Library Access Drive Fails to Get Planning Commission's Recommendation

The access drive for will be approved, it's just that officials aren't sure how or when it will happen.

With only four members present, the Planning and Zoning Commission voted 3-1 Monday in favor of the roadway, with Councilman William Marquardt maintaining the opposition he voiced at a recent council meeting.

Since four votes are needed to recommend approval to council, Assistant Law Director Diane Calta wasn't sure about the next step. She said the matter could be presented to the Planning Commission again when more of the seven members are present, or council might be able to vote to override the commission's inaction on the matter.

Calta attempted to resolve the issue at the meeting by convincing Marquardt to change his vote, but that didn't happen.

"This is not adding any dollars to it. This is an access drive," she argued.

But Marquardt, who opposed spending more village money on the drive, didn't budge. The road is expected to cost about $175,000, which is $100,000 more than originally presented, and Marquardt said the library should pay the difference.

"I don't believe that the village should pay for this roadway. I think it's part of the library's responsibility," he said Monday. "I'm not in favor of making more contributions to the library."