider than a typical parking lot driveway. Signage will also be larger so that those exiting the tollway will be able to see it and a large freestanding sign will advertise numerous businesses within the subdivision, not just the dispensary. In order to accommodate expected traffic levels, the parking lot has almost 4 times the required parking spaces. PZC recommended approval of both and forwarded to city council for consideration.

Pictured above: Belvidere High School wished School Resource Officer Golden Happy Law Enforcement Day!!!