EDC Minutes 2002 06-20-02 -- I
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UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
THURSDAY, JUNE 2e, 2002
7:00 P.M. '�• \S' oa
In Attendance:
Alderman Richard Sticka Alderwoman Valerie Burd City Administrator Tony Graff
Alderman Joe Besco Alderman Mike Anderson
Guests:
Dean Edmeier — Frontier Land Group
Dennis Dwyer and Steven Dwyer of Country Hills
MINUTES — MAY 16, 2002
These minutes were approved
PC 2002 -07 GREENBRIAR PUD UNIT 4: RW DEVELOPMENT — FINAL PLAT
The Committee decided that no discussion was necessary on this item.
PC 2002 -14 SUNFLOWER ESTATES PHASE 3: SUNFLOWER ESTATES LLC -FINAL
PLAT
The Committee decided that no discussion was necessary on this item.
PC 2002 -13 COUNTRY HILLS PHASE 2: DENNIS & BARBARA DWYER FINAL PLAT
Dennis Dwyer of Country Hills stated that the street Meadow Lanes would be changed to
Meadow Lark Lane. He said other than the street changing there was nothing else to report and
that he recommended final approval. Alderman Sticks made mention of a note from the engineer
stating about the street name and that he recommended final approval of the plat. The engineer's
estimates have been approved and the letter of credit should be in the amount $1,740,358.40. This
of which is 110% of the approved engineer's estimate and a letter of credit must be established.
The administration fee must be paid prior to the recording of the final plat. Alderman Sticks then
asked Mr. Dwyer if the final plat was the same as the preliminary. Mr. Dwyer said yes, it was.
Mr. Dwyer then mentioned that the only thing that was changed was lot 87. It was put into Phase
2 because of a property line change. Alderman Sticks then asked Mr. Dwyer why is there a
narrow street of approximately 23ft in the sub division. Mr. Dwyer stated that Country Hills Rd.
would be wider because it is the main artery of the sub division, but that the rest of the streets
were up to code. Mr. Sticka said that he had measured streets in the area and he remembered a
particular street that was much narrower than the rest. He also stated that in the Road Ordinance it
required streets to be between 28 —3lft. The street that he thought to be narrower than the others
might have measured in at 231 Mr. Dwyer said he did not know. Alderman Sticka then said that
if it were a key issue then the engineers would not have approved it.
The committee agreed to approve the final plat.
This item will go to COW on July 2nd.
PC 2002 -13 FOX HIGHLANDS PHASE 1: FRONTIER LAND GROUP - AMENDMENT
TO P.U.D. AND FINAL PLAT
Alderman Sticka asked Dean Edmeier of the Frontier Land Group if the P.U.D had been
approved. Mr. Edmeier said it has and that it will go to the Committee of The Whole on July 2 °a ,
and then there will be a public hearing on July 9' Mr. Edmeier said that primarily nothing has
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changed but that the original plat had 3 unit buildings and they are being replaced with 2 and 4
unit buildings. He said there are no other changes. There were originally 90 units approved, and
there are still ninety, they will just be in the 2 and 4 configurations. They are still the same types
of units and zoning. He said Attorney Kramer suggested it to go back through committee since it
is a plat. Alderman Sticka asked Mr. Edmeier if he was building anything around here. He said
that his brother is planning to do a few houses, but not him. Mr. Edmeier said that he primarily
represents various builders and developers.
This item will be sent to COW on July 2" d . A public hearing will follow on July 9
DOWNTOWN FACADE
Alderwoman Valerie Burd stated that the idea of this is that they are trying to expand this across
the whole city instead of just the downtown district. She said what she would like to do now is
change it so that the district still be the downtown area as defined in the original resolution and
j expand it to all municipal boundaries. She said she would have to update other parts of the
resolution to include the "In addition to the downtown district ", which is identified in the original
resolution. She said that there was a problem with the downtown district and it maintaining the
"Midwestern Town" look. In the area there are a lot of buildings and houses that will not be able
to do that because they weren't that way to begin with. She said they are looking for ideas of what
to tell them as to how they should remodel. She asked the committee if there was anyone that had
any ideas. Alderman Sticka commented that with some you might not even want it, as it's original
appearance. Alderman Anderson asked how much public money would be available. He said that
he has had some people asking that and if it would be restricted to just a certain area.
Alderwoman Burd said that they have tried to focus on that and that most of downtown has used
the funding. Alderman Anderson commented that he is not opposed to the principle of it, but if
they have requests citywide is the money there. Alderman Sticka asked if it was the same people
in the committee who are reviewing this. Alderwoman Burd said that it keeps changing, but that
there is a committee with a vacancy in it now. Alderman Sticka asked shouldn't that committee
decide as to whether it would be a worthy request, or another and what standards would they go
by. Alderwoman Burd said that in addition to what they want the downtown to look like, they
also need to come up with a standard that can be applied to the rest of the community. The age
and condition of the building(s) might also be a factor. Alderman Sticka wandered if the
committee members should be helping to formulate a policy. Alderwoman Burd said that could
be. She said it makes it difficult especially as you leave the downtown area where there are all
sorts of architecture and different age buildings. She wandered if they could come up with a
standard that could cover everything, or if it would be unfair to have different standards for
others. Alderman Besco commented that the main objective was to keep the downtown area
somewhat historic. If you go to a building that is only 5 years old, it wouldn't have much
historical value. Alderwoman Burd also said that maybe instead of making it all area wide, they
could expand it along the main thoroughfares to include Rt. 34 down to Rt. 47. She knows that
there are some places that are going to be turning from residential to commercial on Rt. 47 and
that they might want to try to encourage them to maintain the flavor of the building. She said she
knows of someone who would like to apply for this and try and do just that for a business. She
said that between Rt.126 and Rt.34 on Rt. 47 is where it would cover;most of the, older buildings.
