HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 8/23/2011 - Community Development Committee � COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING
Tuesday,August 23, 2011
Aldermen's Conference Room, 7:00 p.m.
In Attendance: Committee Members: Chairman Alderman Condon, Alderman Peterson
and Aldermar� Santi. Absent: None. Also in Attendance: Deputy City Administrator Martin,
Construction,ind Neighborhood Services Director Schwalenberg and City Clerk Jones.
Chairman Alderman Condon called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
Pubtic Input Session
No one signed in for Public Input Session.
Discussion Re�ardin�Minor Commerical BuldinQ Permit and
Plan Review Fees
Director Schv��alenberg informed the Committee that it has been over ten years since the City
reviewed minor permit fees for non-residential development. He stated that minor permits are
issued for such things as accessory buildings, decks, driveway construction, siding replacement,
re-roofing, etc. Staff is suggesting that the fees currently charged be updated to enable the City
to recover some of the costs associated with review and inspections. Director Schwalenberg
noted, however, that it would be difficult to recoup all costs associated with minor permits due to
the unique nature associated with each permit.
� Director Schwalenberg provided the Committee with a spreadsheet outlining the various types of
minor permits, the cost of each, the number of permits issued over the past 12 months and a
recommended fee. The chart also included the amount charged in surrounding communities
solely for commercial/industrial development.
Director Schwalenberg informed the Committee that Staff is proposing the following fees in
addition to those currently in effect:
• Plan Review Fee for new construction, additions and alterations; and
� Temporary Certificate of Occupancy.
Director Schwalenberg noted it is not unusual for a permit application to be withdrawn or
abandoned during the review process. Staff believes a review fee would ensure that a person is
serious about the project as well as assist in reducing the impact on City resources should a
project be abalidoned. He stated that it is Staff's intent that the review fee not be assessed for
minor permits, only for permits for new construction, additions and alterations.
Responding to an inquiry by Alderman Peterson, Director Schawalenberg stated that temporary
certificates of occupancy are issued for non-life safety and weather-related items, such as
landscaping and paving that may not be able to be completed during winter months. At the time
the temporary certificate is issued the owner is required to sign an agreement stating outstanding
items will be completed by a predetermined date. Staff is proposing a $100 fee to reduce the
cost of preparing the temporary certificate and the additional inspection(s) that must be
� conducted prior to issuance of a permanent certificate. Alderman Peterson opined he is in favor
Community Development Committee Meeting
August 23, 2011
Page 2
�
of user fees a 1d does not know if$100 is adequate. Chairman Alderman Condon opined she
favors moderate rate increases.
Chairman Ald�rman Condon opined that even with the increase(s) the City of McHenry is still
comparable w ith the average fees being charged in surrounding municipalities. Responding to
Chairman Alderman's inquiry, Director Schwalenberg stated the fees were last reviewed ten
years ago.
Alderman Santi stated he supports the increases and he would like to see the fees reviewed
every three ye�irs.
Motion by Saiiti, seconded by Peterson to forward a recommendation to the Council to amend
Municipal Co�ie Section 7-3, updating permit fees as presented, including a review by Staff
every three ye�irs.
Aye: Condon, Santi. Peterson
Nay: None.
Absent; None.
Motion carried.
Chairman Alderman Condon noted that the fee review should be at Staff's discretion should they
feel that something specifically needs to be addressed.
�" Discussion Regardin�Consolidation of Pavement Requirements
For Parkin�Lots
Director Schwalenberg informed the Committee that the number of businesses in the City
continues to grow along with the quantity and size of the parking lots. This has led to an
increase in the number of permits for repair, replacement and in some cases, the expansion of
existing parking areas. It is Staff's goal to establish uniform guidelines for the installation of
pavement in multi-family, commercial and industrial parking areas/lots.
