EDC Minutes 2008 03-06-08 Page 1 of 3 I APPROVED 4/3/08
UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Thursday, March 6, 2008, 7pm
Council Chambers
In Attendance:
Committee Members
Chairman Jason Leslie
Alderman Gary Golinski
Alderman Joe Besco
Other Citv Officials:
City Administrator Brendan McLaughlin
Community Development Director Travis Miller
i
Other Guests:
Tony Scott, Kendall County Record Shaina Busch
Mike Skinner, ZBA Tim Gerk, Kendall Citizens for Farmland
Gregg Ingemunson, Attorney Janice Hill, Kane County - Kendall Citizens
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Jason Leslie at 7:00pm.
Presentation:
1. Kendall County Farm Protection Presentation by Tim Gerk
Tim Gerk, Chairman of Kendall Citizens for Farmland Protection and Janice Hill,
Manager of the Kane County Farmland Protection Program were in attendance to present j
a program on farmland protection. Their groups endorse "smart growth" while protecting
farmland. As a result of their efforts, a farm protection ordinance has been put in place. j
Mr. Gerk said 2000 -3000 acres of productive farmland are being lost to development
each year in Kendall County and groundwater is also being affected.
i
Ms. Hill focused on zoning and planning and how they can protect farmland. She said a j
program has been developed in Kane County called "Purchase of Development Rights"
whereby the County buys the development rights and the property stays agricultural.
"Cluster zoning" brings about voluntary easements from a landowner and in Kane
County, there are 32 farms protected in this way.
Currently, there is proposed legislation in Springfield regarding funding.
Chairman Leslie commented that one of the greatest challenges to preservation is the
farmer selling the land at a high price and that the focus needs to be placed here. The
program is completely voluntary and the farm prices remain at "ag value ".
Page 2 of 3
New Business:
1. EDC 2008 -10 Monthly Building Permit Report for January 2008
Travis Miller said the City is reviewing permits on a quarterly basis and he anticipated
400 -500 units in January with 10 residential permits and 6 commercial permits in
February.
(Out of order)
Minutes for Correction/Avuroval: February 8, 2008
The minutes were approved as read.
2. EDC 2008 -11 Monthly Plan Commission Report for February 2008
Miller said there would be Public Hearings for the Hattner Trust and Jake Land Group
this month. It was noted the Jake Land Group changed their age restrictions.
3. PC 2007 -24 Kalant Property —Rezoning Request (R -2 to B -2)
A new Public Hearing was recommended due to lack of notification to nearby residents.
Miller said the Plan Commission had voted against approval of this petition due to
concerns about Rt. 47 traffic and B -2 zoning intensity. Besco commented on concerns
for parking and said that any change would need to be low impact. Two objections had
been received. Attorney Gregg Ingemunson said that park events and the nearby church
generate more traffic than the proposed business.
A suggestion was made to table the issue until all issues can be re- examined and Besco
asked for time for residents' comments. Victoria Coveny and Michelle Cullen spoke out
against allowing a business at the subject location. A letter from the Doug Pierson family
at 103 W. Center St. also asked the committee to deny the zoning request. (See letter).
Miller said the City Attorney advised the City to redo the Public Hearing. There was also
discussion as to legal ramifications if the zoning were to be reversed. It was noted that
although letters were not sent, the legal notice was published. Chairman Leslie
recommended tabling the matter for a month to present it to staff and ask the petitioner's
help in finding a resolution.
A discussion was then held on the proper rules for handling this petition moving forward.
In conclusion, Attorney Orr's opinion will be requested and the matter will move to the
March 25` City Council without a committee recommendation.
4. EDC 2008 -12 Economic Incentive Policy —Discussion
The policy was approved in 2005 as a policy /guide according to Miller and was brought
back to this meeting for evaluation with consideration of surrounding communities. He
said there have been many stand alone agreements since that time. He provided brief
information about some nearby towns' policies.
Besco suggested incentives to offset leases in empty storefronts to promote job creation.
This could extend to industrial and commercial. Golinski and McLaughlin said that at
some point, the incentives must be reduced. YEDC will be asked to give a future
presentation with input from business owners.
