425 E. State Street

Rockford, IL 61104

www.rockfordil.gov

Code and Regulation Committee

Meeting Minutes

Monday, March 23, 2026

5:30 PM

The following represents, in general, the chronological order of proceedings at the City

Council/Committee Meetings: Call to Order, Invocation, Pledge of Allegiance, Public Speaking

and City Council/Committee Agendas.

Meeting will be live streamed on Channel 17 and via this link:

https://rockfordil.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx.

CALL TO ORDER

Alderman Gabrielle Torina

Alderman Janessa Wilkins

Alderman Mark Bonne

Alderman Tamir Bell

Present

Alderman Aprel Prunty

II.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

609 Kilburn Avenue

26-00313

Zoning Board of Appeals recommends denial for a:

a. Special Use Permit for a Planned Use Development consisting of a ground mount

solar array within the existing parking lot; and

b. Variation to allow a chain-link fence within the front yard along Acorn Street;

and

c. Variation to increase the fence height from four (4) feet to six (6) feet within the

front yard along Acorn Street in an R-2, Two-Family Residential Zoning District

at 609 Kilburn Avenue (Greenlink Solar Solutions for the Boys and Girls Club

of Rockford/Applicants)

Ald. Bell made a motion to reverse the denial. Ald. Meeks wanted to know why the ZBA

denied the request. Scott Capovilla, Planning and Zoning Manager for the City of

Rockford explained that the request was denied based on Staff's recommendation. He

further explained that Staff does not recommend putting solar panels a parking lot. Also,

Staff did not like the idea of the chain link fence in the front yard, and it would be too

high.

Ald. Bonne noted that in the report provided, the Boys and Girls Club stated that they did

not need the parking that this proposed project would encompass.

Ald. Torina wanted to know if the neighbors were informed of this potential project. Mr.

Capovilla stated that all of the adjacent neighbors were notified of the Zoning Board of

Appeals hearing in February.

Ald. Wilkins noted that she will not support the project because she feels that the solar

panel set up would pose a safety hazard. However, if another plan were proposed that had

the solar panels in a better location, she would consider supporting the project.

Ald. Bell noted his support for this project.

Ald. Wilkins stated that she would like to see the Work Force Development Agreement

that may be tied to the project should it move forward.

Ald. Frost commented that he is also concerned about solar panels being located on the

parking lot.

Ald. Torina commented that at this time she is not in favor of this project, and she will

vote in favor of sustaining the denial.

Ald. Bell stated that there is a similar set-up in the Blackhawk area. Ald. Bell also noted

that the developer was present. Ald. Bell made a motion to have this item layover for

three (3) weeks. The motion was seconded by Ald. Wilkins. The motion carried by the

following vote:

Alderman Torina, Alderman Wilkins, Alderman Bell, and Alderman

Prunty

Aye:

Alderman Bonne

Nay:

1616 South Main Street

`2.

26-00314

Traffic Commission recommends approval to establish a No Parking restriction from 6

a.m.- 4 p.m. Monday through Friday on the north side of Graham Street from 70 feet east

of South Main Street to 160 feet east of South Main Street

A motion was made by Ald. Bell, and was seconded by Ald. Wilkins. Ald. Torina wanted

to know the reason for the request. Jeremy Carter, Traffic Engineer for the City of

Rockford explained that personnel for Miller Engineering believe that individuals are

parking on Graham and taking public transportation to the downtown area for work. The

cars that are being parked in this area creates difficulties to the trucks attempting to use

the loading dock.

Ald. Prunty asked why would people want to park there and take public transportation to

their jobs. Mr. Carter stated that it may be because people do not wish to pay for a

parking pass in the downtown lots. After further discussion, the motion carried by the

following vote:

Alderman Torina, Alderman Wilkins, Alderman Bonne, Alderman

Bell, and Alderman Prunty

Aye:

1616 South Main Street & Graham Street

26-00315

Traffic Commission recommends approval to establish a Commercial Loading Zone

restriction on the south side of Graham Street from South Main Street to 70 feet east of

South Main Street

A motion was made by Ald. Bell, and seconded by Ald. Bonne. There was no discussion.

The motion carried by the following vote:

Alderman Torina, Alderman Wilkins, Alderman Bonne, Alderman

Bell, and Alderman Prunty

Aye:

1st Street -Official Car Parking

26-00316

Traffic Commission recommends approval to establish an Official Car Parking Only

Restriction on the west side of 1st Street from 145 feet south of Walnut Street to 195 feet

south of Walnut Street

A motion was made by Ald. Bell, and seconded by Ald. Torina. There was no discussion

on this item. The motion carried by the following vote:

Alderman Torina, Alderman Wilkins, Alderman Bonne, Alderman

Bell, and Alderman Prunty

Aye:

No Action Item:

26-00317

Traffic Commission recommends that No Action be taken on the following item:

A request to establish all-way stop control at the intersection of Calvin Park Boulevard

and Greenwood Avenue, thus repealing the existing traffic control of Greenwood Avenue

stopping for Calvin Park Boulevard

A motion was made by Ald. Torina, and seconded by Ald. Bonne. Ald. Bell wanted to

know more about the request. Mr. Carter explained that the request was made by a

resident of Calvin Park. He further explained that the Traffic Commission made a

recommendation of No Action based on traffic volume, and the number of accidents at

the location, and according to the data, there were no speeding issues at said location.

The motion carried by the following vote:

Alderman Torina, Alderman Wilkins, Alderman Bonne, Alderman

Bell, and Alderman Prunty

Aye:

III. ADJOURNMENT

With no further business before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 7:04 p.m.

THE CITY OF ROCKFORD INTENDS TO COMPLY WITH THE INTENT AND

SPIRIT OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT. IF A SIGN LANGUAGE

INTERPRETER, PERSONAL P.A. SYSTEM, OR OTHER SPECIAL

ACCOMMODATIONS ARE NEEDED, PLEASE CALL THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT

AT (779) 348-7391 AT LEAST 48 HOURS IN ADVANCE, SO WE CAN BE PREPARED

TO ASSIST YOU.