Economic Development Minutes 2009 04-06-09 Page 1 of 6 APPROVED 5/4/09
UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Mondav, April 6, 2009, 7pm
City Conference Room
In Attendance:
Committee Members
Chairman Gary Golinski
Alderman Joe Besco
Alderman Robert Allen
Alderman Marty Munns
Other Citv Officials:
Mayor Valerie Burd
City Manager Brendan McLaughlin
Community Development Director Travis Miller
Alderwoman Rose Spears
Alderwoman Robyn Sutcliff
Alderman Wally Werderich
Other Guests:
Tom Gilmour
Judy Gilmour
George Gilson
Richard Scheffrahn
Tony Scott, Kendall County Record
T. J. from Rosati's Pizza
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Gary Golinski at 7:00pm.
Presentation:
None
Minutes for Correction /Approval: March 3, 2009
The minutes were approved as read.
Items Recommended by Plan Commission for Approval:
1. PC 2009 -03 Collier 1.5 Mile Review
Jo Rics, currently located on Rt. 126, is moving the business to Rt. 34. The Plan
Commission reviewed this and recommended to City Council for the County Board, that
it be approved as a special use. The current zoning ordinance does not have a provision
for this type of special use within a residential zoning classification, so a text amendment
will be prepared by the County to allow for a special use within zoning class R3. The
application requested to rezone from residential to B2 commercial.
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Travis Miller detailed the staff recommendations regarding parking, parking lot
improvements, landscaping and stormwater with regards to the well on the property.
Chairman Golinski said he would like to include the City staff comments so the County
can review. Aldermen Besco and Munns expressed concern for creating an access point
since there is a large curve at this location. Mr. Besco said if a recommendation is made
to the County, it should be stressed that IDOT approval is needed also since Rt. 34 will
be widened in the future. Ms. Spears asked that the neighbors be informed when the
matter comes before the Council.
It was noted that a Public Hearing is not needed for a 1.5 Review.
This will move forward to the April 10 City Council meeting.
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2. PC 2008 -29 Zoning Ordinance Amendment Regarding Mining Regulations
A Public Hearing was held on March 11 "' and the Plan Commission recommended
approval of the text amendment as presented. Mining is currently considered a special
use in the M2 zoning classification. The proposed amendment would introduce an
"article" that details what is expected in an application and what criteria to expect.
Travis said the State does not address setbacks in their mining regulations, however, the
text amendment does discuss this. The reclamation of this site when the mining is
finished, is included in the amendment.
This item will move forward to City Council for a "first reading ".
New Business:
5. EDC 2009 -17 Sign Ordinance Discussion (moved forward on agenda)
Currently, temporary signs are allowed only 3 times a year and 14 days at a time with a
building permit being required each time. A Rosati's Pizza representative, T.J., was
present and said he was told the temporary signs were prohibited and that banner signs
were allowed. He said the banners are not very effective and do not fare well in bad
weather. Rosati's was also told to remove the "sandwich" style signs they used.
Mayor Burd said the City is trying to eliminate signs with portable letters, however, it
was noted that the Police Department currently uses such a sign. She said she does not
approve of temporary signs. Alderman Munns expressed concern that it took six months
to address sign issues near Pearle Vision. For the record, Ms. Spears said she does not
recommend that the Police Department stop using the portable sign trailer since it's used
for public safety issues, but perhaps use it on a limited basis.
Alderwoman Spears said the City should support the local businesses. Alderman Besco
said the Council needs to look at the sign ordinance so that local businesses can thrive in
the City in these tough economic times. The Mayor agreed that the City should do all it
can to assist the businesses.
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Next year, Rosati's Pizza will celebrate their 10 years in business, but they feel they
cannot celebrate this occasion because they cannot obtain a permit for any sort of
temporary signage. Alderwoman Sutcliff pointed out that Verizon has "blow -up" type
signage every weekend.
Chairman Golinski said that Rosati's should send their concerns to Travis Miller and also
that the prohibited sign list should be reviewed. There was also concern for the fact that a
permit is needed for each occasion at $50 per time. The Committee felt a yearly permit
might be more appropriate. The Mayor added that the City gave a dispensation for wind
feathers and that this could be an option for Rosati's.
This matter will be brought back to the next EDC meeting.
1. EDC 2009 -13 Building Permit Report for February 2009
No single - family permits were issued in February. Chairman Golsinki asked that the
report reflect a year -to -date total and year -to -year comparison.
2. EDC 2009 -14 Plan Commission Report for March 2009
These items were previously discussed.
3. EDC 2009 -15 Zoning Commission Report
The next meeting is April 29 at 7pm and the Commission is reviewing zoning
assessments. Their regular meetings will normally be on the 4th Tuesday of each month.
They have developed a timeline of topics to be discussed and Travis will provide a
monthly review to this committee.
At least one Public Hearing will be held and by the end of the year, a draft of the
recommendations will be completed. Alderman Besco mentioned a comment by a
Commission member that said a "density bonus" should be offered as part of orderly
development. Mr. Besco said this goes against what the Council has recommended.
Mayor Burd thought this might refer to development along railroad tracks. Travis Miller
said his interpretation was that the person referred to incentive based requirements.
Alderman Allen agreed with Mr. Besco and said he thought the City has good zoning
requirements in place.
It was noted that the City Council would receive the final documents from this
Commission and could make changes as they see fit. No further action required.
4. EDC 2009 -16 Integrated Transportation Plan — Project Update
The next meeting is April 30 at the Library. The recent focus has been on the
streetscape. The plan is being finalized with valuable input from the public and the final
document is expected to be finished by August. Alderwoman Sutcliff said she hoped the
committee had looked at stormwater issues and that it would be wise to decrease
stormwater flow to the river. Travis will present an update next month.
