Kendall County Times

Village of Oswego Planning & Zoning Commission met April 10.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

1. CALL TO ORDER

Chairman Pajor called the Oswego Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

2. ROLL CALL

Present: Kim Bradshaw, Thomas Collins, Lisa Hillman, Andrew McCallum, Charlie Pajor, Joel Pyle, David Rood, Justin Sather

Absent: Rick Kuhn

There was a quorum.

Oswego community representatives in attendance were:

Present: Rod Zenner, Director; Rachel Riemenschneider, Assistant Director; Jeff Lind, Planner; Mary Ellen Bliss, Recording Secretary; Chad Feldotto, Oswegoland

Park District

3. MINUTES

Motion: Commissioner Bradshaw, second Commissioner Collins to accept the minutes of the March 6, 2025 Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting.

Ayes: Commissioners Bradshaw, Collins, Hillman, McCallum, Pajor, Pyle, Sather

Nays: None

Present: Commissioner Rood

Absent: Commissioner Kuhn

Motion carried

4. PUBLIC HEARINGS

Variance

429 Main Street Fence

Applicant: Scott and Kristie Vest

Project #1250.25

Project Manager: Jeff Lind

Motion: Commissioner McCallum, second Commissioner Bradshaw to open the Public Hearing at 7:01 p.m.

Ayes: Commissioners Bradshaw, Collins, Hillman, McCallum, Pajor, Pyle, Rood, Sather

Nays: None

Absent: Commissioner Kuhn

Motion carried

Village Planner Jeff Lind stated the petitioner is requesting a Variance from Section 9.03 Accessory Uses and Structures of the Unified Development Ordinance to extend an existing chain link fence along the sides and rear of their property at 429 Main Street.

Mr. Lind stated the subject property is approximately 1.15 acres, zoned R-1, and backs up to the Illinois Railway and the Fox River. Mr. Lind stated the petitioner is requesting a Variance to install a 4-foot-tall chain link fence along the sides and rear of the property. Mr. Lind stated in 2018, a previous homeowner installed a then permitted and code-compliant chain link fence along the sides of the backyard. Mr. Lind stated the petitioner now wishes to enclose the backyard with the same fencing material, but chain link fences are no longer permitted in residential districts without an approved Variance.

Kristie Vest was sworn in Oswego, IL

Ms. Vest stated she and her husband, Scott, recently purchased their home at 429 Main Street. Ms. Vest stated they would like to extend the existing chain link fence to fully enclose their backyard, providing safety for their pets and visitors, while not obstructing their view.

No additional audience members wished to speak at the public hearing.

Motion: Commissioner Collins, second Commissioner McCallum to close the Public Hearing at 7:05 p.m.

Ayes: Commissioners Bradshaw, Collins, Hillman, McCallum, Pajor, Pyle, Rood, Sather

Nays: None

Absent: Commissioner Kuhn

Motion carried

Recommendation:

Motion: Commissioner Collins, second Commissioner Bradshaw to accept the Findings of Fact and recommend approval of a Variance from Section 9.03 of the Unified Development Ordinance to extend an existing chain link fence along the sides and rear of the property at 429 Main Street.

Ayes: Commissioners Bradshaw, Collins, Hillman, McCallum, Pajor, Pyle, Rood, Sather

Nays: None

Absent: Commissioner Kuhn

Motion carried

Pine Ridge Club

Major PUD Amendment and Preliminary PUD & Plat

Applicant: Sierra Tango Ridge LLC

Project #1246.25

Project Manager: Rachel Riemenschneider

Motion: Commissioner Bradshaw, second Commissioner Pyle to open the Public Hearing at 7:07 p.m.

Ayes: Commissioners Bradshaw, Collins, Hillman, McCallum, Pajor, Pyle, Rood, Sather

Nays: None

Absent: Commissioner Kuhn

Motion carried

Assistant Director Riemenschneider stated the petitioner is requesting approval of a Major PUD Amendment and Preliminary PUD & Plat to allow for a 113-unit townhome development for Pine Ridge Club. Assistant Director Riemenschneider stated in 2005, Pine Ridge Club was granted a Final PUD permitting the construction of 256 condo units and an unspecified number of apartments; by the end of 2008, only 64 condo units were constructed, and the site has remained undeveloped since that time.

Assistant Director Riemenschneider stated the proposal is to develop the remainder of the neighborhood with a total of 113 townhome units. Assistant Director Riemenschneider stated there is existing stormwater on site, the street layout is generally consistent with what was approved in 2005 to accommodate existing underground utilities, and a pathway through the neighborhood will be provided.

Carrie Hansen was sworn in Oswego, IL

Ms. Hansen of Schoppe Designs reviewed the original Pine Ridge Club plan, its current status, and the proposed plan of 113 townhomes instead of the original 192, a reduction of 79 units. Ms. Hansen stated the development will have 31 single-story ranch villas and 82 conventional 2-story rear-loaded townhomes. Ms. Hansen reviewed representative architecture and landscape plans, stating the extensive vegetated berm installed with the original construction along the BNSF railroad tracks will remain. Ms. Hansen stated the proposed plan complies with the Comprehensive Plan and will complete a long dormant project with units that reflect the current market and address varying Oswego housing needs.

Ron Kulakowski was sworn in Oswego, IL

Mr. Kulakowski stated he is the current president of the recreation association of the Pine Ridge Club condo association. Mr. Kulakowski stated the following concerns: stormwater being fed into the retention pond by adjacent businesses without sharing maintenance costs; getting less funding for clubhouse maintenance costs because of fewer units being built; and an increased shortage of parking with additional units and visitors.

