THURSDAY, AUGUST 9, 2007, 5:00 P.M.
REGULAR MEETING, CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
100 E. PHOENIX AVE., NORMAL, IL
Members Physically Present:
Ms. Moonan, Mr. Bartley, Mr. Boser, and Mr. McBride
Members Absent:
Ms. Hutchison, Ms. Struck and Mr. Feid
Others Present:
Mr. Peterson, City Manager, Mr. Mahrt, Corporation Counsel, Mr. Troemel, Director of Inspections, Ms. Davison, Town Planner, Mr. Hall, Director of Public Works, Mr. Brown, Town Engineer and Ms. McHenry, Office Associate
Call to Order:
Chairperson Moonan called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. and noted a quorum was present.
Approval of Minutes:
Minutes of the June 7, 2007, meeting were approved as submitted.
Public Hearing:
- 07-08-10-PC: Zoning Map Amendment, 701 Hale (from
R-1B Single Family Residential to S-2 Public Lands &
Institutions
Ms. Davison reviewed the Staff Report. She said that the applicant wants to house priest candidates. There is a possibility of a future addition. Staff feels that S-2 zoning is appropriate which is very restrictive.
Chairperson Moonan asked if they owned the lot next door. Ms. Davison said that they did. Chairperson Moonan asked about parking. Ms. Davison said that they could use the Newman Center parking.
Father Antonio Dittmer, Director of the Newman Center, 505 Kingsley, Normal, IL, was sworn in by Chairperson Moonan. Father Dittmer said that they serve ISU, IWU and Heartland Colleges. He said that they have students studying to be priests and this will be an environment for individuals sharing a unique atmosphere. He said that there is a two-car garage and they can also park at the Newman Center.
Chairperson Moonan asked if there were plans to expand. Mr. Troemel said that there were none at this time and they would have to come back before the Commission if they want to expand.
Mr. McBride asked how the individuals were chosen to live there. Father Dittmer said that it was through personal communication with the individuals.
There was no one else to speak regarding the application.
Mr. Bartley moved, seconded by Mr. McBride, to recommend approval of the application to Council.
Ayes: Mr. Bartley, Mr. Boser, Mr. McBride and Ms. Moonan
Nays: None
Motion declared carried.
- 07-08-11-PC: Preliminary Subdivision Plan, Kings Mill
Acres (Dry Grove Township – SW of Old Peoria Road and 975
East Road)
Ms. Davison reviewed the Staff Report. She said that the subdivision was formerly Prairieland Subdivision. There were issues with the soil and septic systems that required changes. The County and Health Department have given approval.
Mr. Robert Lenz, 202 N. Center St., Bloomington, IL, was sworn in by Chairperson Moonan. Mr. Lenz said that the original developer had abandoned the project for various reasons. The change reduced the density by about half.
Mr. Boser asked if the soil was poor, would they have larger lots for the seepage beds. Mr. Lenz said yes, that they would have larger lots.
Mr. Bartley asked if the septic system was approved. Mr. Lenz said that it was approved by the Health Department.
There was no one else to speak regarding the application.
Mr. Boser moved, seconded by Mr. Bartley, to recommend approval of the application to Council.
Ayes: Mr. Bartley, Mr. Boser, Mr. McBride and Ms. Moonan
Nays: None
Motion declared carried.
- 07-08-12-PC: Amended Final Development Plan for Phase
One of the Franklin Heights PUD – design of homes (Northwest
corner of Ft. Jesse and Towanda Barnes Rd.)
Ms. Davison reviewed the Staff Report. She said that it was hard for Staff to determine if the homes meet the approved designs and they feel that Dr. Koe should approve the designs.
Mr. Troemel said that some of the problem is that the builders sell a home and then come in to get a permit and have the plans approved. It is hard to make some of the homes look like the approved designs.
Dr. Frank Koe, 1604 Visa Dr., Normal, IL, was sworn in by Chairperson Moonan. Dr. Koe showed the commissioners drawings of the existing homes and the home that he plans to build. He said that he would approve the plans.
There was no one else to speak regarding the application.
Mr. Bartley moved, seconded by Mr. McBride, to recommend approval of the application to Council.
Ayes: Mr. Bartley, Mr. Boser, Mr. McBride and Ms. Moonan
Nays: None
Motion declared carried.
