July 29, 2025 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, July 22, 2025

Ginger Mohr, lived in town for 25 years. Bought the property. 
Been approached for numerous things. 
Best idea we had was a drive through coffee shop. 

We were just trying to give back to St. Joseph. We were trying to keep tax dollars in St. Joseph. 

I was very disappointed in the zoning board meeting. There were three members that showed up. There are two empty seats.  One abstained because he knew us. Two voted no and it was disheartening. We are trying to do something good. 

Donna Guzy- I am concerned with the traffic. I can’t get mail delivery because it’s considered a danger. 

Sam Furrer- I am just here out of interest. 

Kathy Lyons- no I am good too. 

Tara Swanson- 304 E. Warren- It would negatively impact our neighborhood. 

I have been there when the crossing guard has gotten brushed and had to dive out of the way. I can’t imagine how bad it will be if there’s commercial. Discussing how it would affect her home, her kids, ect. 

If living next to a drive though coffee place, golf cart storage facility, ect isn’t something you would want for your family I would appreciate you not doing it to mine. 

306 N. Third- the small town feel is more important than ever. 

  Please do not vote to rezone this land as commercial.

This parcel of land was intendened to be residential and should stay residential. 

Tiffany McElroy- My mom lives at 302 E. Warren Talking about Jack Flash lights effect her quality of life. I beg you not to subsudi 

We didn’t bring more money into town, as we found out with Jack Flash, we took from other businesses.

The residents in older parts of town don’t deserve to have their neighborhoods diminished.   Please help protect our residents and their quality of life. This is where they have chosen to put down their roots. 

Person talking now talking about how commercial in a residential almost always lowers property values and negatively impacts the home owners.

Amy McElroy- trying to act like we are to give back to St. Joseph by building a coffee shop is ridiculous. Discussing the needs for different types of housing. Traffic makes it an unsafe idea.


Also, thanks to MX Electric for sponsoring our live blogs.


Terri wants to talk about some of the conversations that the board has been having. Discussing strategic planning. “I truly believe in strategic planning,” she said.


Terri saying she is serious about expanding economic growth.

Rapp- discussing the bank approved on Rt. 150. Part of the discussion to change that was requiring the bank to have a specific plan and a plan if the bank ceased to exist what it could be. (ART IS right on the money with this. The bank had to provide numerous, numerous plans before the special use permit was approved.)

I think the main issue should be what Tiffany touched on- it probably won’t bring in additionally sales tax revenue. History has shown us that when a business comes to town, which is like a business we already have, they don’t create more sales tax revenue they split it.

Steven Peters- I hear everything and I understand where everyone is coming from. I am for the change either. Saying that the growth has to be strategic and appropriate.

They need 2/3 to go against the zoning board so they need 5 yes votes.
The mayor could vote to kick it over to 5 .

Matt Walsh doesn’t think it’s the best place for it.

Wolfersberger would love a drive through coffee but doesn’t think its his place to overturn zoning, even though it was only 2 no votes.

Andrea is talking about the safety concern and the traffic concern with morning traffic from Jack Flash.

Terri defending the zoning board. Saying that it isn’t their fault that there were only 2 members who could vote.

Jim- appreciates people for coming. I get both sides. I believe in the authority of people to do what they want with their own property but you have to live in a community. Concerned that only two zoning board members voting.

They are voting to table it until August 12.

The bank had a special use permit. That’s why they had all those requirements. If it is zoned commercial they can basically just do whatever they want.


Sam Furrer talking about the process since he is on the zoning board.

They voted to table it but now some board members are saying they want to vote tonight.

Joe coming in clutch and saying they are talking about a special use permit. #heknowshisstuff. #forreal.

Terri made a motion to reopen the discussion. Everyone but Rapp voted to reopen.

Steven and Wolfersberger made a motion to deny rezoning. They are voting to reaffirm the position of the zoning board. They all voted to do that. 6-0. The rezoning is denied. The Mohrs can go back to zoning if they decide to do that.

Page is nominating Gary Garrison and Javier Zenilpena to the zoning page.

Susan Monte is here from CCES. Shes discussing hazardous household waste.

Going back to the zoning. What art was talking about was a special use permit. It allows a village greater control over something that is built on land that isn’t zone for the use. Its used for things like a school in a commercial district, a daycare in a residential district, ect. It would be a stretch to use a special use permit for something that is so clearly commercial. But here’s my article about when they did it for the bank.

https://www.stjosephrecord.com/2022/03/01/philo-exchange-bank-holds-meeting-to-address-concerns/

Back to Susan, she’s asking for $20,000 to build a hazardous waste collection facility. There’s a hazardous waste collection event Aug. 9 btw. https://www.ccenvstew.org/household-hazardous-waste/

Zoning will meet Aug. 21 IDK on what yet but I will find the agenda.

They are discussing online training they have to do for the state.

Adjourned.


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