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Old Business:
1. PC 2009 -01 Wind Energy Systems Ordinance – Review and Discussion
A public forum was held on March l O th and a consortium was also held. The speaker
reviewed the ordinance and made comments on it. Many email and public comments
have been made on this topic.
It was noted that Home Depot and Menards currently sell the small systems. The small
systems would require a Public Hearing review and then a permit with special use.
Alderman Werderich said one of the concerns brought up at the Public Hearing was
abandonment of a large system. He said other towns are requiring wind farm owners to
put up a bond in the event of a problem. If the owners did not disassemble the
equipment, the bonds would be used to pay for this. Administrator McLaughlin said he
would be more comfortable with a surety bond. Another concern Mr. Werderich shared
was in relation to the mid -size system. He said those systems do not currently have a
limitation on the number of windmills. These would be used for larger building such as
schools or business. Alderman Werderich also addressed taxation and said that all
regulations need to be in place.
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Alderman Besco said that due to the complexity of the systems, the Council should
consider three different ordinances —one for each system. Alderman Golinski agreed and
said that more time should be taken to make sure the ordinances are correct. Mr. Besco
said the system size should be defined by the kilowatts and possibly the size of the
blades.
Guest and Engineer Richard Scheffrahn said that the market has dictated the components li
for wind systems. He added that his concern would be that a roof unit could be upgraded
to a larger unit. He thought that 10 kilwatts seemed reasonable for a rooftop unit and
agreed that it should be controlled by a separate ordinance. Alderman Munns also raised j
the question of aesthetics if several homeowners had rooftop units installed.
Discussion turned to permits. Travis said that at minimum, electric permits would be
required for rooftop units since the units would be hooked into the electrical system of
the home. Building permits would also be required for towers.
Alderwoman Spears said that after a discussion with an attorney, it was learned that the
City is responsible for including language in the code to avoid "fly by night" systems.
She added that she agrees with having three separate ordinances. She also cautioned that
the City must be careful of people claiming to be experts who might have personal
agendas regarding wind systems. She further suggested a 3 -month moratorium on
windmill systems until the ordinance is totally refined. She said even the Council
members have different interpretations of the subject.
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Chairman Golinski asked Mayor Burd to clarify an article in the Beacon News about the
Mayor being approached about a wind farm.
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Guest George Gilson said he agreed that this ordinance should not be rushed and that a
moratorium would be appropriate. The liability would fall on the city /taxpayer if there
was a problem since there is no mechanism in place in the ordinance to cover a problem.
There was discussion of wind energy used on farms and Administrator McLaughlin said
this usage needs to be refined in the ordinance.
A list of recommended manufacturers was suggested, however, it was thought that a list
of specs would be better. George Gilson said he is in the business of specifications and
that manufacturers can be listed, however, manufacturers cannot be purposely listed for
exclusion.
Alderman Golsinksi said he agreed with a moratorium and cited a Finding of Fact from a
DeKalb County Hearing for a wind farm recently denied. Most committee members
agreed with a moratorium and the attorney will be asked to handle the details.
Chairman Golinski said factors to be considered are: bond issuance needed, plan for
decommissioning units, setbacks (1.5 -2 miles), sunset clause, property tax, fees, property
value guarantee plan.
The small systems will be addressed first and this matter will be brought back to the next
EDC. Travis said he will try to find a speaker to attend the next meeting and any
comments should be sent to Travis. Mr. Golinski said a seminar will be held in July in
Bloomington.
2. EDC 2009 -07 "Shop Yorkville" Campaign -Update
A marketing plan for this campaign was received from Glory Spies.
Alderman Munns suggested an idea of "Yorkville's Biggest Winner" with an award for
the business that increases their sales tax by the largest percentage for a given time. He
also suggested providing "Shop Yorkville" to Yorkville High School. Alderman Besco
suggested a punch card system that offers rewards for money spent in Yorkville. Other
ideas from Alderman Munns were a $50 gift to the 1000 customer in a store and a "best
pizza" contest. Mr. McLaughlin said in the wintertime, Rosati's offered pizza to winners
who dropped off their business card. Other ideas included a poker run for businesses and
a fishing tournament. Mr. Munns said a completed marketing plan is needed prior to a
July 1 st kickoff.
Alderwoman Spears said all plans should be gathered and presented to the Chamber.
However, Mayor Burd replied that the Chamber does not wish to participate because they
represent not just Yorkville businesses, but rather the Yorkville area. Since the City
funds the Chamber, it was felt they should stand behind the City and that YEDC should
also support the effort. There was a brief discussion regarding whether or not the funding
should be continued.
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Chairman Golinski said he wants to see the City take the lead in this campaign since the
City is spending the money and he wants Yorkville businesses to have a chance at being
successful. As an offshoot of this discussion, Mr. Golinski said Yorkville businesses
should be made aware of any bid opportunities that arise. He cited some examples from
the past where Yorkville businesses did not have that opportunity. It was suggested to
place information on the website about this process and it was noted that any bid over
$20,000 is published.
Alderman Munns requested a revised marketing plan prior to the next meeting and this
item will be brought back for further discussion.
Additional Business:
Alderman Besco said he had heard the City is counting on $150,000 toward the budget,
from a certain business in town. He said he also heard there are large judgments against
that business for unpaid construction work. His concern was for a shortfall in the City
budget.
Brendan McLaughlin said the business would open this year and that sub - contractors
have judgments against the business in an effort to preserve their rights for payment.
Mr. McLaughlin said there were some asphalt deficiencies that the State has not
accepted.
There was no further business and the meeting was adjourned at 9:04pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted by
Marlys Young
United City of Yorkville
800 Game Farm Road
1 1636 Yorkville, Illinois 60560
-�-� Telephone: 630 -553 -4350
Fax: 630 -553 -7575
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