Economic Development Minutes 2010 04-06-10
APPROVED 5/4/10
UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Tuesday, April 6, 2010, 6:30pm
City Conference Room
In Attendance:
Committee Members
Vice-Chairman Alderman Rose Spears
Alderman Wally Werderich
Alderman Robyn Sutcliff
Other City Officials
Mayor Valerie Burd
City Administrator Bart Olson
Interim Community Development Director Laura Schraw
Building Code Official Paul Zabel
Community Relations-Glory Spies
Lynn Dubajic
, YEDC (arr. 6:58pm)
Other Guests
Tony Scott, Kendall County Record
Tom Fullerton, Standard Redevelopment
The meeting was called to order by Vice-Chairman Rose Spears at 6:30pm. She said she
would also be recording the meeting.
Minutes for Correction/Approval
March 2, 2010
Alderman Sutcliff asked for a correction on a statement she made during the liaison
discussion. The corrected minutes will be brought back to the next meeting for review.
Items Recommended by Plan Commission for Approval
1. EDC 2010-02 Standard Redevelopment Amended Annexation Agreement and
Rezoning Request
This concerns 20 acres owned by Standard Bank at the corner of Cannonball Trail and
Rte. 47. It is a rezoning request from R3 to B3. It was noted that one resident across the
street was notified and he is also a party to the agreement. Alderman Werderich asked
about the property to the north. Mr. Olson answered that the property is part of the
Bristol Bay Annexation Agreement and owned by State Bank of Countryside.
Bart Olson said the Plan Commission gave a unanimous recommendation.
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This item is scheduled for a Public Hearing on April 13 and it will proceed to the
regular agenda of the City Council.
New Business
1. EDC 2010-12 Building Permit Report for February 2010
There was a very brief discussion of the report and is for information only.
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2. EDC 2010-13 Building Permit Report for March 2010
It was noted many of these permits were for Autumn Creek. Heartland Subdivision has 3
homes under construction with 2 more permits expected.
3. EDC 2010-14 Building Inspection Report Summary for February 2010
The committee commented that they liked the new design of this report. Alderman
Spears inquired about the “other” classification inspections. Mr. Zabel thought it was
inspections conducted by a private plumber.
No further action required.
4. EDC 2010-15 Route 47 Project Signs
Bart Olson reported that IDOT is conducting Phase 2 engineering for the Rt. 47
improvements. This item concerns the business signs along Rt. 47 and the fact that they
will have to be moved. Many of them are non-conforming and it must be determined if
they will just be moved or if the City should require them to become compliant with the
new sign code also. IDOT will reimburse the sign moving costs.
Photos of the signs that must be moved were included in the packet. Mr. Olson said
some of the signs may have historic value or variances may have been granted in the past.
Cost of moving and/or new signs is expected to range from $500-$5,000 per sign. The
per unit cost may be less if several signs need to be replaced.
It was noted that BP Amoco had requested a variance just a year ago and it would most
likely just be moved, not changed. Ms. Schraw asked if the City would grant a blanket
variance for signs needing to be moved. Alderman Werderich said this would be a good
time for the City to have the signs brought into conformance since IDOT would pay.
Alderman Spears said that the City Council should work with business owners and give
them a choice. She said they could be contacted and then the City would inform IDOT of
their decision. Alderman Sutcliff asked if it was the City’s responsibility to give a
directive on behalf of all the business owners.
Mayor Burd said she agreed with Mr. Olson—that individual business owners could ask
for a variance if they wish. There is an $85 fee for a variance request or the fees could be
waived. There are also legal fees and fees for drafting the ordinance, though it was noted
by Alderman Werderich that an attorney is not necessarily needed for a variance. Ms.
Spears said she is opposed to the $85 fee, which places an additional burden on the
business owner. Ms. Schraw said she thought IDOT would cover the $85 fee if there
were a blanket variance. Mayor Burd said she would like to view this process as a
positive one and a means to bring signs into conformance.