Staff conducted thorough research of City codes and ordinances. Staff noted the Municipal
Code, Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Control and Development Ordinance contain some
guidelines, standards and requirements for parking lots in whole or in part. For example:
• Chapters 12 and 21 of the Municipal Code contain administrative rules for obtaining a
permit, such as bond requirements for working in right-of-ways and references for
uniform specifications.
• The Zoning Ordinance includes requirements for permits such as specifications for
installation of driveways and approaches, standards for parking lot design, driveways,
aisles and islands, as well as minimum pavement thickness requirements.
• The Subdivision Control and Development Ordinance contains permit requirements,
forms, fees, design criteria for pavement and subgrade material and standards for testing.
With the infornlation scattered amongst three separate documents, and in some cases conflicting
language with another City ordinance, Staff believes the consolidation of requirements, standards
�' and design criteria into one document would be the best course of action for ease of reference.
Community I)evelopment Committee Meeting
August 23, 2(�11
Page 3
�
Staff is seeki ng direction from the Committee to comprehensively evaluate, consolidate and
update paverr ent requirements. Staff anticipates bringing the proposed ordinance amendments
before the Co;nmittee at a future meeting.
Responding tc� Chairman Alderman Condon inquiry whether this endeavor would create a new
section in th�. Municipal Code, Deputy City Administrator Martin stated that the paving
requirements would be part of the Zoning Ordinance.
Responding tc� Alderman Peterson's inquiry regarding the personnel hours necessary to pull the
information together for the comprehensive consolidation, Deputy City Administrator stated that
while he coulci not be exact, it would take some work to do the job precisely and effectively.
Chairman Alderman Condon suggested that as technology continues to improve there should be
some wording in the document taking new technology into consideration.
It was the con5ensus of the Committee that Staff should move forward with the consolidation of
the information regarding pavement requirements for parking lots.
Other Business
Deputy City Administrator Martin informed the Committee that a permit has been applied for
regarding the Tommy's site for the proposed mini-warehouses.
�' Deputy City Administrator Martin informed the Committee that the permit for Panda Express
has been received by Staff. The project is moving forward.
Deputy City Administrator Martin informed the Committee that a church is interested in the
building that previously housed Haystack Manor. The property is currently zoned residential,
The matter regarding residential chickens is scheduled to be heard at the Planning and Zoning
Commission meeting scheduled on September 8, 2011.
The agenda for the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting of September 15, 2011 includes:
• Haystack Manor
• Prairie Pointe Business Park
o The business park is attempting a vacation of the plat in order to get a Letter of
Credit rescinded.
Deputy City Administrator Martin requested the Agenda for the next Community Development
Committee meeting be left open. Staff is making an effort to pull together information regarding
residential generators, which may possibly be presented on the Agenda. The Committee might
want to consider amending the ordinance or, alternatively; each situation might need to be
addressed uniquely.
�
Community L�evelopment Committee Meeting
August 23, 2C 11
Page 4
�
Chairman Alc�erman Condon informed the Committee that the next meeting of the Community
Development Committee is scheduled to take place on October 25, 2011 in the Aldermen's
Conference R��om at 7:00 p.m. Topics anticipated for the agenda are:
• Code c ompliance updates
• Residential generators (possibly); and
• Goals =or 2012.
o Chairman Alderman Condon noted that the October meeting will be the last for
2011.
Alderman Santi requested information regarding the installation of guardrails at River Place
development. Director Schwalenberg informed the Committee that installation of the guardrails
was to begin today. Responding to an inquiry from Alderman Santi regarding the garages,
Director Schw:ilenberg stated that no one is allowed use of the garages yet.
Alderman Peterson inquired regarding which City Committee addresses the topic of user fees.
Deputy City A.dministrator Martin stated that the Finance and Personnel Committee normally
addresses that topic, however Staff is always pleased to discuss any suggestion the Alderman
might have regarding user fees.
Adiournment
Motion by Peterson, seconded by Santi to adjourn the meeting at 7:37 p.m.
� Aye: Condon, Santi. Peterson
Nay: None.
Absent: None.
Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
. ����
Geri Condon, Chairman
