A zoning classification aimed at jump starting an artisan industry downtown has the Planning and Zoning Commission’s recommendation.
An artisan industry involves a business that creates and sells goods or products from the same location, Director of Community Development Marc Mylott said at the commission meeting Monday.
Under a proposed zoning amendment, there would be two artisan industry categories based on the production process and the size of the operation, Mylott said. A Class 1 category would be for businesses using less than 5,000 square feet, he said. Examples of those businesses are artists who create fine art, sculptures, jewelers and candy shops, he said.
A Class 2 category would be for businesses 5,000 square feet or larger that use an intense production, Mylott said. Artisan using extreme temperatures, hazardous dust, or flammable materials would fall into this category, which would be a conditional use. A few examples are glass blowing, stone cutting, or firing pottery, he said.
Mylott’s department worked with the Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin’s Economic Development Committee to develop the amendment, one of four brought before the Planning and Zoning commission Monday night.
The other amendments would increase the number of permitted zoning uses downtown and reduce the minimum floor area requirement for downtown apartments with one or more bedrooms, Mylott said.
“I feel this is really just a huge collaborative effort between a citizen organization and the city,” said Brian Pinon, DNA vice president and chairman of its economic development committee.
DNA has more suggestions for zoning changes and wants to work with the city further, Pinon said. “These four were the most bang for the buck. The first to get the ball rolling. … The whole goal is to make our downtown more competitive for businesses around the area.”
DNA worked with a company, Recast City, to help implement economic development objectives listed in its strategic plan. Recast City also helped DNA Executive Director Jennifer Fukala with recruiting artisans, Pinon said.
He explained that Fukala is looking for local artisans who are creating products in their home or garage and are selling online or wholesale.
“We’re trying to court them,” Pinon said. “We’re not looking outside of Elgin. We are looking here, in our community for artisans. This is what is most exciting.”
The Planning and Zoning Commission’s recommendation goes on to the City Council for final consideration.
Gloria Casas is a freelancer.