HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 12/23/2020 - Planning and Zoning CommissionCity of McHenry
Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes
December 23, 2020
Chairman Strach called the December 23, 2020 special scheduled meeting of the City of McHenry
Planning and Zoning Commission to order at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. In attendance were the
following: Gurda, Lehman, Strach, Thacker and Walsh. Absent: Doherty, Sobotta. City Staff in
attendance were City Planner Cody Sheriff, Community Development Director Polerecky. In
attendance for petition Z-979 were Richard ‘Rick’ Murphy (CalAtlantic Group), Madeline Larmon
(Mackie Consult Engineering), and Richard Olson (Gary R. Weber Associates (Landscape
Architect)).
Public Hearing Guidelines for a Virtual Meeting were presented. Chairman Strach opened the
public portion of the meeting at 7:05 p.m. There was nobody in attendance who wished to
address the Commission with public comment.
Public Meeting: CalAtlantic Group, Inc.
Z-979
Subject Property: 6.359 acre property located east of the intersection of Curran Road and N.
Draper Road.
Final Plat of Subdivision for the Legend Lakes – Neighborhood 1 Resubdivision
Chairman Strach called the Public Meeting to order at 7:08 p.m. regarding File No. Z-979 an
application for approval of a final plat of subdivision for the Legend Lakes – Neighborhood 1
Resubdivision.
In attendance were:
1. Richard Murphy, CalAtlantic Group Inc., 1141 E. Main Street, Suite 108, Easte Dundee, IL
60118
2. Madeline Larmon, Mackie Consultants, LLC, 9575 W Higgins Road, Suite 500, Rosemont,
IL 60018.
3. Richard Olson, Gary R. Weber Associates Inc., 402 W. Liberty Drive, Wheaton, IL 60187
There were no members from the general public in attendance.
Chairman Strach called on staff to start off discussion. City Planner Sheriff provided an overview
and background of the Subject Property. The original subdivision was platted in 2006 as a
condominium development but was never completed due to the recession. Because of a state
mandated 10-year statute of limitations, the existing condominium association can no longer
add on any new property and therefore the petitioner will need to create a new home owner’s
association. The petitioners are proposing to complete the development and plat the remaining
13 buildings as ‘fee-simple’ ownership as opposed to condominium ownership. The main
difference is after construction is completed, each individual unit within the 4-unit building is
platted making it much easier for financing.
Planning and Zoning Commission
December 16, 2020
Page 2
Mr. Sheriff explained staff discovered an error in their initial review of the landscape plan and
are revising their recommended conditions and eliminating the recommended tree planting
requirement for the common area since the petitioners have moved those trees closer to the
building. Mr. Sheriff noted that staff is still recommending the petitioner add a 6-foot
ornamental tree in between each building to match the existing neighborhood landscape
design as well as the parkway tree planting requirement. Other than what was previously
stated, Mr. Sheriff explained the proposed development is nearly identical to the original with
the exception of different architectural features and landscaping. Mr. Sheriff explained the
subdivision did not require a public hearing since there are no variations or zoning map
amendments being requested.
Mr. Sheriff passed the discussion over to the petitioner.
Mr. Murphy provided an overview of the agreement being signed between the new association
and the existing association. Overall, he explained the goal is for the new association to feel a
part of the community and emphasized the agreement would allow this. Mr. Murphy
commented that the only engineering changes were slight tweaks to the driveways to
accommodate the new design of the buildings. Mr. Murphy explained they have worked with
staff to make sure the landscaping will blend in. He explained the architecture requirements for
50% brick on the first floor were kept the only change is the more contemporary design of the
exterior of the building. The floorplan will have a very modern, open style design to appeal to
today’s market.
Chairman Strach asked how the pricing of the units will compare. Mr. Murphy responded they
will likely be within the mid 200’s range and will be a higher price point than the existing ones
just because they are brand new product. Chairman Strach explained he just wanted to make
sure they weren’t devaluing the existing townhomes. Mr. Murphy explained he thinks they
won’t and they will blend in with the community.
Commissioner Thacker asked about the number of buildings. Mr. Murphy responded explaining
it was 13 additional building, 52 dwelling units. Mr. Thacker asked when they wanted to start
construction. Mr. Murphy explained hopefully in March. Mr. Thacker asked about signage. Mr.
Murphy said they would propose an on-site marketing plan as part of the development
agreement.
Chairman Strach asked if there were any other comments or questions from commissioners.
There were none.
Chairman Strach asked if there were any other questions or comments from the petitioner.
Mr. Murphy thanked the commission and staff for accommodating their request the day before
Christmas Eve.
Chairman Strach asked staff if there was any additional information. Mr. Sheriff brought up on
the Zoom Screen the motion for the commissioners that was outlined in the staff report
Planning and Zoning Commission
December 16, 2020
Page 3
without the condition for the common space landscaping since that landscaping had been
moved closer to the buildings.
Chairman Strach asked for a commissioner to make a Motion to approve the Final Plat of
Legend Lakes – Neighborhood 1 Resubdivision subject to the following conditions:
1. All development shall be in substantial conformance with the submitted Landscape Plan
and Building Elevations.
2. The proposed landscaping shall include one additional 6-foot ornamental tree in
between each building and a minimum of three additional street trees in the right-of-
way on the north side of Carrick Lane just south of NEA 29.
3. All other federal, state, and local laws shall be met.
Motion by Commissioner Walsh, Seconded by Commissioner Lehman. Mr. Strach asked for any
additional comments on the motion. There were no comments.
Roll Call Vote: 6-ayes; Gurda, Lehman, Strach, Thacker and Walsh. 0-nays, 0-abstained, 2-
absent.
Mr. Murphy thanked City Staff and the Commission for processing their petition on short
notice.
Chairman Strach moved onto the next agenda item which was the Staff Report. Mr. Sheriff
provided an update on various projects that were ongoing and will be moving forward including
a conceptual 264-unit multifamily development behind the Aldi on Richmond Road.
A motion to adjourn was made by Commissioner Walsh, Commissioner Thacker. Chairman
Strach asked if there were any objections. There were none. The meeting adjourned at 7:17PM.