Kendall County Times

City of Yorkville Economic Development Committee met Oct. 3.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

In Attendance:

Committee Members

Chairman Joe Plocher Alderman Seaver Tarulis

Alderman Dan Transier Alderman Chris Funkhouser (remote)

Other City Officials

Assistant City Administrator Erin Willrett

Community Development Director Krysti Barksdale-Noble

Code Official Pete Ratos

City Consultant Lynn Dubajic Kellogg

Other Guests

David Schultz, HR Green Dan Kramer, Attorney (remote) Brian Matheny, Cultivate Power Nico Galletout, Cultivate Power Angela Feria, Cultivate Power

The meeting was called to order at 6:01pm by Chairman Joe Plocher. He asked to move agenda item #6 to the beginning of the agenda.

Citizen Comments None

Minutes for Correction/Approval September 5, 2023

The minutes were approved as presented.

New Business

6. EDC 2023-44 Lanceleaf Solar – Amendment, Rezone, Special Use and Variance (out of sequence)

Ms. Noble presented a summary of the proposed solar project in Bailey Meadows subdivision which was approved 20 years ago as a PUD, but not developed. This is 37 acres at the southwest corner of Rt. 47 and Baseline Road. The petitioner would be requesting a rezone to agriculture, a special use for solar farm and an annexation agreement amendment which would remove this parcel from the PUD. They also need a variance since it would be a primary use, not a secondary use--the ordinance currently states that a solar field must be a secondary use to a primary use. Another variance would be for the panel height reducing it from 10 feet to 2 feet, which staff supports.

A concern is that the land use on this “hard” corner is typically zoned for business. The petitioner maintains the property already has business zoning and has not developed after 20 years. There are also no public utilities in the area to support commercial use. This use would not produce sales tax as a solar field. Another staff concern was decommissioning and the petitioner was asked to provide bonding and a 3% escalator each year. Comments were received from Engineering and Police which were addressed.

Mr. Galletout presented info about their company. Their company focus is on solar and storage and has been in Illinois since 2015, based near Chicago. Ms. Feria said this site was chosen since there is a substation less than 1 mile away, the land is flat, it does not impact wetlands and is not close to neighbors. The solar panels will only be on 7 acres and they already have an agreement with ComEd. She said they would have a chain link fence and comply with IDNR pollinators. They also have an Agricultural Impact Mitigation Agreement and will restore the land when the solar is done. She said some of the benefits are lower electricity costs, low impact, they already have a lease with the landowner and the tax they would pay would be 17 times the amount paid now per year. Mr. Galletout said a portion of the revenue they would receive would go towards community initiatives or the area workforce.

Chairman Plocher said this is not a good site and would be the first thing that people see as they enter Yorkville. Alderman Transier said if there is a Metra extension in the future, this land would be valuable. He said eventually this land will be highly sought after and that a site away from the main road would be better as we reduce fossil fuel dependence. He favors solar power, but not in this location. Mr. Galletout said his company did think about pushing the project away from the road, constructing a berm and leaving the commercial area available. Alderman Tarulis does not favor this location since the city would be restricting future opportunities for growth. Also weighing in was Alderman Funkhouser saying that it would be hard to justify solar on a “hard” corner that has big potential.

1. EDC 2023-39 Building Permit Report for August 2023

Mr. Ratos said there were 285 permits issued in August and as of now, over 1,800 permits have been issued so far this year.

2. EDC 2023-40 Building Inspection Report for August 2023

There were 1,163 inspections in August and some are still being outsourced, said Mr. Ratos.

3. EDC 2023-41 Property Maintenance Report for August 2023

Many complaints were investigated in August, however, only one came to a hearing and the offender was found liable for a weeds and grass complaint. The rest of the cases came into compliance. Alderman Tarulis asked if all fines had been paid by the offender adding that the HOA has taken the offender to court. Mr. Ratos said he does not think so, but he will check for sure.

4. EDC 2023-42 Economic Development Report for September 2023

Ms. Dubajic Kellogg took note that as of the September building report, the construction amount has reached $85 million and she said it is recognized by many people. She also hopes that Station 1 will open in 2023 and Mr. Ratos added there has been significant delays with electrical panels. The Little Loaf Bakehouse is expected to open at the end of the month or next month.

5. EDC 2023-43 Kendall Marketplace Lots 4 & 5 - Commercial Final Plat

Ms. Noble said the current two lots will be subdivided into three one-acre lots. There is a utility easement between the two existing lots that will be abrogated so all 3 lots can be developed. Engineering has reviewed and the final plat will be presented at PZC next week and then at City Council at the end of the month. The committee was OK with this.

7. EDC 2023-45 Kendall County Petition 23-30 – 1.5 Mile Review (6145 Whitetail Ridge Drive)

Ms. Noble reported this parcel was once 2 parcels with a utility easement in between and was later consolidated into one parcel. There is a home already built, the petitioner wishes to build an addition and the easement needs to be vacated. The county and city staff and HOA are not opposed and this will proceed to PZC next week. Mr. Dan Kramer, the petitioner's attorney, said the petitioner wishes to build the addition to accommodate a disabled relative. There are no utilities in the easement. The committee was OK with this.

Old Business: None

Additional Business: None

There was no further business and the meeting adjourned at 6:39pm.

https://www.yorkville.il.us/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/5408