Economic Development Minutes 2015 02-03-15Page 1 of 4
APPROVED 3/3/15
UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Tuesday, February 3, 2015, 6:00pm
Yorkville City Hall, Conference Room
800 Game Farm Road
In Attendance:
Committee Members
Chairman Ken Koch
Alderman Carlo Colosimo
Alderman Diane Teeling
Absent: 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
Director Parks & Recreation Tim Evans
Other Guests:
Tony Scott, Kendall County Record Julie Schlichting, Imperial Investments
Dan Statkul Kevin Shaw, Engineer
Katie Leiva Lisa Coffey, Attorney
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Ken Koch at 6:02pm.
Citizen Comments None
Previous Meeting Minutes December 2, 2014
The minutes were approved as read.
New Business
(Items #7, 8 and 9 moved forward on agenda)
7. EDC 2014-21 711 N. Bridge Street – Special Use Request
The petitioner is seeking a special use approval for a single family apartment. The property has been
vacant since 2012 and went into foreclosure. It was a legal non-conforming use/structure and after 12
months being vacant, must conform to current standards. The petitioner wants to keep the office
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portion on the main level and apartment on the upper level as previously done. Mr. Heinen said this
would bring it back to the legal non-conforming use, but would still be a legal non-conforming
structure. It will remain B-3 zoning. The committee recommended approval and it will move to the
Plan Commission for a Public Hearing and then to City Council.
8. EDC 2014-22 2560 Cannonball Trail – Rezoning Request
The petitioner is seeking to rezone the property from E-1(estate) to A-1(agriculture). The property was
annexed in 2003 with estate zoning along with another adjoining property and provided contiguity with
the City. The current owner wishes to eventually have a horse and horse barn. Alderman Colosimo
asked if notice to surrounding neighbors was required due to the horse. Notice will be given and there
will be a Public Hearing on February 11th and then to City Council. The committee recommended
approval of this request.
9. EDC 2014-23 112 W. Van Emmon – Special Use Request
The petitioner is seeking approval of a special use to construct an outdoor amphitheater at 112 W. Van
Emmon next to the newly constructed parking lot. Plans are being made for an 800 square foot
pavilion with a capacity of 150-160 people. The staff made many comments on the plan and several
responses were received. Staff is currently reviewing a parking plan and acoustic study that were done.
Alderman Koch commented that parking could be a big issue since the city parking lot cannot be used
to fulfill their parking requirements. They would use the Old 2nd Bank lot since the petitioner owns
this. Mr. Koch noted the previous parking problems for Crossfit. Ms. Barksdale-Noble said there will
be a Public Hearing and it will be recommended to continue this item to allow for all issues to be
addressed. She said since the petitioner owns parking within 1000 feet of the proposed site, they would
be allowed to use that. Providing some bike parking can also reduce the car parking requirements. Ms.
Schlichting added that additional parking is available at the old Farm Service facility and they rent
other space at a judo facility. Petitioner-owned houses may also be demolished to make more space.
Alderman Koch asked if the County parking could be used, however, City staff has not yet received a
response from the County.
The acoustical engineering was discussed next and Mr. Shaw noted that the noise ordinance restricts
activity past 10pm. There would be a berm constructed and only one home would be in the “sound
field”. Mr. Shaw noted that factors such as wind, humidity and landscaping could affect sound. He
discussed a sound chart he had compiled and he suggested that the petitioner could provide the sound
system to retain some control.
Ms. Schlichting discussed the arrangement of the pavilion, seating etc. and said the petitioner's intent is
to bring families to the downtown. She said the City might be asked to close some side streets a couple
times a year and the Fire Marshal compiled emergency plans. When asked how many events would be
held, she said approximately two times monthly May through September and possibly one other event.
Alderman Koch asked about flooding possibilities. Ms. Barksdale-Noble said engineering is being
done and no on-site detention is planned. This will move to the February 11th Plan Commission.
