Lockport Committee of the Whole met Wednesday, Jan. 4.
Here are the minutes as provided by Lockport:
The Committee of the Whole Meeting was held on Wednesday, January 4, 2017 in the Board Room, 3rd Floor, of the Central Square Building.
Mayor Steven Streit called the Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and led the Council in the Pledge of Allegiance.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: PETRAKOS, GILLOGLY, SMITH, DESKIN, BARTELSEN
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: CAPADONA, VANDERMEER, PERRETTA
ALSO PRESENT: S. STREIT, MAYOR
A. MATTEUCCI, CITY CLERK
B. BENSON, CITY ADMINISTRATOR
T. THANAS, INTERIM CITY ATTORNEY
T. LEMMING, CHIEF OF POLICE
L. HEGLUND, FINANCE DIRECTOR
P. HIRTH, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY &
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
PRESS PRESENT
Sarwat Ahmad, Reporter for Herald News, Megann Horstead, Reporter for Lockport Legend, and Cathy Wilker, Volunteer for LCTV were present to cover the Meeting.
Pastor Ernest opened the Meeting with a prayer.
INTRODUCTION
Mayor Streit acknowledged the Oak Prairie 7th Grade Girls Basketball Team, for placing 4th in State. Their Coach recognized all the players.
MAYOR’S REPORT
Mayor Streit swore in Rich Harang, as Deputy Chief for the Lockport Police Department.
APPOINTMENT TO THE PLAN & ZONING COMMISSION
City Administrator Ben Benson announced the Mayor will appoint Ken Sheppard to replace
Lance Thies on the Plan & Zoning Commission for the remainder of the current term which expires on April 1, 2017, effective January 19, 2017.
CONSENT AGENDA: MOTION TO APPOINT KEN SHEPHERD EFFECTIVE JANUARY 19, 2017 TO REPLACE LANCE THIES ON THE PLAN & ZONING COMMISSION FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE
CURRENT TERM WHICH EXPIRES APRIL 1, 2017.
PZC CASE #2016-014: SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR A PUBLIC SCHOOL AND FINAL DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR TWO (2) BUILDING ADDITIONS TO BE LOCATED ON THE WEST AND SOUTH SIDES OF
THE EXISTING BUILDING (LOCKPORT TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL/1323 E. 7TH STREET)
The Applicant, Peter Pontarelli of DLA Architects, on behalf of Lockport Township High School is seeking approval of Special Use Permit for a Public School expansion and Final Development Plans for the construction of two (2) separate additions to the Lockport Township High School, East Campus to include a 7,500 square foot Multi-Purpose Room addition (with 4,500 square feet of lower level storage space) and a 19,700 square foot 11 classroom wing addition for the property generally located at the southwest corner of 7th Street and Farrell Road.
The subject property, Lockport Township High School East Campus, is zoned R-1 Single Family Residential. A Public School is a Special Use within all Residential Zoning Districts in accordance with the Zoning Ordinance. The school was established in 1964. The Applicant desires to expand the use by constructing two (2) separate additions to the existing campus. In the past, Public Schools were not subject to Municipal Zoning Regulations. A School Zoning Law was signed by the Governor in August 2016 that gives local governments the authority to apply and enforce their zoning regulations on schools.
The Commission asked questions regarding the adequacy of parking with the new additions (no new parking is needed since Students and Staff in mobile units are already accounted for), whether the District optimized the location of these classrooms to ensure proper circulation. District did an analysis, and will be expanding Corridor K), reason for removing the mobile units (District currently rents mobile units/improved site aesthetics) and whether storm water management will remain adequate with additions (yes-storm water management remains adequate).
The Plan and Zoning Commission recommended approval of a Special Use Permit for a Public School; Final Development Plans for two (2) building additions to be constructed on the west and south sides of the existing building, subject to submitting a Landscape Plan Illustrating the replacement of twelve (12) trees that will be removed during construction. The Landscape Plan shall be submitted no later than June 1, 2017.
Alderman Deskin asked “What are we doing with Building Permits? Are we waiving any fees?”
