The Commercial-News, Danville, IL

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July 2, 2009

Zoning commision revokes permit

BY JENNIFER BAILEY

DANVILLE — City officials are tired of two years of non-compliance with required parking and police repeatedly being called to fights and other incidents.

The Danville Area Planning and Zoning Commission took the city’s side Thursday night and recommended revoking a special-use permit issued to Marvin Davis on Jan. 17, 2006 for 400 Sager St.

The Danville City Council will act on the revocation recommendation July 21.

If the council revokes the permit, Davis can come back before city officials with another permit request to try to keep his athletic center going.

Davis admitted he and other chaperones have been unable to break up fights, and that there are different uses for the building than those originally stated.

The property is the old St. Joseph’s gymnasium and school across from the Vermilion County Health Department at Sager and College streets.

But Davis said he’s cut out the adult parties causing most of the problems and wants to focus on the wrestling and boxing programs for youth.

“It boils down to a continuation of problems…,” the city’s corporate counsel Dave Wesner said.

Davis has received liquor-related citations regarding the building, according to Wesner.

Wesner said it seems like police are called about every weekend lately, and Davis has had two years to work with the city to resolve the parking and other issues.

Wesner said communication with the city and taking an active building owner role is the key in making sure what goes on in the building is positive.

One adjacent lot only allows for about 20-some parking spaces. About 40-50 are needed for the banquet, wrestling and other events that take place there, according to Chris Milliken, Danville planning and zoning manager.

“Parking today is not adequate,” Milliken said.

Commission chairman Mark Goodwin said more quiet, unobtrusive uses are allowable in the neighborhood business zoning, in which the building is located.

Other locations may be more suitable for these endeavors, he said.

City officials sent a letter to Davis in 2007 warning him that his permit could be revoked if he didn’t develop more parking and control night-time events. But the issue never went before the commission for action.

The permit was originally intended for operation of an athletic center and multi-use facility. Uses identified were: boxing events, a banquet facility, beauty salon and accounting office.

Also Thursday, Milliken updated the commission on a West Downtown Neighborhood Plan that city officials will be working on for the next 9-10 months. A steering committee soon will be formed.

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