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An Attentive Municipal Organization that Connects with Community, Commerce, and Nature.

Committee of the Whole Minutes

VILLAGE OF NORTH AURORA
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING MINUTES
Monday, August 16, 2021

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Village Board meeting was conducted live remotely
via telecommunications.

CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Gaffino called the meeting to order.

ROLL CALL
In attendance: Mayor Mark Gaffino, Trustee Mark Carroll, Trustee Mark Guethle, Trustee Mike Lowery, Trustee Todd Niedzwiedz, Trustee Carolyn Salazar

Staff in attendance: Village Administrator Steve Bosco, Finance Director Bill Hannah, Community & Economic Development Director Mike Toth, Village Attorney Kevin Drendel, Public Works Director John Laskowski, Police Chief Dave Fisher.

TRUSTEE COMMENTS – None

DISCUSSION

1. Petition 21-08: Randall Square PUD Amendment (Casey’s)

Director Toth introduced Eric Tracy, licensed engineer with Kimley-Horn who spoke in regard to the proposed Casey’s to be developed at the southwest corner of Oak Street and Randall Road.
Mr. Tracy offered background on Casey’s. He spoke about their fresh food offerings, sustainability and community enhancements.
Mr. Tracy stated that the development would include twelve fuel positions, and a convenience store building with right in, right out access from Oak Street and Randall Road.
Trustee Guethle expressed his approval for the project.
Trustee Lowery spoke about his concerns for ground contamination in the event of a fuel leak as well as the trend toward electric cars and asked Mr. Tracy if Casey’s had any plans in installing electric charging stations. Mr. Tracy stated that it is something that Casey’s is evaluating internally however there are no current plans to offer charging stations. Mr. Tracy went on to explain that advances have been made in immediate detection systems, alerting to any spills.
Director Toth explained that the property had already been granted a special use for a General Commercial Planned Unit Development. According to the Randall Square Annexation Agreement, any change to the development of the property, which requires a formal amendment to the Annexation Agreement through a public hearing, shall be considered a “major change” to the development. Major changes must be approved by the Village Board after such hearing and recommendation by the Plan Commission. The original plan for parcel five called for a video rental business on that parcel, and now a gas station and convenience store which is considered a “major change”, requiring a formal amendment to the Annexation Agreement. A public hearing was conducted before the Plan Commission on August 3, 2021. The Plan Commission had a condition requiring the private drive connecting Randall Road to Miller Drive to be installed prior to issuance of a Final Certificate of Occupancy. The Plan Commission unanimously recommended approval of the petition with deviations to the signage and landscape buffer but subject to staff’s conditions and their added condition.
Trustee Carroll expressed his concern about the amount of traffic the development would bring to the area. He asked if a traffic study had been done, Mr. Tracy stated that a traffic study had been done and submitted to Village Staff.
Further discussion was had in regard to the traffic flow around the development as well as who will be responsible for installing the private drive connecting Randall and Miller.
The Board expressed favorability for the project.
Gerald Genesis Dealership Incentive Agreement
Administrator Bosco stated that the Gerald Auto Group was interested in pursuing a new incentive agreement with the Village for a Genesis dealership off of Hansen Blvd.
Director Toth explained that Gerald would like to create a stand-alone dealership for Genesis, helping to develop it as a luxury brand. The cost of the remodeling would be an estimated $4,000,000 of which Gerald is looking to the Village to incentivize $2,000,000, 50% of the sales tax spread over fifteen years.
Director Toth introduced representatives from the Gerald Auto Group, John Dvorak and Doug Gerald.
John Dvorak explained that since 2016 the Gerald Auto Group has been reinvesting in the business and redeveloping and remodeling their properties within the Auto mall. They are now looking to build the areas first luxury dealership.
Mr. Dvorak spoke about future projection of sales.
Doug Gerald spoke more about the proposed Genesis dealership and what areas the location would service. Mr. Gerald spoke about the previous incentive agreement Gerald Auto Group had made with the Village and expressed that this proposed project hinges on the Village’s participation.
Director Toth explained that if the Board wanted to move forward with the agreement, a draft agreement would go before the Board for further discussion.
Trustee Lowery asked if the new proposal was similar to the previous agreement between the Village and the Gerald Auto Group. Director Toth explained that in the previous agreement, the Village paid a rebate of 85% for any sales taxes generated above $219,000 up to $900,000 over a ten year period. The new proposed agreement would rebate 50% of the retailers’ occupation tax generated by Genesis of North Aurora for up to fifteen years, capped at $2,000,000.
Discussion about the specifics and clarification of the terms of agreement ensued.
The Board was in favor of the Incentive Agreement.
2. Moose Lake Estates Unit 3 Plat of Subdivision

Administrator Bosco stated that this item is in regard to the remaining 68 lots in Moose Lake Estates. The 36 lots of Unit 3, are subject to an annexation agreement, consequently the plat must be reapproved by the Village Board. In 2020, M/I Homes intended on developing the remaining lots, however there was pushback from homeowners in the subdivision regarding the size and design of the homes that the developer was planning to build and the Unit 3 plat was subsequently denied approval by the Village Board. There is currently a new builder interested in building out the remaining lots. Administrator Bosco explained that the three parties of the builder, the property owner as well as the HOA have come to an agreement on a Unit 3 plat.
Director Toth explained that the annexation agreement is within a year and a half of expiring. He stated that the Village is considering proposing an amendment the annexation agreement, adding two years to the term.
Aaron Brown of the HOA, the builder Billy McCue and Attorney Rich Guerard spoke about the agreement between them and the mutual excitement to move forward with the completion of the subdivision.
3. 19 South Lincolnway Demolition

Administrator Bosco explained that it is staff’s suggestion to demolish the building at 19 S Lincolnway. They are working on demolition proposals.
The Village Board was in agreement on demolition.

AUDIENCE COMMENTS – Bill Slaker of 129 S. Lincolnway spoke in regard to how the sidewalk installation, that spans a length of Lincolnway which includes his property, is causing a conflict for where he parks his vehicle.
Administrator Bosco explained that the Village has been awarded a grant to assist in funding sidewalk installation along Lincolnway on the east side of the street, this grant expires in at the end of the year. Mr. Slaker is currently parking his vehicles in front of his home on a gravel area that lies within the IDOT easement, where the sidewalk is planned for placement.
Administrator Bosco stated that the construction company was ready to start installation of the sidewalk on August 18, 2021 however Mr. Slaker had indicated that he would like the construction to be delayed until confirmation of the IDOT easement ownership is provided.
Discussion continued about potential solutions for an area where Mr. Slaker can park his vehicle and the extent of the Village’s responsibility in providing a permanent solution.
The Board ultimately decided to move forward with the sidewalk and provide Mr. Slaker with temporary parking solution, providing a gravel pad on a flat portion of his property. The responsibility of finding a permanent solution of a paved driveway is the resident’s responsibility.

EXECUTIVE SESSION – None

ADJOURNMENT

Motion to adjourn made by Trustee Carroll and seconded by Trustee Lowery. All in favor. Motion approved.

Respectfully Submitted,

Jessi Watkins
Village Clerk

 

 

 

 

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