Director of Community and Economic Development answered “Well, with the State the only control we have is our Municipal Zoning Regulations. All of the building permitting and building inspections will be completed through the State.”
Alderman Deskin asked “Who are they paying the Building Permit fees too?”
Alderman Petrakos answered “It’s the Regional Office of Education.”
Alderman Deskin said “They don’t have to pay us anything to build within our City?”
Alderman Petrakos said “Yes, Review Fees, any out of pocket.”
Alderman Deskin asked “So, the question is what are we doing with the Review Fees then? The only reason why I am bringing this up is, is the lack of cooperation we had with the High School in regards to a sidewalk a few months ago, with just pennies on the dollar. I just think it is disingenuous that we would go ahead, and that they would even expect us to go ahead and waive any fees or reduce any fees. I’d like to have the Superintendent and/or the School Board President present here at the next Committee of the Whole Meeting to discuss why it is in the City’s best interest to go ahead and waive any fees or reduce any fees when due to the lack of cooperation we had with the Superintendent and the School Board just a few months ago. That being said, I would like to table this until the first Meeting in February.
A discussion ensued on the fees and who will be paying them.
ACTION: MOTION BY DESKIN, SECOND BY SMITH TO TABLE THIS DISCUSSION TO THE NEXT CITY COUNCIL MEETING WHICH IS IN TWO WEEKS. ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION: SMITH, DESKIN, BARTELSEN – AYES
2 NAYS - PETRAKOS, GILLOGLY17
3 ABSENT – CAPADONA, VANDERMEER,
PERRETTA
3 AYES 2 NAYS 3 ABSENT – MOTION CARRIED
PZC CASE #2016-016: SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR ONE-FAMILY ATTACHED DWELLING/1340 S. WASHINGTON STREET
The Applicant, Dawn McKenna on behalf of the Owners, Emily & Patrick Morgan (Daughter & Son-in-Law), is seeking approval of a Special Use Permit for a one-family attached dwelling (one bedroom apartment to be built over a proposed attached garage).
According to the Owners, the intended purpose is to accommodate visiting out of town family members and as a possible future residence for the Owner’s Mother.
The existing dwelling is an American Four Square home with a limestone foundation and stucco finish. It was constructed in 1894 and is located within the Lockport Canal Commissioner’s Subdivision, generally located at the northwest corner of Washington Street and 14th Street.
A Public Hearing was held during the Regular Meeting of the Plan & Zoning Commission on December 13th. In addition to the Special Use request, the Commission also reviewed and granted two (2) variances (one to reduce the corner side yard setback from 30 feet to 22.3 feet and one to reduce the rear yard setback from 25 feet to 11 feet) to allow the attached garage to be constructed as proposed.
The Plan & Zoning Commission is the final authority for variance requests. The Special Use Permit standards per Section 156.122 of the Zoning Ordinance were evaluated and presented. No one from the public was present to testify on either the Special Use Permit request or the variances.
The Owners were present to respond to questions and/or comments. The Commission identified that although the proposed “Mother-in-Law” Suite is not specifically defined in the City’s Zoning Ordinance, the neighborhood currently has a mix of housing types that include both Multiple Family Dwelling Units, Two-Family Dwelling Units and One-Family Detached Dwelling Units.
The Commission expressed concern with the condition which prohibits the leasing of the unit to a Tenant stating that it seems impractical, unreasonable, and certainly inconsistent with the existing character and uses already present within the neighborhood.
The Owners did not object to the consideration of the condition as it was presented and reiterated that their intention is to accommodate family without the intention of leasing the unit to a Tenant.
By a vote of 6-0 vote, the Plan and Zoning Commission recommended approval of a Special Use Permit for a one-family attached dwelling, subject to the following conditions:
1. The construction materials shall match the color, existing materials, and the architectural style of the existing principal dwelling.
2. A demolition permit must be obtained prior to the removal of the existing detached garage. The detached garage must be removed upon completion of proposed attached garage or within the period of 1 year, whichever occurs first.
