HomeMy Public PortalAbout11-05-2019 Plan Commission Minutes
Plan Commission Record of Minutes Date: November 5, 2019 Location: Village Hall CALL TO ORDER, PLEDGE, & ROLL CALL Chairman Kiefer called the Plan Commission meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and led the pledge to the flag. ROLL CALL: Commissioners Heinen (7:04 p.m.), Minnis, Renzi, Ruane, Seggebruch, Womack, and Chairman Kiefer were present. Plainfield Fire Protection District, Plainfield Public Library District, Plainfield Township Park District and Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202 were
absent. OTHERS PRESENT: Jonathan Proulx, Director of Planning; and Yuchen Ding, Associate Planner
APPROVAL OF MINUTES The Minutes of the Plan Commission meeting held on October 15, 2019 were approved as amended.
PUBLIC COMMENTS Chairman Kiefer asked for public comment and there was no response. DEVELOPMENT REPORT Mr. Proulx provided updates on the following: Legendary Escape Games and TVA Logistics Inc. Chairman Kiefer asked if the Village had made a decision on a liquor license for the Legendary Escape Games. Mr. Proulx stated the applicant will not be serving liquor. Commissioner Ruane asked if the applicant resolved the dumpster issue. Mr. Proulx stated the waste will be consolidated with there operation in Aurora. OLD BUSINESS Case No. 1814-081318.AA.SU.PP Greenbriar Subdivision Edward Mattox
Chairman Kiefer stated the applicant is not ready to proceed, so public hearing will be closed this evening. Chairman Kiefer explained when the applicant is ready to proceed again there will be another public hearing. Commissioner Renzi made a motion to close the public hearing for case number 1814-081318.AA.SU.PP
on November 5, 2019. Second by Commissioner Minnis. Vote by roll call: Heinen, yes; Ruane, yes; Seggebruch, yes; Womack, yes; Minnis, yes; Renzi, yes; Kiefer, yes. Motion carried 7-0. NEW BUSINESS Case No. Will County Case 26049 W. Lockport St. Tom Putz
Mr. Ding stated the applicant is seeking approval from Will County for a map amendment (re-zoning) from A-1 Agricultural to I-1 Limited Industrial on a 5-acre property located in unincorporated Plainfield
Township. The subject zoning request is in response to a zoning violation for unpermitted uses in the A-1 district. In addition to a map amendment, the applicant is also seeking approval of a special use permit to allow an outdoor storage yard for boats. If approved, this would allow the applicant to continue utilizing
the property for an outdoor storage yard, landscaping business and manufacturing business. Mr. Ding reviewed the staff report dated November 5, 2019. Mr. Ding concluded The Village of Plainfield has an opportunity to send a letter of objection to Will County regarding the proposed County map amendment. Staff recommends that the Village object based on the Village’s long-term plans for this area.
