City Council Regular Meeting
Regular MeetingUrbana, IL · October 16, 2017
Minutes
STATE OF ILLINOIS CITY OF URBANA
Diane Wolfe Marlin, Mayor Charles A. Smyth, City Clerk
URBANA CITY COUNCIL
Monday, October 16, 2017
The City Council of the City of Urbana, Illinois met on Monday, October 16, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. in
the Council Chambers at the Urbana City Building, 400 S. Vine St, Urbana.
ELECTED OFFICIALS PHYSICALLY PRESENT
Eric Jakobsson, City Council Member Ward 2
Aaron Ammons, City Council Member Ward 3
Bill Brown, City Council Member Ward 4
Dennis Roberts, City Council Member Ward 5
Dean Hazen, City Council Member Ward 6
Jared Miller, City Council Member Ward 7 (arrived at 8:35 pm)
Diane Wolfe Marlin, Mayor
Charles A. Smyth, City Clerk
ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
Maryalice Wu, City Council Member Ward 1
ELECTED OFFICIALS ABSENT
None
STAFF PRESENT
Chad Hensch; Kevin Garcia; William Gray; Wendy Hundley; Sanford Hess; Brian
Nightlinger; Lorrie Pearson; John Schneider; James Simon
OTHERS PRESENT
Carletta Donaldson; Chris Billing; Amy Felte; Louise Kuhny; David Thies; Susan Taylor;
Bishop King James Underwood; representatives of Roanoke Concrete Products; Members
of the Media
A. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Marlin called the meeting of the Urbana City Council to order at 7:02pm.
B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
City Council Member (CM) Bill Brown made a motion to approve the minutes from
October 2, 2017 City Council meeting and October 9, 2017 Public Hearing. Motion
seconded by CM Ammons and carried by voice vote with no corrections.
C. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
Mayor Marlin read a public proclamation in honor of the founder of the Baha’I Faith and
presented it to Amy Felte.
Wendy Hundley was sworn in as Deputy Clerk by Clerk Smyth.
D. PUBLIC INPUT
Paul Hixson and Landi Najarro, UC2B Board members for Urbana, and Brian Bell (UC2B
Community Benefit Fund Committee) gave an update on UC2B activities reporting on the
Urbana City Council
Minutes: October 16, 2017
Page 2 of 8
buyout by i3 Broadband, new construction (map provided) by i3 and their plans to start in
Champaign-Urbana first next year instead of Peoria. Mr. Hixson and Mr. Bell provided an
update on the UC2B Community Benefit Fund activities and the rollout of the application
process (3 handouts distributed), which should result in awards being made January 2018.
Questions and answers followed.
Carletta Donaldson spoke favorably about the new Leek and Sons Funeral Home on Bradley
Avenue.
Bishop King James Underwood did not wish to speak, but asked that his position be entered
into the record regarding the Dr. Ellis Subdivision sewer issues.
Susan Taylor did not wish to speak, but asked that her opposition to the Special Use permit
for the proposed concrete plant on N. Lincoln (Ordinance 2017-10-059) be entered into the
record.
E. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
There was none.
F. REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES
1. Committee Of The Whole (Reported by City Council Member Roberts)
a. Resolution No. 2017-10-069R: A Resolution Approving and Authorizing the
Execution of a Promotional and Marketing Agreement (Visit Champaign County,
FY 2017-2018)
CM Roberts made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2017-10-069R. Motion
seconded by CM Jakobsson. There was no discussion and the motion carried by roll
call vote as follows:
Ammons – aye Brown – aye
Hazen – aye Roberts – aye
Jakobsson – aye Wu – aye
Disposition: Resolution No. 2017-10-069R was carried by roll call vote (6-Aye; 0-
Nay)
b. Resolution No. 2017-10-070R: A Resolution Approving and Authorizing the
Execution of a Promotional and Marketing Agreement (Urbana Business
Association, FY 2017-2018)
CM Roberts made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2017-10-070R. Motion
seconded by CM Hazen. There was no discussion and the motion carried by roll call
vote as follows:
Ammons – aye Brown – aye
Hazen – aye Roberts - aye
Jakobsson– aye Wu – aye
Disposition: Ordinance No. 2017-10-070R was carried by roll call vote (6-Aye; 0-
Nay)
c. Ordinance No. 2017-10-058: An Ordinance Revising the annual Budget Ordinance
for FY 2017/18 (Budget Amendment #3 – Rebudgets & Miscellaneous Items)
CM Roberts made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2017-10-058. Motion
seconded by CM Jakobsson. There was no discussion and the motion carried by roll
call vote as follows:
Ammons – aye Brown – aye
Urbana City Council
Minutes: October 16, 2017
Page 3 of 8
Hazen – aye Roberts – aye
Jakobsson – aye Wu – aye
Mayor Marlin – aye
Disposition: Resolution No. 2017-10-58 was carried by roll call vote (7-Aye; 0-Nay)
d. Resolution No. 2017-10-066R: A Resolution to Approve an Inter-Governmental
Agreement (Agreement between City of Urbana and Parkland Community College
Regarding ARMS System)
CM Roberts made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2017-10-066R. Motion
seconded by CM Hazen. There was no discussion and the motion carried by roll call
vote as follows:
Ammons – aye Brown – aye
Hazen – aye Roberts – aye
Jakobsson – aye Wu – aye
Disposition: Resolution No. 2017-10-066R was carried by roll call vote (6-Aye; 0-
Nay)
e. Resolution No. 2017-10-067R: A Resolution Amending Housing Rehabilitation
Program Operational Guidelines as Originally Authorized by Resolution No. 2015-
05-023R (City of Urbana Housing Program Manual Program Years 2015-2019)
CM Roberts made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2017-10-067R. Motion
seconded by CM Jakobsson. CM Aarons asked several questions concerning blight
reduction that were answered by CD Director John Schneider. The motion carried
by roll call vote as follows:
Ammons – aye Brown – aye
Hazen – aye Roberts – aye
Jakobsson – aye Wu – aye
Disposition: Ordinance No. 2017-10-67R was carried by roll call vote (6-Aye; 0-
Nay)
f. Resolution No. 2017-10-068R: A Resolution Approving and Authorizing an
Urbana Home Consortium Subrecipient Agreement (Rosecrance TBRA FY 2017-
2018)
CM Roberts made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2017-10-068R. Motion
seconded by CM Hazen. There was no discussion and the motion carried by roll call
vote as follows:
Ammons – aye Brown – aye
Hazen – aye Roberts – aye
Jakobsson – aye Wu – aye
Disposition: Ordinance No. 2017-10-68R was carried by roll call vote (6-Aye; 0-
Nay)
G. REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES
There were none.
H. REPORTS OF OFFICERS
John Schneider, Community Development Director, reported that U-Haul on S. Philo Road,
Urbana was having a ribbon cutting and lunch on Wednesday October 18, 2017.
I. NEW BUSINESS
Urbana City Council
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1. Ordinance No. 2017-10-059: An Ordinance Approving a Special Use Permit (3202
North Lincoln Avenue / Roanoke Concrete Products – Plan Case 2313-SU-17)
Kevin Garcia, Planner II CD, and Lorrie Pearson, Planning Manager, presented the
staff memo for Ordinance 2017-10-059. Planner Garcia began with a separate
explanation of the Special Use Permit process and the associated criteria for approval
stating that evaluation of the criteria are the only basis for a decision. He next
reviewed the Letter of Protest filed by the attorney of several surrounding property
owners and indicated that it was not valid as it did not have the required 40%
signatories of surrounding properties within 250 feet of the property line. A 2/3rds
supermajority of council would not be required for approval. CM Ammons asked for
clarification of the protest letter procedure and the Special Use Criteria. Planner
Garcia reviewed the criteria of a protest letter having received signatures of only 7 of
23 property owners). City Attorney Jim Simon provided additional explanation of
the Special Use Criteria.
Planner Garcia reviewed the site plan and the proposed layout of the facility on N.
Lincoln Avenue on 11.5 Acres as a concrete recycling and manufacturing facility. He
noted the surrounding property uses as primarily Industrial or Agricultural. The
property is zoned IN-2, Heavy Industrial. He described the zoning classification and
permitted uses. A ready mix concrete plant is not in the list, so it falls under the catch
all of “All Other Industrial Uses” and requires a special use permit.
