Plan Council Minutes 1999 03-11-99 UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE
Committee Minutes - Plan Council
March 11, 1999
Meeting Location: 111 W. Fox St.
Time Convened: 9:30 a.m.
Time Adjourned: 11:00 a.m.
Attendees:
Jim Nanninga City Administrator
Bill Dettmer Building Inspector
Joe Wywrot City Engineer
Ralph Pfister Y.B.S.D.
Mike Hitzemann B.K.F.D.
Tim Fairfield B.K.F.P.D.
Wally Aherns B.K.F.P.D.
Tony Graff Chief of Police
Rick Suttle Ruettiger, Tonelli & Assoc.
Mark Gershon Rudnick & Wolfe/ECT
Fred Mitro Enroll Capital & Trade
Karen Way Rudnick & Wolfe
PC 99-03 Kendall County Application- GREAT PLAINS ENERGY CENTER
Mark Gershon begins with the location being north of Comeils and half a mile east of Eldamain,
a half mile kitty corner from Menards stating they are also meeting with Plano as they are within
1 %2 miles of both Yorkville and Plano. Our Comprehensive Plan shows Yorkville expanding to
Eldamain Road. The map gives an idea as to why they chose this site, and also due to Menards
location this area is going to be industrial. They will generate electricity and deliver it to the
substation. The existing towers in this area are 125 feet high. The photos give a sense of the
heights.
Chief Graff asked if they were under contract for the property. Gershon stated yes.
Fred Metro explained that Enron is the largest wholesaler of natural gas in the U.S., and they
own their own pipelines, and can move gas on pipelines owned by others as well. Now that the
Governor has deregulated all utilities, they now trade and market electricity as well. Enron is
building power plants around the world. ComEd is getting out of the generation end of
electricity. Enron builds plants that are only peak plants, designed for handling peak demand
periods. Due to the EPA air permit,they are limited in the time and amount of hours the plant
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can run. The EPA does monitor this. Primarily will run in the summer when demand is high to
avoid brown and black outs. ComEd hasn't built these types of plants because it is cost
prohibitive, since they only run at peak generation times. Due to the fact that there will only be
5-10 employees at this facility, the gas is transported via pipeline underground,not trucks and the
area planned for is already being used for industrial use they don't feel it will have any impact on
the infrastructure. But the area will gain from the economic benefit.
Rick Suttle explained their landscape ideas. Drainage flows to Eldamain, to Corniels and
continues to the west over land, mostly grade B, many types of silt-loam.
Project site - West side of site will have a highly landscaped berm 10'-12' high that wraps
around the corner next to the detention pond. The height of the building is lower than a farm
silo. Storm water drainage will be sent off site. This will sheet drain and will also have a
20'-30' trench drain. This project will not impact the City water system. It is equal to four
single family homes. There won't be any impact on the City's sewer system as it will have its
own septic field.
Enron pointed out the benefits to the City including tax revenues from approx. $8 million in sales
and user taxes and reduced number of forced power outages. In order to build this facility, Enron
must meet many Federal and State of Illinois EPA regulations. Enron stated that they will be
applying to Kendall County for M-2 rezoning.
Regarding the annexation issue, this site is not contiguous yet. It is within the 1 '/2 mile radius to
the City. Enron is not seeking annexation to either, the City of Plano or Yorkville and does not
wish to become involved with the boundary debate. This project shouldn't drive the annexation.
Graff asked if there are any secondary fuels? No, 100%natural gas.
Nanninga asked where they're bringing in the gas from? Enron is pursuing a number of different
gas pipelines. This area is becoming a primary area for natural gas coming from more than just
one area. Coming from the Gulf, Canada and all over.
This project will generate approx. $400,000 towards the Plano School District.
All required groups have been notified of Enron's intentions.
They then proceeded into a question and answer session:
Hitzemann confirmed that the building structure itself was planned for 30'-35' in height. The
exhaust towers which the turbines and generators connect to for 55' in height. Yes. He is
concerned that this height is hitting the Bristol-Kendall Fire Department's limit, unless Enron
wants to provide the necessary fire equipment. The height of the stacks is an emission
requirement function. Hitzemann stated that the height of the stacks don't bother him.
Pfister feels that 55' in that area will bother him. It will definitely stick up.
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Enron stated that because this area is farmland, it hasn't reached any height thresholds to use as a
comparison. They chose this site because of the existing substation already there. It is a major
one for ComEd. There is a 760,000 volt line to that substation. They need the high volt line to
connect to.
The comment was made that when they are contiguous, they need to annex. Pfister added the
need for them to hook into the YBSD at that point also.
Wywrot asked how much of the site would be paved? Not much.
Dettmer asked if there would be personnel on-site 24 hours a day? Mark stated yes.
Graff confirmed, 24 hours, 365 days per year? Yes.
Wywrot asked if would have three shifts per day and no living quarters? Correct.
Graff stated that the Yorkville requirements would be that there be 24 hour/day personnel on-site
when the plant is operating and not an electronic monitoring system for safety reasons. He also
asked, when the plant is not running, is there anything live?
Mark stated only the lighting. There is only a 30 minute start up time for the equipment so it is
really easy to turn on.
