Planning and Zoning Commission
Regular MeetingGeneva, IL · February 14, 2013
Minutes
PLAN COMMISSION MINUTES
City of Geneva
109 James Street - City Council Chambers
Meeting #1127 – February 14, 2013
Chairman Rogers called the Plan Commission meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Roll call followed:
Present: Commissioners Case, Erickson, Evans, Mead, Moffat, Stocking, Chairman Rogers
Absent: Commissioners Leidig and Stevenson
Others Present: Community Development Dir. Dick Untch, Sonntag Court Rptr. Joanne Ely; and
Recording Secretary Celeste Weilandt
Public Present: Mr. Kent Stone on behalf of Applicant John Johnson, Peacock Engineering
Chairman Rogers thanked Commissioner Moffat for chairing the past couple of meetings.
Approval of the December 13, 2012 Meeting Minutes
Minutes of the December 13, 2012 meeting were approved on motion by Commissioner Moffat,
seconded by Commissioner Mead. Motion carried by voice vote of 6-0.
Public Hearings:
Chairman Rogers reviewed the protocol for the public hearing and swore in those individuals that
would be speaking on the following petition:
Sign Variation - A request, pursuant to Section 11-14-5A of the Geneva Zoning
Ordinance to increase the maximum number of freestanding signs allowed on the subject
property. Specifically, the requested sign variation is to allow a second freestanding sign to
be placed along the west drive aisle of the property located at 1800 Averill Road. Applicant:
John Johnson on behalf of Peacock Engineering; location: 1800 Averill Road.
(Commissioner Evans arrives 7:01 p.m.)
[See Transcript from Sonntag Report Services Ltd.]
Commissioner Moffat moved to close the public hearing. Commissioner Mead seconded the
motion. Motion carried by voice vote of 7-0.
Commissioner Moffat moved to waive the bifurcated process and vote on the application.
Seconded by Commissioner Evans. Motion carried by voice vote of 7-0.
Commissioner Moffat moved to approve the sign request, pursuant to Section 11-14-5A of the
Geneva Zoning Ordinance to increase the maximum number of freestanding signs allowed on
the subject property. Specifically, the requested sign variation is to allow a second
freestanding sign to be placed along the west drive aisle of the property located at 1800 Averill
Road, subject to staff’s five findings of fact, as stated in staff’s memo. Seconded by
Commissioner Mead. Roll call:
Aye: Case, Erickson, Evans, Mead, Moffat, Stocking, Rogers
Nay: None MOTION PASSED. VOTE: 7-0
Geneva Plan Commission -2- February 14, 2013
Public Comment - None
Other Business
Dir. Untch announced that the recent text amendment for Faith Lutheran Church to allow non-
residential uses in residential zoning districts on electronic message board signs, was approved by
the City Council last month. Upcoming applications included the Duke & Lees special use request for
a garage expansion; the rezoning of the Fox Run Subdivision due to a decommissioned well site (site
to be sold by the City as a residential lot); the expansion of the Fox Valley Presbyterian Church; and a
request for a special use and text amendment for a micro-brewery to be located on west Stevens
Street. Details of the brewery followed by Dir. Untch. Commissioner Moffat cautioned staff regarding
the brewery’s hours of operation.
Additional updates by Dir. Untch included the following: staff concluded its work on the Office
exclusion in the B-2 zoning district and staff would be meeting with those property owners and
landlords that would be impacted by the change before the formal hearing process took place; staff
met with RTA staff to discuss the implementation of the Downtown Master Plan through the RTA’s
grant program specifically created for implementing transit-oriented development plans. Details
followed; and lastly, staff would like, as a program objective, to pull together the city’s Comprehensive
Plan, the Downtown Master Plan, and the Southeast Study Area Master Plan, as one cohesive
document.
Commissioner comments followed on the status of the Fifth Third Bank storefront located on State
Street.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 7:22 p.m. on motion by Commissioner Evans. Motion carried
unanimously by voice vote of 7-0.
