VILLAGE OF NORTH AURORA
PLAN COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
JUNE 7, 2016
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Brackett called the meeting to order.
ROLL CALL
In attendance: Chairman Mike Brackett, Commissioners Mark Rivecco, Anna Tuohy, Connie Holbrook, Mark Bozik, Doug Botkin, Tom Lenkart. Not in attendance: Co-chairman Jennifer Duncan and Commissioner Aaron Anderson.
Staff in attendance: Community & Economic Development Director Mike Toth and Village Administrator Steve Bosco.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Approval of Plan Commission Minutes dated May 3, 2016.
Motion for approval made by Commissioner Tuohy and seconded by Commissioner Botkin. All in favor. Motion approved.
PUBLIC HEARING
1. Petition #16-04: The petitioner, Liberty Illinois, LLP, requests an amendment to
Section 10.3 of the Zoning Ordinance to increase the allowable building height in the O-R-I Research and Light Industrial District.
Chairman Brackett opened the public hearing. Those who planned to speak were sworn in at this time. Chairman Brackett closed the public hearing.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Petition #16-04: The petitioner, Liberty Illinois, LLP, requests an amendment to
Section 10.3 of the Zoning Ordinance to increase the allowable building height in the O-R-I Research and Light Industrial District.
Liberty is petitioning to amend the Zoning Ordinance so that all of the ORI properties have right to a 50-foot building height. Community & Economic Development Director Mike Toth noted that if the building height were to change to 50 feet, it would affect the Liberty properties and properties off the Tollway Park of Commerce.
Commissioner Rivecco said that the Plan Commission had set the height to 40 feet in order to control the height of the buildings. Rivecco said he understood allowing the 50-foot height for this property, but was concerned about how it will affect the rest of North Aurora. Commissioner Tuohy agreed. Commissioner Holbrook said that her main concern was the number of warehouses that are in North Aurora. Chairman Brackett agreed that the Liberty property makes sense, but warehouses are spreading and getting too close to residential which is a problem. Commissioner Bozik asked, if the golf course come in, will the Village force it to come in as a PUD? Toth said yes. If that comes in as a PUD, will the Village have the opportunity to direct where those buildings go to minimize the height impact to the residents? Toth said yes. On the Liberty site, when the building to the west of the current building goes in, since the grade is 12 feet lower, that the overall height will not be any taller than the current building on the site. Liberty said the height will actually be a little lower due to the grade of the property. Bozik said this makes perfect sense since for the Liberty property will not be any higher than what the existing is for buildings that are already there. Bozik said he was not sure if we are better off with changing the ordinance, adding 10 feet across the board or addressing it on a site-by-site basis. Botkin said he was not concerned with the site and that allowing for the 50 foot building height made perfect sense.
Toth said the golf course is an anomaly since nothing has happened there. That property would have to go through the PUD process and Special Use process. There are a number of controlling factors with that site. The interceptor line pushes all of the development on that site to the south. Those buildings will be closer to Overland Drive instead of to the North near the ComEd line. The site would have a few hundred feet buffer.
Toth noted that there are no other ORI properties in the Village.
Lenkart said that he was not in favor of the 50 foot building height and added that it is not the trend for warehouses in commercial/industrial sites.
The petitioner stated that 50 feet is the limit and would not request a change to the height for this property.
Motion made by Commissioner Bozik and seconded by Commissioner Holbrook for the text amendment as recommended by staff and waive the reading of the finding of the fact. Roll Call Vote: Bozik – yes, Holbrook – yes, Tuohy – yes, Rivecco – yes, Lenkart – no. Motion approved.
OLD BUSINESS
1. Fencing material discussion.
For commercial/industrial areas, chain link fences would be prohibited when viewed from a public right of way on commercial industrial properties if they adjoin, Route 31, Route 56, Mooseheart Road, Oak Street, Orchard Road, Orchard Gateway or Randall Road.
Mike Toth said he would bring back specific language and diagrams for the next meeting for further discussion.
PLAN COMMISSIONER COMMENTS AND PROJECT UPDATES
-Special use for the PUD at 472-500 Clearwater was approved by the Village Board.
-Expected opening date for Hardware will be this Saturday at 3:00 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn made by Commissioner Holbrook and seconded by Commissioner Rivecco. All in favor. Motion approved.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lori J. Murray
Village Clerk
