Economic Development Minutes 2020 12-01-20Page 1 of 3
APPROVED 1/5/21
UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Tuesday, December 1, 2020, 6:00pm
City Conference Room
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 attended remotely except City Administrator Bart Olson who
was present at City Hall.
In Attendance:
Committee Members
Chairman Jackie Milschewski Alderman Ken Koch
Alderman Joel Frieders Alderman Jason Peterson
Other City Officials
City Administrator Bart Olson, (in-person attendance)
Assistant City Administrator Erin Willrett
Community Development Director Krysti Barksdale-Noble
Senior Planner Jason Engberg
Alderman Chris Funkhouser
Code Official Pete Ratos
Other Guests
City Consultant Lynn Dubajic Tim Johnson
Ashley Shields Bruce Mellen
David Schultz, HR Green Lucas Robinson
The meeting was called to order at 6:00pm by Chairman Jackie Milschewski.
Citizen Comments & Old Business (out of sequence)
1. EDC 2020-32 Urban Chickens
Citizen Tim Johnson, 401 E. Main St., provided input for this topic. He had written a
letter to City Council along with information from his daughters. His family is interested
in raising chickens in the future and he said they have over 1.25 acres on which to pursue
this interest. He said the Batavia ordinance provided some valuable guidance.
Page 2 of 3
Ms. Noble said she had provided potential regulations at a prior meeting or a hybrid plan
could also be implemented. After discussion, committee members recommended the
following requirements: a complaint process needs to be included, the chickens need to
be kept in an enclosure since they can fly, a limit of 6 chickens as in the “moderate” plan
previously presented by Ms. Noble and a minimum1-acre lot. This matter will come
back to the January EDC committee meeting for further review.
Minutes for Correction/Approval October 6, 2020
The minutes were approved as presented.
New Business
1. EDC 2020-49 Building Permit Report for September and October 2020
Mr. Ratos reported 270 single family permits (includes attached and detached homes) as
of the end of October. He anticipates exceeding 300 permits for those categories by the
end of this year.
2. EDC 2020-50 Building Inspection Report for September and October 2020
There were 800 inspections in two months with about 100 outsourced. Mr. Ratos said he
has outsourced more to allow time for a high volume of plan reviews.
3. EDC 2020-51 Property Maintenance Report for September and October 2020
Mr. Ratos said no cases were heard in October, however, many complaints were issued
which were brought into compliance. Staff is addressing ongoing issues, but due to
coronavirus, they are trying to avoid person-to-person contact. Door hangers have been
left and have been a very effective tool.
4. EDC 2020-52 Economic Development Report for October and November 2020
Lynn Dubajic referred to her written report and added that Smoothie King has opened
and is doing very well. The owner is also purchasing Blackstone Restaurant and will
remodel and change the name. Alderman Koch inquired about the Martini banquet hall
and Ms. Dubajic said they have had only one wedding so far.
5. EDC 2020-53 RENEW Incentive Program Repeal
Ms. Noble gave a background of this program which included the B.U.I.L.D. program
with incentives for builders and developers to build spec or model homes. The program
began in 2014. At that time there was no limit for the program duration and the number
of permits and lot purchases were regulated to earn the incentives. She recently spoke
with builders and some are not able to purchase the number of lots required while another
builder said they would like to see the program continue. She requested committee
feedback regarding the staff-recommended repeal of the ordinance.
Alderman Frieders said smaller builders may not be able to participate and wondered if
the program rules could be changed to not require a 10-lot minimum purchase. Ms.
Noble said it could be reduced to 5 lots. She added that homes are still being built
without spec/model homes. Alderman Peterson asked if other towns are using this
program and Mr. Olson said is not aware of any. The committee also discussed the
amount of money waived over 6 years. They decided to recommend repeal of the
program and this moves to City Council.
Page 3 of 3
6. EDC 2020-54 Kendall Marketplace Lot 52 – Phase 2 and 3 – Final Plat of
Resubdivision
Mr. Engberg said Abby Properties has filed for a Final Plat for Phases 2 and 3 in Kendall
Marketplace which includes 72 more units. A Plan Council meeting was held in
November and the developer was asked if they wished to proceed with Phase 4 at the
same time, which the developer did not wish to do. Stormwater was also discussed and
the developer noted that detention already exists there. This matter goes to Planning and
Zoning on January 13th and then to City Council. Models should be ready in January,
said Ms. Shields.
7. EDC 2020-55 Grande Reserve – Neighborhood 5 – Units 15 and 22 (Townhomes) –
Final Plat
Ms. Noble summarized this project and said DR Horton is seeking a Final Plat
amendment for the townhome area at Mill and Kennedy. They purchased 17 EBE lots
which are exceptions to blanket easements. The developer platted the area according to
the shape of the building rather than individual lots. They are creating fee-simple lots in
units 15 and 22 to sell them easier. The developer is looking for an amendment to
illustrate the townhomes will have their own lots. Ms. Noble said at the Plan Council
meeting it was noted this new Final Plat is only referred to as Neighborhood #5. Staff
asked the petitioner to revise the Final Plat to refer to a unit number rather than
neighborhood number. This will move forward to the January PZC and if no other
changes are needed, it will then proceed to City Council.
Old Business: None
Additional Business:
Alderman Frieders stated that when the Council members start discussion on front-
funding the grant program in regards to the pandemic, the original idea was $200,000 to
match the State, but he said it makes more sense to understand $200,000 would be the
smallest amount. He said the dollar amount needs to be increased to help businesses
financially.
The meeting adjourned at 6:43pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted by
Marlys Young, Minute Taker (remote attendance)