HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 3/15/2023 - Planning and Zoning CommissionCity of McHenry
Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes
March 15, 2023
Chairwoman Rockweiler called the March 15, 2023, regular meeting of the City of McHenry
Planning and Zoning Commission to order at 7:00 p.m. In attendance were the following:
Commissioners Bremer, Rockweiler, Davis, Riley, Gleason, and Smale. Absent was Commissioner
Lehman. Also in attendance were City Planner Cody Sheriff, Community Development Director
Ross Polerecky, and Deputy City Clerk Monte Johnson.
Approval of the Agenda:
A motion was made by Commissioner Bremer and seconded by Commissioner Riley to
approve the agenda as presented. Voice Vote: 6-ayes: Commissioners Bremer, Rockweiler,
Davis, Riley, Gleason, and Smale. 0-nay; 0-abstained; 1-absent: Lehman. Motion Carried.
Approval of Minutes:
Approval of the January 18, 2023, regular meeting minutes as presented. A motion was made
by Commissioner Riley and seconded by Commissioner Bremer for approval as presented.
Voice Vote: 6-ayes: Commissioners Bremer, Rockweiler, Davis, Riley, Gleason, and Smale. 0-
nay; 0-abstained; 1-absent: Lehman. Motion Carried.
Public Input
No members of the public offered any public input.
File No. Z-2023-05
Petitioner: McHenry Township Fire Protection District of 3810 W Elm St, McHenry, IL.
Conditional Use Permit and Zoning Variations to Operate a Fire Station at 1004 S IL 31.
Chairwoman Rockweiler opened the file at 7:01 p.m. Planner Sheriff explained that the
petitioner has meet all public notice requirements. James Militello, attorney for the Fire
Protection District, was sworn in. He explained that they originally were asking for three
variances to go along with the conditional use. After looking at the staff report, they now
agree to comply with all landscaping ordinances, so that variance is no longer being
requested. They also no longer need a sound variance. The only variance now requested is
that for the driveway width request, for an proposed 111’ driveway width at the existing
intersection.
Planner Sheriff read through the staff report, and the City has no objections to any of their
requests. This use complies with the comprehensive plan, and the development should be
of benefit to the community. They will be asked to provide an easement to the signal so that
property owners to the north and south can have access to the signal.
Planning and Zoning Commission
March 15, 2023
Page 2
Chairwoman Rockweiler opened the public hearing portion of the meeting at 7:05 p.m. Mike
Young was sworn in for his testimony. He explained that he is in favor of the fire department
moving in and developing at this location. His only concern is that filters or something similar
be used when dealing with the lighting for the building and parking lot lights. Amberwood is
backed up against Mercy Drive and they have no shade from the light at that location. The
public hearing portion of the meeting was closed at 7:07 p.m.
Planner Sheriff addressed the lighting concerns and explained that there is an ordinance that
would protect the property owners as newer lighting is required to be shaded from view. All
Commissioners agreed with the staff report and had no concerns about the development,
so long as the lighting concerns are addressed.
A motion was made by Commissioner Bremer and seconded by Commissioner Smale to
recommend approval of the petitioner’s request for a Conditional Use Permit to operate a
fire station at the subject property subject to the following condition: 1) The property owner
shall record an access easement to the signalized intersection for the property owners to the
north and south of the subject property. Said access easement shall be reviewed and
approved at the discretion of the Zoning Administrator prior to recordation. AND by making
said motion, I agree with staff’s assessment that the approval criteria for Conditional Uses
have been met as outlined in the staff report. Voice Vote: 6-ayes: Commissioners Bremer,
Rockweiler, Davis, Riley, Gleason, and Smale. 0-nay; 0-abstained; 1-absent: Lehman. Motion
Carried.
A motion was made by Commissioner Smale and seconded by Commissioner Gleason to
approve the petitioner’s request for a variation to allow a maximum driveway width and
angle that is greater than what is allowed by the City’s Subdivision Control and Development
Ordinance as depicted in the submitted site plan dated February 14, 2023. AND by making
said motion, I agree with staff’s assessment that the approval criteria for variances have
been met as outlined in the staff report. Roll Call Vote: 6-ayes: Commissioners Bremer,
Rockweiler, Davis, Riley, Gleason, and Smale. 0-nay; 0-abstained; 1-absent: Lehman. Motion
Carried.