- 07-08-13-PC: Zoning Map Amendment, Hovey Ave. west of
Sugar Creek (expansion of The Oaks on Hovey PUD)
- 07-08-14-PC: Amendment to the Preliminary Development
Plan for The Oaks on Hovey PUD, 1221 thru 1249 Hovey Ave.
Ms. Davison reviewed the Staff Report. She said that Staff supports the expansion. The property is only accessible through The Oaks because of the location of the poor soil area. The Community Design Standards will only apply to the expansion area, but the developer has agreed to provide 12 to 13 additional shade trees in the existing area.
Mr. Troemel said that the previous development was done prior to the existing Design Standards.
Chairperson Moonan asked what the distance was between the senior living development and The Oaks was. Mr. Troemel said that it was 300 to 400 feet.
Mr. Mercer Turner, 1104 Tanger Ct., Normal, IL, was sworn in by Chairperson Moonan. Mr. Turner said that they would answer any questions that the Commission members might have. Chairperson Moonan asked how deficient they were from the Community Design Standards. Ms. Davison said that they did not figure this, but there are a lot of trees along the perimeter of the development and they are adding the 12 to 13 trees in the existing area. The new area meets the Community Design Standards.
Mr. Turner said that they felt that this was a great improvement to one of the most blighted areas in the Town.
Ms. Carol Torrens, 1015 Primrose, Normal, IL, was sworn in by Chairperson Moonan. Ms. Torrens said that she had owned her home for nine years. She said that there had been numerous problems that they have had to call the police for. She requested that a sound barrier be installed and on-site security be provided. She provided a list of police calls.
Mr. David Hessel, 1009 Primrose, Normal, IL, was sworn in by Chairperson Moonan. Mr. Hessel expressed problems regarding noise and provided cost calculations regarding police calls in regard to the development. He provided information on noise related calls and times of the calls.
Mr. Andy Novinska, 1019 Primrose, Normal, IL, was sworn in by Chairperson Moonan. Mr. Novinska said that there were ongoing noise problems and that they are awakened during the night. He expressed concerns regarding offensive language and music. He said that the police calls don’t seem to make any difference.
Mr. James Gumm, 1313 Clover Lane, Normal, IL, was sworn in by Chairperson Moonan. Mr. Gumm said that there is very little traffic on their street. He said that he was glad to see the trailer court gone. He would like to see a buffer installed to help with the noise levels.
Mr. Wayne Westerfield, Hudson, IL, was sworn in by Chairperson Moonan. Mr. Westerfield said that he was there to speak for his mother who lives at 1230 Searle, Normal, IL. He said that they have problems on Searle regarding parking and noise. He suggested that parking be provided for residents and their guests. He asked that parking not be allowed overnight on Grove and Searle up to Kingsridge. He provided pictures of cars parked on the streets.
Mr. Richard Buchanan, 1206 E. Jefferson St., Bloomington, IL, representative of Grace Church, 1311 Hovey Ave., Normal, IL, was sworn in by Chairperson Moonan. Mr. Buchanan said that the church was surrounded by the development. The church plans to expand. They are pleased to see the development. They have met with some of the occupants of the development and are in support of the expansion. He said that they have been good neighbors to the church.
Ms. Amy Johansen, 1005 Primrose, Normal, IL, was sworn in by Chairperson Moonan. Ms. Johansen expressed frustration with the development management and the police.
Mr. Turner said that the developers wanted to be good neighbors and said that they would do whatever they needed to do.
Chairperson Moonan said that they need assurance that there will be on-site supervision. Mr. Turner said that there were issues that needed to be addressed and asked for suggestions.
Mr. Mahrt said that fines could be assessed for excessive noise complaints.
Chairperson Moonan said that there was language in the original agreement for security. Mr. Turner said that he did not know the current status of the security, but they will work with staff to correct existing problems.
Mr. Peterson said that he was first made aware of noise problems the day before and that he was surprised that this has not been brought to NAT’s attention. He said that he had talked with the Assistant Police Chief regarding the patrol division. He said that this was one of the better maintained complexes and there were no more complaints than any other complex. The police department tries for voluntary compliance, but will issue ordinance violations if not. He said that he drove through the complex and was flagged down by a security person about 6 months ago. No other complex has a security requirement. It is a well maintained development. A security person does not replace the police. They do not have police authority. It is typical for an apartment complex to have noise, but there are no more problems than any other apartment complex.
