Zoning Board of Appeals Minutes 2014 11-05-14Page 1 of 3
APPROVED 08/05/15
UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
Wednesday, November 5, 2014, 7:00pm
Yorkville City Hall, Council Chambers
800 Game Farm Road
Board Members in Attendance
Jeff Baker, Chairman Don Hirsch
Corey Johnson Tony Pekich
Reagan Flavin-Goins
Absent-Ryan Woods, Mike Skinner
Other City Officials in Attendance
Krysti Barksdale-Noble, Community Development Director
Chris Heinen, City Planner
Other Guests: None
Chairman Jeff Baker called the meeting to order at 7:02pm. Roll call was taken and a quorum was
established.
Previous Meeting Minutes May 1, 2013
The minutes from 2013 were approved on a motion by Johnson and second by Pekich. Approved by
unanimous voice vote.
Citizen Comments None
Public Hearing: None
At this time, Chairman Baker recognized Reagan Flavin-Goins as the newest member of the ZBA.
Additional Business
Presentation of the proposed final draft of the Zoning Code Update:
Ms. Barksdale-Noble said the property zoning update has been a 4-year process starting in 2010 and
undertaken by Zoning Commission members. Each chapter was updated and significant changes were
made to the content making it more relevant to technology and to present land uses. Since no public
attended the meetings, Civic Artworks was engaged to develop an on-line campaign. There were 73
active participants on the website and 4,000 who viewed the website. She also explained the extensive
process for the update.
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The proposed changes were presented to various bodies and suggested changes were incorporated.
She said the updated document is more user friendly and includes more charts and graphics. The City
held an Open House to review the update and it was also reviewed at the Economic Development
Committee. On November 17th it will go to Public Hearing and then to City Council for adoption.
Mr. Johnson discussed the non-conforming duplexes in residential areas. Some of the lot sizes do not
conform to the present requirements and affected mortgages or re-financing. Ms. Barksdale-Noble said
an R2D district was created in the early 1990's to specifically address duplexes. She explained how
these would now be handled in the event of the need to rebuild. Units that are 75% (increased from
50%) destroyed must now be brought to compliance. Mr. Johnson asked if there are other similar non-
conforming uses. Some businesses along Rt. 47 are single family homes that were converted to
commercial uses and now some owners wish to convert them back to residential. Such requests would
now be considered special uses or as a teardown/rebuild.
Mr. Hirsch asked about gravel drives which are considered legally non-conforming. Owners wishing
to make any changes to the driveway must improve the drive with either concrete or asphalt.
Ms. Flavin-Goins inquired about fence heights. Ms. Barksdale-Noble detailed the front and side
heights and the materials that can be used.
Since this Board's function often deals with sign regulations, Mr. Johnson asked for an overview of
those changes and current status. Two updates include: 1) pole signs are prohibited and is now
codified, 2) flagpoles are not regulated by height, but capped to the tallest object in that district.
Ms. Barksdale-Noble said there was a change requested in the illumination permitted for signs. It was
also noted 5 seconds are required between transitions. If a sign falls into disrepair, it is covered under
property management. If it becomes obsolete and not in use, it can be put on an amortization schedule
and the owner has 3 years to conform.
Regarding the train crossing improvement issue, federal grants are sometimes available and many
factors must be considered. That matter will come before the Public Works committee in the next
couple months.
2. ZBA Meeting Schedule for 2015
The Board approved the 2015 meeting schedule as presented.
Additional Business:
Chairman Baker asked for a Rt. 47 update. Information is posted on the website and there will be a
push to pour concrete before the weather changes. Mr. Hirsch said he has heard complaints about the
lack of smoothness/waviness of the concrete. It was thought this could be to prevent hydro-planing,
but staff will follow up with the Public Works Director.
Bids will be let in November for the Game Farm Road project with construction expected to start in
spring.
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Mr. Heinen said the Comp Plan update is rolling out and a steering committee will be appointed to
guide the process. Volunteers are needed for this committee for eight meetings over two years and
Ms. Flavin-Goins agreed to be on this committee.
Adjournment
There was no further business and the meeting was adjourned at 7:35pm on a motion by Johnson and
second by Hirsch.
Minute respectfully submitted by
Marlys Young