Comp Plan Steering Committee Minutes 2015 09-29-15Page 1 of 3
APPROVED 1/28/16
UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE
COMP PLAN STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING
Thursday, September 29, 2015 7:00pm
Yorkville City Hall, Conference Room
800 Game Farm Road
Welcome
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Amy Cesich at 7:00pm.
Roll Call
Roll call was taken and a quorum established.
Tom Kozlowicz-present, Joel Frieders-present, Deborah Horaz-present, Bob Delo-present, Russ Walter-
present, Amy Cesich-present, Bill Gockman-present, Erin-Mickal Dickens-present, Anthony Hansen-
present, Adalma Stephens-present
City Officials
Krysti Barksdale-Noble, Community Development Director
Other Guests
Nick Kalogeresis, Lakota Group Zach Lowe, GoodmanWilliams Group
Justin Weidl, Lakota Group Jason Addington, Lakota Group
Previous Meeting Minutes July 16, 2015
The minutes were approved as read on a motion by Tom Kozlowicz and second by Joel Frieders. Voice
vote approval.
Citizen Comments None
New Business
Justin Weidl introduced the other consultants and said this is the fourth meeting of the steering
committee. He presented 2 handouts, one of which was a slide-by-slide presentation and the other was
a handout to prioritize issues. Prioritizing will assist them in preparing for the October 22nd open house
for the public and first draft recommendations. He said they are kicking off Phase 2 at this time and
Phase 3 will begin next year.
Overview of Planning Issues:
Recap of Planning Issues from State of the City Report
There were 12 planning issues discussed at the last meeting and the committee members were asked to
rank the issues at that meeting.
Results from Steering Committee Meeting #3 Voting Exercise
Mr. Weidl said there were 2 clear, high-priority issues: the downtown area and infrastructure systems.
The next most important issues were: existing residential development, retail sales in commercial areas
and future developments and Mr. Weidl said these 3 would be grouped together as City-Wide Growth
Page 2 of 3
Strategy. The remaining issues--transportation, schools, land use regulations, parks and open space will
depend on decisions made about Growth Stategies. He said tonight's focus will be: 1) downtown
revitalization, 2) growth strategies and 3) Rt. 47 and Eldamain corridors.
Downtown Revitalization:
Near-Term Strategies
Ideas are: 1) improved river access off Main St., 2) enhance Hydraulic St. and its heritage—possible
new main street, 3) in-fill development along Hydraulic, 4) create/enhance public parking lots, possible
parking decks downtown, signage and landscaping, 5) 'Heritage Block' bordered by Mill, Heustis, Van
Emmon and Hydraulic, enhance sawmill with fence or mural, building renovations,
6) incentivize building renovations
Ms. Cesich asked how realistic Hydraulic is for a main street with the train tracks so close. Mr. Weidl
said it could be an opportunity due to the history of the railroad.
Ms. Cesich said the park closest to the rapids had a grant, and the right of way is being leased from the
railroad. Parking is limited there and she questioned how there could be walkways. It was noted there
is a large railroad easement and there are 1-2 trains a day.
A demolition permit has been received for the old FS building, said Ms. Noble. Committee members
shared other concerns in the downtown area with the consultants.
Mid-Term Strategies
Ideas are: 1) create riverfront park west of Bridge St., 2) increase townhomes/living arrangements
along West Hydraulic, 3) create campus for county buildings with green space and enhancements,
4) bike trail extension along river to east of Rt. 47, 5) re-think land use by Van Emmon & Hydraulic
for higher density residential
Long-Range Strategies
Mr. Weidl presented these suggestions: 1) Van Emmon St. as a possible main street, 2) city hall
presence at Van Emmon & Rt. 47 to give importance to the downtown, 3) redevelop area along Van
Emmon & Heustis/Mill as part of “heritage block” to bring more people downtown, 4) trail exit along
river.
City-Wide Growth Strategies
Mr. Weidl said the City is spread out with some areas not in the City, even though they are close. The
consultants developed the tier system to indicate where the focus should be and to guide development.
Tier 1 Development Areas
He said there are 7 active residential developments with 335 lots left to be built (3 years worth). He
said the city should help with incentives. Commercial and industrial areas have also been ID'd as a
primary focus. Yorkville Marketplace and Kendall Marketplace were recently purchased and
he said the City should reach out to the owners to bring to completion. He said the Menards
commercial area is a high priority also. Yorkville Business Center has 25 acres remaining and Fox
Industrial Park has only 2 acres remaining. The 6 outlots by the theatre were also discussed.
Page 3 of 3
Tier 2 Development Areas
Mr. Weidl identified subdivisions that have not had permits pulled in the last 5 years and need to be
restarted: Kendall Estates, Raintree Village, Whispering Meadows, Caledonia. Mr. Frieders
commented that these developers do not think the roads in these subdivisions are theirs to maintain. He
said no topcoat has ever been put on his street in Whispering Meadows.
Mr. Weidl noted that many residents ask for a grocery store on the south side. He also said Raintree
and Windett Ridge still have lots to be built. Industrial development possibilities include land south of
Fox Industrial Park.
Tier 3 Development Areas
Three residential developments (964 units) were discussed: Prestwick, Bristol Bay and Grande
Reserve. They are Tier 3 since they are on the edge of the City. Industrial area includes the Menards
property south of Countryside Parkway. Land by the Raging Waves is an opportunity for hotels and
restaurants. There are 2 current industrial properties on Eldamain, however, Mr. Weidl said these might
not develop if the Eldamain bridge is not built. A Metra Station was also discussed and there are about
300 undeveloped acres there. Mr Kozlowicz said he thought a train station was about 10 years in the
future. Mr. Gockman commented that 1 piece of the train area is part of Whispering Meadows. Mr.
Walter commented that part of Eldamain is under construction for 4 lanes south of Jericho.
Key Corridors
Route 47 Corridor Opportunities
Mr. Weidl said Rte. 47 is comprised of different zones or “rooms”, with business, agriculture,
entertainment, rural, etc. He asked if this should be developed as different rooms or 1uniform road.
Eldamain Road Corridor Opportunities
This corridor is largely agriculture now and transitions into a natural preservation area south of Rte. 34.
South of the river, larger estate homes are envisioned with low density while maintaining the character.
Additional Business
Mr. Weidl asked the committee members to rank the various components in the presentation.
Alderman Frieders said the McDonald's sign on the railroad bridge is unique to the environment and
was like a gateway to the city. He asked the consultants to research options for the bridge. It was
noted that the railroad refuses to work with IDOT for expansion in Sugar Grove.
The next meeting will be an open house for the public on October 22nd from 6-8pm. It was also noted
that Mr. Kalogeresis attended the Hometown Days and shared information about the plan. The State of
the City is on the website
Adjournment
There was no further business and the meeting adjourned at 8:38pm on a motion and second by Mr.
Frieders and Mr. Kozlowicz, respectively.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Marlys Young, Minute Taker