Comp Plan Steering Committee Minutes 2015 05-21-15Page 1 of 4
APPROVED 7/16/15
UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE
COMP PLAN STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING
Thursday, May 21, 2015 7:00pm
Yorkville City Hall, Conference Room
800 Game Farm Road
In Attendance:
Committee Members
Amy Cesich, Park Board James Weaver, Plan Commission
Tom Kozlowicz, Chamber Member Bill Gockman, Resident
Joel Frieders, Alderman Tim Shimp, Yorkville School District
Bob Delo, Windett Ridge Reagan Flavin Goins, Zoning Board of Appeals
Russ Walter, Library Board Erin Dickens, Resident
City Officials
Krysti Barksdale-Noble, Community Development Director
Mr. Chris Heinen, City Planner
Other Guests
Nick Kalogeresis, Lakota Group
Justin Weidl, Lakota Group
Zach Lowe, Goodman Williams Group
Linda Goodman, Goodman Williams Group
Welcome
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Amy Cesich at 7:00pm.
Roll Call
Roll call was taken and a quorum established.
Previous Meeting Minutes January 22, 2015
The minutes were approved as read on a motion by Tom Kozlowicz and second by Bob Delo. Voice
vote approval.
Citizen Comments None
New Business
Community Engagement Activity Review
Mr. Kalogeresis said a State of the City will be presented at the next meeting. A workshop was held a
month ago with 30 people attending and he provided details of the recent activities in which the Comp
Plan Team has engaged.
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Stakeholder Interview
Sessions
Mr. Kalogeresis said his team has spoken with about 62 different persons/groups including city staff,
business owners, Wrigley, hospitals, BKFD, County, township, etc. and received excellent feedback.
He provided an overview of each of the bullet points from the draft Public Input Summary Report that
each committee member received:
●Downtown Yorkville
The improved Rt. 47 is a blessing and a curse, truck traffic is fast, making it difficult to cross the street,
barriers are not aesthetically pleasing, bridge and train tracks are barriers, downtown parking is a
problem, viewpoint expressed that City needs to take a more active role in providing parking, many
development opportunities along riverfront, promote downtown, promote/develop “Hydraulic” street
name. Mr. Weidl said the feeling was that the downtown was under-utilized and the character of the
downtown must be determined.
●Land Use and Development
Existing infrastructure should be developed, concentrate on downtown and Rt. 34/47, strong desire for
southside grocer, update subdivision codes and appearance codes, possible residential in the downtown,
look at Rt. 34 & Eldamain corridor growth, need diversity of housing products/range of options,
consider smaller lots, need for a Metra station. There was also a discussion of condos and the legal
definitions. In a future workshop, feedback will be invited regarding condos.
●Infrastructure Systems
City does good job on infrastructure, some sanitary system issues, water master plan needs updating,
●Open Space and Recreation
Need for southside park, need redevelopment of some parks, many trails planned, but not built, need
good bike trail, many parks are private, determine how much open space to keep, formation of park
district in future?
●Institutions
Schools are doing their own planning and project 1-2 additional schools if full buildout of Yorkville.
Transportation is not easy for schools and plowing is an issue.
●Urban Design
Need placemaking using banners, signs, etc to bind the community
Community Workshop #1, April 16, 2015
Exhibits were displayed, demographic information was provided and transportation infrastructure was
discussed. A questionnaire was given to participants for basic feedback regarding bicycling and
walking. It was also noted that there are many pockets of land not in the City limits and how should
those should be addressed?
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●Station 3 Route 47 Focus Area
Workshop participants were asked to place stickers on a map to indicate where they wanted to see
certain amenities/businesses. The most interest was shown for the water park area and people
suggested hotels, restaurants, sports, ballfields. Mr. Weidl questioned whether the City should define
itself by agriculture at the northern entrance or where the entrance sign should be placed.
●Eldamain Focus Area
Ms. Cesich questioned the zoning on Eldamain. It is zoned business and the land is a special use for
agriculture. Alderman Frieders noted that the dynamics would change if there was a bridge on
Eldamain.
●Downtown Focus Area
The team divided the downtown in four quadrants. Mr. Weidl said the downtown is under-utilized and
it was questioned how it could be made unique. He suggested the sawmill could offer a workshop on
woodworking, there are cooking classes already and brewing classes could be offered. Many
participants felt the City should have a presence in the downtown, even suggesting a city hall there.
●Overall City Map
Ideas included senior housing and civic uses. The southern gateway to the City should be promoted.
Preliminary Online Survey Results
Mr. Weidl said 152 people took the survey that was available for three months. In general, city services
were rated good. Housing information was surveyed and many felt more retail was needed especially
downtown. Many felt they would like the population to grow. Shopping, trails, destination shopping,
bed and breakfasts were also desired. Another survey will be done at a later time. Mr. Walter asked
how many participants answered the library question so he can report back to the Library Board.
Overview of Major Planning Issues
Mr. Kalogeresis summarized the information from the bullet points above. He also mentioned a
“conservation subdivision” where development is concentrated in one area with open space in the rest,
however, Ms. Barksdale-Noble said it was rejected by developers and the Zoning Commission
recommended against preservation areas. She added that Lakota could create an overlay district and
this concept could be added back in the zoning districts. Mr. Weidl asked the committee to review
Section 4 prior to the next meeting and send feedback via email to Krysti or Justin. The committee will
meet again in July.
Project Schedule Update
A state of the City report will be given on June 26th to summarize all analyses and a July meeting will
be held for revisions and then on to the planning portion. In late September-early October, the next
workshop will be held and choices will be presented.
Mr. Delo asked if the City Council will receive the final report and he said it must constantly be
evolving. It will be used for direction by staff when special projects or developments come forward.
Ms. Cesich commented that the County 10-year plan did not account for the recession that occurred
and the foreclosures were very high.
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Additional Business
Chairman Cesich asked that members not present at the last meeting, introduce themselves.
Adjournment
There was no further business and the meeting adjourned at 8:23 on a motion by Mr. Frieders and
second by Mr. Weaver.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Marlys Young, Minute Taker