HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 08/19/2020 - Planning and Zoning CommissionCity of McHenry
Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes
August 19, 2020
Chairman Strach called the August 19, 2020 regularly scheduled meeting of the City of McHenry
Planning and Zoning Commission to order at 7:30 p.m. via Zoom. In attendance were the
following: Doherty, Thacker, Gurda, Lehman, Strach, Sobotta, and Walsh. Absent: None. Also in
attendance were City Planner Cody Sheriff, Director of Economic Development Martin, and
Economic Development Coordinator Wolf.
Public Hearing Guidelines for a Virtual Meeting were presented. Chairman Strach opened the
public portion of the meeting at 7:40 p.m. There was nobody in attendance who wished to
address the Commission with public comment.
Approval of Minutes: Consideration of July 15, 2020 Meeting Minutes as presented. Motion
by Sobotta and seconded by Lehman for approval.
Roll Call: Vote: 5-ayes: Commissioners Gurda, Lehman, Sobotta, Strach, and Walsh. 0-nay;
2-abstained: Doherty, Thacker; 0-absent. Motion Carried.
Chairman Strach gave an explanation of the process of making a staff motion and seconding
for clarification with the new format on staff reports.
Public Hearing: Krzysztof Lenart, DN N DRTY LLC
Z-972
1302 Borden Street
Conditional Use Permit to Allow Outdoor Storage in Conjunction with a Towing Business.
Chairman Strach called the Public Hearing to order at 7:35 p.m. regarding File No. Z-972 an
application for a Conditional Use Permit to allow outdoor storage in conjunction with a towing
business at the property located at 1208 N. River Rd.
Chairman Strach stated Notice of the Public Hearing was published in the Northwest Herald and
notices were mailed to all abutting property owners of record as required by ordinance. The
subject property was posted. A Certificate of Publication and Affidavit of Compliance with notice
requirements are on file in the City Clerk’s Office.
In attendance was Krzysztof Lenart, 1524 River Terrace Dr., Johnsburg (owner), who was sworn
in. Mr. Lenart stated he is requesting a Conditional Use Permit in order to move his towing
business to this location, which he purchased recently.
City Planner Sheriff gave the Staff Report stating Mr. Lenart owns DN N DRTY LLC and is
requesting approval of a Conditional Use Permit to allow outdoor storage in conjunction with his
towing business at new property he acquired at 1302 Borden Street. In 2012 the McHenry City
Council approved a conditional use permit on the property which allowed the outdoor storage
with specific conditions on approval. “Condition Six: Outdoor storage of inoperable vehicles, as
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August 19, 2020
Page 2
defined by city ordinances, is prohibited”, specifically identifies inoperable vehicles as not
permitted to be stored outdoors. The petitioners will need to have condition six removed in order
to operate a towing business and will therefore need to receive approval of a Conditional Use
Permit for outdoor storage of inoperable vehicles in conjunction with a towing business.
Inoperable vehicles were defined and Planner Sheriff stated Mr. Lenart must meet the approval
criteria for Conditional Uses, listed in the City of McHenry Zoning Ordinance and that overall,
staff believes the proposed development is consistent with the City’s Comprehensive Plan
objectives and policies.
Planner Sheriff received and distributed correspondence from Advance Auto stating they had no
objection to this request as long as the property is kept clean and the outdoor storage is not
visible.
Planner Sheriff stated the surrounding land use and zoning consists of industrial and commercial
properties. The primary concern regarding outdoor storage is largely aesthetic and potentially
environmental from leaking automobile fluids. The property currently contains privacy fencing
and a chain link fence that is screened by vegetation on the east and south side. The storage area
is heavily screened from view by dense vegetation to the north and Staff believes the storage
area is appropriately screened for the proposed use. The storage area is composed of gravel.
Outdoor storage should be limited to non-leaking vehicles in order to not contaminate the soil.
Planner Sheriff stated the proposed use is consistent with the future land use map
recommendation and the request appears consistent with the City’s Comprehensive Plan and
approval criteria for conditional uses. He further stated Staff does not object to the petitioner’s
request and recommends approval subject to appropriate conditions, as presented.
Chairman Strach opened the floor to questions and comments from the commissioners.
Commissioner Thacker asked if there would be any additional upgrades made to the building.
Mr. Lenart stated he may put in fence screening on the south side of the property along the car
wash to help with aesthetics. There were no other questions or comments.
Chairman Strach opened the floor to questions and comments from the public. Being there
was nobody in attendance from the public, Chairman Strach closed the public comment portion
of the hearing at 7:50 p.m.
Commissioner Lehman stated he was satisfied with the report and request. There were no
other comments or questions.
Motion by Lehman seconded by Gurda to recommend to the City Council with regard to File No.
Z-972, approval of the petitioner’s request for outdoor storage in conjunction with a towing
business, subject to the following conditions:
1. All outdoor storage shall be screened from view by a 6-foot privacy fence, at minimum,
or by a landscaped barrier that is approved by the Zoning Administrator;
2. The property owners shall maintain and replace any existing landscaped screening that
is damaged or destroyed;
3. All outdoor storage shall be related to the site’s existing business operations;
4. The outdoor storage area shall not be accessible to the general public;
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August 19, 2020
Page 3
5. The outdoor storage of bulk materials is prohibited unless enclosed within a storage
container;
6. The outdoor storage area shall be maintained in a neat and orderly fashion;
7. All leaking vehicles shall be stored indoors or on a paved surface;
8. All repair work shall be conducted indoors;
9. All other federal, state, and local laws shall be met.
And that all the Approval Criteria for Conditional Uses of the City of McHenry Zoning Ordinance
have been met.
Roll Call: Vote: 7-ayes: Doherty, Thacker, Gurda, Lehman, Sobotta, Strach, and Walsh. 0-nays, 0-
abstained, 0-absent. Motion Carried.
Chairman Strach closed the Public Hearing regarding File No. Z-972 at 7:45 pm.
Staff Report: The next regularly scheduled meeting is September 16, 2020. Planner Sheriff gave
a brief description of an invitation to a gravel pit tour to be held as a special City Council meeting
coming up on August 22 and September 12 to which they are invited. Planner Sheriff informed
the commission he will be working on a zoning district consolidation in the near future to be
presented to City Council and a streetscape plan which will help obtain future grant opportunities
for our downtown districts. He also stated RFP’s will begin being requested for the Central
Wastewater Treatment plant in the near future.
Adjourn: Motion by Sobotta and seconded by Gurda, roll call vote, 7-0, meeting adjourned at
7:50 p.m.
__________________________________
Shawn Strach, Chairman Planning & Zoning