6-11-2021 2:35pm

South Beloit zoning hearing will move to the firehouse to consider pre-annexation request for Hidden Creek Estates

Michael McGinnis Editor

South Beloit Fire Station. Photo: Google Streetview

With a zoning hearing next week, the City of South Beloit is considering Hidden Creek Estates' requests for special use permits and pre-annexation into the City of South Beloit. The meeting venue at 13276 White School Road says they hope to begin hosting weddings in July. They initially sought annexation from the Village of Roscoe, but withdrew that request last month, unable to reach an agreement with the Village about guest capacity limits. They have told the City of South Beloit they are willing to limit events to no more than 250 guests.

Aaron Szeto, City Attorney for South Beloit, told Roscoe News that the City of South Beloit Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA)/Planning Commission will consider the pre-annexation request at approximately 6:45 p.m. at their public meeting on Wednesday, June 16, but at the South Beloit Fire Station, not at City Hall. After first dealing with other applications at City Hall, the ZBA hearing will recess and reconvene at the fire station around the corner at 429 Gardner Street, where the fire trucks will be pulled out of the bays to make room for more attendees. Besides the petition for pre-annexation, the ZBA will consider the venue's application for a map amendment and a special use permit for a "planned unit development." Each attendee will be given a limited time to speak on topics not already covered by a previous speaker. Jim Hursh of the law firm of DeRango & Cain, LLC, will be speaking on behalf of several neighbors opposed to the development.

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Assuming the pre-annexation request is approved, Szeto says noise control will "definitely" be addressed in the venue's special use permits. In a statement, Hidden Creek Estates has promised to "comply with South Beloit noise ordinances." According to South Beloit Code of Ordinances Sec. 34-29 and 31, sound trucks, public address systems, and musical instruments are not allowed outdoors "between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., within 600 feet of any building used for residential or hospital purposes." The ordinance also prohibits the rental of a facility for any use that "shall, by its boisterous nature, disturb or destroy the peace of the neighborhood in which such building or premises is situated, or be dangerous or detrimental to health." Fines could range from $100 to $750.

Szeto told Roscoe News that he is waiting to speak with Carlos Molina, County Engineer for Winnebago County, to confirm whether the venue still needs an access permit from the County. Molina's office says Molina is out of the office, but should be back by Tuesday. Since the venue is on a county road, Szeto told us the City of South Beloit will abide by the County's requirements, saying, "If that's their rule, that's their rule." Molina has previously said an access permit will be required by the County but that Hidden Creek Estates hadn't applied for one yet. Kerry Frank, co-owner of Hidden Creek Estates, told us this week, "We are working with South Beloit on their requirements for the venue."

Our previous article, Hidden Creek Estates pursues annexation to South Beloit, gives more details about South Beloit's process and requirements.