Belleville council approves short-term rental, outpatient residence and package of code amendments; denies used-car lot

Belleville — At its Feb. 2 meeting the City Council approved a series of zoning requests and ordinance amendments, bundled for consideration, and denied one land-use application the zoning board had recommended for denial.

Short-term rental: Council approved a special use permit for Alexander Whitmore to operate a short-term rental (Airbnb) at Voss Place (case noted January 26, Ward 2). The zoning board of appeals had recommended approval 6–0, and council voted to accept the recommendation.

Outpatient Living (large community residence): The council considered the Outpatient Living application for a large community residence at 220 South 17th Street. During discussion an alderperson moved to add a stipulation that occupancy be limited to the number approved by housing inspection; the amendment passed on roll call and the council then approved the amended special use permit.

Used-car dealership denied: The council denied Monsour Jesupor’s request for a special use permit to operate a used car dealership at 1200 Centerville Avenue (zoning board recommended denial 5–0). Council voted to deny the permit and indicated the ordinance related to the denial will return on a later agenda.

Ordinances and code changes: The council read and approved by title a set of ordinances (94-54 through 94-63) covering the zoning cases above and amendments to the city code, including changes related to animal care and control, burning/bonfire permits and a non-emergency medical-assistance fee for law enforcement consistent with state law. The ordinance package passed on roll call without further debate.

Votes at a glance:
- Alexander Whitmore (short-term rental, case 11C2): approved; zoning-board recommendation 6–0.
- Outpatient Living (large community residence, case 11C3): approved as amended (occupancy limited to housing-inspection-approved number).
- Monsour Jesupor (used-car dealership, case 11C65): denied; zoning board recommended denial 5–0.
- Ordinance package (94-54 through 94-63): approved (includes animal-control and burning permit amendments).

Why it matters: The actions affect land uses across multiple wards, clarify occupancy oversight for community residences and adjust city code language on animal control, burning and non-emergency medical assistance for police responses.

Source notes: Items and votes summarized from council roll calls and the clerk’s reading of cases and ordinance numbers.