City of Joliet Land Use / Legislative Committee met October 10.
Here is the minutes provided by the Committee:
1. Roll Call
Present: Councilman Terry Morris, Councilman Don "Duck" Dickinson, Councilwoman Jan Hallums Quillman.
Absent: None.
Also Present: Councilwoman Bettye Gavin, Marty Shanahan, Chris Regis, Kendall Jackson, Mike Schwarz
2. Inflatable Bounce House Location
Mr. Schwarz, Director of Planning, appeared on behalf of the discussion.
Mr. Schwarz said without having a permit there is really no way of knowing when the bounce house went up. Councilwoman Quillman wanted to know if there could at least be a condition on a bounce house allowing it to be up for 48 hours and then it has to be taken down.
Mr. Regis said you don't need a permit for something like that but the issue will be enforcement. There is currently no enforcement mechanism in the city. Mr. Regis suggested if an ordinance should be passed with a 48 hour requirement or a location requirement that is fine but the city has to be realistic in the expectations about it.
Chairman Morris asked if once the complaint is made and the person with the bounce house is notified can the clock start at that point. Mr. Schwarz said there would still be an enforcement issue.
Mr. Schwarz said they will bring the current ordinance back with the revisions making bounce houses subject to a 48 hour duration.
Mr. Regis said they can make it a 48 hour ordinance with the locations being in the front or side yard, if someone violates the ordinance, then Staff can move forward with enforcement on that.
The ordinance revisions will go before the City Council next.
3. Electronic Message Centers
Mr. Schwarz appeared on behalf of the discussion. He gave detailed background information regarding the current electronic message center process and then gave some options to revise the process. He is seeking direction from the Committee regarding the process.
Chairman Morris asked if the current signs would be grandfathered in. Mr. Schwarz said they would be. Chairman Morris feels once the ordinance is accepted by the full City Council that all message centers could be handled by Staff. Mr. Schwarz said Staff will look at the specs on all signs at the permit stage to make sure they have the dimming capability.
Councilwoman Quillman wanted to know the size of the sign that went in at the Masonic Hall on Midland Avenue. Mr. Schwarz responded it is 12 square feet with the electronic portion being 2 feet high by 6 feet wide. She said she did not receive any complaints from the neighbors in that area however she is concerned when someone wants a larger sign on a pole in a residential neighborhood because that's when the complaints come in because they are so bright.
Councilwoman Quillman is suggesting the standard 50 foot or less sign Staff knows what the Council wants, however anything that is out of the ordinary or larger on a big pole should come before the City Council. She also said the Zoning Board needs to be aware of what the residents want.
Mr. Schwarz said currently anytime there is an electronic message sign or even an illuminated sign it would have to go before the Zoning Board.
Councilwoman Quillman said if it is any kind of variation she would like it to come to the City Council after the Zoning Board.
Councilman Dickinson asked if there is one larger than 50 feet that it comes before the full Council.
Chairman Morris requested the revisions come back to the Land Use/Legislative Committee before moving onto Plan Commission and City Council.
Cheryl Grate, Grate Signs, 4044 West McDonough Street, appeared before the Committee. She stated she is in favor of having an electronic message center be a part of the regular sign ordinance. There is a lot of focus on the larger signs but there are many businesses that can only afford the smaller signs and not all of the wording may fit on those signs. Ms. Grate is asking for consideration about the moving of the sign or the scrolling of the message.
Eddie Hartsell, 3207 Wild Oaks Court, Joliet, appeared before the Committee. He agreed that Staff did a great job in writing the revisions to the ordinance. He would still like to see movement on the smaller signs.
There was minor discussion regarding the sign at Larkin and Theodore Street.
Councilman Morris asked if it was a distraction for the drivers with the 7 second flip and the movement on the smaller signs. Mr. Schwarz responded that the blinking and scrolling are usually distractions.
4. Regulations And Restrictions On The Sale Of Cats And Dogs
Mr. Marty Shanahan, Interim City Manager, updated the Committee that the court case in Chicago has been resolved in favor of the City of Chicago. He gave them a copy of the municipal code of Chicago's ordinance and said if the city decides to move forward with it he recommends that Joliet mirrors Chicago's ordinance since it already went through the court challenge. Mr. Shanahan reviewed the ordinance. He also updated the Committee about a state law that was just passed. If Joliet mirrors the Chicago ordinance then it would essentially shut down the Furry Babies business.
Councilwoman Gavin said she would want to be able to go to a pet store and buy a pet and not necessarily go to a rescue for a pet. She also does not want to shut a business down.