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(Return to regular order of agenda)
1. EDC 2015-01 Building Permit Report for November and December 2014
Mr. Ratos reported 34 building permits were issued in November and seven of those were for the
B.U.I.L.D. program. In December, 19 permits were issued with four for the B.U.I.L.D. program and 2
commercial. No further action.
2. EDC 2015-02 Building Inspection Report for November and December 2014
Pulte is still building and inspections are being done for them along with a few other miscellaneous
inspections. No further action.
3. EDC 2015-03 Property Maintenance Inspection Update
Three cases were heard in December including a travel trailer on private property and blocking a public
walk. The trailer was removed and the case was dismissed. In another case, a trailer blocked a public
walk and a fine was assessed.
Alderman Koch asked about the mold complaint. Mr. Ratos said the building code does not address
mold and the cases are referred to the Health Dept. who refers them back to the City. In Illinois there
are thousands of types of mold with only two being toxic. Toxic molds are most often found on the
inside of a wall behind drywall according to Mr. Ratos. If mold is caused by water, the City can
address it. In the case presented, a wall heating unit developed mold due to condensation build-up.
The landlord was notified and the problem was resolved. No further action.
4. EDC 2015-04 Foreclosure Bi-Annual Report
Mr. Heinen said the foreclosures decreased dramatically with 104 in 2014 compared to 147 in 2013.
Ward III had the most newly filed foreclosures due to high density in Bristol Bay and Whispering
Meadows, while the downtown is the most stable. No further action.
5. EDC 2015-05 Riverfront Park Building RFPs-Update
As Park Board liaison, Alderman Koch brought this item to committee for discussion. It concerns the
vacant riverfront park building. Mr. Evans said an RFP was done in September with three responses.
Other interested parties have since contacted him, but only one had an established business. Mr. Koch
said the cost factor and lack of any eqiupment in the building seem to be a negative factor. Mr. Evans
said the lack of visibility also detracts. He will continue to work with prospects and use the building
for staff and then programs in the summer. Alderman Teeling said a decision should be made before
summer in the event the City wishes to have a concession stand. Mr. Evans will keep the committee
updated on this and the former kayak business building.
6. EDC 2015-06 South Side Retail Market Study Report
Ms. Noble said this study was started last August and consists of 2 phases: information gathering and
recruitment plan. Two representatives of Retail Coach, the firm hired for the study, were present via
phone. Aaron Farmer of Retail Coach spoke about their progress. He said a website was compiled to
present the information: www.retail360.us.yorkville-il. Mr. Farmer said they determined that the
median income of the south side of Yorkville was $91,000 and there was a high education level.
Information on the website was reviewed extensively for the committee by Mr. Farmer. It was noted
the study included the area up to Rt. 34 for demographics. Alderman Colosimo expressed doubt that
residents living near Rt. 34 would shop on the south side.
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Customized marketing packages have been sent to determine interest among potential businesses to
locate on the south side of the City. One neighborhood grocer expressed some interest in locating
there. Alderman Koch added that if there was a strong enough retail area in the south, it could attract
north-siders. Mr. Colosimo asked about the response of grocery stores for the south side. Mr. Farmer
replied that the grocers said there was not enough density at this time while others said “no” or focused
on other areas. He also said many retailers want to be close to established retailers.
Mr. Farmer said all information gathered will be given to Ms. Barksdale-Noble. Alderman Koch asked
if any incentives are offered during the recruiting process. Mr. Farmer replied that the City would be
brought in prior to that discussion.
Alderman Teeling said that when Rt. 47 is completed, it should encourage people to travel farther for
shopping. She added that additional residents are needed on the south side. Alderman Koch also noted
the previous push for development at Rt. 47 and Rt. 52. Mr. Olson said that push for development was
affected by the rescinding of the Prairie Parkway project.
Old Business: None
Additional Business: None
There was no further business and the meeting was adjourned at 7:19pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted by
Marlys Young