The site plan is preliminary and the location is towards the northern half of the
property. The south 6.5 acres would be set aside for a future extension of Airport
Road. Fencing and screening as well as paving requirements are indicated in the
plans. He indicated that the Berns-Clancy Associates memo objections go beyond
the geographic scope of the proposal or beyond the special use evaluation criteria.
Lincoln Avenue has been reconstructed for use as heavy industrial and designated
truck route. The proposed driveway meets the city’s access guidelines. Frasca Field
asked for the development to be as far north as possible, which Roanoke Concrete
has done. The developer is responsible for sewer and storm water management. The
La Salle Criteria do not enter into evaluation of the special use permit. He
enumerated the 3 special use criteria and described how each criterion is met.
The Plan Commission voted to forward the Special Use Permit with a
recommendation for approval to City Council with conditions as listed in the
ordinance in a 6-1 vote at their meeting on October 5, 2017.
Several city council member questions followed covering heights of towers and
materials as well as Planner Garcia showing an overlay of an earlier Hanson
Professional Services study of Frasca runway and clearance needs showing that the
plant would be outside the Runway Protection Zone required by the Federal
Aviation Administration.
Chris Billing of Berns-Clancy spoke briefly to their memo but wanted to raise the
issue of traffic levels, the lack of any conditions attached to the special use to make
future contributions to road construction, and the lack of comprehensive planning
on the overall site of 47 acres. Mr. Billing passed around 9 aerial maps of other large
sites recently developed in and round Urbana, and discussed planned streets in those
developments. CM Brown asked Mr. Billing if other businesses had contributed to
these roads but he did not know the source of those comments. CM Roberts asked if
Mr. Billing objected to the concrete business itself. Mr. Billing replied that he did not
but reiterated his position that they were objecting to the lack of on overall site plan.
Urbana City Council
Minutes: October 16, 2017
Page 5 of 8
CM Ammons asked Bill Gray, Public Works Director to speak to the issue of road
construction and contributions for repaving such as on N. Lincoln Avenue. Mr.
Gray indicated that planning has been done over 25 years and that the city has spent
millions of dollars on construction of roads to accommodate industrial traffic, and
the road will easily handle the additional traffic from this new facility. The roadway
can handle 5 or 6 times the amount of current traffic (1,300 ADT), with a capacity of
10-12,000 ADT needed before PW would consider expanding the road to a 4 lane
configuration. The bridges, right-of–way, and everything else has been planned to
eventually accommodate four lanes in the preliminary design. He added that we
don’t have impact fees and little contribution in the past for such road building
though if they need traffic signals or turn lanes they would need to pay for those.
The decision by the developers of where to locate their facility is their decision. If
the Developer decides to subdivide then they would be involved in paying for
improvements and dedicating right-of-way. Mr. Gray also noted that for most of the
developments that Mr. Billing passed around, there were no contributions from the
developers. Many of the issues related to construction are timing related and many
times there are development agreements through TIF or tax rebates, but in this case
there are no incentives. Final plans will determine storm water detention and the
final location of the driveway.
Mr. David Thies, Webber and Thies, representing Blager Properties spoke to the
legal issue of the zoning not permitting the use by right but instead the City Council
has the ability to allow this with conditions. He reviewed two of the criteria for
special use being consistent with the zoning and planning considerations to be made.
He reiterated the position that the 11 acre site, being in the middle of a 47 acre site,
needs comprehensive planning. He urged a delay to consider some of the concerns
raised by a larger development in the future.
CM Wu raised a question about environmental procedures followed. This was
answered by the two representatives from Roanoke Concrete indicating that they
follow EPA guidelines for air and water pollution issues. In answer to Mayor
Marlin’s questions, they stated that they owned 6 or 7 other facilities and that this site
would employ about 5-10 people to start. They indicated that they were supportive
of Airport Road and that they had no plans for additional development at this time.
Additional questions and answers between council members and the owners
followed.
CM Roberts asked staff if the access driveway could be moved or modified to which
Mr. Gray indicated that any future road access for other developments on the site
would be from Oaks Road or a future Airport Road. CM Brown asked about EPA
permits and asked for more details about EPA requirements in future cases. CM
Roberts asked about noise abatement to which Ms. Pearson noted that noise is
expected in the IN2 zoning district. Additional questions and answers followed.
With no further questions, CM Brown made a Motion to Approve Ordinance No.
