Thursday, July 26, 2012

Bel Rock explores options after rezoning request is denied | Belvidere Daily Republican

Written by Bob Balgemann

One of the options is moving out of the county, co-owner Kelly Farina said Friday. “Winnebago County invited us with open arms,” he said, adding that the company’s perception is Boone County is not business friendly.

Moving would mean the loss of 15 jobs and a home-grown company, he said.

He was unhappy with board Chairman Bob Walberg, who abstained because of doing business with the family.

But Farina said, “We met with Mr. Walberg four times and he was positive about it (rezoning). He came up to us five minutes before the (board) meeting and said he was going to abstain. That was pretty weak on his part; he had committed to that vote.”

Concern about what future owners would do with the land came from Hunt. And she didn’t feel the proposed use was appropriate for this land.

Newhouse continued to suggest the company apply for a special use permit; Hunt said she would support that kind of a request.

Interim Planning Director Kathy Miller said staff recommended against the rezoning because it did not comply with the comprehensive plan. The zoning board of appeals recommended in favor of it while the planning, zoning and building committee, consisting of five county board members, recommended against it.

Click on the following for more details:  Bel Rock explores options after rezoning request is denied | Belvidere Daily Republican

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