EDWARDSVILLE – Several appointments, zoning measures and an advisory question on voter identification were approved at a Madison County Board meeting in Edwardsville, where board members also honored three high school state champions.
The board recognized Triad’s Sophia Schardan for winning the 100-meter dash at the IHSA State Finals, Edwardsville’s Sophie Shapiro for winning the 300-meter hurdles at the state finals, and CM’s Max Weber for winning the 3,200.
The board also approved three reappointments. Brendan McKee was reappointed to the Madison County Emergency Telephone System Board for a four-year term expiring June 30, 2030. Bruce Mattea was reappointed as Madison County government ethics adviser for a two-year term expiring June 1, 2028. Robert Bassett was reappointed to the Marine Sanitary District for a three-year term expiring May 2029.
Nancy Werden was appointed to fill a vacancy in the Office of the Regional Superintendent of Schools. She took over for her husband, who retired. Werden has 33 years of teaching and administration experience and previously was superintendent of the East Alton School District.
The board approved six zoning resolutions:
— Resolution Z26-0050, a special use permit to continue placement of a mobile home on a site for a period not to exceed five years in an agricultural district at 8602 Fruit Road, Edwardsville, in Pin Oak Township.
— Resolution Z26-0056, a special use permit to construct a single-family dwelling in a heavy manufacturing district at 2513 North St., Granite City, in Venice Township.
— Resolution Z26-0057, a variance to construct an accessory structure 40 feet from the front, or east, property line instead of the required 50 feet in an agricultural district at 6611 W. Liberty Prairie Lane in Fort Russell Township.
— Resolution Z26-0061, a special use permit to continue placement of a mobile home on a site for occupancy of Tara Johnson for a period not to exceed five years in a single-family residential district at 76 Circle Drive, Cottage Hills, in Wood River.
— Resolution Z26-0065, a zoning map amendment to rezone about 2.60 acres from a highway business district to a mobile home park district at 4534 State Route 162, Granite City, in Nameoki Township.
— Resolution Z26-0062, a special use permit requested by Arena Navigator 1 Solar LLC on behalf of Fosterburg 255 LLC to develop a commercial solar energy facility in an agricultural district along Fosterburg Road and Harris Lane, Alton, in Foster Township.
The meeting also included a debate over a resolution to submit an advisory public question to Madison County voters regarding voter identification requirements.
According to the discussion, the non-bidding resolution was intended to determine whether Madison County residents support voter identification.
Board members Michael Holliday and Bill Stoutenborough said they opposed the resolution and questioned why it was necessary because Madison County had no issues with voter fraud. Stoutenborough also said it would be tough on women and minorities to get identification.
Board members Chrissy Wiley and Paul Nicolussi said they supported the resolution and explained their reasons during the discussion.
The resolution passed by a 17-2 vote.
