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Economic Development Minutes 2014 10-09-14Page 1 of 3 APPROVED 11/4/14 UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Thursday, October 9, 6:00pm Yorkville City Hall, Conference Room 800 Game Farm Road In Attendance: Committee Members Chairman Ken Koch Alderman Diane Teeling Alderman Carlo Colosimo Alderman Joel Frieders Other City Officials City Administrator Bart Olson Community Development Director Krysti Barksdale-Noble City Planner Chris Heinen Alderman Chris Funkhouser Code Official Pete Ratos Other Guests: Tony Scott, Kendall County Record Kathy Matzke, Dolph St. Steve Reddington, Sullivan Energy Group The meeting was called to order by Chairman Ken Koch at 6:00pm. Citizen Comments None Previous Meeting Minutes September 2, 2014 The minutes were approved as read. New Business 1. EDC 2014-34 Building Permit Report for August 2014 Mr. Ratos reported 5 new permits this month. He said the City will be more strict with concrete inspections this winter due to issues last winter. Concrete can be poured when the temperature is at least 32 degrees and chemicals can be added to speed up the curing process. If a foundation cracks, Mr. Ratos can look at yard receipts that show the chemical mix for each bag. Page 2 of 3 2. EDC 2014- 35 Building Inspection Report for August 2014 New houses are being completed and many residents are building fences and decks this month. Mr. Ratos anticipates a busy November. No further action on this report. 3. EDC 2014-36 Property Maintenance Inspection Update Mr. Ratos reported that weeds and grass complaints had been dismissed after compliance prior to the hearing. The City Attorney informed staff to dismiss these complaints if the violators were in compliance at the time of the hearing or the City could be liable for both malicious prosecution and costs and fees. This is her understanding of the new State statutes. Mr. Ratos also noted that the Nicholson property was recently up for a Hearing and fines were levied since no one appeared. He also reported mowing violations at other locations and the mowing has now been done. A formal complaint regarding bees was filed in September and concerned 2 adjacent properties. A resident on Muirfield has a “portable” beehive that is moved from the garage during the day and placed adjacent to a neighbor's front door. No response has been received from this colony owner. It was also noted that the resident involved in the Dolph St. matter was in attendance at this meeting. 4. EDC 2014-37 Beekeeping Ordinance – Repeal of 1000' Rule Mr. Heinen said 4 complaints (2 are resolved) have been received since the August 4th beekeeping ordinance approval. An aviary permit application was received on September 5th from 508 W. Dolph St., all necessary documents provided and a permit was granted on September 9th. The resident at 507 W. Dolph St. (Matzke) applied for a permit on September 8th and based on the 1000 feet stipulation in the ordinance, that permit was denied. Mr. Heinen said staff is now seeking direction. Alderman Koch asked if the residents could share the permit since the colonies are next to each other. Mr. Olson added there was no technical reason for the1000 feet rule and he recommended removal of this stipulation. As Ward I representative, Alderman Colosimo said he was representing the opponents in his Ward when he asked for the 1000 foot rule. If a child is allergic to bees, he said this might act as a buffer. He was also concerned that Aldermen were considering changing the ordinance that was just passed. He recommended a grandfather clause since both parties had bees prior to the ordinance. Another recommendation was to re-word the ordinance to allow the two colonies within 1000 feet and issue either one or two permits. Alderman Funkhouser commented that language is already in the ordinance for grandfathering colonies and he said prior colony owners had 30 days in which to pull a permit. He said he had no issue with these colonies if proof of ownership prior to the ordinance can be provided. He also had concern about grandfathering for the number of colonies that might possibly be on a larger lot. Mr. Olson said staff will bring some options to the next meeting for consideration. 5. EDC 2014-38 Downtown Overlay District Staff had been asked to create an overlay district for downtown beautification which refers to landscaping, removal of graffiti, etc. The overlay district focuses more on outward appearance of buildings. Staff proposed a short term strategy to create an overlay to deal with beautification and then partner with the Comprehensive Plan consultant, Lakota Group, to create an overlay for building aesthetics. Page 3 of 3 Alderman Funkhouser said in prior years' goal-setting he had been looking for an overlay district and planning tools/incentives to assist with the TIF district expansion. He said he would like to see both elements (beautification and building aesthetics) moving forward concurrently. Ms. Barksdale-Noble said TIF boundaries are now being used, which are not the actual boundaries so an overlay district is needed. She said buy-in of business owners is also needed. Grants are also a possibility. Mr. Funkhouser asked if the City could work with the Chamber for a downtown planning session. Staff will be meeting prior to a session with the Chamber and business owners. She will seek guidance from Lakota before moving forward and she will report back next month. Old Business: 1. EDC 2014-29 Zoning Ordinance Update Ms. Barksdale-Noble said staff received 40-plus comments from the open house, Plan Commission and EDC. Staff has addressed them and she detailed the revisions made. Brief comments were made about fire protection for taller buildings. At this time, the consultant who assisted the Zoning Commission with the ordinance development, Mr. Reddington, was introduced. He discussed windmills and some of the requirements/features of the smaller systems. He said solar and wind-powered streetlights have become very popular and promote a community as being “green”. Alderman Funkhouser noted that Oswego has vertical helix-powered lights along the river and he asked if Yorkville could restrict such systems to vertical helix for residential. It was also noted that windmills are considered special uses and are addressed on a case by case basis. The general consensus of the committee was favorable and it will proceed to Public Hearing. A question regarding the unit of measure of light from LED signs was brought up and Ms. Barksdale- Noble said that there was a request to lower the light level which is now consistent with other communities. Mr. Frieders also noted that there is a very bright neon sign near Game Farm Rd and Rt. 34 that may be misinterpreted as an emergency vehicle. He said there is another sign that flashes at night and should not be flashing. Additional Business: None There was no further business and the meeting was adjourned at 7:02pm. Minutes respectfully submitted by Marlys Young