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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEconomic Development Minutes 2026 08-04-26 APPROVED 9/1/26 Page 1 of 3 UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Tuesday, August 4, 2026, 6:00pm East Conference Room #337 651 Prairie Pointe Drive, Yorkville, IL In Attendance: Committee Members Chairman Ken Koch Alderman Rusty Hyett Alderman Joe Plocher Alderman Matt Marek Other City Officials Assistant City Administrator Erin Willrett Alderman Rusty Corneils Community Development Director Krysti Barksdale-Noble Building Code Official Pete Ratos Senior Planner Sara Mendez Senior Planner David Hansen Planner 1 Thian Dim Assistant Economic Development Director Katelyn Gregory Economic Development Director Lynn Dubajic Kellogg Community Development Intern Drea Sandoval Other Guests Mike Krempski Aaron Dorsey, Good Behavior Neal Karkhanis, Prairie Retail Ryan Ewing, Prairie Retail Joe Fasella, JTS Architects Dan & Nanette Freidel, Countryside Heather Allen, Bristol Bay The meeting was called to order at 6:00pm by Chairman Ken Koch Citizen Comments Mr. Mike Krempski read a statement regarding a Planning and Zoning meeting in October, 2024 when a proposed cannabis dispensary was considered. He cited the names of several speakers at that time, who opposed the dispensary. He said no public members supported this proposal in that meeting and 13 members of the public gave testimony against. He said several of those speakers did not want a dispensary anywhere in the city limits, regardless of the distance from a school. He cited the effects of cannabis, increased crime, theft and other potential negative factors. He said the name, “Good Behavior” sends a bad message and children will see the sign as their families drive by. He noted that Molly Krempski said the community will never prosper if it values tax dollars over kids. He suggested this proposed business might require the city to hire additional police officers. He stated that he recognized that the application tonight is worthy of being considered. He asked the committee members to remember the opposition presented for the previous petition and restated that it is not an issue or where to locate a dispensary, but to not allow one at all. Ms. Heather Allen of Bristol Bay thought that many people might not have attended the last meeting regarding the cannabis dispensary proposal. She said there is a dispensary 5 miles from Page 2 of 3 her and there have been no problems. It is legal and if the business operates according to the law, she asked why are we opposing this. It is legal and all other communities around us are benefiting financially from dispensaries and people from Yorkville are using the products. Having a dispensary has shown that crime does not increase. The company is not asking for exceptions to the rules and the city will benefit. Yorkville has always been supportive of businesses and of moving forward. She said the building design is professional, the city needs the tax dollars and those dollars are going to other communities. Minutes for Correction/Approval July 7, 2026 The minutes were approved as presented. New Business 1. EDC 2026-39 Building Permit Report for June 2026 Mr. Ratos said 156 building permits were issued with 2 of those single family detached, 16 single family attached and some commercial. He said 5 or 6 detached units are still awaiting surveys. 2. EDC 2026-40 Building Inspection Report for June 2026 In June, 675 inspections were completed and the majority were done in-house. The out-source was used about 28 times. Most of the inspections were for new construction in Grande Reserve and inspectors are there 4-5 times per day. 3. EDC 2026-41 Property Maintenance Report for June 2026 Two cases were heard in June, said Mr. Ratos and 41 other cases were considered but were closed before Hearings. He said a case on Redwood Drive had a weeds and grass issue, but became compliant before the hearing. He discussed this with the homeowner who will be moving in soon. The other case concerned a building addition with no building permit. An increased fee was paid for the permit and this matter was resolved. 4. EDC 2026-42 Economic Development Report for July 2026 Ms. Gregory referred committee members to the report in the packet. 5. EDC 2026-43 103 Strawberry Lane - Variance Ms. Thian Dim provided the background for this variance request from Mr. Dan Freidel for a reduction of the rear yard setback from 40 feet to 14 feet. This would allow for construction of an addition to his residence. This parcel is zoned R-2 in the Countryside subdivision which was annexed into the city in 1971. His lot is a reverse corner lot and is a unique shape. The property meets all the other bulk regulations in R-2. Because of the reverse corner lot, the buildable area is significantly reduced and the property does not meet the current 40 foot setback. Ms. Dim said the surrounding properties on Strawberry Lane have similar configurations and none meet today's requirements. Staff recommended approval of this request and the committee concurred. She said this would go forward to the Planning and Zoning Commission for a Public Hearing on August 12. 6. EDC 2026-44 Good Behavior – Cannabis Dispensary – Special Use Ms. Sara Mendez presented the background for this Special Use request for a cannabis dispensary within the B-3 business district. It would be located in the Stagecoach Crossing development. The property is vacant now and it would be new construction. The UDO allows only one cannabis dispensary in the city. No on-site consumption is allowed and there must be a 500 foot minimum separation from any school to the dispensary which the petitioner meets. The petitioners met with 2 nearby businesses involving kids (AID, ABC Therapy) who had no issues with the dispensary. Parking, loading, trash and the site plan were detailed. Ms. Mendez Page 3 of 3 described the floor area, signage, hours of operation and parking. They are allowed one wall sign and can also have their name included on the multi-tenant sign. She also briefly discussed the landscape plan, appearance standards, screening and traffic. Following staff recommendations for meetings with HOA's of Fox Highlands and Windett Ridge, the petitioner said Fox Highlands had no concerns and a presentation will be given to Windett Ridge. Mr. Ryan Ewing provided further information about the day-to-day operations. He said they would be hiring local residents and he described the interior of the building and security measures. He said loitering is not allowed and there is an ID process when you enter the building. He said they will allow camera access to the police when asked and that the State Police have access as well. Alderman Marek asked if there is a distinction between medical and recreational use and if they sell both. Mr. Ewing said their business would do both and he added they carry a federal pharmacy credential and are regulated by the federal government. They are selling a medical product, products are sealed and consumption is not allowed on the premises. Aldermen asked about any safety issues with nearby dispensaries and it was noted there was no real increase in crime where these are located. Mr. Ewing said that nationally there were no problems and he elaborated further on the security efforts outside and after hours and said they exceed the safety requirements. Compliance training is held annually and security tests are performed every 30 days. He discussed how stock is replenished, that ID must be established before product is accepted and there are two bolts on the vault doors. The committee briefly discussed revenue to be generated and it was noted that up to 3% excise tax can be added. Alderman Marek expressed concern for the name of the business—Good Behavior. Alderman Koch asked company representatives to meet with each Alderman to discuss the proposal, which the petitioner has done. Alderman Corneils said he had received a tour of a building which he found to be clean, no odor, and low impact. This will move to Planning and Zoning on September 9 and City Council on October 13. 7. EDC 2026-45 Solar Farm Decommissioning Bond – Text Amendment Ms. Noble said that when a permit was issued to one of the two solar farms in operation, it was found there is no bonding company that will hold a bond for 40 years which is the term of the lease. As a result, staff had to detail what form of surety they would accept which are letters of credit, performance bond or surety bond and that bonds must be in place for the duration of the project. If there is no bond, the city can start the decommissioning process and the bond would be called or the letter of credit would be cashed. The committee was OK with this. Old Business: None Additional Business: None There was no further business and the meeting adjourned at 6:55pm. Minutes respectfully submitted by Marlys Young, Minute Taker