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Economic Development Minutes 2015 09-01-15Page 1 of 4 APPROVED 10/6/15 UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Tuesday, September 1, 2015, 6:00pm Yorkville City Hall, Conference Room 800 Game Farm Road In Attendance: Committee Members: Chairman Ken Koch Alderman Carlo Colosimo Alderman Chris Funkhouser Absent: Alderman Diane Teeling Other City Officials: City Administrator Bart Olson Community Development Director Krysti Barksdale-Noble City Planner Chris Heinen Code Official Pete Ratos Administrative Intern Nicole Kathman Other Guests: David Schultz, HR Green Niko Villacci, State Farm Agent Steve Steinwart, Meadowvale The meeting was called to order by Chairman Ken Koch at 6:02pm. Citizen Comments: None Previous Meeting Minutes: August 4, 2015 The minutes were approved as read on a voice vote. New Business: 1. EDC 2015-33 Building Permit Report for July 2015 Mr. Ratos reported 71 building permits were issued--10 of those were single family homes under the B.U.I.L.D. incentive program and 12 were commercial. Much of the building is in Windett Ridge. 2. EDC 2015-34 Building Inspection Report for July 2015 There were 274 inspections completed and 12-13 were done for the County. Most were for fences, decks and houses. Page 2 of 4 3. EDC 2015-35 Property Maintenance Report for July 2015 Several weeds and grass citations were issued in July with the biggest violation on 96.5 acres on Route 47 across from the waterpark resulting in a fine of $2,475. The property owners were also cited for trash, debris and dumping. The police are checking this site periodically and the City is trying to persuade the owners to shut off access or clean up the site. The property is owned by a venture capital bank in California and there has been no communication from them. The property has been subject to litigation according to Mr. Olson. 4. PC 2015-15 Text Amendment for Zoning Code Regarding Lot Coverage and Floor Area Ratio City staff wishes to amend Chapter 7 of the zoning ordinance adopted last year, since changes were needed. The purpose of a lot coverage ratio is to control stormwater runoff on impervious surfaces. Previously only the building surfaces had limits and now most impervious surfaces are included. Many lots were over the maximum threshhold and staff has adjusted these limits. A chart was compiled to illustrate this information and adjustments were also compared to other towns. Only new lots would be affected, not ones already planned or with locks on them. Chairman Koch inquired if a resident could ask for a variance. If one is requested, standards must be considered and the Council has the final decision. Alderman Funkhouser said he had concern with the percentage of coverage in the zoning districts O, B, and M zoning and felt 80% would be appropriate in O through M. Ms. Noble said permeable pavers would not be counted in these districts. It was noted that nearly 100% coverage could be achieved with permeable pavers. Mr. Ratos added that if a large company located in the City, there could be a problem with the large percentage of coverage. Alderman Funkhouser said he would like to examine the amendment further as he felt the coverages were too high. Ms. Noble said the City does not want to have large numbers of non-conformities. Alderman Colosimo said he favored adding more green space and grassy medians and was OK with the 80% coverage. Mr. Olson suggested making a mockup of a couple different site plans for the Plan Commission Public Hearings. This proposed amendment will move to Plan Commission September 9th and to the City Council consent agenda on September 22nd. 5. ZBA 2015-04 Meadowvale Lot Coverage Variance Mr. Heinen said Meadowvale wishes to construct a 17,000 square foot building and parking lot expansion. They currently have 26 parking spaces which will be taken up with the new addition. An additional curb cut onto Beaver St. is also requested. The maximum lot coverage of 60% would be exceeded with an increase to 77% coverage in their request. Mr. Heinen compiled a coverage comparison chart of the surrounding buildings. About 60% of the structures would exceed the ordinance, but would be in compliance with approval of the text amendment. There is a cross-access easement with the neighbors to the east that would be within 80%. This request is scheduled for a Public Hearing at ZBA on September 2 and for City Council on September 22nd. 6. ZBA 2015-05 Sign Variance for Property Located at the NE Corner of John St. & Sycamore Rd. Niko Villacci, petitioner, wishes to construct a sign at the NE corner for an office complex. The requested height is 18.5 feet (up from the maximum of 12 feet) and 155 square feet in area. A monument sign is requested and will be used for all 4 buildings when the development is complete. This petition will also be heard at the September 2nd ZBA meeting and