3. Upon removal of the detached garage, the driveway leading to the former garage shall also be removed.
4. The dwelling unit located above the garage may be used for related living for the family that occupies the main residential structure and shall not be leased as a separate residential unit. The City shall be authorized to record a restriction on the use of the of the garage dwelling unit with the Will County Recorder so subsequent purchasers are given notice of the restriction on the use of the dwelling unit above the garage.
CONSENT AGENDA: MOTION TO APPROVE THE SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR
ONE-FAMILY ATTACHED DWELLING/1340 S. WASHINGTON STREET.
PZC CASE # 2016-015: FINAL DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR A BUILDING
EXPANSION (ALDI, INC.)/16060 S. FARRELL ROAD
The Applicant, Manhard Consulting, Ltd. On behalf of Aldi Inc., is seeking approval of Final Development Plans for a 2,056 square foot expansion to the existing building. The expansion is proposed on the east elevation. The purpose of the intended expansion is to increase sales floor area to add new products to the store.
The Plan & Zoning Commission considered this request at their Regular Meeting on December 13th. A Public Hearing was not required for this request action. The Applicant was present to answer questions. The Commission asked questions regarding the following: the proposed distance of ten (10) feet between the protective bollards located at the store entrance (suggested that the applicant consider placing the bollards closer together/concern was should an incident occur with a smaller vehicle, the car may pass beyond the barrier with a 10 foot opening/it was suggested that 7 feet might be appropriate, however, an actual distance was never determined); foundation planting area needs to include 6” curbing (work with Staff); bollard locations need to be consistent on all plans (engineering/site/elevations), and whether store will be open during construction (project should take approximately 15 weeks to complete – will be closed the first 5 weeks and then re-opened the next 10 weeks).
CONSENT AGENDA: MOTION TO APPROVE THE FINAL DEVELOPMENT
PLANS FOR A BUILDING EXPANSION (ALDI, INC.)/16060 S. FARRELL ROAD.
151ST STREET WATER MAIN EXTENSION
In 2006, the City approved an Annexation Agreement of the Mobile Home Park known as the Gal property on the corner of 151st Street and Illinois Route 171. Included in the Agreement was the City’s commitment to extend public utilities to the property line and provide water and sewer services for future development. At the time the Annexation Agreement was approved, it was anticipated that the City would extend water and sewer
lines shortly after the approval of the agreement. But, the City encountered problems in acquiring easements for the water lines, and the recession stalled development opportunities.
Sanitary sewer service is now available to the Gal property. The sewer needs were met when the City installed the Lift Station on 151st Street during the outpost project in 2015.
The Owners of the Gal property have indicated that they are receiving inquiries from Developers for their property at Archer Avenue and 151st Street. The property currently is used as a trailer park for about 13 trailers. The property has good commercial development potential, and the elimination of the trailers would improve the aesthetics of the commercial corridor. A proposal was solicited for engineering plans for the water line, and an alternate location for the water main is being explored.
The water main will need to be extended from Macgregor Road and Illinois Route 171 to the Gal property. The preliminary estimate for the project is about $250,000, not including the cost of acquiring easements. The projected cost would consist of approximately $224,000 for construction including contingencies and about $28,000 for advanced engineering design services for the water main extension. The acquisition of easements will need to be negotiated with nearby property Owners.
Staff is recommending to continue the fulfillment of the Annexation obligation with a Contract with Strand Associates to Design Engineer the 750 feet of an 8-inch water main along 151st Street from Macgregor Road to Illinois 171 for $28,000.
The Administration is working with Strand to determine the plats and dedications required to align easements to complete the project.
CONSENT AGENDA: MOTION TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH STRAND ASSOCIATES FOR $28,000 FOR DESIGN SERVICES ON THE EXTENSION OF WATER MAIN ON 151ST STREET AND MACGREGOR ROAD TO ILLINOIS ROUTE 171.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION BY BARTELSEN, SECOND BY GILLOGLY TO ADJOURN THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING AT 7:55 P.M.
ALL VOTED AYE – MOTION CARRIED
Respectfully submitted by,
Donna Tadey, Administrative/Deputy Clerk
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