2017-10-059. Seconded by CM Roberts. CM Brown stated that the conditions
recommended by the Plan Commission are good and he doesn’t have anything to
add but commented on screening. CM Jakobsson stated that there is nothing about
this project that is negative except that this use is not by right. He sees no difference
between this use and others on the list being uniquely a problem. CM Roberts agreed
with CM Jakobsson and how this use is similar to those across the street. CM
Urbana City Council
Minutes: October 16, 2017
Page 6 of 8
Ammons spoke to the lack of comprehensive planning but is supportive of the
development while acknowledging the issues raised in public input.
With no further discussion, the motion carried by roll call vote as follows:
Ammons – aye Brown – aye
Hazen – aye Miller – aye
Roberts – aye Jakobsson – aye Wu – aye
Disposition: Ordinance No. 2017-10-059 was carried by roll call vote (7-Aye; 0-
Nay)
2. Ordinance No. 2017-10-060: An Ordinance Approving a Preliminary
Development Plan for a Planned Unit Development (1404 South Lincoln Avenue /
Pierre Moulin – Plan Case 2314-PUD-17)
Planner Garcia presented the staff memo for both Ordinance 2017-10-060 and -061
as Preliminary/Final development plans for a single residential unit Planned Unit
Development (PUD). The ordinances can be considered simultaneously as the
application contains the details required of a final PUD. He described the underlying
R7 zoning classification, the site development plan, proposed changes in the parking
layout, bicycle parking, and tree placement and preservation. The conversion of the
former Zeta Tau Alpha sorority will result in a mix of studio through 3 bedroom
apartments and up to 40 inhabitants. The Historic Preservation Commission issued a
certificate of appropriateness Oct. 12, 2017 for proposed modifications in
accordance with the Historic designation of the property. The Plan Commission
recommended council approval 5-0 on October 12, 2017 with two conditions listed
in the ordinances.
Council Member Brown asked about the width of the driveway along Vermont
where garbage trucks would be backing up, concerned that it was too narrow and
would result in trucks driving over the right-of-way.
Louise Kuhny, a nearby property owner and resident, spoke in favor of the proposal.
However, she expressed concern about the PUD process including protections via
zoning and the City’s Comprehensive Plan.
Motion to approve Ordinance No. 2017-10-060 was made by CM Roberts and
seconded by CM Brown. CM Roberts stated that he considers the project exciting
with no concerns from the neighborhood. CM Brown stated his support for the
project but asked that the driveway issue be investigated. He suggested the developer
investigate a heat pump approach as possibly financially feasible and leading to a
quieter solution. With no further discussion, the motion carried by roll call vote as
follows:
Ammons – aye Brown – aye
Hazen – aye Miller – aye
Roberts – aye Jakobsson – aye Wu – aye
Disposition: Ordinance No. 2017-10-060 was carried by roll call vote (7-Aye; 0-
Nay)
3. Ordinance No. 2017-10-061: An Ordinance Approving a Final Development Plan
for a Planned Unit Development (1404 South Lincoln Avenue / Pierre Moulin –
Plan Case 2314-PUD-17)
Motion to approve Ordinance No. 2017-10-061 by CM Roberts, seconded by CM
Urbana City Council
Minutes: October 16, 2017
Page 7 of 8
Ammons. There was no discussion and the motion carried by roll call vote as
follows:
Ammons – aye Brown – aye
Hazen – aye Miller – aye
Roberts – aye Jakobsson – aye Wu – aye
Disposition: Ordinance No. 2017-10-061 was carried by roll call vote (7-Aye; 0-
Nay)
4. Ordinance No. 2017-10-062: An Ordinance Approving a Subdivision Ordinance
Waiver Regarding Stormwater Management (407 North Maple Street / Plan Case
No. 2319-S-17)
Planning Manager Lorrie Pearson presented this ordinance and discussed the staff
memo for the lot just east of Carter’s Furniture. They are planning a small
development on the space next to the Boneyard Creek and want to be able to send
storm water directly to the Boneyard. Staff considers it a good idea as it moves the
water quickly downstream. CM Miller asked about language in our subdivision code
that would permit such an obvious solution to which Ms. Pearson indicated that staff
were looking for creating such an exception in their upcoming revision. CM Brown
asked about the need for a creek way permit to which Ms. Pearson answered in the
affirmative.
