Economic Development Minutes 2014 08-05-14Page 1 of 5
APPROVED 9/2/14
UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Tuesday, August 5, 2014, 6:00pm
Yorkville City Hall, Conference Room
800 Game Farm Road
In Attendance:
Committee Members
Chairman Ken Koch Alderman Joel Frieders
Alderman Carlo Colosimo Alderman Diane Teeling
Other City Officials
City Administrator Bart Olson
Community Development Director Krysti Barksdale-Noble
Alderman Chris Funkhouser
City Planner Chris Heinen
Code Official Pete Ratos
Other Guests:
Attorney Dan Kramer Tony Scott, Kendall County Record
Attorney Kelly Kramer Helland Jim Ratos, Developer
Jason Pesola, Developer
Janet Star, Petland pet stores, Batavia, Hoffman Estates
Nick Kalogeresis, The Lakota Group, 212 W. Kinzie St., 3rd fl, Chicago, Il 60654
Linda Goodman, Goodman Williams Group, 325 W. Huron St., Chicago, Il 60654
Jim Considine, T.Y. Lin International, 200 S. Wacker Dr., Suite 1400, Chicago, Il 60606
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Ken Koch at 6:00pm.
Citizen Comments None
Previous Meeting Minutes July 1, 2014
Minutes approved as read on a voice vote.
New Business
1. EDC 2014-26 Building Permit Report for June 2014
Pete Ratos reported 54 residential permits and 5 commercial permits for June. He said White Oaks
Estates has their first permit in 5 years.
2. EDC 2014-27 Building Inspection Report for June 2014
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The City still has their agreement with the County and it has been working well. Bob Creaduer has
been doing building inspections independently since he has received his certifications.
3. EDC 2014-28 Comprehensive Plan RFP – Contract Award Recommendation
Ms. Barksdale-Noble referred to a detailed analysis of how the staff arrived at their recommendation of
The Lakota Group for the Comprehensive Plan. Members of that group were present at this meeting to
present an overview of their services, qualifications and methodology for the Comp Plan.
Nick Kalogeresis of The Lakota Group introduced two of his teammates, Linda Goodman, Principal of
Goodman Williams Group and Jim Considine, Chief Planner of T.Y. Lin International. The Lakota
Group, a planning and urban design group, would be the project managers with T. Y. Lin heading up
the transportation and Goodman Williams spearheading the marketing and economic development.
Each discussed their areas of expertise and their staff members who would assist with the project.
A slide show was presented by Mr. Kalogeresis detailing many recent projects. He said Lakota would
engage key groups and city department heads for ideas, form a steering committee to help guide the
actions, hold workshops for community input, utilize social media, hold meetings at restaurants and
have a possible Yorkville field office where people could view data. A project website would be
established for posting comments and public comment would be solicited at festivals, etc.
Mr. Kalogeresis said there will be 3 phases each expected to last 6-8 months:
1. State of the City: host a community workshop, collect data, do fieldwork, look at development
sites, look at transportation, neighborhoods, infrastructure, communities, placements and
summarize in a report.
2. Visioning Process: gather feedback on the above ideas, hold a workshop to determine direction
and then draft a plan.
3. Final Comprehensive Plan: draft a final plan after all feedback is gathered, discuss with the
City, steering committee and community, hold workshop to show implementation process and
produce Executive Summary.
It was noted that The Lakota Group worked on the downtown plan for Huntley. Alderman Frieders
commented on the great job done there.
Following the Lakota Group slide show, Ms. Barksdale-Noble gave an overview of the selection
process and scoring system used by her and staff members Chris Heinen, Bart Olson and Brad
Sanderson, City Engineer. References were found to be exemplary for The Lakota Group. Alderman
Colosimo praised the staff for their comprehensive process and said he approved of their choice.
Other committee members concurred. Alderman Frieders questioned the ”lack of backup data” noted
by a former client. The Lakota Group assured the committee that data would be provided.
Chairman Koch inquired about the budget for this project. Staff budgeted $60,000 this year, $30,000
next year and $30,000 for the third year if needed, all paid in installments. Prior to a Council vote,
Alderman Funkhouser would like language added that says “costs do not exceed”.
Some of the existing Comp Plan would be incorporated into the update with staff providing some of the
data. Lakota would also use the south side retail study information.
This matter will move to City Council for a vote on the regular agenda.
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4. EDC 2014-29 Zoning Ordinance Update
Ms. Barksdale-Noble said the zoning code was drafted in 1973 and has now been totally revised.
Alternative energy language has also been added to the code. An open house was held two weeks ago
for further input and 73 residents commented on-line. The revision will move to the Plan Commission
for input and then back to the Economic Development Committee before a Public Hearing at the
Zoning Commission. Following these steps it will move to the City Council for a vote.
Alderman Frieders asked for clarification on Chapter 15 regarding duplexes. As of the late 1990's
duplexes are now classed as being in the R2D district as legal non-conforming. The current ordinance
stipulates that if 50% of the value of the home was damaged, the entire structure would be demolished,
(thereby displacing two families). Staff is now suggesting that the language be changed to read if 75%
of the value is damaged, it must be demolished. The language also states that the structure must be
rebuilt as a single family home. Alderman Colosimo asks which family would get the lot in such a case
and that the situation could result in litigation. He asked if these lots could be grandfathered. From a
zoning perspective, Ms. Barksdale Noble said this would never be in conformance, but language could
be included to have the structure grandfathered. Some units are on one lot and sometimes have two
parcel numbers. There are 20-40 of these types of units in existence.