Page 3 of 3
Old Business:
L EDC 2007 -38 Sign Ordinance — Februa 1 S 2008 Workshop Meeting r1' P g
g Summary
Mike Skinner of the Zoning Board of Appeals gave an update on the revised Sign
Ordinance. He said smaller stores need the same opportunities for signage as larger
companies that the City is trying to attract. He said many of the past PUD's have allowed
very large signs, while local businessmen were recently denied their requested signs. The
guidelines for electronic message boards were also discussed.
Mr. Miller said he will draft a revised draft of the Sign Ordinance by next month. He
added that signs already in place would be grandfathered in, however, incentives might
be offered for new signage in order to be ordinance - compliant. l
2. EDC 2008 -06 Draft Millbrook Boundary Agreement - Discussion
Alderman Besco and Golinski expressed their concerns regarding the recent k'
Montgomery agreement and the fact that landowners were not allowed input before a
decision was reached. Because of that, it was requested that the Millbrook decision be j
delayed at this time. Golinski asked what the advantage would be for Yorkville to have
the Millbrook agreement.
i
No further action will be taken on this matter in this committee.
3. EDC 2008 -08 Policy for Legal Fees Paid by City for Annexation Agreements
Besco said he wished to add verbage to item #2- it must be demonstrated "by petitioner"
that there would be a "major" economic benefit to City. Alderman Besco said that as an
Alderman, it is difficult to explain to his constituents why a certain property is being
annexed if it is far from the City. Golinski said that sometimes there could be reasons
other than economic, why a certain parcel would be annexed.
The policy will be revised and brought to the City Council consent agenda on March 25
It will also be subject to legal review.
4. EDC 2007 -53 Comprehensive Plan — Planning Area Discussion
Miller said direction had been given at a previous meeting to arrange a meeting with
Platteville to discuss a southern boundary and discuss the Comp Plan. It was suggested
that this be taken to City Council for discussions on how to structure the meeting.
Additional Business:
Alderman Golinski said an open house to discuss the Comp Plan had been held at the
Library the previous night. About 70 citizens attended along with City staff and
comment forms were available for feedback.
There was no further business and the meeting adjourned at 9:07pm.
Minutes by Marlys Young,
Minute Taker
February 12, 2008
Plan Commission
City Council
Mayor Valerie Burd
United City of Yorkville
I am coming here today to speak against the rezoning petition made by the property owners at 101 W.
Center St in Yorkville.
When I found out that the property had been rezoned without the proper notification of property owners I
was upset and appalled that such an important piece of the rezoning process was overlooked. I was further
frustrated that when the city was notified they failed to bring it to the City Council, I contacted my alderman
who then brought the issue out into the open. The fact that this mistake was allowed to stand is disturbing
and try as I might it is very hard to have confidence in the city government looking out for the rights of its
citizens.
The property in question is directly adjacent to our family's home and to the Towne Square Park. One of
the big reasons this neighborhood appealed to us was because of all the family friendly activities and
atmosphere that the park offers. All three streets that surround the park west of Rt. 47 are entirely
residential with the exception of the Chapel on the Green. This is a wonderful neighborhood and our family
loves it.
There are several reasons why I am asking that you turn down the request to rezone this property:
1. This property does not face Rt. 47, it faces the park and Center St.
2. Even though this house (at 101 W Center St) is directly adjacent to Rt. 47 because it faces the park it
makes a great residence. The two previous residents that we have known loved living there.
3. An additional business entrance would further hinder the traffic flow on Rt 47
4. The close proximity to the schools and the park has the potential to endanger the safety of the children
in the neighborhood.
5. Once a business is allowed to operate in this residential area it opens the doors for more to follow and
ruin family atmosphere created by the neighborhood, park and family activities.
6. When we moved here the last thing we envisioned for our backyard was that it would overlook a
parking lot.
I respectfully ask that you commit to keep the quality of this residential area surrounding Towne Square
Park intact by denying the encroachment of business into our neighborhood.
Thank you for your time,
I
Doug & Valerie Pierson
103 W. Center St.
Yorkville, IL 60560
630 -553 -1745
PLEASE SIGN IN
MEETING: FE c--Crn raw► f v e loo " t r
DATE: m clrch
NAME BUSINESS PHONE #
J� ICkAU 44 uu_ C"- ��6-tlt&(l. X30 32- -49 3
�dr��Z �2(�� 8►s- 79co - Y000
�i` n•• er K ke.n�,11 CT'i -�ns rkh% Ij 30
ITY 3--S(. -Z