Proposed zoning amendment on accessory structures fails in split Beardstown council vote

The Beardstown City Council considered a proposed amendment to the city’s Zoning Ordinance that would better define accessory uses and structures but did not adopt the change on May 21.

A motion to table the ordinance appears in the transcript (moved by Alderperson Mary Davis, seconded by Alderperson Eric Harbin) and is recorded as 'tabled.' Separately, Alderperson Ron Culves moved to adopt the amendment and Alderperson Chris Baer seconded; that adoption motion failed by a 5-3 vote. The transcript records the yeas as Baer, Culves and Seward and the nays as Buhlig, Davis, Harbin, Schramm and Mayor Tim Harris. Alderperson Shawn Taylor was absent.

The transcript also includes a procedural note that 'Motion to table failed due to lack of the majority holding office voting yea' and then lists votes (Alderpersons Buhlig, Davis, Harbin and Schramm voting yea; Baer, Culves and Seward voting no), indicating inconsistent procedural entries in the minutes. Because the minutes contain both a 'tabled' label and an entry stating the motion to table failed, the final procedural history in the transcript is ambiguous; however, the adoption motion is recorded as failing 5-3.

Following the vote the council discussed a path forward and Alderperson Ron Culves scheduled a committee meeting for Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at 6:00 pm to further consider the proposed zoning changes.

The transcript does not supply the full text of the proposed ordinance or an ordinance number, so details about specific code language changes are not recorded in the minutes.