HomeMy Public PortalAbout2007-06-26 PC Spec. Mtg. Minutes VILLAGE OF PLAINFIELD SPECIAL PLAN COMMISSION MEETING RECORD OF MINUTES DATE : June 26 , 2007 LOCATION: Village Hall Chairman Sobkoviak cal led the Special Meeting of the Plan Commission to order at 7 :03 p.m. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Kachel , Renzi , O’Rourke, Bonuchi and Chairman Sobk oviak , Ex Officio Commissioners Sanders and Cox Absent: Commissioner McKay and Murawski, Park District, School District, Fire District, Library District and Police Department Also Present: Michael Garriga n – Village Planner Village of Plainfield , and Carol Millan – Secretar y Village of Plainfield CASE: 1327 -060607.RZ HARTFORD LAND DEVELOPMENT/DIAGEO Request: Rezoning (Public Hearing) Location: Northeast corner of Route 30 and 143 rd St. Applicant: Hartfor d Land Development, LLC Michael Garrigan summarized the staff report. He stated this was a special meeting being held pursuant to a publi c notice in accordance with Village Ordinance and State Statute. He stated the applicant is asking to rezone the p roperty at the northeast corner of Route 30 and 143 rd Street from B -3 to I -2 zoning. He stated back in October, 2006 as part of the Comprehensive Zoning Map Amendment, which at the request of the property owner was considered by the Plan Commission and app roved by the Village Board , this piece of property, which was originally zoned Industrial, was zoned to B -3. He stated that the applicant has requested that during this special meeting the Plan Commission consider a proposal to rezone the property back to its original industrial zoning, specifically I -2. The applicant is in discussion with Diageo for a proposed purchase of this property. Michael Garrigan went through the 5 findings of fact for rezoning and stated staff supports the rezoning to I -2 fr om B -3. Chairman Sobkoviak swore in the petitioner, Brett Fessler, and his attorney, Vince Rosanova. Vince Rosanova stated that Michael Garrigan pretty much outlined the project for the requested rezoning. He asked if the commissioners had any questio ns.
Village of Plainfield Plan Commission Minutes June 26, 2007 Page 2 of 3 Commissioner Renzi questioned staff regarding the findings of fact. He referred to finding (b) and questioned whether the property is consistent with the trend of development. He referred to the commercial being developed and to the piece of prop erty the school district wants to develop. He stated his understanding is that as you go further towards Van Dyke it becomes more industrial. He asked why finding (b) is favorable. He stated that for every argument made for industrial, he can make the same argument for commercial or municipal. Michael Garrigan stated the Village is seeing current new industrial development . Chairman Sobkoviak stated the whole area north of 143 rd Street was originally deemed industrial. The only reason the property w as change d back to commercial was the person who owned it was having trouble marketing it and he thought he could better market it as commercial than industrial. The Plan Commission looked at the property and said it is undeveloped and it is nothing, mayb e it could be developed as commercial. In hindsight he stated maybe that should have been looked at more closely and those that resisted maybe should have resisted more strongly. He stated originally a truck terminal had been approved, which is an I -2 use by Mid -States and Mid -States was ultimately sold and they changed their direction. Commissioner Renzi referred to finding (c) and the references to Diageo’s expansion and their presence in the Village and being a significant employer in Plainfield. H e stated he felt that might be mixing issues in terms of suitability. He stated the School District is also a major employer in the Village. Michael Garrigan stated the reason he brought up Diageo and their significant employment is they are an industria l user and there is a potential for expansion. He also reiterated the importance of this industrial corridor and the trend of development and continued viability and vitality of one of our only industrial corridors in the Village of Plainfield. He stated it is inherently difficult to attract industrial development in the Region. The 143 rd Street corridor is one of the few areas where there is a vital industrial presence. Diageo is one of the major components of that industrial presence and that was the reason he brought them up. Commissioner Renzi stated it is his understanding that Rt. 30 and 143 rd Street is going to be one of the more significant intersections in the Village of Plainfield. He questioned what Diageo is going to have on that piece of p roperty or what is it going to look like. Michael Garrigan stated that does not come into play with respect to the rezoning as far as what their future plans are. Diageo does not have hard direct plans at this time per Michael Garrigan. Chairman Sobkovi ak stated Diageo has been a good neighbor and there is every reason to believe they will continue to be a good neighbor. There will be a site plan review. Chairman Sobkoviak stated he did not know if the petitioner was at liberty to speak about their pla ns for the corner. A representative for Diageo stated they are not at liberty to speak to that, but they will be in front of the Commission for a PUD process. Commissioner Kachel stated because potentially there is commercial on the other three corners, hopefully the site will blend in with the other corners. Chairman Sobkoviak asked if there was anyone in the audience that cared to ask a question or make a comment. There was no response. Commissioner Sanders asked staff if it was rezoned and Diageo does not go through with any plans and it goes on the market as industrial, does this open up any problems. Michael Garrigan stated any development on that corner will require a Site Plan Review.
Village of Plainfield Plan Commission Minutes June 26, 2007 Page 3 of 3 Commissioner O’Rourke stated it seems like the Village is going back to where they were before by rezoning this back to I -2. He asked about the reason for the special meeting. Brett Fessler stated Diageo has some time constraints. Commissioner O -Rourke asked when the VB meeting would be. Michael Garrigan sta ted it would be tomorrow. Commissioner O’Rourke asked if a sign had been posted. Michael Garrigan stated he himself had posted the sign. Commissioner Bonuchi stated she had received phone calls from citizens so she knew there was a sign. She stated thi s is an area where there have been some concerns about property use. She stated the citizens around there are very concerned because she has already received some calls on this. She stated she was sure there will be comments coming from the community bec ause they are trying to see this as a major commercial intersection as well. She wanted this to be part of the record. Chairman Sobkoviak stated there will be public comment when Diageo goes forward with their plans and comes before the Commission. Co mmissioner Renzi had concerns about the special meeting. Vince Rosanova stated the special meetings were asked for to accommodate Diageo. Brett Fessler will be charged for the special meeting. He asked for the special meeting to accommodate Diageo so th ey could close on the property and develop an additional 38 acres. Commissioner Renzi then understood there was a closing date on a contract and that is what is requiring this special meeting. There is nothing secretive. Vince Rosanova stated this is by no means a way to fly something under the radar. Commissioner O’Rourke asked when the contract was originally executed. Brett Fessler stated this is something that has just come up in the past 3 or 4 weeks. He has talked with Diageo for a number of y ears about their expansion. If they are going to grow in this Village and keep the existing location, they need that piece of land to grow. At 7:29 p.m. Commissioner Kachel made a motion that the Plan Commission recommend approval of the rezoning of the subject property at the northeast corner of 143 rd Street and Route 30 to I -2 zoning. Commissioner O’Rourke seconded the motion. Chairman Sobkoviak called for a vote by roll call. Aye: Renzi, O’Rourke, Bonuchi, Kachel, Chairman Sobkoviak Nay: 0 The moti on is carried 5:0 Since there was no further business before the Commission, Chairman Sobkoviak adjourned the meeting at 7:30 p.m. _________________________________________ R espectfully Submitted Carol Millan Planning Secretary – Village of Plainfield