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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 02/26/2021 - Community Development CommitteeCommunity Development Committee Meeting Minutes February 26, 20201 Page 1 Community Development Committee Meeting February 26, 2021 Call to Order: Alderman Devine called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. The meeting was held remotely via Zoom due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The meeting was in compliance with the Open Meetings Act per guidelines by the Illinois Attorney General’s Office. Roll Call: Deputy Clerk Johnson called the roll. Roll call: Members present: Alderman Devine, Alderman Harding, Alderwoman Miller. Others present: City Planner Cody Sheriff, Community Development Director Ross Polerecky, Deputy City Clerk Monte Johnson, City Attorney David McArdle Public Comments: No members of the public offered any comment. Approval of Minutes: A motion was made by Alderwoman Miller and seconded by Alderman Harding to approve the minutes of the January 5, 2021, Community Development Committee meeting. Roll Call: Vote: 3-ayes: Alderwoman Miller, Alderman Harding, Alderman Devine. 0- nays, 0-abstained. Motion carried. Amortization Ordinance Discussion Cody Sheriff explained that research on this issue was done and verified by Attorney McArdle’s office. The information has been attached to the packet. There are a couple of ways to handle amortizations. There can be a fixed period approach where finite timelines are set. The other is done on a case-by-case basis. Staff suggests doing a hybrid approach, where there is a fixed timeline but there is the ability for staff or Council to amortize based on special factors which can give more flexibility. There are many issues in McHenry that have been found that would be impacted which are now technically non-conforming. Fortunately there are use variations or zoning map amendments that can be made to handle the issues depending on the future land use recommendations. If this ordinance is passed, it will also be recommended to accommodate impacted property owners by waiving fees so that the nonconformities can be cleaned up. Alderwoman Miller read through the packet and agrees that we need to get properties in compliance. It is a good thing that we are trying to modernize and standardize these to make them right. Her concern is that the time frames listed may be too short. She can’t imagine the administrative work that it will take to identify all of the properties as non-conforming and can’t see how it will be done within one year. Community Development Committee Meeting Minutes February 26, 20201 Page 2 Attorney McArdle stated that different issues can be amortized at different times depending on their use. He does not want to wait five years to let the process begin as it may never get taken care of. Mr. Sheriff explained that we have the ability to give use variances and extensions for difficult cases. It was decided that everybody would be given one year to begin the process once the issue is discovered and they have been notified. Committee Members were also in agreement that fees could be waived to help out the owners. The plan will be to have this issue taken to the Planning and Zoning Commission and then be brought before the full Council for approval. Clerk’s Note: Attorney McArdle left the meeting at 3:47 p.m. Business License Discussion Director Polerecky stated that the City has many different business licenses that appear to be outdated. The Committee was given a rundown of the current license types, their fees, the wording for each, and our projected income. Alderwoman Miller stated that she thinks it is a good idea to get rid of all of the license types listed except for carnivals. Committee members agreed, but there was a discussion regarding ice cream trucks. Even though they are licensed by the County, it may be wise to keep those licensed so that we have an easy way to access their information in case a problem arises. It was agreed upon that food trucks and other delivery vehicles do not need to be licensed, but ice cream trucks should be. An ordinance will be prepared to bring to the full Council. Staff Report Director Polerecky explained that the developers of the proposed apartment complex will hold a Town Hall style meeting online next Wednesday. Permit fees are also set to change, and those will be brought before the Council. The Trio gas station preliminary site plans have been received, and they hope to break ground this summer. The Thornton’s behind the Chocolate Factory also plans to break ground this year. Mr. Sheriff explained that work is underway on the Streetscape Master Plan, and timelines are being finalized. Adjournment: A motion was made by Alderman Harding and seconded by Alderwoman Miller to adjourn the meeting at 4:18 p.m. Roll Call: Vote: 3-ayes: Alderwoman Miller, Alderman Harding, Alderman Devine. 0-nays, 0-abstained. Motion carried. Deputy Clerk Monte Johnson _________________________________