VILLAGE OF NORTH AURORA
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING MINUTES
MAY 18, 2015
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Berman called the meeting to order.
SILENT PRAYER – MEDITATION – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
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, Village Clerk Lori Murray.
Staff in attendance: Village Administrator Steve Bosco, Finance Director Bill Hannah, Village Attorney Kevin Drendel, Public Works Superintendent Mike Glock, Water Superintendent Paul Young, Police Chief David Summer, Captain/Fire Marshall Eric Bunkofske.
AUDIENCE COMMENTS – None
TRUSTEE COMMENTS – None
DISCUSSION
1. Discussion of Orchard Commons P.U.D. (Hardware Restaurant / Brewpub)
Hardware Restaurant, a proposed restaurant and microbrewery on Orchard Road is asking for a PUD amendment in order to develop a 8,300 s.f. brewpub on Lot 4. Once demand exceeds the threshold, the petitioner will increase the brewery operation to a stand-alone microbrewery facility on Lot 3. Temporary gardening will also be on Lot 3 for a hops garden. Proposed uses are currently prohibited in the B2 General Business District and underlying PUD. The petitioner is requesting zoning rights specific to each corresponding lot and not for the entire development. The operations would become a permitted use only on Lot 4, a specific permitted use for Lot 3 and an agricultural use for Lot 8. The agricultural use could be temporary and would not prevent the future development of Lot 8.
Petitioner is asking for the 25-foot setback to be reduced to a 19.9-foot setback.
There were six conditions as a PUD that were proposed by Staff. Conditions #5 and #6 were proposed by the Plan Commission; additional street lighting shall be added on the south side of Tanner Road adjacent to the loading space on Lot 4, and all trailers associated with delivery and distribution shall be 40 feet in length or less.
Bosco said that at the last meeting there had been discussion about a special hearing for this evening’s meeting. This did not get into the paper on time. Bosco suggested that if there were no questions or concerns, that this item be placed on the consent agenda at the next Village Board meeting. Atty. Drendel noted that the failure of the publication was not due to anything the Village did, but that the paper had not placed the ad. The Board was in agreement to place this on the consent agenda for the next meeting.
2. Discussion of 310 S. Lincolnway Use – Self-service Storage Units
Next Door Storage proposed a self-service storage facility on the former bowling alley site at the corner of Smoketree Lane and Route 31. The existing 40,000 s.f. building would be converted to an indoor storage facility. There would also be five outlot buildings and outdoor self-service storage units. This use is allowed in the district, but requires a special use permit.
Atty. John Philipchuck was in attendance on behalf of the petitioner (Jack Murphy and Phil Murphy). They own 14 facilities in Illinois and are willing to invest $4 million in the community.
Phil Murphy, one of the owners of Next Door Storage, gave a presentation. Murphy said they would be adding 4 times as much green space compared to what is currently there. It will take it from 30,000 s.f. of green space to 120,000 s.f. of green space. Will move it to the north and east side of the property. There will be 2 full time employees and 1 part time maintenance employee.
Trustee Curtis was concerned that this is not the highest and best use for the property and would only bring three jobs to the village.
Trustee Guethle said he was in favor of the use at this location and noted that the property has been vacant for seven years.
Trustee Carroll said this property is the first thing people see when they come off the highway. It is also a use that is not consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. Carroll stated that the community is coming out of one of the worst recessions and has only had three people look at the property. Carroll said that he doesn’t want to see the property empty, but does not want another self-storage facility in town.
Trustee Faber asked if the village has a need for more storage facilities or if these businesses keep coming because the village keeps allowing them. Faber said he would like to see something there that creates more than 2 jobs and looks better than self-storage.
Trustee Curtis said she would like to see an entertainment district built around the movie theater.
Trustee Lowery said there are some advantages to allowing this proposal and likes the idea of starting to do things with Route 31, as well as the additional green space. Lowery said he does have concerns that there are three other storage facilities in North Aurora, but would like to move forward with the project.
Trustee Carroll said he agreed with Trustee Curtis that the location would be a great place for an entertainment area for adults and kids.
Trustee Gaffino said he is not a big fan of storage sheds. He agreed with Trustee Guethle on some of the issues, but would like to see something better in that location. Gaffino said he would like to see something nicer fronting Route 31.
Trustee Curtis said that according to feedback from the Comprehensive Plan in regard to the tollway development, the feedback was for commercial development, retail and hotels. Curtis asked why the village would spend so much time creating the Comprehensive Plan if it is not going to use it. Curtis said she sees so much potential for this property.
Trustee Faber suggested the land be used for commercial.
Mayor Berman said there was no overwhelming enthusiasm for the project and thanked the petitioner for their presentation.
3. Discussion of Comprehensive Plan
Devon Lavigne from Housel-Lavigne was in attendance for any questions the Board may have regarding the Comprehensive Plan. Trustee Faber and Mayor Berman requested the wording regarding West Aurora High School be amended so that there is no negative perception of the school. Faber also commented that reference to a new high school in North Aurora not be stated in the plan since that is a decision made by the school district. Lavigne said he would make those changes. The plan will come back to the Village Board for formal approval.
TRUSTEE COMMENTS – None
ADJOURNMENT TO EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion made by Trustee Guethle and seconded by Trustee Gaffino to adjourn to executive session for the purpose of personnel.
(return from executive session)
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn made by Trustee Carroll and seconded by Trustee Guethle. All in favor. Motion approved.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lori J. Murray
Village Clerk