Alderman Sticka asked if there should be a cut off age for the buildings. Alderwoman Burd
thought there should be. Alderman Besco again mentioned that it should include the historical
part of it, to be sure that those would not come down. Alderwoman Burd stated that in the original
resolution it was more of an economic viewpoint. Alderman Sticka then asked what the largest
grant was that a person could get. Alderwoman Burd said that it was $10,000, but also would
depend on how much is available. She then read from the original resolution where it said that
they have to spend at least $1,000 of their own money and not to exceed 50% of the total cost of
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renovation. They can only get 50% of what they spent. They pay for all of it, but then would be
reimbursed. It would also be up to committee to whether it meets the standards and whether they
will pay for that part of the renovation. Alderman Sticka asked if there was anyone that felt they
had been unfairly treated and thought that they should have received some money. Alderwoman
Surd said no, most were surprised to find that they would be reimbursed so they feel that it was a
great idea. Most of the businesses wanted to do this. Premier, Bridge Street Cafe and St. Joseph's
Cabinetry worked with the committee and received the money. St. Joseph's had put in bigger
windows and new lights. Alderman Sticka stated that personally he did not feel like he could
formulate a policy and would like to know what other committee members would have to say,
and what others could come up with in a way of proposals. He also said that it seems easier to
picture the downtown area doing this, and wonders how the other areas can conform to that as
well. Alderwoman Burd said that the residents in that area do not seem to realize that it is aimed
at residential too. It wouldn't cover painting their homes, but would cover replacing windows and
changing the fagade. Basically anything you can see from the street is fair game. Alderman Besco
commented that it could contradict what was said about it being for economic development
stimulus. Alderwoman Burd commented that run down areas near residential wouldn't be good
economic development either. Alderman Besco then said that anything to fix up the downtown
area would be okay with him. Alderman Sticka asked if the existing policy was restricted to the
downtown area. Alderwoman Burd said that it was. If the policy is broadened then that could
mean any residential along that area. It is something that the committee needs to think about.
Alderman Anderson said that it would need to be formulated on how far out it would go.
Alderman Sticks said that the committee would need to try and come up with a fair policy.
Residents might feel as though tax money is being improperly disbursed. Alderwoman Burd said
that she hasn't heard of anyone inquiring about the disbursement of city funds. She said that she
would go to the committee and see if she can get them to meet and discuss this issue and that
maybe they could have this district be the Downtown Area District with radial arms going along
the highway. Alderman Sticka said he wasn't aware of what sat in the budget for this project. City
Administrator Tony Graff stated that it was $20,000. Alderman Anderson felt that it was not a
great deal of money. Alderwoman Burd commented that it wasn't and it's been nice because they
have only had a couple of people at a time that have applied for it. She also said that some money
could be used to enhance the back of the buildings on Rt. 47. The idea being to put patio areas in
the back where people would actually be shopping, instead of up front. It would look very nice.
Alderman Sticks said by knowing this he felt comfortable with continuing to focus on this on the
project, particularly with the highway coming through and the effect it will have on the
businesses in that area. Maybe helping with the rears of the buildings is a good way to go.
Mr. Graff stated that the Downtown NIU study is just about done. It should be coming in about 6
weeks. They did show a draft of the rear scopes and changes that they could do. There will be
some costs involved with that. Alderman Sticka suggested that the program be expanded to a
larger geographical area. Alderwoman Burd felt that was fine. Alderman Besco commented that
he liked the idea and would like to see the downtown area pristine.
Alderman Sticka mentioned that the Fagade Committee could make some suggestions on the
project. Alderman Besco asked what the existing boundaries are. Alderwoman Burd said that the
boundaries are Hydraulic St. to the North; Mills St. to the East; Van Emmon to the South, and
Main St. to the West. She said that they might consider expanding it to Fox St. Alderman
Anderson made mention of plans to have the old jailhouse torn down. Alderwoman Burd said that
she had heard otherwise. Alderman Sticka said that it was also in the Beacon News that they were
planning to tear it down and they were seeking a Demolition Permit. Alderman Anderson felt that
it would make more sense to sell it. Alderwoman Burd said that Windham Homes said they
talked of possibly doing some projects there and would be of good use. Alderman Besco asked if
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the old Firehouse would be affected by the roadway construction. Mr. Graff said that it would be
affected but that it is not marked to be torn down. The driveway on Rt. 47 will no longer be there
and the new driveway will be on Fox St. IDOT allowed it for the fire department, and since then
the use has changed. There really isn't a record of a permit drive. The drive doesn't actually
belong to them; it is access to the county. Alderman Besco asked if there were any buildings that
needed to come down because it. It wouldn't be a good idea to give them money to redo their
facade if the building would need to come down. Mr. Graff said that he only knew of one and
that would be the Muellner building. Alderwoman Burd said that they haven't asked for any
funding yet, but that if they plan to build another one that looks historic then they could go for the
funds.