the September 22nd Council meeting. Page 3 of 4 Mr. Villacci said the property is already zoned and approved for four buildings. Alderman Funkhouser said he thought the sign would not be visible from the road when the lots are built out and he is concerned about the various requests for larger signs. He felt the sign size was not appropriate for the duplexes in the area and said that the City should adhere to the present ordinance. Mr. Villacci replied that there will be 26 units when all buildings are up (a $4 million project) and not all tenant names could be put on an 18-foot sign. Alderman Koch cautioned against using smaller panels that cannot be seen. Alderman Koch and Colosimo said they would support the sign. This matter goes to the City Council on August 22nd. 7. EDC 2015-36 Comprehensive Plan Update – State of the City Report Mr. Heinen summarized the activities of the Lakota Group. Phase I (data-gathering) has been completed. Phase II will begin soon and last until spring and Phase III completion is expected by August-September 2016. The Lakota Group will be attending the Hometown Days to gather input. The State of the City report was included for review by the committee. Ms. Noble said the level of comprehension from Lakota Group was impressive and will be helpful for economic development. The City currently has an 8-year stock of houses and 2 years is desirable according to Mr. Olson. The number of building-ready lots is also important to be aware of according to Mr. Ratos. This information also assists with City staffing purposes. Mr. Colosimo said no new subdivisions will be approved until the existing lots are built. Those with utilities are more attractive to developers according to Mr. Funkhouser. He also commented that the marketshare is with lease/rent and age-targeted buildings. Chairman Koch asked if the homebuilders could be included in the Comp Plan. Mr. Funkhouser cautioned against doing this as they may sell off to other builders and the builder name becomes less relevant. Mr. Koch also commented on the new ownership of the Kendall Marketplace. 8. EDC 2015-37 Commercial / Industrial Incentive Plan Ms. Noble said this is a step-off for 2015-2016 goals to look at commercial/industrial programs. Commercial builders have said permit fees are too high and asked for relief. Some of the existing programs include TIF districts and sales tax rebates. Ms. Noble asked the committee what other types of programs staff should research. She said building permit and engineering review fees are the biggest hurdles and engineering fees are high since they are outsourced. She suggested a possible cap on fees. Mr. Olson said the fees won't deter large dollar projects in comparison to the total costs. He added that previous incentives such as front-funded infrastructure and other programs were beneficial. Alderman Koch added that City bonds are less expensive than what a business can obtain. Alderman Colosimo said the city needs large employers that bring jobs. He suggested the City could provide incentives for business and also for their employees in the form of home tax rebates etc. Alderman Funkhouser said he would like to see commercial development on Eldamain especially since there are railroad spurs there already. However, Mr. Koch pointed out there is no natural gas to this site and that advertising such property is also important. Mr. Ratos said that if a large manufacturing company would develop there, utilities might be run for free. Page 4 of 4 Alderman Colosimo suggested an incentive to bring a business to complement the waterpark, however, it was noted the price is too high on the surrounding private land. Mr. Olson said a gas station has looked at the NE corner of Galena & Rt. 47 and is researching a variance for access. There was also a brief discussion of the widening of Rt. 47 into Kane County. Street lights were also discussed and that project should be finished by February or March and is under budget. In summary, the committee desires a big business that would provide jobs and taxes and in turn, give them incentives. Staff will work on this idea and request input from Lynn Dubajic. Mr. Olson will also report on a related County meeting he and Ms. Noble will attend. Old Business: None Additional Business: Alderman Funkhouser asked about the status of Lynn Dubajic and the YEDC. The City Attorney is drafting a consultant's agreement for her since the YEDC is dissolving. She is still providing updates to the City. Alderman Koch said he would like to see her at the EDC meetings once the agreement is in place. Alderman Funkhouser said he would like this committee to discuss objectives, goals and expectations with her and a written, non-compete clause to not work for other towns, was requested by Alderman Colosimo. There was no further business and the meeting was adjourned at 7:26pm. Minutes respectfully submitted by Marlys Young