VILLAGE OF NORTH AURORA
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MEETING MINUTES
MAY 16, 2016
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Berman called the meeting to order.
ROLL CALL
In attendance: Mayor Dale Berman, Trustee Laura Curtis, Trustee Mike Lowery, Trustee Chris Faber, Trustee Mark Carroll, Trustee Mark Gaffino, Trustee Mark Guethle and Village Clerk Lori Murray.
Staff in attendance: Village Administrator Steve Bosco, Finance Director Bill Hannah, Community & Economic Development Director Mike Toth, Police Chief Dave Summer, Public Works Superintendent Mike Glock, Water Superintendent Paul Young, Village Attorney Kevin Drendel.
AUDIENCE COMMENTS – None
TRUSTEE COMMENTS – None
DISCUSSION
1. Discussion regarding a Special Use for a Planned Unit Development for the
Property Located at 472-500 Clearwater Drive
The petitioner/property owner approached the village in order to have outdoor storage on the property. Staff recommended approval of a PUD as it will allow multiple buildings on the property and the petitioner has plans to develop another building on the 500 piece along Clearwater drive. A public hearing was held at the Plan Commission meeting on May 3rd. There was discussion regarding the conditions of the Staff Report. The conditions approved at the Plan Commission meeting are listed in the board memo. At the Plan Commission meeting, a resident at 504 Clearwater Drive noted his concerns about the impact of the outdoor storage regarding noise and glare onto the residential properties.
Community & Economic Development Director Mike Toth said that a new fence will be installed at grade level and run along the side of the existing fence. Toth added that there would be no point to carry the fence further west since there would be no additional screening benefits. There is a Landscaping provision in the plan. The petitioner has asked that there be a sunset clause or that the landscaping be put on hold until the actual development of the property occurs. Toth said that there is a time frame open that states if the property does not develop within a certain time period, then landscaping has to occur.
The Plan Commission suggested extra buffering based on the south side of the property on the 500 site. They reduced some of the buffering that they deemed unnecessary and deemed some of the slatting of the fencing unnecessary.
Trustee Lowery said that the area is set back far enough and in an industrial area so that it would be reasonable for outdoor storage. It is in an industrial area so it would not be a blight on the village.
The Board was in favor of allowing 18 months for development of the property.
Toth said he would add a condition that the PUD be approved per the plan submitted by DS Wells.
2. Discussion regarding a Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment to Reduce the Corner Side Yard Setback in the E-3 Estate Standard District from forty (40) feet to thirty (30) feet
There are several areas in town that are in the E3 zoning district (Lake Run, Tanner Trails, Remington). The corner side yard setback in the E3 district is 40 feet. Prior to the new zoning ordinance adoption there was no corner side yard setback. When these properties were platted, they were with setbacks of 30 feet. When the new zoning ordinance was adopted, there was a conflict with the approved plat of subdivision and the zoning ordinance corner side yard setback of 40 feet. Toth proposed the Village match the required setback with what was currently in place. Therefore, the setback would be reduced from 40 to 30 feet. The Plan Commission, at their meeting, had no issues with this amendment. The Board was in favor of the change.
3. Discussion of Dunkin Donuts Concept Plan (24 S. Lincolnway)
The property at 24 S. Lincolnway, which is now owned by the Village, is of interest to Dunkin Donuts. The proposal at the last meeting was for a gas station/Dunkin Donuts. The Village had expressed that they were not interested in a gas station at that location. Dunkin Donuts has stated that they are now interested in developing the site as a Dunkin Donuts facility only. The plan would include a drive through, parking amenities and an outdoor dining area. A letter of intent has been submitted by the developer.
Trustee Curtis was very enthusiastic about the concept and said it would be an asset to Route 31.
Toth noted that a public hearing would be required due to the drive-thru for the building. Trustee Carroll asked if any fencing was proposed on the west side. Toth said that there would be a fence between 6 and 8 feet in height. Trustees Lowery and Guethle said they liked the idea of the Dunkin Donuts. Trustee Curtis said she would like to see more brick or decorative stone on the building. Toth said he would share this with the developer. Curtis noted that a more upscale design would set the standard for Route 31. Trustee Faber said he is not opposed to a Dunkin Donuts in that location but wanted it to be more architecturally attractive. The consensus by the Board was to move forward.
4. Discussion of an Agreement between the Village of North Aurora and Commonwealth Edison regarding LED Streetlights
Village Administrator Steve Bosco stated that ComEd is looking to change out the current street lights to LED. The Village would not pay anything for this change and that Comed would get reimbursed from the state program. The Board was in favor of the LED light change.
5. Discussion of Community Center, Phase I Needs Assessment Report
The Village Board approved a proposal from Market & Feasibility Advisors (MFA) to conduct a formal building needs assessment for a community building/space at the January 18th Village Board meeting. The study was sought per direction of the Village Board and a goal in the Village’s Strategic Plan that reads, “Conduct a formal building needs assessment for a community building/space”.
After the Activity Center closed, many of the meetings, such as scouts, church groups, HOAs and others moved to the meeting/activity rooms at the Messenger Public Library which saw a surge in utilization,
• The day care center received Tax Increment Financing (TIF) assistance and moved to a new location,
• The Mothers Club, which had been meeting at a bank and using the Activity Center for events, moved events to facilities just outside of town and the USD 129 West Aurora High School (serves North Aurora but is in Aurora)
• The Lions Club had pancake breakfasts at the Activity Center and has moved to a local church; it holds their business meetings at the library
• A privately run program for special needs children has moved to Elgin
• In 2005, the new FVPD Vaughn center took over some of the special recreation needs
• Seniors moved to programs offered at Northgate and Aurora Township Senior Center
• The Summer Fling, now called North Aurora Days, moved to a new location as has the pet parade
• Travel teams that used it to practice indoors now practice at Fearn and other elementary schools and Aurora Christian High School, and
• The Friday Nite Spot program has not found a new location
Through the study, there were five (5) types of facilities that were considered of importance:
1. Indoor sports facilities – Not recommended. Cost would be $3 to $5 million. The community has the FVPD locations for recreational uses. Friday Nite Spot could partner with the schools in District 129 to benefit all children attending those schools, rather than 13% or fewer of the eligible youth in the community.
2. Standard Meeting Rooms – recommended ($400,000 to $500,000). It was suggested that the Village partner with the Messenger Public Library on how the facility can be expanded at the library.
3. Informal Meeting Space in a coffee shop type setting – recommended. Can be accomplished with extra space at the library.
4. Resilient Meeting Rooms – Recommended ($300,000 to $400,000)
5. Large Events Rooms – Not recommended.
There was no action by the Village Board at this time.
TRUSTEE COMMENTS – None
EXECUTIVE SESSION
1. Sale of Village Property
Motion made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Gaffino to adjourn to executive session for the purpose of discussing the sale of village property. All in favor. Motion approved.
(return from Executive Session)
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Gaffino. All in favor. Motion approved.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lori J. Murray
Village Clerk
