HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 02/19/2020 - Planning and Zoning Commission
City of McHenry
Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes
February 19, 2020
Chairman Strach called the February 19, 2020 regularly-scheduled meeting of the City of
McHenry Planning and Zoning Commission to order at 7:30 p.m. In attendance were the
following: Lehman, Strach, Sobotta, Thacker, Gurda, Doherty and Walsh. Also in attendance
were City Planner Cody Sheriff and Director of Economic Development Douglas Martin.
No Public Input.
Consideration of Meeting Minutes: Motion by Thacker and seconded by Lehman. Roll call vote:
Gurda and Doherty abstained and Strach, Thacker, Sobotta, Ledman and Walsh-Aye. Motion
passed.
Discussion pertaining to zoning text amendments regarding the landscape ordinance ensued.
Planner Sheriff gave an overview of the landscaping ordinance, its flexibility, the charts and how
it was supposed to be "easier" to use. Commissioner Doherty inquired about poles being in
landscape islands and getting hit and remaining in islands indefinitely. He also suggested rocks
be utilized in islands instead of mulch particularly where there is a lot of pedestrian traffic.
Planner Sheriff clarified middle islands would only be required every 20 spaces for parking lots
with 40 spaces or more and another goal of the ordinance was to incorporate bioswales and the
principles of stormwater management.
Chairman Strach stated other things, such as speed bumps could be incorporated into the
design of parking lots, as well as other traffic calming devices. Discussion ensued about
whether the perimeter buffer should be 5 or 10 feet in width. The point was made that 10 feet
may be more appropriate if they were going to be utilized for stormwater management.
Chairman Strach pointed out that previously the gas stations that had come before the
Commission had requested variances for building perimeter landscaping because the
landscaping would have been trampled. More discussion ensued on the proposed ordinance.
Commissioner Sobotta stated he likes giving developers flexibility. Planner Sheriff talked about
the residential screening strip. Discussion ensued about 6 or 8 foot fence heights and building
perimeter landscaping. Planner Sheriff explained what planned unit developments were.
Planner Sheriff gave an overview of tiny homes and discussed the definition of tiny houses.
Discussion ensued on tiny houses. One challenge noted to tiny houses was water and sewer.
Large lots often don't have space for expanded septic areas.
Chairman Strach brought up the minimum size requirement for a single-family home-1,000
square feet. Discussion ensued on the practicality of tiny houses. It was decided Planner
Sheriff will conduct more research and bring back to the Planning and Zoning Commission for
consideration: accessory apartments/home size/which lots could take advantage of tiny
houses.
Staff Report: Planner Sheriff reported on the first meeting of the Fox River Corridor Plan
Steering Committee.
Adjourn: Motion by Thacker and seconded by Sobotta, roll call vote, 7-0, meeting adjourned at
8:46.