Ms. Teeling asked about insurance if the units had to be rebuilt, since lenders sometimes will not give
mortgages for refinances. She wants the owner to be able to rebuild as is. Pete Ratos said in the case
of a rebuild, the entire structure would need to be brought up to date with the energy code, at great
expense. New language would have to say they are two separate dwellings to avoid updating the entire
structure to the energy code. Two water meters would also be required. Currently, there are some
duplexes which only have one water meter. Alderman Koch said that could be detrimental in a
situation where the water is shut off due to non-payment by one tenant resulting in the lack of water for
the other unit.
Other items briefly discussed........
Chain link fencing will still be allowed, but must be vinyl-coated.
Alderman Funkhouser noted some discrepancies in the building height measurements. They will be
revised. Building heights on estate lots were reviewed and it was suggested that 40 feet / three stories
would be allowed.
Special Uses was also brought up by Mr. Funkhouser. He would like to see E1 and R1 Special Uses for
Bed and Breakfasts.
Boats sails and railroad repair shops were also reviewed.
Advertising for Adult Uses was also discussed and Alderman Colosimo said he would like some words
banned from this advertising. Wording from other municipalites will be researched.
For Bulk Requirements, three units per acre were favored.
Shadow flicker for windmills, solar panel glare and other related solar issues were not addressed in the
updated zoning code per Alderman Colosimo.
Ms. Barksdale-Noble said she would ask the professional who spoke to the Zoning Commission, to
come to the next EDC or City Council. The committee agreed to this.
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5. EDC 2014-30 Property Maintenance Inspection Update
Pete Ratos gave an update on the property maintenance inspection done last year and detailed the
violations that have been corrected and those still being worked on by individual property owners. He
gave a report on the sawmill property downtown and said that nothing has been fixed. This property
owner will be re-cited for various issues and vehicles, however, some progress has been made on
cleaning up some of the debris said Mr. Ratos. Staff has been working with City Attorney Orr and after
two sets of citations and judgments and establishment of an administrative record, the case will be
turned over to the Attorney.
Alderman Frieders asked if the City can assist with a fence to obscure the property. It was noted that a
Judge had issued an order many years ago to install a fence, but it was not built. Alderman Koch said
perhaps a different approach is needed.
Mr. Ratos also reviewed other downtown violations involving Imperial Investments and Grainco.
Issues not corrected will be re-cited this week.
Old Business:
1. EDC 2014-13 Building Code and Property Maintenance Standards – Status Update
Pete and Krysti are reviewing the Building Code and Property Maintenance Standards for possible
revisions. Mr. Ratos added that the accessory building section needs extensive revision. This item will
come back to the next EDC.
2. EDC 2014-25 Puppy Mill Ordinance
The proposed ordinance is similar to one recently adopted in Chicago and prohibits all retail sales of
cats, dogs and rabbits except those animals received from rescue organizations. Alderman Colosimo
stated that Alderman Frieders had sent emails to local veterinary associations who have voiced their
opposition to the ordinance. Guest Janet Star who owns a pet store in Cook County, said that vets
oppose these ordinances since they do not impact puppy mills. She cited many statistics regarding
puppy mills and the Chicago ordinance and said pet stores are highly regulated. After hearing Ms.
Star's information, Alderman Frieders said the intention was positive, however, this is a public
education issue and the committee decided not to pursue this ordinance.
3. PC 2014-11 Ordinance Amending the Yorkville Zoning Ordinance by Adopting New Regulations
for Wind Energy Systems
This item was already discussed as part of the Zoning Ordinance.
4. PC 2014-13 Ordinance Authorizing the First Amendment to the Planned Unit Development Plan
for the Kendall Crossing Planned Unit Development (Monument Entryway Signage)
The Council returned this item to EDC to determine if the sign would be located on the right-of-way or
if there was a dedication for the former owner of Countryside Center. It was found that the location of
the sign would be on the public right-of-way and there are two options for the sign placement:
1. Allow installation on the ROW with a 10-year renewable license agreement (no cost) and allow
the City's ability to do work on the right-of-way.
2. Deny the request and ask the petitioner to re-submit a plan for another location.
Staff recommends the first option. Mr. Olson said the actual location of the sign would be determined
after review of sight distance lines by Public Works and Engineer Sanderson. Alderman Frieders
questioned the Rt. 47 location since Rt. 47 will be widened.
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Attorney Kramer gave a history of the property and said prospective retailers request signage on Rts.
47 and 34. He said Mr. Jim Ratos would like a theater marquee, however, the national theatre does not
want one. Attorney Kramer displayed a map of the preliminary plan approved by the Council and also
pointed out that during the TIF discussions a few years ago, signage was approved for the property at
that time. Mr. Kramer asked that the agreement be made a “perpetual license agreement”. If any
electric needs to be moved, it will be the cost of the developer. Mr. Pesola added that potential clients
immediately ask where a sign would be located. He said there are serious candidates for the interior
properties.
Alderman Teeling said she is OK with the proposed plan. Alderman Colosimo said he would like to
see brick on the sign and it was noted that staff will require stone. Jim Ratos also discussed the sign
design and he added that he will be responsible for landscaping and maintenance around the sign. Mr.
Funkhouser also had concern for safety since there will be a bike path nearby and concern for the
general placement of the signs at all intersections.
There was also discussion of the small piece of land just south of the funeral home and it was
determined it is a utility easement and is owned by the funeral home. Alderman Funkhouser asked if a
sign could be installed near the location of the right in/right out. He also does not want to set a
precedent for land leases for signage. Attorney Kramer noted that signs have already been there for
30 years so the precedent was already set and the PUD has already been approved.
Mr. Olson also suggested language to specify how many off-site tenants in the area can be included on
the signs.
This item will move to the August 26th Council meeting.
Additional Business:
There was no further business and the meeting was adjourned at 8:32pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted by
Marlys Young