Loading...
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. 1 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. 2 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 th 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. 3 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 th 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 4