TOWN OF NORMAL PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 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, Ms. Struck, and Ms. Hutchison
Members Absent:
Mr. Feid and Mr. McBride
Others Present:
Mr. Mahrt, Corporation Counsel, Mr. Troemel, Director of Inspections, Ms. Davison, Town Planner, 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 October 4, 2007, meeting were approved as submitted. Mr. Bartley moved to approve, seconded by Ms. Struck. Motion carried 5-0.
Public Hearing:
- 07-10-18-PC: Amendment to the Kelley Glen PUD
(addition of a swimming pool and clubhouse), southeast
corner of Raab Road and Henry Street (Applicant has
requested that this item be carried over until the December
6, 2007, meeting.)
- 07-11-19-PC: Site Plan Amendment, Heartland Community
College, 1500 W. Raab Road (addition of numerous buildings
and new parking area)
Ms. Davison reviewed the Staff Report. She said that the buildings and landscaping were very similar to what now exists. They have agreed to meet the condition regarding 2-1/2” trees and the lights do meet code requirements. Regional Planning gave the project a grade “C”. More sustainability would be recommended.
Ms. Hutchison asked if the project included the athletic fields. Ms. Davison said that this phase did not include the fields.
Ms. Struck asked if the walkway between the buildings was enclosed.
Mr. Randy West, BLDD Architects, 201 E. Grove St., Bloomington, IL, was sworn in by Chairperson Moonan. Mr. West said that there was a bridge connecting the buildings. He said that the designs are done with LEED concepts.
Chairperson Moonan asked about internal walking paths. Mr. West said that it was included in the master plan.
There was no one else to speak regarding the application.
Mr. Boser moved, seconded by Ms. Hutchison, to recommend approval of the application with Staff recommendations to Council.
Ayes: Mr. Bartley, Mr. Boser, Ms. Struck, Ms. Hutchison and Ms. Moonan
Nays: None
Motion declared carried.
- 07-11-20-PC: Zoning Map Amendment, One Normal Plaza
PUD and Savannah Green PUD (To be carried over at the Town’s
request)
- 07-11-21-PC: Removal of Lot 30 from the One Normal
Plaza PUD (Town water distribution facility)(To be carried
over at the Town’s request)
- 07-11-22-PC: Zoning Map Amendment, southwest of the
intersection of Wylie Drive and West College Avenue
(temporary pipeline material storage)
- 07-11-23-PC: Site Plan, southwest of the intersection
of Wylie Drive and West College Avenue (temporary pipeline
material storage)
Items “e” and “f” were considered together.
Chairperson Moonan said that the meeting would be adjourned at 6:30 p.m. and would be continued at the December meeting if necessary.
Ms. Davison reviewed the Staff Report. She said that Enbridge wanted to use the site for pipe storage. The Illico property is being prepared for use. The property to the south needs to be rezoned to M-1. They are requesting a waiver from the subdivision requirement. Staff does not want subdivision because it would create a lot without street frontage. Staff approves of the rezoning and a waiver from the landscaping requirements because it is a temporary use. They will return the site to agricultural use in approximately 15 to 18 months.
Mr. Boser asked if the only section to be restored was the area to be rezoned. Ms. Davison said that all the area would be restored but the zoning will remain M-1.
Chairperson Moonan said that the zoning is permanent. Ms. Davison said that it was and the waivers were only valid for the temporary use.
Ms. Struck asked if the top soil was going to be moved. Ms. Davison said that she did not know and would let the Enbridge people address that.
Mr. Joe Martucci, Enbridge Pipelines, 5823 Cliffside, Troy, MI, was sworn in by Chairperson Moonan.
Mr. Douglas B. Aller, 119 N 25 Street East, Superior, WI, was sworn in by Chairperson Moonan. Mr. Aller said that the top soil would be scraped and bermed 12” high and fabric would be placed over it to control erosion.
Ms. Struck asked if the gravel would be removed. Mr. Aller said that the gravel would be picked up and the ground would be de-compacted and the topsoil would be respread. Ms. Struck asked if the farmer was okay with this. Mr. Aller said that he was.