The hearing for file Z-2023-05 was closed at 7:11 p.m.
File No. Z-2023-06
Petitioner: City of McHenry of 333 S Green St, McHenry, IL
Zoning Map Amendment from C-4 Downtown Commercial District to RS-4 High Density
Single-Family Residential District (3814 W. Main Street), and RA-1 Attached Residential
District (3812 W. Main Street).
Planning and Zoning Commission
March 15, 2023
Page 3
Chairwoman Rockweiler opened the file at 7:12 p.m. City Planner Sheriff explained that all
public notice requirements have been met. The issue arose when the property owners of
3814 Main Street wanted to put on an addition to the single family home. A photography
studio was previously there. The property has been zoned commercial since the 1970s.
Residential zoning intermingles in the area. The property next door is a 2-flat and has been
residential for at least 20 years. The City contacted the property owners to see if they
wanted to rezone the properties. RA-1 properties are already abutting the area.
Chairwoman Rockweiler opened the hearing part of the meeting at 7:15 p.m. With nobody
wanting to testify, she closed the hearing at 7:15 p.m. No Commission members had an
issue with the request.
A motion was made by Commissioner Davis and seconded by Commissioner Riley to
recommend approval of the City’s request for a zoning map amendments from C-4
Downtown Commercial District to RS-4 High-Density Single-Family Residential District for
3814 W. Main Street and RA-1 Attached Residential District for 3812 W. Main Street. AND
by making said motion, I agree with staff’s assessment that the approval criteria for Zoning
Map Amendments have been met as outlined in the staff report. Roll Call Vote: 6-ayes:
Commissioners Bremer, Rockweiler, Davis, Riley, Gleason, and Smale. 0-nay; 0-abstained; 1-
absent: Lehman. Motion Carried.
Chairwoman Rockweiler closed File Z-2023-06 at 7:16 p.m.
File No. Z-2023-07
Petitioner: City of McHenry
Text Amendments to the City of McHenry Off Street Parking and Loading Ordinance.
Chairwoman Rockweiler opened File No. Z-2023-07 at 7:17 p.m. Planner Sheriff stated that
all public notice requirements have been met. He explained that this simple request is to
get the parking requirements for bars and taverns so they are similar to restaurants. These
will help modernize our ordinances and match them with those in surrounding
municipalities.
Chairwoman Rockweiler opened the public hearing portion of the meeting at 7:17 p.m.
With nobody wanting to testify, she closed the public hearing at 7:17 p.m. There was no
discussion from Commissioner members as they all agreed with what was presented.
A motion was made by Commissioner Smale and seconded by Commissioner Bremer to
approve the text amendments to the City of McHenry Zoning Ordinance as outlined in the
staff report. Roll Call Vote: 6-ayes: Commissioners Bremer, Rockweiler, Davis, Riley,
Gleason, and Smale. 0-nay; 0-abstained; 1-absent: Lehman. Motion Carried.
Planning and Zoning Commission
March 15, 2023
Page 4
Chairwoman Rockweiler closed File Z-2023-07 at 7:18 p.m.
Open Discussion:
Planner Sheriff reminded Commission members to fill out their Statement of Economic Interest
with the County if they have not yet done so. The City has been working with a consultant for
the comprehensive plan update. It is possible that a joint meeting may be held with the City
Council and the Planning & Zoning Commission. Hopefully work on the comprehensive plan will
begin this summer.
Staff Report: The next meeting date is Wednesday, April 19th.
Adjourn: A motion was made by Commissioner Smale and seconded by Commissioner Bremer
to adjourn the meeting at 7:20 p.m. Voice Vote: 6-ayes: Commissioners Bremer, Rockweiler,
Davis, Riley, Gleason, and Smale. 0-nay; 0-abstained; 1-absent: Lehman. Motion Carried.