Economic Development Minutes 2012 01-03-12
APPROVED 3/6/12
UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Tuesday, January 3, 2012 7:00pm
City Conference Room
In Attendance:
Committee Members
Chairman Marty Munns Alderman Jackie Milschewski
Alderman Chris Funkhouser Alderman Diane Teeling
Other City Officials
Mayor Gary Golinski
City Administrator Bart Olson
Community Development Director Krysti Barksdale-Noble
Code Official Mark Hardin
Other Guests
Lynn Dubajic, YEDC
Deb Horaz, Parks and Rec Board committee member
Mike Skinner, Zoning Board of Appeals committee member
Dan Kramer, Attorney
Robert Claesson
Aladdin Nassar, Meadowbrook Homes
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Marty Munns at 7:00pm.
Citizen Comments:
None
Minutes for Correction/Approval
November 1, 2011
The minutes were approved as read.
New Business
1. EDC 2012-01 Building Permit Report for October, November & December 2011
No discussion.
2. EDC 2012-02 Building Inspection Report Summary for October, November &
December 2011
No discussion.
3. EDC 2012-03 Land Cash Recommendation from Park Board
Ms. Barksdale-Noble gave an overview of this item and said EDC had previously
recommended hiring an appraiser to determine the current value of a 1-acre lot in the
City. This recommendation was forwarded to the Park Board who in turn, requested the
City not re-evaluate land cash at this time. This is because there are currently developer
obligations that could affect the development of parks.
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If the City does lower the value, the Park Board requests that developers be notified that
only turf grass would be put into the parks and that incremental phasing of re-evaluation
be done over 5 years. The Park Board is also concerned about developers who have not
contributed to land cash or have parks.
Alderman Funkhouser said he still wishes to move forward with re-appraisal in order to
spur development and likes the idea of tiered phasing. Chairman Munns commented that
the city cannot raise the value back to $101,000 in just 4 years. Administrator Olson
added that the study can be done, but the City does not have to accept it.
Under the Parks Master Plan, parks are not built until there is 80% build-out in the
development, stated Mayor Golinski. He said the City must take a global view.
It was noted the appraisal cost is less than $5,000 and will take about 30-60 days. The
study results will be brought back to this committee when done and will require the City
to adopt an ordinance to change the amount.
4. PC 2011-10 & ZBA 2011-02 312 Walter Street (Claesson) – Request for Rezoning &
Variances to the R-2D District
Ms. Barksdale-Noble said the Plan Commission had met to consider the rezoning for this
petition and gave a favorable recommendation. Variances were also needed and the
Zoning Board of Appeals met in November to evaluate them. There was a unanimous
decision against the variance requests.
Attorney Dan Kramer was present on behalf of the petitioner Robert Claesson. He said
this is an older part of town and the first zoning ordinance was done in 1973. At that
time, duplexes were inter-mingled with single-family homes and gradually, different
types of housing were segregated due to land-planning. He said all the lots in this
subdivision are the same size and bigger lots are now required for duplexes. Mr. Kramer
said that very few duplex lots meet the new standards because most were done under
PUD’s.
Alderman Milschewski asked how this single family home would be made into a duplex
and Mr. Claesson explained his plans for the structure. He further stated that some of the
homes on the street are in foreclosure and the duplexes are keeping the neighborhood
going.
Commenting on the ZBA and Plan Commission findings, Alderman Funkhouser said he
agreed with their respective decisions. He said the question is: should the variances be
granted on today’s standards or based on what actually exists in the neighborhood now.
Chairman Munns said the home fits into the area as a duplex and said it should be
decided by a super-majority vote, while Alderman Teeling said it would present a density
issue on that street.
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ZBA Board member Mike Skinner explained the reasons behind the ZBA decision. He
further stated the neighbors were opposed to approval of Mr. Claesson’s petition. He said
that if the Council approves the petition, the City would be allowing spot zoning and
would be setting a precedent.
Attorney Kramer presented 3 final points:
1. Objectors at a meeting are not a factor in making a decision
2. Alderman can take any reasonable line and the courts will not challenge
3. Consider the conundrum of the Plan Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals
decisions.
Mr. Kramer also asked the committee to look at the neighborhood at the time of platting
and also at today’s standard. He said this petition should not be judged by today’s
standards.
Chairman Munns recommended moving this forward to allow the entire Council to
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consider and it will require a super-majority vote. It will move to the January 10
Council meeting.
5. EDC 2012-04 Residential Building Permit Fees - Discussion
Ms. Barksdale-Noble said this has been an ongoing discussion to explore ways to spur
the economy. She said the City had been approached by a developer regarding a more
comprehensive package to stimulate development. Talks with the developer relate to the
3 points this committee had already discussed:
1. Delay paying development fees until occupancy: This would go hand in hand with
this committee’s recommendation to lower the building fees. The negatives include the
City having to front-fund costs of inspections, etc. It could also delay occupancy while
verifying other agencies to be paid, YBSD, schools, etc. There could also be lag time
between when a building is built and when occupancy occurs. A maximum time limit
of a year should be imposed with this recommendation.
2. Building permit rebate program: The city would front-fund and would match the
developer with a rebate being given to the new owner. The funding source would
possibly come from connection or park fees. The time frame was also discussed.
3. Land cash donation: This was previously discussed and is part of the comprehensive
package being brought forth to City Council.
At this time, Ms. Barksdale-Noble introduced local developer Aladdin Nassar of
Meadowbrook Homes who had contacted the City. Mr. Nassar said he and his family
purchased 160 acres near Harris Forest Preserve for single-family homes and they also
want to develop land on Rt. 34 and Cannonball.
They are currently building semi-custom homes in Minooka with Minooka offering a
$10,000 rebate at closing. Mr. Nassar said his company would ask for the $10,000
incentive for all builders in Yorkville.
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Alderman Teeling asked about the details of the rebates in Minooka. $150,000 was set
aside with a 2-year time limit. Mr. Nassar’s company used the rebate on 29 of the 30
allowable homes. Anyone who obtained a building permit was eligible for the rebate.
Due to the success, Minooka renewed the rebate program until April 2013 with no
maximum on the number of homes.
Mr. Nassar asked for a quick decision since they are making a $2 million purchase of
Blackberry Woods. Mr. Olson said the City must decide if they want to waive water and
sewer connections fees—the 2 largest fees. According to Ms. Dubajic, developers are
competing with short sales and foreclosures. She said by encouraging growth, it would
also help retain tenants of Kendall Marketplace. Mayor Golinski added that under
Minooka’s rebate program, there were 46 building permits in the Nassar’s subdivision
last year.
It was recommended to start with rebates for 30 homes with water fee reductions first,
followed by sewer, building permits and Public Works. Krysti also briefly addressed fee
locks that will expire.
Chairman Munns asked staff to formulate a recommendation for reduction of fees and
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bring it to City Council on January 10.
6. EDC 2012-05 Ordinance Renaming Wheaton Avenue to Boombah Boulevard
Administrator Olson said this street was renamed as part of the incentive agreement and
that it will take a couple weeks to obtain the street signs. The other businesses on the
street have been notified and have no issues with this. This moves forward to the Council
consent agenda.
Old Business
– none
Additional Business
Mayor Golinski thanked Ms. Barksdale-Noble and Mr. Hardin for their assistance with
Follies and Cobblestone Bakery. Photos of the businesses will be placed on the City
website.
There was no further business and the meeting adjourned at 8:42pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted by
Marlys Young
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