The committee agreed to make the focus of the policy to expand to Fox Rd and both the front and
back facades.
BUILDING PERMIT REPORT — APRIL 2002
Alderman Sticka stated that the report more than tripled in dollar amount in this fiscal year than
in 1999.
The committee accepted this report.
UPDATE SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE AND STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS — SCOPE
OF SERVICES AND CONTRACT FROM MIKE SCHOPPE
Mr. Graff stated that he and City Engineer Joe Wywrot have a meeting with Mike and Bill
Dettmer on the zoning and engineering standards. He said that they were at a point to where it has
become monumental to try and get it organized to where either one of them has the time to do all
the work. They asked Mike for a proposal. Mr. Dettmer said that he believed the costs would be
$9,700. He also recommended getting a scope of service together and RP it. He said there are 2 or
3 other people that do this on a regular basis, being he is more of a land planner, and they could
get a different price from one of them. Mr. Graff said that though it is a lot of money, they are
looking for Mike to correlate and coordinate and also edit the project. He said that in the meeting
they will have with Mr. Wywrot and Attorney Kramer, they would try to do it in house and Mike
Dettmer if needed. He said one issue is the PUD process. There is some language in the ordinance
that causes it to become confusing for the developers and even the public to understand what City
is doing. Mr. Graff recommended cleaning up the process and the submittal of the PUD. They do
have the book they are going through right now, and they have a 2 page informational sheet to
give to the public.
Mr. Graff stated that Bill Dettmer said that if things were narrowed down then he could do the
work for $2,500. That would include helping with the development chart, providing the
application process and putting it in writing so that everyone can understand it. Mr. Graff said
that he asked Bill Dettmer about the zoning. He said they rewrote the zoning book for Hampshire
and they charged them $4,000 for a new zoning book. Alderman Sticka said that based on what
they have been told about this, that they should not go forward with it. Mr. Graff said no not yet.
He said that when it comes back again it would be in a different form.
There was nothing else on this subject.
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ADDITIONAL BUSINESS
Update on Greenbriar Punch List
Mr. Graff stated that City Engineer Joe Wywrot finished some engineering comments. The
easement issues were taken care of and he recommended approval. This item will be sent to
COW on August 6tn
Mr. Graff said that Mr. Wywrot did a punch list at Greenbriar. The punch list included a
pedestrian easement that would connect to Prairie Gardens on the far north lot. There is also some
water issue that Mr. Wyrot recommended to them to be looked into. Attorney Kramer said that he
had a meeting with Ron Worley (Greenbriar Owner) and he said he did not have any issues with
the list. Attorney Kramer also said that as long as it is a recorded easement it will go on the plat.
Update on Trail
Progress
Alderwoman Valerie Burd asked if there was any progress made on the trail that is suppose to go
from the downtown park along the easement. Mr. Graff said that yes, they have contacted Com
Ed to let them know that a sewer line needs to go along there. Mr. Graff said that they are waiting
for Rick Suttles to finish up on the master plan with the Park Board so that a grant could be given.
They would like for it to connect to Lyon's Farm and Harris. They were unable to get the grant
before because previously it wasn't connected to anything. Mr. Graff said that they are waiting
for that grant now that it is connected. He said that they had received calls from some volunteers
asking when can this be put on the project list. The sewer line will start being worked on by late
winter, and then they will mass grade it then we will fine grade it. The trail will be called Old
Trolley Trail. Alderwoman Burd informed that it is being called that because the trolley barns
were located on Van Emmon.
Consideration for Architectural
Standards
Alderman Sticka asked the committee to begin to consider architectural standards for industrial
business. He said there has been some observation that there have been some negative comments
that have been made of buildings that have recently been built. Some of the neighboring
businesses have voiced objections. He said that Mr. Dettmer gave him some information about
architectural standards in other communities. He said that they seem to apply to residents as well
but at this point we are not as interested in the residential standards as we would be to commercial
standards. Alderman Sticka said that the way they seem to apply to other communities is that they
specify that there needs to be at least an architect, and persons of certain qualifications to
determinations as to whether or not a plan is acceptable. He also said he felt it would protect the
community by doing it. He said that he would like to start to review the idea. The idea would be
to set standards for specific material used. Alderwoman Burd suggested look into setting them for
the signs too. Alderman Sticka suggested reviewing the information and see if they could come
up with some ideas. Alderman Besco suggested creating an ordinance that states developers have
to meet a certain requirement of monuments for the front of the subdivision.
This item will be brought up at the next Economic Development meeting on July 18
There was no additional business.
Meeting adjourned at 8:07 p.m.
Minutes by Theresa Brady
Revisions per Committee's instruction by Jackie Milschewski, City Clerk