Graff asked about the noise level? How far does it travel?
From where? The landscape and density of the trees could effect this. They will measure from
the property lines. They are taking sound tests out there now.
Dettmer asked for a copy of the sound test results.
Wywrot asked about the noise, smoke, odor, fire, explosives, etc. in relation to being compliant
with the requirements of the Yorkville Zoning Ordinance.
Graff asked with eight stacks,what kind of trail of smoke, or condensation will there be?
Enron stated no plume visible in summer only a steam drift. In winter, they don't anticipate even
running. If they did, you would see condensation. Their plant in Portland is electric, hydro and
natural gas.
Ralph asked about this facility. Enron stated 660 mega watts.
Graff asked how much more they could put on this site? Answer: They are leaving the area to
the north open to expand as the needs of this area expand. In case of a dramatic change in
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ComEd usage, they are trying to leave some flexible space for up to a 20-30 year life of usage. If
they choose to expand later they would have to refile with the EPA,but for now they see it as
complete. The EPA reviews everything. Then there is ongoing monitoring of emissions and
profile.
Wywrot stated that the Special Use would be limited and any expansion would have to have an
additional or separate Special Use. Whoever owns the plant would have to come back to prior to
the expansion even if they stay in the County.
Hitzemann asked how taxes are defined? Mark Gershon stated they are based on the County
Assessor's review. ComEd is also doing load flow studies. Enron can't build more than they
can handle.
Wywrot asked about the pipeline routes? They will try to take advantage of right of ways that
already exist and follow road pipelines. Mark stated they have to negotiate an easement.
Wywrot he'd like to see a 40 ft. dedication on Corneils Road as a collector road. It is a township
road now. Enron needs to be specific on maintaining the roads during construction. Work with
the township on this. Specifically the intersection at Corneils during construction. Let us know,
in advance, about the time table for construction&trucks.
Need to see the set back formula for the berm from the toe to the roadway. State law requires
this.
What about the storm water outfall? How does it function? Where does the water go beyond
that? Is there anything hazardous flowing into the water? No water cooling or anything, so no.
Wywrot stated they still need to talk to the County regarding septic in relationship to water well
and detention.
Ask the developers to improve the road and if they do come into the City,we would want to talk
to them as well.
Mark Gershon stated that the employee load, of 5-10, will not have an impact on the area.
City- Even so, the City would want the roads brought up to City standards even though they are
only County. The City wants a commitment from Enron on this issue.
Wywrot stated they may need to be widened. Mark Gershon responded that the Road
Commissioner will look at that.
Hitzemann asked if there is one path in and out of the site? Yes.
Nanninga asked what is a Dry Hydrant? Hitzemann explained that you use it to pull water from
detention in case of a need.
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Nanninga asked if we could have a provision that they would annex if we get to that point and
Plano would ask the same? Mark Gershon said they can't discuss that.
Graff asked if the fence is 8' high? Yes, there will be a fence around the property and one inside
that one around the facility.
Wywrot also explained that the City would need to look at signage, security provisions, and site
identification.
Adjournment.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Sandra Marker and Holly Baker.
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Mar 1.1 99 08: 58a Schoppe Design Assoc. (630) 554-4667 p. 1
Scfwppe Design Associates
Landscape Architecture and Land Planning
(630) 554-9775
202 Lombardy Lane Fax(630) 554-4667
Oswego, IL 60543
March 11, 1999
MEMORANDUM
TO: Jim Nanninga, City Administrator
FROM: Mike Schoppe, Schoppe Design Associates
RE: Kendall New Century Development
I have reviewed the packet of information provided on the proposed electric generation facility to be
located on Cornelius Road,east of Eldamain Road and provide the following comments:
1. The City's comprehensive plan dated 12/4/97 identifies this site as industrial. The proposed use
as outlined would be consistent with the comprehensive plan.
2. The proposed use is not specifically identified in either the City's M-1 or M-2 zoning districts as
either a permitted or special use. However, if the property were to be annexed to Yorkville and
given the uses that are permitted under the M-1 and M-2 districts, I feel that the facility would fit
within the M-2 zoning district as a special use.
3. The conceptual site landscape plan shows a setback from the center of Cornelius Road to the
closest piece of generation equipment to be approximately 175'. The site elevation drawing
suggests that the setback would be approximately 220' —240'. This discrepancy should be
clarified. In either case, it appears that there is about 300' at the north end of the property that is
not utilized. I would suggest that consideration be given to moving the generation equipment
further to the north with perhaps a 150' setback from the north property. This would lessen the
visual impact at the facility from Cornelius Road.
4. The size of the screening berm and the related plantings represents a very good effort on the part
of the petitioner to mitigate the visual impact of the facility. I would suggest that the screening
treatment planned for the west property line be extended to the north property line. I would also
suggest that a screening treatment be provided along the north and east property lines.
5. It should be clarified with the petitioner if there would be an anticipated need to add additional
generation equipment beyond what is shown on the site plan.
Due to a meeting conflict,I will not be able to attend the 3/11/99 Planning Council meeting. Please call
me if you have any questions regarding these comments.
S
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