HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 7/18/2001 - Community Development Committee COMMITNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING
Wednesday, July 18, 2001
Aldermen Conference Room 6:30 p.m.
� In Attendance: Alderman Bolger, Alderman Glab (arrived at 6:40 p.m.), Aldennan Low,
Alderman Winuner, Alderman Murgatroyd (arrived at 6:40 p.m.), Mayor Althoff, Director of
Community Development Napolitano, City Clerk Jones, City Attorney McArdle, City
Administrator l,obaito, Assistant Administrator Ma�ceiner
Members of the Community in attendance:
Mark Rapata 4516 West Willow Lane
Randy Zornow 5212 Shore Hill Drive
Bonnie Zornow 5212 Shore Hill Drive
George Layoff 5012 Prairie
Alice Howenstine 4614 Pioneer Road
Bethany Schae+er 4013 Boone Creek Circle
John Ripkey 3608 Biscayne Drive
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Alderman Wimmer at 6:36 p.m.
Tree Preservation Ordinance
Chairman Alderma.n Wimmer opined the existing Tree Preservation Ordinance is in line with
those of neighboring communities.
Mr. Mark Rapata of 4516 West Willow Lane stated he would like to see smaller lots included in
the enforcement of the ordinance. He noted smaller commercial lots should be made to comply
with the ordinance requirements. Several trees were removed from the Oak Street area in
�' Lakeland Park and numerous qua.lity trees were also removed from the Rubloff Development
north of town. Staff responded Rubloff is replacing the trees and in fact are planting more than
1,000 new trees. Rubloff has complied with the Tree Preservation Ordinance. However, it was
noted Rubloff did begin cutting down trees prior to the approval of their tree preservation plan.
Alderman Low stated the e�sting Tree Preservation Ordinance is suitable. Staff noted the
ordinance is adequate and serves the community. Alderman Glab opined Rubloff should be fined
if indeed they violated the ordinance.
In response to an inquiry, developers must provide a tree survey of their property. The survey
must then be approved prior to any removal of trees from the development.
Motion by Low, seconded by Glab, to recommend to Council to maintain the e�sting language
of the Tree Preservation Ordinance. All ayes. Motion carried.
Burning Regulations
Alderma.n Low expressed her strong concerns regarding the issue of burning in the City of
McHenry. She stated adequate alternatives to brush burning has been provided, the City initiated
the Knox Barn drop off program, in addition to the leaf vacuuming and curb-side yard waste
pickup. She opined all burning should cease with the exception of recreational burning
Alderman Glab concurred, stressing, however, the need for occasional recreational burning.
`— Alderman Wimmer inquired if amending the ordinance to prohibit burning would make the
ordinance easier to enforce. Staff responded the ordinance would be much easier to enforce if
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7/18/O1
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burning was prohibited, except for recreational burning. Alderman Murgatroyd stated the City
has enough mechanisms in place to assure alternative disposal of material and to ensure the
enforcement of'the ordinance.
Mr. Randy Zc�rnow of 5212 Shore Hill Drive, distributed burning regulations for McHenry
County, City of Woodstock and the City of Crystal Lake. Additionally, he provided the
Committee with correspondence from his wife's physician, a letter of inedical necessity, a list of
medications, and her last pulmonary function test. Noting his wife is asthmatic, on o�rygen tank
24-hours per day, he stressed the importance of banning burning in the City. He provided
evidence of neighbor's burning illegal ma.terials and requests the Council ban burning in the
City. Aldennari Glab noted residents should file reports with the Police Department when they
observe someo�e in violation of the burning ordinance.
Motion by Low, seconded by Glab, to recommend to the City Council to ban all burning in the
City of McHenry with the specific exception of recreational burning. All ayes. Motion carried.
Sump Pump Language Restrictions
Director Community Development Napolitano provided the Committee with background of the
sump pump ordinance. He noted there were occurrences in Ward Two of improper discharging
of sump pumps. There were not proper swales to allow for drainage. In the warm months, this
caused ponding in the resident's yard. During the winter, the water ran across her driveway and
� caused an icing condition on the sidewalk and street. As a result Staff has created additional
language which could be incorporated into the building code. The additional language would
prohibit discharge of sump pump water into a City sanitary sewer, onto any abutting or nearby
property in such a ma.nner as to cause a public safety hazard or standing water on adjacent
properties.
Alderman Glab noted originally sump pumps were permitted to drain into the public street and
the ordinance was ultimately changed to direct the pumps to drain into the City's storm sewer
system. Alderma.n Glab opined the sump pumps should not drain onto anyone else's property
regazdless as v�-hether it presents a safety hazard. Staff noted it is not always feasible to prevent
sump pump dr��inage onto another's property, particulazly as natural erosion occurs in drainage
swales.
City Administrator noted the City has historically taken the position of trying to assist by
redirecting the flow of drainage runoff. At other times when there is no approved method of
redirecting the flow, the problem is more difficult to resolve. These types of difficulties are more
prevalent in the Whispering Oaks Subdivision. Staff typically will take the initiative to repair the
problem if it costs $5,000 or less. However, if the cost involved exceeds $5,000, Council
becomes involved in approving the request for redirection. Discussion occurred regarding the
issue of drainage sheeting across others' property and/or onto the public sidewalks and streets.
City Administrator Lobaito opined more definitive and concise language regarding surface water
� runoff direction is desirable for insertion in the City's Code. Discussion continued.
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� Motion by Glab, seconded by Low, to recommend to Council to direct Staffto draft an ordinance
modifying the language in Chapter 7 of the Municipal Code regarding the regulations and
requirements fi�r sump pump discharge to prevent safety or nuisance conditions for adjacent City
properties; and to specify that all sump pump runoff must be directed parallel to a line five feet
from any/all pr�perty lines. All ayes. Motion carried.
Recreational Vehicle Trailer TA State License Plates
Director Napolitano informed the Committee the issue of parking TA licensed trailers was first
discussed in March 2001. The direction was given Staff to survey surrounding communities as to
their regulations regarding the parking of TA licensed trailers. Staff contacted Algonquin, Cary,
Crystal Lake and Woodstock, and determined in most instances the municipalities do not
distinguish between trailers and recreational vehicles. Crystal Lake pernuts TA trailers to be
parked in the residential district on an approved parking surface. Cary has similaz regulations.
Director Napolitano noted the pazking of commercial vehicles in a residential district is
prohibited in the surrounding communities, as is currently the case in McHenry. Parking a bobcat
on a TA trailer in the residential district would not be pertnitted and could be enforced by the
existing ordinance.
Alderman Glab n�oted construction vehicles and/or trailers being pazking in the residential district
is not desirable and should be specifically prohibited. In addition, there should be maximum
length and height restrictions regarding parking TA licensed trailers in the residential district.
� Alderman Low stated newer developments have restrictive covenants which most times address
the issue of what types of vehicles can be parked on a residential lot. The problem appears to be
solely related to older subdivisions. It was the consensus of the Committee lazge size trailers
parked in residential districts is objectionable. Limiting the size of recreational vehicles
permitted in the residential district would address the problem. Discussion continued.
Alderman Wimmer opined an attempt to redefine TA licensed trailers is not practical.
It was the consensus of the Committee to recommend Council leave the parking ordinance in the
residential district as it exists. Staff will research similar regulations on other communities and
provide a summary to the Committee for review.
Motion by Glab, seconded by Low to adjourn the meeting at 7:32 p,m.
All Ayes. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
. , l�.
'chard W. Wunmer, Cha'
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