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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEconomic Development Minutes 2014 11-04-14Page 1 of 3 APPROVED 12/2/14 UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Tuesday, November 4, 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 Absent: Alderman Diane Teeling Other City Officials Mayor Gary Golinski City Administrator Bart Olson Community Development Director Krysti Barksdale-Noble City Planner Chris Heinen Code Official Pete Ratos Alderman Chris Funkhouser (arr. 6:06pm) Other Guests: None The meeting was called to order by Chairman Ken Koch at 6:01pm. Citizen Comments None Previous Meeting Minutes October 9, 2014 The minutes were approved as read. New Business 1. EDC 2014-39 Building Permit Report for September 2014 Mr. Ratos reported 7 permits issued (6 were B.U.I.L.D. Program homes) with average minimum size of 2,400 square feet. Overall he feels the square footage is larger and quality better and he will compile a comparison with last year. 2. EDC 2014-40 Building Inspection Report for September 2014 In September, 216 inspections were performed, 6 of those were outsourced to the County and Mr. Ratos also performed 19 for the County. Mr. Frieders said he has had many calls regarding parkway trees and clarified that residents are not required to plant trees in the parkway. Page 2 of 3 3. EDC 2014-41 Property Maintenance Inspection Update Seventeen cases came before the Hearing Officer. Of those, 7 were for weeds/grass with 6 being dismissed due to compliance on the hearing date. The rest were found liable. Mr. Ratos noted some of the fines assessed by the Hearing Officer varied and Mayor Golinski added that minimum fines had been previously determined. As a Hearing Officer, Alderman Colosimo said he follows the guidelines already set. Ms. Barksdale-Noble noted that there is no minimum for property maintenance violations as opposed to other violations. Mr. Olson will consult with Attorney Orr on this. If a property maintenance violator admits guilt, but complies prior to the Hearing, there will no fee assessed. Higher fines are recommended for chronic violators according to Mr. Ratos. 4. EDC 2014-42 Economic Development Committee Meeting Dates for 2015 The committee approved the proposed schedule. 5. EDC 2014-43 Noise Ordinance Amendments Mr. Heinen recapped the recent text amendment allowing amphitheatres. Staff did research on the noise ordinance and suggested additional text amendments, while the City Intern compiled a table of specific noise levels as a point of reference. There was discussion that the noise level is measured at the property line of the complainant and also at the site of the violator. Alderman Frieders asked if a warning is issued to the violator first. A request for compliance is made, however a citation is also issued. Mr. Ratos said he would do the test at the complainant's property to show them the level. Mr. Frieders said he thought it was extra test and text. Certain fence designs can also influence noise levels according to Mr. Ratos. Alderman Colosimo discussed the proposed amphitheatre and the fact that it would be positioned on the property line. He is concerned about noise complaints from nearby houses in the very small area. The owner is working with the City on the anticipated noise levels. Mr. Ratos said music speakers focus and direct the sound and oftentimes, the volume is very little at the rear of a stage. Requirements would have to be met by the amphitheatre owners. Alderman Frieders also questioned Naperville ordinance (pdf page 40) relating to odor regulations. This ordinance also includes sign illumination, performance standards, smoke, etc. and Ms. Barksdale- Noble said Yorkville also has performance standards language. Alderman Koch asked about laser lights which are covered in the standards code. This matter will move to the Public Safety Committee. 6. EDC 2014-44 Recommendation of Appointments to the Comprehensive Plan Update Steering Committee Lakota Group's Comprehensive Plan update will include the appointment of a steering committee to review and discuss plan drafts. Staff would like to see representation from 12 different areas with a committee of about 10-15 members appointed by the Mayor. Alderman Colosimo asked how the HOA member would be chosen since there are many. Any HOA member can also give input in the public portion of meetings. There will be eight meetings over a 2-year period. After the full Council endorses the committee structure, Ms. Barksdale-Noble will send out emails to HOA's and advertise for committee members. This matter will move forward to the Council regular agenda. Page 3 of 3 Old Business: 1. EDC 2014-37 Beekeeping Ordinance – Repeal of 1000' Rule Mr. Heinen reported that in view of new information, staff was asked to form new regulations and keep the 1000' for new licenses and the grandfather clause for pre-existing colonies. Three areas were addressed: 1) number of licenses, 2) 1000' rule, 3) colony density (1 acre or less). This moves forward to the consent agenda. 2. EDC 2014-38 Downtown Overlay District Ms. Barksdale-Noble said it was previouly decided that both a long-term and short term approach were needed. The long-term will coincide with the Lakota Group Comp Plan update. The short-term will include beautification issues and property maintenance standards. She made a comparison table of international standards and what is proposed for the downtown district. She asked for direction on some of the proposals. Alderman Frieders said documentation should include what the issues were, “what the bare minimum was” and what is being done to improve the downtown. Any permit requests also require repairs of violations. Lakota Group will define the downtown by the end of January. This will move forward to the Council. Additional Business: Alderman Frieders asked if a business owner who is a Chamber member making a complaint, has an obligation to report the issue to the City. Bart Olson said there is nothing in the Chamber by-laws which requires this, but the Chamber Director may occasionally report issues to him. Mr. Frieders said he has received calls regarding difficulties for a northside business owner and conversely, the help the City has given to the downtown ice cream shop, etc. Mr. Frieders said he does not want business owners to say “the City doesn't care”. He said he hoped a business owner would communicate and he asked staff to figure out a two-way form of communication if there is an issue and subsequent documentation of it. He would like to try to do something where possible and that it is a PR issue. He wants to give business owners options, not just have them move out of town. He wants people to understand they can come to the City with a problem. Alderman Colosimo said the updated website where complaints can be made, would help this type of situation. Alderman Koch is also aware of three southside businessess who had difficulties during the Rt. 47 construction. There was no further business and the meeting was adjourned at 6:49pm. Minutes respectfully submitted by Marlys Young