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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 12/12/1994 - City Council REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 12, 1994 The Regular Meeting of the McHenry City Council was called to order by Mayor Cuda at 7:30 P.M. on Monday, December 12, 1994 in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Center. At roll call the following Aldermen were present: Bolger, Locke, Bates, Lawson, Baird. Absent: None. City Staff in attendance were: City Administrator Peterson, City Clerk Althoff, Director of Public Works Batt, Director of Building and Zoning Lobaito, and Director of Parks and Recreation Merkel. Absent: Chief of Police Joyce, City Attorney McArdle. At the beginning of the 1994 calendar year, the Council determined that the second regularly scheduled Council meeting of each month would be utilized as a working meeting to discuss relevant issues concerning development, planning and other related City matters. TEN MINUTE PUBLIC INPUT SESSION No one signed up to speak during the Ten Minute Public Input Session. CONSENT AGENDA Motion by Lawson, seconded by Bolger, to approve the Consent Agenda as follows: (1) November Treasurer's Report; (2) November Budget Report; Voting Aye: Bolger, Locke, Bates, Lawson, Baird. Voting Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. CITY OF McHENRY ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT - C-4 ZONING Director of Building and Zoning Lobaito summarized the Zoning Board of Appeals' December 5, 1994 meeting discussion of the Council's petition to restore the C-4 Zoning District with its permitted and conditional uses, as it was prior to December, 1993. He stated that the Zoning Board is not opposed to the change back to the original regulations for C-4 zoning, however, they unanimously are opposed to expansion of the C-4 District because of a few district regulations. The Zoning Board of Appeals has also asked for a joint meeting to discuss the C-4 District issues with the full Council. Mayor Cuda suggested the next workshop, January 11, 1994, be scheduled for the joint meeting. Some discussion followed. Alderman Bates noted his opposition to the reversal of the current C-4 ordinance, as he felt it set a dangerous precedent for future petitioners. He suggested the current petitioners seek a use variance. Alderman Baird stated his support for a joint meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals and Council to review the ordinance addressing and correcting the non-conforming uses. Motion by Baird, seconded by Locke, to pass an ordinance to acknowledge no recommendation from the Zoning Board of Appeals, and to restore the C-4 Zoning District with its permitted and conditional uses as it was prior to December, 1993. Voting Aye: Baird, Lawson, Locke, Bolger. Voting Nay: Bates. Absent: None. Motion carried. N. December 12, 1994 Page 2 I'N GLACIAL HEIGHTS SUBDIVISION John Cunat of Cunat Brothers, Inc. was in attendance regarding the Glacial Heights Subdivision which is located just outside the corporate limits of the City on Draper Road. He stated as per the Mayor and Council's request, a letter had been sent to staff on December 9, 1994. The letter states the Cunat Brothers' agreement to follow the Subdivision control Ordinance for the City of McHenry in conjunction with the Subdivision Control from McHenry County. In the event of a conflict between the two ordinances, the most conservative and restrictive part of each ordinance will be followed. The only exception to this agreement is the street width. It was agreed that the Cunat Brothers could install a 26' non-curbed roadway, which would be accepted by the City. Discussion followed regarding the Council's desire to see this parcel annexed to the City. Motion by Baird, seconded by Bolger, to deny approval of the Glacial Heights Subdivision preliminary plat located outside the corporate limits of the City on Draper Road. Voting Aye: Baird, Bolger. Voting Nay: Lawson, Bates, Locke. Absent: None. Motion failed. Motion by Bates, seconded by Lawson, to approve the Glacial Heights Subdivision preliminary plat. Voting Aye: Lawson, Bates, Locke. Voting Nay: Baird, Bolger. Absent: None. Motion carried. — ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMISSION REQUEST TO CONSIDER A BAN ON LEAF BURNING IN THE CITY OF McHENRY ' Spokesperson for the Environmental Advisory Commission, Alice Howenstine, presented the following burning alternatives: (1) To continue the existing City practice, waiting until the County or State bans burning; (2) Institute a partial leaf-burning ban; (3) Allow burning on a limited basis, dependent upon zoning districts; (4) Subsidize the current pay-per-bag program. Discussion followed regarding the City's role in providing alternatives if leaf burning was prohibited. Alderman Lawson then questioned the cost figures provided Council in the agenda supplement. Director of Public Works Batt responded, and stated his support of a subsidized alternative. Alderman Locke stated that residents highly impacted by prohibiting leaf burning must be provided with alternatives. He also stated his opposition to a City-subsidized program. Alderman Lawson suggested that if the City should consider subsidizing a bagging alternative, it could be done in three phases: —- Year 1 - City pays $1; resident 50 cents; Year 2 - City pays 50 cents; resident $1; Year 3 - Resident pays the full $1.50. December 12, 1994 Page 3 Alderman Lawson noted McHenry was the only City within McHenry County with a population of over 10,000 that does not ban burning. Other discussed alternatives discussed were to allow burning on a limited number of specified dates, and composting. Alderman Bolger felt composting was not a viable alternative because of recent Winding Creek rodent problem. Discussion on viable - - alternatives continued. Aldermen Bolger and Bates stated their belief that leaf burning could not be prohibited until a viable alternative was in place. Alice Howenstine then turned the discussion to health problems associated and/or aggravated by leaf burning. Comments from Public Regarding Leaf Burning William Hiatt of 3809 Orleans Street stated that he felt leaf burning was a health issue. His son, as asthmatic, had a right to clean air. He concluded stating his strong opposition to leaf burning and his desire to see the Council ban burning. Ken Diedrich, a resident of Ward 1, is also an asthmatic, and stated his concern with diesel trucks more than leaf burning. He stated his strong support for the continuation of leaf burning. Ann Cuda, a resident of Ward 3, questioned the feasibility of vacuum trucks, .as she felt the older residents of McHenry would be placed at a disadvantage physically in trying to bag all their leaves. Director of Public Works Batt explained that vacuuming programs also have problems associated with them, i.e. clogged storm sewers, blocked parkways, etc. In response to a question by Linda Hiatt of 3809 Orleans, City Administrator Peterson explained that there would be a great cost associated with applying for a license and finding a compost site similar to Crystal Lake's operation. Council directed City Administrator Peterson to accumulate from all the surrounding municipalities in McHenry County all the pertinent details and cost factors of their respective leaf programs. Mayor Cuda asked that a per-bag cost be provided, as well as an estimated number of how many bags are collected. This information will be provided and addressed the February 8, 1995 workshop meeting. ANY AND ALL BUSINESS WHICH MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE COUNCIL Alderman Baird requested an updated report on the status of his stop sign. request for the intersection of Driftwood and Courtland Trails. Chief of Police Joyce reported that traffic studies would only support the installation of a "Yield" sign. Alderman Bolger stated his concern over the attendance record of many of the Zoning Board of Appeals and Plan Commission members at their respective board meetings. Mayor Cuda directed City Clerk Althoff to prepare a letter to these individuals reminding them of their responsibility and commitment. Alderman Bolger also noted that the book on economic development from GSTN, distributed by City Administrator Peterson, contained excellent information on economic development, and urged the rest of the Council to review the document at their earliest convenience. December 12, 1994 Page 4 ADJOURNMENT Motion by Bates, seconded by Locke, to adjourn. Voting Aye: Bolger, Locke, Bates, Lawson, Baird. Voting Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 9:15 P.M. MAYOR Cl CLER