Marine moves forward with rezoning West Division; decides on new parking lots, annexations

By Bruce Darnell • During its March 18 meeting, the Marine Village Board finalized their plans to rezone a section of West Division Street to include businesses, schools and churches. They also spoke on some plans for new parking at N. Duncan Street, police training and annexations.

The zone along West Division Street from Stop-N-Go to Grandview Senior Residences will change from Single-Family Residences (SR-1) to High-Density Residences (HR-1). 

Those affected by the rezoning will be sent a letter from the village, however, the village said there shouldn’t be any differences to homeowners as all this change will do is legally zone any businesses and schools along the street.

Next, the board discussed new parking on N. Duncan Street, particularly outside Phyl’s Tavern. Instead of parallel parking, the board plans to widen the block outside Phyl’s Tavern to make space for pull-in parking spots. The board said this will give parking space for future development, although it will require some work clearing out the space.

The board then discussed hiring a new part-time police officer, Joe Berry, who has previously worked in Marine. The motion was passed unanimously. 

They also discussed sending a possible new hire named Zachary Orr to the Police Academy at Southwestern Illinois College, which would cost the village $2,100 for enrollment, though the money would later be reimbursed upon graduation. The board said they would bring Orr in for an interview before making a decision.

Lastly, the Nurture School filed to annex a parcel of land near the site of the planned Dollar General. Carmen Loemker, the school’s director, said they’re hoping to expand their operations by constructing a new building on the land. She said it will take approximately a year for the move to occur.

The next village board meeting is scheduled for April 1, at 6 p.m.