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Planning and Zoning Commission Supports Hotel Development
Residents don't like it, but the Galesburg Planning and Zoning Commission says it likes a proposed hotel, retail, and housing development planned for the area across Seminary Street from the Seminary Square Shopping Center.

The Commission voted four-to-nothing last night to back the re-zoning needed for the project planned near the Midwest Bank of Western Illinois location in that area. Commission member Judy Guenseth recused herself, citing her role as Knox County's tourism director.

Residents still don't approve of many aspects of the project, despite developer Todd Raufeisen meeting and talking with many of them last week, and despite him walking through their homes to get an idea of distance.

But it was that openness that Commission chair John Spittell likes.

"I think that there has been a very serious attempt to consider virtually all points of view, it's certainly a highly charged issue. This certainly is a neighborhood issue here. There certainly is a community issue, there's development issues. There are a number of things. There's also a highly flexible developer here and there is actually dialogue going on back and forth between the stake holders which is constructive and very health and that is I think in every bodies best interest."

Raufeisen has agreed to chance the location and dimensions of a retention pond that is required for the project, and several roads won't be constructed that would have provided for more hotel access.

The approval of the zoning, which now goes to the full City Council, requires a preliminary plat to be submitted, and a letter of credit or performance bond to be presented before.

09 19 12 by Newsroom
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