CM Roberts made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2017-10-062. Motion was
seconded by CM Miller and with no further discussion carried by roll call vote as
follows:
Ammons – aye Brown – aye
Hazen – aye Miller – aye
Roberts – aye Jakobsson – aye
Disposition: Ordinance No. 2017-10-062 was carried by roll call vote (6-Aye; 0-
Nay)
(electronic connection with Council Member Wu was lost some time during the
prior discussion about 9:30 pm). Mayor Marlin thanked the staff of CD for their
work on item three.
5. Mayoral Appointments to Boards and Commissions
a. Sustainability Advisory Commission (SAC) – Vice Chair
1. Elizabeth Meschewski
Mayor Marlin presented the appointment of Elizabeth Meschewski as Vice-Chair of
the SAC. CM Roberts made a motion to approve the appointment. Motion seconded
by CM Jakobsson and carried by voice vote.
Disposition: The appointment of Elizabeth Meschewski as vice-chair carried by
unanimous voice vote.
J. ADJOURNMENT
With no further business before the city council, Mayor Marlin declared the meeting
adjourned at 9:42 pm.
Charles A. Smyth
Recording Secretary
Urbana City Council
Minutes: October 16, 2017
Page 8 of 8
Charles A. Smyth
City Clerk
The information and video for this meeting are available at
http://www.urbanaillinois.us/node/6690
This meeting was taped.
This meeting was broadcast on cable television
*CM = City Council Member
Minutes Approved: November 06, 2017
Agenda
URBANA CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
400 S. VINE STREET, URBANA, IL 61801
Monday, October 16, 2017
7:00pm
AGENDA
A. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
1. October 2, 2017
2. October 9, 2017 (Public Hearing)
C. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
D. PUBLIC INPUT
1. UC2B Update – Paul Hixon
E. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
F. REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES
1. Committee Of The Whole – (Alderman Dennis Roberts)
a. Resolution No. 2017-10-069R: A Resolution Approving and Authorizing the
Execution of a Promotional and Marketing Agreement (Visit Champaign
County, FY 2017-2018) - CD
b. Resolution No. 2017-10-070R: A Resolution Approving and Authorizing the
Execution of a Promotional and Marketing Agreement (Urbana Business
Association, FY 2017-2018) – CD
c. Ordinance No. 2017-10-058: An Ordinance Revising the annual Budget
Ordinance for FY 2017/18 (Budget Amendment #3 – Rebudgets &
Miscellaneous Items) - FIN
d. Resolution No. 2017-10-066R: A Resolution to Approve an Inter-
Governmental Agreement (Agreement between City of Urbana and Parkland
Community College Regarding ARMS System) - IT
e. Resolution No. 2017-10-067R: A Resolution Amending Housing
Rehabilitation Program Operational Guidelines as Originally Authorized by
Resolution No. 2015-05-023R (City of Urbana Housing Program Manual
Program Years 2015-2019) - CD
f. Resolution No. 2017-10-068R: A Resolution Approving and Authorizing an
Urbana Home Consortium Subrecipient Agreement (Rosecrance TBRA FY
2017-2018) – CD
G. REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES
H. REPORTS OF OFFICERS
I. NEW BUSINESS
Agenda: Urbana City Council Meeting
Monday, October 16, 2017
Page 2 of 2
1. Ordinance No. 2017-10-059: An Ordinance Approving a Special Use Permit (3202
North Lincoln Avenue / Roanoke Concrete Products – Plan Case 2313-SU-17) - CD
2. Ordinance No. 2017-10-060: An Ordinance Approving a Preliminary
Development Plan for a Planned Unit Development (1404 South Lincoln Avenue /
Pierre Moulin – Plan Case 2314-PUD-17) - CD
3. Ordinance No. 2017-10-061: An Ordinance Approving a Final Development Plan
for a Planned Unit Development (1404 South Lincoln Avenue / Pierre Moulin –
Plan Case 2314-PUD-17) – CD
4. Ordinance No. 2017-10-062: An Ordinance Approving a Subdivision Ordinance
Waiver Regarding Stormwater Management (407 North Maple Street / Plan Case
No. 2319-S-17) – CD
5. Mayoral Appointments to Boards and Commissions
1. Sustainability Advisory Commission – Vice Chair
a. Elizabeth Meschewski
J. ADJOURNMENT
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