Committee of the Whole

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES February 9, 2015 Elected Officials Present: Mayor Burns, Ald. Brown, Bruno, Cummings, Flanagan, Kilburg, Maladra, Marks, Simonian, Singer, Seno Staff Present: McKittrick, Dawkins, Babica, DeGroot, Wright 1. Call to Order Ald. Simonian, serving as chairman, called the meeting to order at 7pm noting that all were present. On a motion by Ald. Brown, second by Ald. Flanagan, the agenda was amended by adding item 4h: Consider Cash Contribution to the Geneva School District in the Amount of $20,049.27 and a Cash Contribution to the Geneva Park District in the Amount of $88,692.70, Reflecting a Credit for Existing Residential Units on the Property Related to the Park Place/Oak Creek Capital Partners Project V/V: 10-0 Motion carried. 2. Consider Consent Agenda Moved by Ald. Singer, second by Ald. Marks V/V: 10-0 Motion carried. *3. Approve Minutes from January 26, 2015 Approved on Consent Agenda 4. Items of Business a. Recommend Draft Resolution Authorizing Purchase of Ford Transit Connect Vehicle from Zimmerman Ford in the Amount of $21,284.00. Moved by Ald. Seno, second by Ald. Bruno V/V: 10-0 Motion carried. b. Recommend Draft Resolution Declaring Surplus Property of 2004 Ford Ranger Vehicle. Moved by Ald. Bruno, second by Ald. Marks V/V: 10-0 Motion carried. c. Recommend Draft Resolution Authorizing Bid Award and Contract to H.D. Supply in the Amount of $36,946.77 for 2015 Overhead Cable Replacement Project. Moved by Ald. Cummings, second by Ald. Marks V/V: 10-0 Motion carried. d. Recommend Acceptance of FY2014-15 3rd Quarter Goals Status Report. Moved by Ald. Marks, second by Ald. Seno V/V: 10-0 Motion carried. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES – FEB. 9, 2015 1 Chairman Simonian noted that general discussion of the following four items would take place and votes on each item would follow all discussion and public comment. Dir. DeGroot provided a summary of what transpired at the Jan. 26th Committee meeting. Since that meeting, the applicant made revisions to overall height (38’10” to 38’2” at the heighest peak); moved the access point off of Stevens and on to North, and increased the setback to Building 4. Developer John Luczinski also provided renderings and additional information on the latest revisions. Luczinski and DeGroot, on a question from Ald. Kilburg, confirmed that the Fire Dept. would approve the two access points on North Street. Ald Bruno, while encouraged by the continuation of discussion, did not yet feel comfortable with the proposed changes overall and would not be in favor of approving the PUD ordinance as presented. Ald. Cummings stated that he was satisfied with the proposed changes but also sought further discussion on the PUD. Cumming was in full agreement with staff to approve the land cash with credits stating that it was fair and equitable based on the language in the ordinance. Cummings also referred to a University of Illinois study citing the same conclusions. Resident Dan Horvath suggested one of the buildings be turned 90 degrees, also suggesting the buildings be set back further from the street. Horvath concluded by requesting that the council require the developer to build within the existing regulations. Resident Mary Zaander provided photos of other townhomes in Geneva to show the perspective of height and setback. Zaander was not in favor of the current proposal and also noted there were no outdoor patios/spaces devoted to each unit. Resident Sharon Jones was not in favor of the plan and asked for smaller units with more green space. Teresa Keenan, resident and business owner, voiced her strong opposition to the development noting that she had worked with the developer in the past and called them ‘cronies’. She urged the council to continue discussions and not ram the project through. Resident Lindsey Burgess asked the council to reconsider the proposed height of the townhomes stating that it would not fit in with the neighborhood. Resident Mary Pastorello also asked the council to require more work on the density, height, and setback of the proposed development. Resident Jim Anderson voiced concerns over access to the cemetery and Wheeler Park and urged the council to continue the discussions. Resident Kurt Beyer thanked developer for moving access points but requested that the city take more time to review the remaining details. Beyer also wanted to see a rendering of the development against the neighboring homes so he could see the overall scale. Resident Sarah Kate Jeffrey stated that she appreciated the City’s goal of adding density to the downtown but also noted the desire of many people for single family homes in downtown. Jeffery was concerned that this development would de-value her property in the neighborhood. Resident Brannon Anderson thanked the Council and the developer for listening to the neighbors thus far but more work was needed and did not want anything approved. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES – FEB. 9, 2015 2 Resident Michael Wolf agreed that more discussions on height, density and setback were needed. Sheavoun Lambillotte, Exec. Dir. of the Geneva Park District stated her opposition to the credits of land/cash and advocated for the full contribution based on her interpretation of the land/cash ordinance. Resident Rob Kelly requested that the council require the developer to work within the current code and regulations. Resident Colin Campbell suggested that a citizen committee be appointed to discuss the concerns with the neighbors and developers. Dir. DeGroot noted that the Plan Commission serves that purpose and it had already been vetted and approved. Resident Adam McMillian stated that he would like to see more LEED certified developments in the City. McMillian also suggested a through-way to bike path as well as Wheeler Park. Discussion on the land/cash credits commenced, with Ald. Simonian stating his support for the credits to be fair and equitable. Simonian believed that it was not fair for the School and Park Districts to ‘double dip’ on the existing properties on the site. Ald. Cummings also voiced his support for the credits and was confident the city was following the intent of the law. On a question from Ald. Kilburg, Dir. DeGroot read aloud the language in the ordinance stating the procedure to allow a credit. Admin. McKittrick also stated that the City Attorney had reviewed the ordinance and request for credits and believed it was allowed by ordinance. e. Consider Amending the City’s Downtown Station-Area Master Plan to Change the Future Land Use Designation for a Portion of the Subject Realty from “Single-Family Residential” to “Single-Family Residential Attached” – Draft Ordinance Related to Oak Creek Capital Partners. Moved by Ald. Marks, second by Ald. Cummings Roll Call: Ayes: 8 Nays: 2 (Cummings, Kilburg) Motion carried. f. Consider Rezoning (Zoning Map Amendment) the Subject Realty from the R6 Two- and Three-Family Residential District to the R7 Multiple-Family Residential District – Draft Ordinance Related to Oak Creek Capital Partners. Moved by Ald. Marks, second by Ald. Seno Roll Call: Ayes: 8 Nays: 2 (Cummings, Kilburg) Motion carried. A motion to table Item 4g, moved by Ald. Bruno, second by Ald. Cummings, failed by Roll Call Vote: Ayes: 3 Nays: 7. g. Consider Granting a Special Use for a Preliminary/Final Planned Unit Development – Draft Ordinance Related to Oak Creek Capital Partners. Moved by Ald. Marks, second by Ald. Singer Roll Call: Ayes: 6 Nays: 4 Motion carried. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES – FEB. 9, 2015 3  h. Consider Cash Contribution to the Geneva School District in the Amount of $20,049.27 and a Cash Contribution to the Geneva Park District in the Amount of $88,692.70, Reflecting a Credit for Existing Residential Units on the Property Related to the Park Place/Oak Creek Capital Partners Project Moved by Ald. Seno, second by Ald. Bruno Roll Call: Ayes: 9 Nays: 1 Motion carried. 5. New Business Assistant Admin. Dawkins acknowledged two student government representatives from Geneva High School that were in the audience and thanked them for observing the meeting. Simonian reminded the council that next week’s City Council meeting would be held on Tuesday, February 17th due to Presidents Day holiday. 6. Upcoming Meetings: • Regular Committee of the Whole on February 23, 2015 at 7pm 7. Adjourn On a motion by Ald. Marks, second by Ald. Bruno, the meeting was adjourned by unanimous voice vote at 9:53pm. -Submitted by Recording Secretary Fornari COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES – FEB. 9, 2015 4