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Chairman Kiefer swore in Tom Putz, applicant. Mr. Putz stated he has owned the property for 18 years and explained the current use of the property which are residential, landscaping company, and pallet manufacturing. Mr. Putz explained he would like to annex into the Village when possible. Mr. Putz
provided an explanation on how the zoning change would fit into the Villages’ future land use. Mr. Putz stated Will County will require the following improvements with the rezoning: stormwater detention, converting existing residents into office space, and acquiring IDOT approval for the entrances on Route 126. Mr. Putz stated he intends to use the property in the future to store boats and RV vehicles. Mr. Putz stated he plans on installing buffer around the property. Chairman Kiefer asked for public comment. No response. Chairman Kiefer closed public comments. Mr. Proulx stated the applicant has been working with staff to make sure the long-term plans for the
business is compatible with the village’s plans. Mr. Proulx stated the applicant intends to install signage and fencing that will meet the village’s standards since he hopes to annex the property in the future. Commissioner Renzi asked staff if the Will County zoning would have any influence on an annexation
into the Village. Mr. Proulx stated the property would be annexed into the village as R-1 (Residential Single-Family) and any current uses on the property could be addressed in the annexation agreement. Mr. Proulx explained that the rezoning of this property in Will County is driven by the outdoor storage use,
since there is no special use for that in their Agricultural Zoning District. Chairman Kiefer asked if the use of the property would be grandfathered when it annexes. Mr. Proulx indicated that is common to grandfather the use and provided some examples of other properties that the uses were able to continue. Mr. Proulx stated this an opportunity to work with Will County to say we are interested in adequate detention, screening/buffering, and to ensure the access point from Route 126 satisfies IDOT requirements. Commissioner Heinen asked the applicant if the property is currently being used by a landscaping company and for pallet manufacturing. Mr. Putz confirmed. Commissioner Heinen asked the applicant if any permits were issued by the County to permit the uses. Mr. Putz stated no, Will County is requiring him to rezone the property because of the current uses. Commissioner Heinen stated he drives by the
property everyday and feels it is an eye sore. Commissioner Heinen stated that he feels this is premature because all the violations currently on the property. Commissioner Heinen suggested the violations be correct first before a request for rezoning be considered. Commissioner Heinen indicated he does not
have faith that the property will be brought up to code if the County approves the rezoning. Commissioner Heinen stated he does not feel long-term that this use is a fit. Commissioner Heinen recommends objecting to the County case.
Commissioner Seggebruch stated he agrees with Commissioner Heinen’s comments. Commissioner Seggebruch indicated that objecting could avoid a future problem for the Village if this were to annex. Commissioner Minnis stated his issue is it does not fit in to the long-term comprehensive plan for the Village. Commissioner Minnis stated he feels that the land would be better as a residential development. Commissioner Minnis voiced his concern that the applicant did not obtain the proper permits or approval prior to make the improvements. Commissioner Womack stated he agrees with his fellow commissioners. Commissioner Womack stated that this use would be a better fit for 143rd St. Commissioner Womack stated that the applicant will need to spend a significant amount of money to complete the required improvements. Mr. Putz stated he has
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been taking the boats to the marina for 10 years and he felt this was a good fit because the business has grown over the year.
Commissioner Ruane stated he also agrees with the other commissioner’s comments. Commissioner Ruane voiced concerns about the lack of proper permitting for what is already of the site. Commissioner Ruane asked staff to follow up EPA regarding water runoff. Commissioner Ruane stated it is not the correct use for the property. Commissioner Ruane stated he does not support the request. Mr. Putz stated he takes full responsibly for not obtaining the proper permits and will correct what needs to be corrected to bring the property into compliance. Commissioner Heinen added he hopes the County takes action on the noncompliance. Chairman Kiefer stated that when this property annexes it will be subject to more codes. Commissioner Renzi stated the commission needs to be true to the comprehensive plan.
Commissioner Ruane made a motion that the Village of Plainfield forward a Letter of Objection of the proposed Map Amendment from A-1 to I-1 and the proposed special use permit for an outdoor storage yard to the Will County Land Use Department.
Second by Commissioner Seggebruch. Vote by roll call: Heinen, yes; Minnis, yes; Renzi, yes; Womack, yes; Seggebruch, yes; Ruane, yes; Kiefer, yes. Motion carried 7-0.
DISCUSSION Commissioner Seggebruch asked what the status of Chobar Towing building that is for sale on Van Dyke Rd. Mr. Proulx state the towing company has relocated and the building is zoned commercial and is not occupied at this time.
Commissioner Renzi asked about the house with the new addition on Dillman St. Mr. Proulx stated the HPC did not support an alternative analysis after touring the property. Mr. Proulx added after the owner met with the HCP he decided to keep the original building and put an addition on it. Chairman Kiefer read the reminders. ADJOURN Plan Commission meeting adjourned at 7:46 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by
Tracey Erickson
Tracey Erickson Recording Secretary