BY MIKE CETERA
Aurora's Zoning Board of Appeals rarely attracts any attention -- from the media or from the public. But tonight, the obscure panel of seven people will be front and center in the debate over the Planned Parenthood Clinic on the city's far East Side.
Opponents of the facility, where abortions are performed, contend Planned Parenthood -- under the name Gemini Office Development -- did not receive proper approvals from the city. They have asked the zoning board to rule that a special-use permit is required, which would rescind PP's occupancy permit and force the issue back before the City Council.
The last time anyone paid any attention to the zoning board was in early 2006 when Our Saviour Lutheran Church went before the board over a dispute regarding its expansion plans for its near West Side building. Prior to that meeting, you'd have to go back to 1991 to find an issue that generated much controversy. Sixteen years ago, the zoning board said Holy Angels Church must amend its special-use permit in order to open a food pantry near its school. A court later ruled in favor of the church, allowing the food pantry to remain open.
So, who makes up the zoning board?
* Chairman Margaret Truax, the owner of project management firm Truax Associates, has served on the West Aurora School Board, the city's Planning Commission and as president of Aurora Area Crime Stoppers. She has made past campaign contributions to both Tom Weisner and Bob O'Connor.
* Bill Bergeron has served as president of Friends of Phillips Park and on the city's Planning Commission.
* Kenneth Cameron, an area home builder, has served as president of the Greater Aurora Chamber of Commerce Board and on the Aurora Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Planning Commission.
* Linda Cole, a nurse, has served on the Fox Valley Park District Board, the Planning Commission, the Fox Valley
Park Foundation and the Fox Valley Special Recreation Association. She supported Tom Weisner in his election bid.
* Matthew Jones has served on the Planning Commission.
* Kenneth Karrels has served on the Planning Commission and a parent committee at Waubonsie Valley High School.
* Don Pilmer, a senior vice president at Old Second Bank, has served on the Planning Commission. He is the brother of the city's parks director, Jim Pilmer.
Any decision the zoning board makes -- short of legal action taken against the city -- appears to be final. Nearly two decades ago, then-Corporation Counsel Ron Moses said city ordinances do not allow review of decisions made by the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Hopefully this panel will realize that there are many, many disgusted residents who are extremely unhappy with planned parenthoods deceit.
And hopefully this panel will be honest and fair in their decision.
We'll be back showing our support for the appellants on December 12th.