HomeMy WebLinkAboutEconomic Development Minutes 2020 10-06-20Page 1 of 4
APPROVED 12/1/20
UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Tuesday, October 6, 2020, 6:00pm
City Hall Council Chambers
Note: This meeting was held in accordance with Public Act 101-0640 and Gubernatorial
Disaster Proclamation issued by Governor Pritzker pursuant to the powers vested in the
Governor under the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act. Due to the current
Covid-19 pandemic, remote attendance is allowed for this meeting to encourage social
distancing.
(All meeting participants were in-person except where noted as 'remote'.)
In Attendance:
Committee Members
Chairman Jackie Milschewski Alderman Ken Koch
Alderman Jason Peterson Alderman Joel Frieders
Other City Officials
City Administrator Bart Olson
Assistant City Administrator Erin Willrett/remote
Community Development Director Krysti Barksdale-Noble/remote
Senior Planner Jason Engberg/remote
Code Official Pete Ratos
Alderman Chris Funkhouser
Other Guests
Lynn Dubajic, City Consultant/remote
Todd Vandermyde
The meeting was called to order at 6:00pm by Chairman Jackie Milschewski.
Citizen Comments None
Minutes for Correction/Approval September 1, 2020
The minutes were approved as presented.
New Business
1. EDC 2020-43 Building Permit Report for August 2020
Mr. Ratos said there were 194 new permits issued in August with 34 being single family
detached and 16 single family attached. As of August, there are now a total of 165
single family home permits. No further discussion.
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2. EDC 2020-44 Building Inspection Report for August 2020
In August, 462 inspections were completed with most being single family homes, said
Mr. Ratos.
3. EDC 2020-45 Property Maintenance Report for August 2020
One case was heard regarding watering at the new gas station, however, it was dismissed
as they were not in violation on the Hearing date.
4. EDC 2020-46 Economic Development Report for September 2020
In addition to her report, Ms. Dubajic said Verizon has opened their new store in Kendall
Marketplace. Also, she and Ms. Willrett are working on obtaining additional information
from businesses for State financial assistance programs.
5. EDC 2020-47 Yorkville/Plainfield Boundary Agreement Extension
Ms. Noble said the current agreement is set to expire in January 2021 and this proposal
would extend it. The agreements allow for orderly development and clearly defined
jurisdictions. Ms. Noble summarized the changes and explained the approximate
boundaries. Staff will publish a Public Hearing notice on October 16th for the November
10th City Council meeting. This moves forward to City Council.
6. EDC 2020-48 Meeting Schedule for 2021
The committee approved the meeting schedule presented.
Old Business:
1. EDC 2020-32 Urban Chickens
Committee members had previously asked staff to look at HOA rules and to conduct a
public survey. Fourteen of the 28 developments in the city prohibit chickens and the 550
survey responses were split. Staff is now seeking further direction.
Alderman Funkhouser would like to see this moved forward with restrictions, based on
the survey results. Some of his constituents wish to raise chickens for eggs.
Alderman Koch said chicken owners should have larger lots and said that citizens will
call the city when problems arise. He also noted that hobby chickens will fly to other
yards. Mr. Koch said there is a difference between egg-layers and meat chickens and
requested clarification on what would be allowed. Ms. Noble noted that 87% of
respondents wanted chickens for eggs.
According to Alderman Frieders, the startup costs are relatively small, however, he does
not want potential problems to become burdensome on the Code Official. He said no
one he surveyed was passionate about chickens. Mr. Frieders said the matter should not
move forward due to lack of consensus and that some respondents did not live in the city.
If chickens are allowed, he said bigger lots should be necessary and education courses are
needed on the care of chickens. He also asked if an inspector would have permission to
enter the property. Mr. Ratos added that if there is no specific complaint, he could not
investigate.
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Alderman Peterson said most of his respondents lived out of state. He also said bigger
lots would be needed, chickens generate odors and they could attract coyotes and other
predators. Other committee members noted that family pets could harm them as well.
He also asked if permission of adjacent neighbors would be needed.
Chairman Milschewski also said that when she spoke with residents, no one was
passionate about chickens and most responses were negative.
In conclusion, the committee wished to have more information and feedback and this
matter will be moved to the next committee meeting for further discussion.
2. EDC 2020-42 Limited Manufacturing Uses in Residential Districts
Ms. Noble said that following last month's EDC meeting, staff did extensive research.
She said there are 3 options the city could choose:
1. Allow manufacturing of firearms as a permitted home occupation.
2. Amend the zoning ordinance to allow as a special use.
3. Keep the ordinance as is and keep operations in manufacturing district.
Staff asked for more information from Mr. Vandermyde who is requesting to
manufacture in his home. Information was provided as to how someone obtains a license
and the extensive rules and guidelines. Ms. Noble said staff also looked at home
occupation and detailed the applicable rules which she said are difficult to regulate. Staff
also did an analysis of the 3 options and determined that the city would have the most
control by keeping the present ordinance. Staff is now looking for direction with the
additional information provided.
The committee discussed their opinions of this request. Alderman Frieders said he wants
to keep this operation in the manufacturing district in order to control it. He said he has
no issue with this request, but is concerned with future requests.
Alderman Koch said he would be OK with it, but would want the city to keep tabs on it
by registration and knowing the homeowner.
Alderman Peterson said the operator would already be registered with the State Police
and ATF and background checks would have been done. He is OK with home
occupation with conditions.
Alderman Milschewski and Frieders favor special use and feel the people living near the
business should know about it.
Alderman Funkhouser objected to a special use and said it would kill the business when
notifications are made to neighbors who will oppose. He encouraged the committee to be
small-business friendly and said Mr. Vandermyde can no longer afford the rent in a
manufacturing district.
In conclusion, the committee decided to move this forward to the City Council for
discussion with all Aldermen.
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Additional Business: None
There was no further business and the meeting adjourned at 7:20pm on a motion by
Chairman Milschewski and second by Alderman Peterson. Voice vote approval.
Minutes respectfully submitted by
Marlys Young, Minute Taker