Beardstown council fails to adopt zoning changes on accessory uses in 5–3 vote; committee to meet May 28

The Beardstown City Council considered amendments to the city zoning ordinance intended to better define accessory uses and structures at its May 21 meeting but did not adopt the changes. A motion to adopt the ordinance (moved by Alderperson Ron Culves and seconded by Chris Baer) failed on a 5–3 roll call vote. Yeas were Chris Baer, Ron Culves and Dawn Seward; Noes were Lisa Buhlig, Mary Davis, Eric Harbin and Keith Schramm. Alderperson Shawn Taylor was absent.

Council members also debated a motion to table the proposal (moved by Dawn Seward and seconded by Chris Baer); the minutes record that the motion to table failed for lack of a majority of those holding office voting in favor. Following the votes, Culves scheduled a committee meeting for Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. to continue discussing the proposed zoning changes.

The council made no other formal action on the zoning text at the meeting. The minutes do not record substantive language of the proposed amendments beyond the stated aim to “better define accessory uses and structures,” and no public comments were recorded during the meeting. The committee meeting will provide an opportunity for council members to review specific language and any recommended edits before the ordinance returns to the full council.