Chairman Morris stated his concerns about pet stores being limited on selections of puppies for residents that want to purchase from them.
Councilwoman Quillman said she purchased a dog from a pet store and it was never well. Another one she adopted because it was abandoned by the owner.
Councilwoman Gavin said she would still like to have the option to go to a pet store if she wants to.
Councilman Dickinson stated if someone wants a rescue dog they should go to a rescue. He has a rescue dog and also has a dog from a pet store which has been one of the best dogs he has ever had.
Chairman Morris has a problem with the fact that the ordinance does not solve the puppy mill issue.
Ms. Gina Bartucci, 2972 N. Dwight Road, Morris, IL, appeared before the Committee. She stated her experiences with dogs that have come out of puppy mills. She feels that people should have the right to choose where they get their pets. If you go by state regulation then you have to be licensed as an actual breeder and puppy mills are not actual breeders.
Monica, 823 Otis Avenue, Rockdale, IL, appeared before the Committee. She said one of the biggest issues with this is not getting a pure bread puppy. There are breed specific rescues.
Mr. Curt Fielder, Morrill & Associates, 1 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL, appeared before the Committee. Mr. Fielder said his firm represents Illinois Pet Lovers Association that was involved in the state law that was passed this spring. Mr. Fielder clarified a few things about the law.
Councilwoman Quillman asked how to go about verifying violations. Mr. Fielder responded USDA. Every breeder has an inspection report at least annually.
Chairman Morris asked with the Illinois law if a pet store that is in Illinois can buy from a USDA licensed breeder outside of Illinois. Mr. Fielder responded yes.
Ms. Morgan Durdak, 802 Westminster Road, Joliet, read a statement into the record regarding USDA breeders.
Councilwoman Quillman asked Ms. Durdak if she were to purchase a dog from Furry Babies she would have to waive the lemon law and she is not allowed to sue. Ms. Durdak responded that is correct.
Ms. Ana Soskick, owner of Furry Babies in Joliet, appeared before the Committee. She stated that every single customer receives 2 years of inspection reports along with the breeders name, address and license number. It is a problem that the website is no longer available online but that does not mean that process has stopped. She asked the Committee to think about if they vote on the ordinance today they will take away the consumers right to choose where they want to get their family member.
Councilwoman Quillman asked Ms. Soskick why they waived the lemon law. She responded they have their own warranty because they provide 1 year and a 10 day warranty. You have to legally choose one or the other, both warranties are not provided.
Ms. Peggy Grandall, Ryehill Drive, Joliet, appeared before the Committee. Ms. Grandall read a statement into the record. She asked the Committee to support the Companion Animal and Consumer Protection Ordinance as proposed by Safe Pets for Joliet.
Ms. Dee Santuchi appeared before the Committee. She said limiting choice is not an issue because they educate people on how to find good responsible breeders which are normally cheaper than pet store costs. She spoke about USDA violations etc.
Mr. Shanahan reminded the Committee that there is a 4 minute speaking limit.
Motion to table regulations and restrictions on the sale of cats and dogs was made by Councilwoman Jan Hallums Quillman.
Motion seconded by Councilman Don "Duck" Dickinson.
Motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilman Terry Morris, Councilman Don "Duck" Dickinson, Councilwoman Jan Hallums Quillman.
Nays: None.
5. 3rd Addendum To Channahon/Joliet Boundary Agreement
Mr. Shanahan gave an update to the Committee regarding the Channahon and Joliet boundary agreement. He said Channahon would like to annex a piece of property for a development at the southeast corner of Bluff and the expressway and in order for them to do that they have to have a modification to the current boundary agreement with Joliet to revise the boundary lines.
The Committee had more questions, therefore this item will be tabled to a future meeting and Mr. Shanahan will invite a representative from Channahon to be present.
6. Old/New Business—Not For Final Action Or Recommendation
None.
7. Approval Of The Minutes Of The July 19, 2017 Land Use/Legislative Committee Meeting
Motion to approve the July 19, 2017 minutes subject to amending them pertaining to Love's Travel Stop regarding them wanting an overnight parking truck stop was made by Councilwoman Jan Hallums Quillman.
Motion seconded by Councilman Don "Duck" Dickinson.
Motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilman Terry Morris, Councilman Don "Duck" Dickinson, Councilwoman Jan Hallums Quillman.
Nays: None.
8. Adjournment
Motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Don "Duck" Dickinson.
Motion seconded by Councilwoman Jan Hallums Quillman.
Motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilman Terry Morris, Councilman Don "Duck" Dickinson, Councilwoman Jan Hallums Quillman.
Nays: None.
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