Agenda
Meeting Agenda
CITY OF GENEVA PLAN COMMISSION
FEBRUARY 14, 2013 MEETING #1127
1. Call to Order
Location
City Hall 2. Roll Call
Council Chambers
109 James Street 3. Approval of Minutes: December 13, 2012
Geneva, IL 60134
4. Public Hearing:
Time Sign Variation – A request, pursuant to Section 11-14-5A of the
7:00 p.m. Geneva Zoning Ordinance, to increase the maximum number of
freestanding signs allowed on the subject property. Specifically,
Commissioners the requested sign variation is to allow a second freestanding
sign to be placed along the west drive aisle of the property
Dave Rogers, Chairman
located at 1800 Averill Road.
Jay Moffat
Applicant: John Johnson on behalf of Peacock Engineering
John Mead
Location: 1800 Averill Road
Fred Case
Joel Erickson
5. Public Comment
Mim Evans
Cindy Leidig
6. Other Business
Scott Stocking
Ron Stevenson
7. Adjournment
Staff Liaison
David DeGroot
City Planner
Phone: (630) 232-0814
Email: ddegroot@geneva.il.us
This Plan Commission meeting is being audio tape recorded, transcribed by a
court reporter and/or summary minutes are being taken by a recording
secretary. The City of Geneva complies with the requirements of the Americans
with Disabilities Act of 1990. Individuals with disabilities who plan to attend this
meeting who require accommodations in order to allow them to observe and/or
participate in this meeting are requested to contact the Planning Division at 630-
232-0818 at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting to allow the City of Geneva
to make reasonable accommodations for those persons.
Plan Commission Agenda
Page 2 of 2 February 14, 2013
PROCEDURE FOR PUBLIC HEARINGS
It is the Plan Commission’s job to conduct public hearings in order to receive testimony for and against
petitions for general amendments to the zoning ordinance, zoning map amendments, zoning text
amendments, special use permits and amendments to special use permits.
The procedure followed for public hearings is as follows:
• First, the Plan Commission secretary or the designated representative will read or describe
written items, reports, and plans into the record.
• Second, the petitioner will present testimony in favor of the petition and will present any
supporting plans or exhibits.
• Third, the Commission members will have an opportunity to question the petitioner.
• Fourth, the Commission will then receive citizen testimony both for and against the petition.
Questions about the proposal may be directed to the petitioner or petitioner’s witnesses and
questions about the Plan Commission process itself may be directed to me. Following such
testimony the petitioner and the Plan Commission may ask questions of those who testified.
• Finally, the petitioner may provide a rebuttal to any testimony in opposition.
When all the testimony is brought into the record the hearing will be closed and the Plan
Commission will make a recommendation to the City Council in the form of a motion or motions.
• In order to give testimony, you must provide your name and address on the registration sheet
located at the entrance of the hearing room and sign in the space provided. By signing the
registration sheet, you agree and understand that anything you say will be considered sworn
testimony and affirm to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
• When giving testimony please approach the lectern, speak directly into the microphone so that
you may be heard. Please begin by stating your name and giving your address. If you speak
additional times, please state your name each time for the record.
• Please be concise when presenting your testimony and if your point has already been made, it is
not necessary to repeat it. Each of these points is recorded and will be considered as the Plan
Commission develops findings of fact and a recommendation or recommendations.
• You may provide your testimony in written form, but such written testimony must be presented
to the Plan Commission secretary or the designated representative prior to the closing of this
hearing.
• After the process is completed and everyone wishing to present testimony has spoken, the
Commission will then decide whether it has heard adequate testimony in order to make a
decision. If it has, the public hearing will be closed.
After a public hearing is closed the Plan Commission will refrain from receiving any additional testimony
either for or against the petition. There is one exception to this rule.
• City staff will submit a report based on the testimony presented at the hearing. This report will
consider comments or concerns from all City Departments such as the Fire Department, Public
Works Department or the Engineering Department.