HomeMy WebLinkAboutEconomic Development Minutes 2025 04-01-25
APPROVED 7/1/25
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UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE
SPECIAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Tuesday, April 1, 2025, 6:00pm
East Conference Room #337
651 Prairie Pointe Drive, Yorkville, IL
In Attendance:
Committee Members
Chairman Joe Plocher
Alderman Chris Funkhouser
Alderman Dan Transier
Absent: Alderman Seaver Tarulis
Other City Officials
City Administrator Bart Olson
Community Development Director Krysti Barksdale-Noble
Planner I Sara Mendez
Senior Planner David Hansen
Code Official Pete Ratos
Community Engagement & Marketing Coordinator Katelyn Gregory
Other Guests
Charlie Tarwater, QuickTrip
Mike Holzer, Brenda Holzer Foundation
Jen Rakas via Zoom
The meeting was called to order at 6:00pm by Chairman Joe Plocher.
Citizen Comments None
Minutes for Correction/Approval March 4, 2025
The minutes were approved as presented.
New Business
(Items #5 and #6 were moved forward on the agenda)
5. EDC 2025-27 Quik Trip – Sign Variance
Charlie Tarwater, Real Estate Manager with QuikTrip was present and gave a short
overview of the sign variance request. He said a sign had been approved in 2023 as a
Special Use and it was 7'10” and 54 square feet. It met the sign ordinance at that time.
Since that time, an additional product with pricing has been added to the QuikTrip
product lineup and adds 5” to the sign for 62 square feet. He said shrubs and landscaping
would be used to screen the sign base. He compared sign sizes with other gas stations in
the city which are larger than this request.
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Alderman Funkhouser said he does not approve of a larger sign and that requirements
were recently revised through the UDO process, however, he acknowledged the
competitive factor. Alderman Transier had no objections and asked for a new draft of the
sign showing premium materials. The materials for the base and possible heights and sign
size were discussed and it was noted that with premium materials (such as brick and
stone), a larger or taller sign could be allowed. David Hansen said staff supports the
request due to nearby signs being larger. With committee approval, this moves to Public
Hearing at PZC on April 9 and then to City Council.
6. EDC 2025-28 904 S. Bridge Street - Variance
Ms. Mendez presented the background for this variance request from Mr. Mike Holzer to
construct an office building for his non-profit organization. His request is to reduce the
front-yard setback from 50 feet to 42 feet. The building would be situated on a lot on S.
Bridge St. (Rt. 47). He has a limited space with the lot configuration and small size, but
is meeting other setbacks and number of parking stalls. Nearby properties also have
reduced setbacks. Alderman Funkhouser asked the purpose of the drive-through lane
around the building and Mr. Holzer replied it was for weed control and ease in making an
exit from the parking lot. This will also be addressed later said Mr. Ratos. He also noted
that the Fire Department would require access behind the building. The committee
supported this request and this petition is scheduled for a Public Hearing at PZC April 9th.
(return to regular agenda order)
1. EDC 2025-23 Building Permit Report for February 2025
Mr. Ratos reported one single family detached permit, 14 commercial and 31
miscellaneous for the month.
2. EDC 2025-24 Building Inspection Report for February 2025
There were 256 inspections in February, said Mr. Ratos.
3. EDC 2025-25 Property Maintenance Report for February 2025
There were no hearings in February, but a couple complaints were addressed. He noted a
trash dumping issue that they are investigating.
4. EDC 2025-26 Economic Development Report for March 2025
Katelyn Gregory reported on new business openings and a new venue--Blank SL8. They
have a space for special events and they also want to promote supporting other small
businesses in the city.
Old Business: None
Additional Business:
Mr. Ratos gave a brief report on the status of Gerber Glass and the sewer issues
concerning the project. He had spoken with Mr. Verne Henne and informed him there
were dips and valleys in the sewer that would need to be corrected. Mr. Ratos said
Gerber Glass may ask for some money to be refunded if they needed to do the repairs.
He said that Gerber may have decided it is more financially prudent to work with Mr.
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Henne rather than boring along Rt. 47, in order to move forward with this project.
Alderman Funkhouser asked about the construction fence and screening that is in
disrepair at the Gerber site. Mr. Ratos has spoken with them to rectify the situation.
In another matter, Alderman Funkhouser said he noticed work being done at Whispering
Meadows and that no Final Plat has been done to allow the work. Mr. Ratos will address
this with the construction company following this meeting.
There was no further business and the meeting adjourned at 6:21pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Marlys Young, Minute Taker