MARSHALL, Ill. (WTWO/WAWV) – Dozens of community members filled Harlan Hall in Marshall to voice their concerns about a potential ordinance in the city.
Marshall City Council hosted a public hearing on Monday to give community members the opportunity to weigh in on a proposed plan to extend its zoning rules to land up to a half mile outside city limits.
The feedback from Marshall residents in attendance was heavily in opposition to the plan. The contentious meeting saw dozens of people voice displeasure regarding the topic. Many said that they simply do not want this.
Among the voices was 40-year Marshall resident Brenda Edington. She said that she was forced to have property annexed into the city a few years ago.
“They were saying that they cannot force you to annex you into the city unless people surrounding you were in the city,” Edington explained. “People that were surrounding me were not in the city and they made us annex into the city.”
Marshall Mayor John Hasten stated that this is not annexation but simply an attempt to rezone land. He stated that he does not want to annex people into the city.
“This is not annexation,” Hasten said. “This particular zoning does not make it easier to annex.”
Hasten said that the reasoning for proposing this is to keep nuisances away from Marshall. He references an adult book store that tried to settle in Marshall, but costly efforts were made to stop it. He said that those costly efforts cost the city around $1 million.
However, this example took place over two decades ago. This led to a question that was raised by many people. Why now?
Hasten said that the adult book store is just merely an example. He mentioned theoretical nuisances such as a batting cage in a residential area or other noise related examples could happen. He remained firm this plan is being made in the best interest of citizens.
“To make sure our borders are protected in such a way that we’re not going to invite groups and organizations that come in that will be a detriment,” Hasten said.
Hasten confirmed that a second public hearing will be scheduled and there’s no timetable as to when council will take a vote on this matter.