Amanda Bolen was sworn in Oswego, IL

Ms. Bolen stated the following concerns: residents are already struggling with parking, and an increased number of townhomes will make it even more difficult; construction vehicle access; the clubhouse not being equipped for an influx of more people.

Noranne Kulakowski was sworn in Oswego, IL

Ms. Kulakowski stated her concern regarding the current shortage of parking, which would worsen with additional townhomes being built.

Carol Rosenquist was sworn in Oswego, IL

Ms. Rosenquist stated her concerns with sharing the clubhouse with the new development, and that the master association has not been informed about the new development.

Gary Long was sworn in Oswego, IL

Mr. Long stated he is a member of the condo board and they have received no prior information on the new development. Mr. Long stated his concern that the new streets will connect to current streets and asked what Village services will be available to them. Chairman Pajor stated these are private streets, therefore snowplowing is the responsibility of the Homeowner’s Association. Mr. Long asked where snowplowing costs would end for one HOA and begin with another and expressed concern that fewer proposed units means less funding for clubhouse maintenance.

No additional audience members wished to speak at the public hearing.

Motion: Commissioner Collins, second Commissioner Bradshaw to close the Public Hearing at 7:41 p.m.

Ayes: Commissioners Bradshaw, Collins, Hillman, McCallum, Pajor, Pyle, Rood, Sather

Nays: None

Absent: Commissioner Kuhn

Motion carried

The petitioner, Jim Work of Silverthorne Development Company, stated he has met with what he thought were representatives of the HOA to review the proposed development and discuss participation with the HOA and clubhouse. Ms. Hansen stated Mr. Work is currently going through the entitlement process and has a contractual interest but does not yet own the property.

In response to the concerns that were raised during the Public Hearing, Ms. Hansen stated the proposed parking is more than double what the Village requires, and they do not anticipate the added units will exacerbate the existing parking issues. Ms. Hansen stated the ranch villas will be built first and construction traffic will be off Heatherwood and not impact existing residences. Ms. Hansen stated the retention pond was originally sized for the whole development, including the commercial portion. Chairman Pajor stated the Village does not get involved with arrangements regarding cost sharing or maintenance of detention ponds. Ms. Hansen stated the addition of units could be financially beneficial for existing residents, and Mr. Work is willing to work with the HOA regarding costs for maintenance of common areas. Chairman Pajor stated HOA matters are private and not determined or enforced by the Village Board. Regarding the timing of the project, Mr. Work stated his goal is to start building phase one this year, with phase two being market driven.

Recommendation:

Motion: Commissioner Collins, second Commissioner Bradshaw to recommend approval of the Major PUD Amendment and Preliminary PUD and Plat to allow for a 113-unit townhome development.

Ayes: Commissioners Bradshaw, Collins, Hillman, McCallum, Pajor, Pyle, Rood, Sather

Nays: None

Absent: Commissioner Kuhn

Motion carried

5. NEW BUSINESS

Concept Plan

Jade Estates of Oswego

Applicant: Projades, LLC

Project #1248.25

Project Manager: Jeff Lind

Village Planner Jeff Lind stated the petitioner is requesting consideration of a Concept Plan for Jade Estates of Oswego, which consists of 66 duplex units on an 8-acre site. Mr. Lind stated the subject property, currently vacant and in unincorporated Kendall County, sits at the southwest corner of Wolfs Crossing Road and Douglas Road. Mr. Lind stated the Village’s Comprehensive Plan shows the subject property in District 2, which is characterized by “Medium Density with Many Housing Choices”, and the proposed plan’s density calculates to 8.25 dwelling units per acre.

Mr. Lind stated the site plan proposes private streets with a rectangular-shaped “Loop” drive, and shows one access point along Douglas Road, which aligns with Avanterra’s Douglas Road entrance. Mr. Lind stated the proposed use is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and surrounding neighborhoods as it would provide additional housing options in the Village, however, staff has concerns over the lack of a second access point as well as the lack of appropriately sized landscape buffer yards.

The petitioner did not attend the meeting. The Commission discussed their concerns with the density of the project; parking issues; that the project should have a second point of access and public rather than private streets; and that the park site should be moved to another location, away from the detention pond and road.

Recommendation:

Motion: Commissioner Collins, second Commissioner Sather to recommend denial of the Jade Estates of Oswego Concept Plan.

Ayes: Commissioners Bradshaw, Collins, Hillman, McCallum, Pajor, Pyle, Rood, Sather

Nays: None

Absent: Commissioner Kuhn

Motion carried

6. OLD BUSINESS

None.

7. PUBLIC FORUM

None.

8. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

Chairman Pajor stated the Kendall County Food Pantry has recently completed renovation of their facility and will be having an open house on April 16th from 11am – 2pm.

9. COMMISSIONERS REPORT

New Planning & Zoning Commissioner David Rood introduced himself.

10. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSIONER REPORT

No report.

11. ECO COMMISSION REPORT

No report.

12. DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT REPORT

None.

13. OSWEGOLAND PARK DISTRICT REPORT

Chad Feldotto gave an update on their new administrative building, and stated staff will begin moving in soon.

14. NEXT MEETING - May 8, 2025

15. ADJOURNMENT

Motion: Commissioner McCallum, second Commissioner Pyle to adjourn the Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting.

Ayes: Commissioners Bradshaw, Collins, Hillman, McCallum, Pajor, Pyle, Rood, Sather

Nays: None

Absent: Commissioner Kuhn

Motion carried

Chairman Pajor adjourned the Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting at 8:33 p.m.

https://www.oswegoil.org/home/showpublisheddocument/8061/638823773170530191