Loading...
Economic Development Minutes 2012 10-02-12 APPROVED 11/5/12 UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Tuesday, October 2, 2012, 7:00pm City Conference Room In Attendance: Committee Members Chairman Marty Munns Alderman Chris Funkhouser Alderman Jackie Milschewski Absent: Alderman Diane Teeling Other City Officials City Administrator Bart Olson Community Development Director Krysti Barksdale-Noble Code Official Pete Ratos Other Guests Tony Scott, Kendall County Record Jim Ratos, Parkway Development Lynn Dubajic, YEDC Jason Pesola, Pesola Media Group Dan Kramer, Attorney Dave Kellogg, KR&G Excavating The meeting was called to order by Chairman Marty Munns at 7:00pm. Citizen Comments: None Minutes for Correction/Approval: September 4, 2012 The minutes were approved as read. New Business 1. EDC-49 Business District for Imperial Investments Downtown Properties According to City Administrator Olson, the draft ordinance would be the first step to authorize a downtown business district that has been requested by the owner of Imperial Investments. The ordinance would allow for a .5% business district tax. The owner requested that certain improvements be made by the City before he would commit to major expenditures. Eligible costs are similar to a TIF district, but more expansive said Bart Olson. New construction is eligible in a business district and the City would improve sidewalks, lights, utilities and public parking lots. This item will move to the October 9th City Council regular agenda for a vote. If passed, a Public Hearing will be held. 1 2. EDC 2012-50 RFP for Sale of Downtown West-Alley Parking Lot Mr. Olson said Imperial Investmentsmet with the City and stated that they were in need of parking downtown. An RFP would allow bids, but does not commit the City to sell this property. If purchased by Imperial, they would be responsible for maintenance and the property would be placed on the City tax rolls. th This items moves to the October 9 Council meeting regular agenda. 3. EDC 2012-51 Resolution Designating Staff as Real Estate Representative for Sale of Old Post Office This ordinance would authorize City staff to negotiate with any interested purchasers and any proposed sale price would be brought before the Council for approval. Since the RFP process has already been done, the City is somewhat less restricted regarding purchase price and will allow for negotiations with interested buyers, according to Mr. Olson. He would serve as the point person with assistance from other staff members. Alderman Milschewski asked if the City might want to postpone any sale action pending the outcome of the rec center. Mr. Olson said it would be a good idea to at least try and market the property. No further action at this time. 4. EDC 2012-52 Countryside Concept PUD Plan Review This PUD will also be presented at a Plan Commission meeting on October 17 and at the rd October 23 City Council meeting. Developer Jim Ratos is proposing to build a theatre on the old Countryside property. Alderman Milschewski asked if the drawings presented reflected the actual appearance. Alderman Munns commented that it would look similar th to the theatre at Rt. 59 and 95 Street. Ms. Dubajic is also seeking restaurants for nearby property. Attorney Orr is working on agreements and this item moves to Plan Commission on October 17. 5. EDC 2012-53 Electronic Signs – Proposed Sign Ordinance Amendment Ms. Barksdale-Noble said the staff has been approached numerous times regarding electronic billboard signs. Due to several requests it was decided to revisit the ordinance. She said there are 3 types of electronic signs: animated, intermittent and static. The current ordinance allows message boards, but limits them to a message change once every 24 hours. Businesses and technology are changing and requesting these types of signs. Staff is looking for direction from EDC and new ordinance language would be drafted. Ms. Dubajic noted that all surrounding towns and the County allow the electronic signs. She said they are very expensive. Several committee members commented about regulating the brightness of the signs and keeping the profile low. Alderman Funkhouser noted that he is not in favor of full animation since it is a distraction. 2 It was noted the proposed movie theatre would need an electronic sign. Alderman Munns asked what kind of sign WOW Theatre uses. It is an LED static sign that is programmed from a computer. Ms. Barksdale-Noble asked the committee if larger signs than the currently allowed 32 square feet should be permitted. Screen size and text size limitations were also discussed. Alderman Funkhouser commented that sign size should be scaled to the use. Peter Ratos said that in some communities the sign size is based on the square footage of the business. Ms. Barksdale-Noble suggested that in a multi-tenant situation, only one animated sign be allowed at the top of the multi-use sign and the remainder of the signs be text. Ms. Barksdale-Noble will draft a revised ordinance and this will be moved to City Council. 6. EDC 2012-54 Building Mounted Signs – Proposed Sign Ordinance Amendment Dairy Queen has requested 4 signs—one on each side of their building in order to achieve maximum exposure. The current sign ordinance allows 3 signs if there are 2 public entrances. Staff was concerned about the number of signs, however, since the signs are wall-mounted, EDC is being asked to consider. A combination of signs such as ground, building mounted etc. was suggested. Alderman Milschewski asked if the business would back up to residential, however, it backs up to a strip mall. The committee agreed that lighting should be taken into consideration near a residential area. Ms. Dubajic gave an example of the Subway at the south end of Yorkville who is not able to place a sign on the south end of his building due to the current ordinance. A change in the ordinance would allow it. Ms. Barksdale-Noble suggested 2 larger signs and 2 others that would be half the size, in regards to this specific request. Language will be drafted and moved to the City Council. OLD BUSINESS 1. EDC 2012-33 Sixth Amended Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement with the Aurora Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (AACVB) Alderman Funkhouser asked to table this item until November. Expected action at a recent AACVB Board meeting did not occur and the by-laws have not yet been changed. Additional Business There was no further business and the meeting adjourned at 7:32pm. Minutes respectfully submitted by Marlys Young 3