Ms. Sutcliff said she preferred that all businesses bring their signs into conformance since
IDOT is paying for them. Alderman Werderich also felt the signs should conform and felt
that the fees should be waived if the burden were to fall on the business owner. For the
record, Mr. Werderich said if a business owner came forward with a variance on an
existing sign they wish to keep, he would not oppose that.
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This item will move forward to the City Council regular agenda for their April 27
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meeting.
Old Business:
1. EDC 2010-03 Building Permit Fees
The original proposal was to decrease commercial fees substantially, however, after
considering the City’s costs, etc., the fees will not change. Residential driveways, decks
and parking lot fees will be changed to offset costs. Alderman Sutcliff asked if
Yorkville’s costs had been compared with other towns. Ms. Spears asked that
surrounding communities’ plan review fees be surveyed for comparison purposes and she
asked for copies of the findings. Mr. Zabel shared some fees previously obtained. Ms.
Spears opposed the changes in residential fees due to the poor state of the economy and
said that residents are being penalized.
Surcharges were also discussed and these would apply when work is begun prior to
obtaining a work permit. This charge would be approximately half the cost of a permit.
Mr. Zabel also said that refunds are requested occasionally for cancelled projects. Any
such requests will be forwarded to the City Administrator along with an applicable report
before the request is considered. Ms. Spears asked that these requests be brought to EDC
for information.
Discussion then turned to swimming pool inspection fees. Mr. Zabel said the building
code definition of a pool is more than 2 feet of water and a pump. With an above-ground
pool, he also looks for barrier and electrical requirements. Pool permits are now $50 with
an increase being proposed.
For the next meeting, Bart Olson said a comparison of fees is needed and standards for
portable pools be drafted. These will be brought back to the committee in May.
2. EDC 2010-10 Ideas for Regional Events and Tournaments
Glory Spies presented a brochure that listed various amenities available for upcoming
tournaments. It will be put on the website as well and some brochures were emailed.
Alderman Werderich questioned why south-side businesses were not included and said it
should include all businesses. Other changes and additions were also discussed. Lynn
Dubajic suggested promoting canoe rentals for when the kayak area opens. Mayor Burd
said an institute day will be held in May for business owners to consider future events.
Glory and Bart will revise the brochure.
Ms. Spies said Yorkville, Plano, Sandwich, the Forest Preserve and Aurora Tourism are
all working together to bring/promote events.. She said there is a cost of $250 to be
included with other 5 other Tourism Bureaus. She announced a “Rte. 34 Event” that will
be a continuation of the garage sale that extends to Galesburg. Plano and Sandwich will
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also be participating. This will be held on June 18 and 19 at the corner of Rte. 34 and
47. Tri-Lands is allowing the use of their property and on April 13th a license agreement
will be brought before City Council. Tables will be sold at $20-25 for the weekend with
the fees going into the City General Fund. Other events are being encouraged.
The condition of the streets in the event area were discussed and some gravel will be
spread.
3. EDC 2010-11 Committee Liaisons
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It was noted that Alderman Golinski had asked to put this item on the agenda.
Alderman Werderich suggested this be tabled until Alderman Golinski is present. Mayor
Burd said she would be happy to keep Alderman Spears as the liaison of YEDC. She
said she had written the governing ordinance to keep such processes democratic.
Alderman Spears said she had not attended the first YEDC meeting due to the uncertainty
of being liaison and she agreed that the matter should be tabled. Alderman Werderich
said it was his understanding that there are 2 representatives to the YEDC, one of whom
is a Mayoral appointee who represents the Mayor and is a voting member. The other
person is a Council liaison.
Mayor Burd said a liaison is also needed for Plan Commission. This agenda item will be
brought back in May for further discussion.
Additional Business
On a positive note, Mayor Burd said signs of building are evident again.
There was no further business and the meeting was adjourned at 7:45pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted by
Marlys Young
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