Chairperson Moonan asked about installing a noise barrier. Mr. Peterson said that he was not sure that it would work because they typically just move the sound out. They will work with the police department. He understood that they had security on site and has recently installed a new security system.
Mr. Turner said that he has recently heard at least 200 fireworks in his Ironwood subdivision.
Mr. Troemel said that it has been a good development.
Ms. Davison said that vegetation could be planted as a sound barrier. Mr. Troemel said that there are a significant number of trees.
Mr. Peterson said that they could get the parking problem on the street resolved. If the neighbors want to restrict overnight parking, it can be studied.
Mr. Bartley suggested postponing the recommendation until the problems were resolved. He suggested planting trees along both sides of the creek.
Mr. McBride said that he agreed and would like to see some dialog between the neighbors and the developer.
Mr. Peterson said that the police calls were not excessive. He said that a 30 day delay would be a hardship to the developer and suggested a special meeting.
Mr. Jeff Tinervin, 6 Inglewood, Bloomington, IL, was sworn in by Chairperson Moonan. Mr. Tinervin said that he has security every day at the development. He said that they had a PUD agreement and they have exceeded the agreement. Mr. Troemel said that he believed that the agreement stated that there was to be security Thursday through Sunday during designated hours.
Mr. Peterson suggested that a special meeting be held on August 15, 2007.
There was no one else to speak regarding the application.
Mr. Bartley moved, seconded by Mr. McBride, to postpone action on the applications until a special meeting to be held August 15, 2007, at 6:00 p.m.
Ayes: Mr. Bartley, Mr. Boser, Mr. McBride and Ms. Moonan
Nays: None
Motion declared carried.
Mr. Peterson said that a meeting with the developer and neighbors would be scheduled on August 13 or 14.
- 07-08-15-PC: Zoning Text Amendment, Sec. 15.10-4(C) –
Special Use Standards for Asphalt Batch Plants
Ms. Davison reviewed the Staff Report. She said that the word “batch” should be removed as all asphalt plants are not batch plants and this applies to all asphalt plants. She said that IEPA already has limitations regulating the plants and we will rely on IEPA standards. Changes to the text were reviewed.
Mr. Boser asked why they limited expanded hours by the number of projects. Ms. Davison said that the hours of operation would be limited by cost, but certain projects may require expanded or night time hours which are usually large projects.
Mr. Boser asked about the height limitations. Ms. Davison said that the limits would not apply to asphalt equipment. Mr. Boser suggested using language to designate equipment.
Chairperson Moonan asked about deleting the limit of a single access. Mr. Brown said that Engineering would review plans in regard to access.
Chairperson Moonan asked about the hours of operation. Mr. Brown said that the proposed hours were not uncommon working hours. Mr. Hall said that a limited season also needs to be taken into consideration. Mr. Brown said that he could only think of a handful of times that they were working at night over the last 20 years.
Mr. Mike Goeken, Rowe Construction, 1523 N. Cottage Ave., Normal, IL, was sworn in by Chairperson Moonan. Mr. Lenz was present to represent Rowe Construction also. Mr. Lenz said that the vast majority of the working being done is trucking. In making the changes, they tried to establish what would work for anyone. The expanded hours were needed. The flexibility provision for hours would allow for work to be done at night such as if required by IDOT. Mr. Goeken said that night time work was only required five or six times during the last several years.
Mr. Bartley asked why the site minimum was 5 acres. Mr. Lenz said that they felt that you could not operate on less property. Mr. Boser asked how many acres their site was. Mr. Goeken said that it was 10 to 12 acres. Mr. Bartley asked if 5 acres was large enough. Mr. Brown said that not all plants have the same capacity.
Mr. Boser asked who the asphalt plants would register with. Mr. Peterson said that it would be through the City Clerk’s office.
Mr. Troemel said that the Illinois EPA would test the plant within 90 days of beginning operation.
There was no one else to speak regarding the application.
Mr. Boser moved, seconded by Mr. Bartley, to recommend approval of the application and the removal of the word “Batch” in the code.
Ayes: Mr. Bartley, Mr. Boser and Mr. McBride
Nays: Ms. Moonan
Motion declared carried.
Other Business:
None
Adjournment:
There being no further business, Mr. McBride moved, seconded
by Mr. Bartley, to adjourn the meeting at 7:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sheila McHenry
Office Associate