Ms. Hutchison asked if there was any affect on the ground by the pipes. Mr. Aller said no. Ms. Hutchison asked if the site was to be used just for storage. Mr. Aller said that it was. Ms. Hutchison asked if it was expected to be 15 to 24 months for completion. Mr. Aller said that it was.
Chairperson Moonan asked what would happen if the project was not approved. Mr. Aller said that they were pretty confident that it would be approved. Ms. Moonan asked if there was not enough room on the presently M-1 zoned site. Mr. Aller said that there was not enough room.
Ms. Hutchison asked if there would be any vehicles stored at the site. Mr. Aller said no.
Ms. Struck asked if there were any buildings to be built on the site. Mr. Aller said no, there may be a construction trailer. Ms. Struck asked what kind of trucks and what their size would be. Mr. Aller said that they would be semis and they would be approximately 80’ long. Ms. Struck asked how many trips to and from the site there would be per day. Mr. Aller said that there would be about 30 trips per day to deliver the pipe. Ms. Struck asked how many there were be once they were operational. Mr. Aller said there would be less. Ms. Struck asked what route they would take. Mr. Aller said that they did not have a route for sure. A contractor would determine that and they would be responsible for road permits.
Mr. Bartley asked if there would be any trips through town. Mr. Aller said no. Mr. Bartley asked if there was any bonding required to guarantee that the land would be restored. Mr. Aller said that there was a contract with the land owner. Ms. Hutchison asked if the bonding would be possible. Mr. Mahrt said that it could be a condition of approval. Mr. Aller said that they could do that.
Mr. Mercer Turner, 1104 Tanger Ct., Normal, IL, was sworn in by Chairperson Moonan. Mr. Turner questioned Mr. Aller about the pipe and the project. He asked how many pieces of pipe there would be, what the size was, and how high they would be stacked. Mr. Aller said that there would be 70 miles of pipe in random lengths. They are 36” diameter and would be stacked three high on a 12” berm for a total of 10’ in height.
Mr. Turner asked questions regarding the ordering and cost of the pipe and if it were returnable. Mr. Aller said that he did not wish to divulge the cost of the pipe due to competitors and they would resell the pipe if not used.
Mr. Turner asked when they planned to start. Mr. Aller said in the spring or early summer of 2008. Mr. Turner asked if they would be done in 24 months if they did not receive eminent domain. Mr. Aller said yes.
Mr. Turner asked what route would be used. Mr. Aller said that the contractors would determine the route. Mr. Turner asked if the contract with the owner was on file. Mr. Mahrt said that the Town has not previously required a copy of the lease. Mr. Aller said that there was a memo of the lease on file.
Mr. James Ondeck, 25358 North 1475 East Rd. Hudson, IL, was sworn in by Chairperson Moonan. Mr. Ondeck said that he is a farmer north of Normal and has property in Gridley Township that the pipeline will go through. He said that he is vice president of the Mackinaw Watershed Council. He said that the pipeline was not required to do an environmental impact study. He expressed concerns regarding the impact of the pipeline on the environment. He said that he objects to the pipeline project.
There was no one else to speak regarding the application.
Ms. Hutchison moved, seconded by Mr. Boser, to recommend approval of the applications to Council with Staff recommendations and conditions for restoration.
Ms. Hutchison asked if it was possible for temporary zoning. Ms. Davison said no and that this was the only way possible. Mr. Troemel said that the only other alternative would be to do a text amendment to allow for a special use in B-1. Mr. Mahrt said that the site plan approval is temporary, but not the zoning.
Ayes: Mr. Bartley and Mr. Boser
Nays: Ms. Struck, Ms. Hutchison and Ms. Moonan
Motion failed.
Other business:
Ms. Davison said that the BroMenn master plan presentation would be Monday, November 12 at 6:00 p.m.
Adjournment:
There being no further business, Ms. Struck moved, seconded by Ms. Hutchison, to adjourn the meeting at 5:50 p.m. Motion carried 5-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Sheila McHenry
Office Associate