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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 08/20/2009 - Planning and Zoning CommissionCity of McHenry Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting August 20, 2009 Vice Chairman Buhrman called the August 20, 2009 regularly scheduled meeting of the City of McHenry Planning and Zoning Commission to order at 7:30 p.m. In Attendance were the following: Buhrman, Ekstrom, Morck, Schepler, Thacker. Absent: Howell, Nadeau. Also in attendance were: Attorney Kelly Cahill, Deputy City Administrator Martin, Deputy Clerk Kunzer. Approval of Minutes Motion by Schepler, seconded by Thacker, to approve minutes of the Planning and Zoning Commission as follows as presented: July 9, 2009 regularly scheduled meeting. Voting Aye: Ekstrom, Morck, Schepler, Thacker. Voting Nay: None. Not Voting: None. Abstaining: Buhrman. Absent: Howell, Nadeau. Motion carried 5-0. Public Hearing: Graham Enterprises Inc File No. Z-746 5301 Bull Valley Road Conditional Use Permit Vice Chairman Buhrman called the Public Hearing to order at 7:32 p.m. regarding File No. Z- 746, an application for conditional use permit to allow an automobile service station and automobile laundry on the property located at 5301 Bull Valley Road as requested by Graham Enterprises. In response to Vice Chairman Buhrman’s inquiry, Deputy Clerk Kunzer stated notice of the Public Hearing was published in the Northwest Herald on July 31, 2009. Notices were mailed to all abutting property owners of record and the property was posted in accordance with the Zoning Ordinance. Certificate of Publication and Affidavit of posting and notification requirements is on file in the City Clerk’s Office. In attendance representing Graham Enterprises, Inc. was applicant John Graham who was sworn in by Attorney Cahill. Deputy City Administrator Martin provided the Staff Report regarding this matter. He noted the subject property is the location of the former BP Amoco Service Station at the southwest corner of the intersection of Bull Valley Road and Crystal Lake Road. As the station has been closed for more than a year, the conditional use permit for the property has expired. The applicant is before the Commission this evening seeking a conditional use permit to allow the re-opening of the Planning and Zoning Commission August 20, 2009 Page 2 automobile service station and automobile laundry at this location. Staff has considered the application and supports the request. Mr. Graham stated in the long range plan money will have to be expended to upgrade and cosmetically improve the site. He noted it is a good location for a service station. If the re- opening is successful as anticipated, his firm will invest in the property in a more expansive way. At this time, they are seeking to re-open the facility. If and when an expansion of the facility is sought, they would come back to the City for prior approval. Vice Chairman Buhrman invited questions and comments from the Commission. Responding to an inquiry, Mr. Graham stated the station would re-open as a BP Amoco facility. He also informed the Commission the facility contains a small mini-mart which would also be re-opened. He noted items carried in the store would be those that would move/sell easily. Mr. Graham also noted his company has purchased two other BP Amoco stations in town (AM/PM at the intersection of Bull Valley Road and Charles Miller Road and the closed station at the northeast corner of Ringwood Road and Route 120) as well as the Citgo Station east of the BP Amoco at Ringwood Road. The purchases were made on May 1, 2009. Responding to an inquiry regarding the status of the Ringwood Road station, Mr. Graham stated he is not certain at this time if it will re-open or if the site would be converted to a higher and better use. It is currently being studied by his real estate market analysts. Commissioners noted the appearance of the BP Amoco sites at both Ringwood Road and the subject property has greatly improved in recent months. They commended the applicant for taking care of his property. An inquiry was made as to the status of the fuel tanks on the subject property. Mr. Graham responded the tanks are still in place. He noted he may have to replace the pumps, but there is nothing wrong with the tanks on the site. Responding to a question regarding the re-opening of the facility, Mr. Graham stated he hopes to be open by mid-October. He noted he hopes to begin property cleanup immediately upon being granted permission to re-open the facility. Question was raised as to McHenry County Health Department permits needed for the sale of food and beverages. Mr. Graham stated he would comply with all permitting requirements needed prior to occupancy being issued to re-open the facility. Attorney Cahill noted there was no one in the audience wishing to express comments or questions regarding this matter. Motion by Schepler, seconded by Morck, to recommend to the McHenry City Council, that with regard to File No. Z-746, a request from Graham Enterprises Inc. for a conditional use permit to allow the operation of an automobile service station and automobile laundry facility on the property located at 5301 Bull Valley Road, be granted, and that Table 31, the Approval Criteria for Conditional Use Permits, pages 357-358 of the Zoning Ordinance, has been met. Planning and Zoning Commission August 20, 2009 Page 3 Voting Aye: Buhrman, Ekstrom, Morck, Schepler, Thacker. Voting Nay: None. Not Voting: None. Abstaining: None. Absent: Howell, Nadeau. Comments from Commission: Commissioner Ekstrom stated the service station at this location is a great asset to the community, and expressed pleasure that it would no longer be closed. Commissioner Thacker expressed his gratitude to the applicant for purchasing and opening the service station. Motion carried 5-0. Vice Chairman Buhrman closed the public hearing at 7:46 p.m. Other Business Brief discussion occurred regarding the following: • Status of the drive-up coffee facility at the former Napoli Pizza location. Deputy City Administrator Martin will inquire as to the status of the project and inform the Commission at their next meeting; • Code compliance in McHenry and how it compares to the more strictly enforced ordinances (in Commissioner Thacker’s opinion) in Woodstock; Deputy City Administrator Martin noted the City operates on a complaint basis and violators are taken through the adjudication process if they do not comply with the code; • State of the parking lot and drives within the Meier Home Depot Subdivision; the existence of numerous potholes and the fact that the property owners do not maintain these areas; • Lillian Street resurfacing project; the extent of the project is between Route 31 and Crystal Lake Road; the project commences Monday, August 24, 2009; • Large potholes on Brittany Drive. Adjournment Motion by Nadeau, seconded by Ekstrom, to adjourn the meeting at 7:56 p.m. Voting Aye: Buhrman, Ekstrom, Morck, Schepler, Thacker. Voting Nay: None. Not Voting: None. Abstaining: None. Absent: Howell, Nadeau. Motion carried 5-0. The meeting was adjourned at 7:56 p.m. Respectfully submitted, _______________________________ Kathleen M. Kunzer, Deputy Clerk City of McHenry