Plan Commission Meeting
Regular MeetingUrbana, IL · May 20, 2021
Minutes
May 20, 2021
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
URBANA PLAN COMMISSION APPROVED
DATE: May 20, 2021
TIME: 7:00 P.M.
PLACE: City Council Chambers | Zoom Webinar
MEMBERS ATTENDING Dustin Allred, Andrew Fell, Lew Hopkins, Debarah McFarland
REMOTELY:
MEMBER ATTENDING Tyler Fitch
AT CITY BUILDING:
MEMBER EXCUSED: Jane Billman, Jonah Weisskopf, Chenxi Yu
STAFF PRESENT: City of Urbana (Host); Brianna Gaspar, UPTV Camera Operator,
Kevin Garcia, Principal Planner; Kat Trotter, Planner I
OTHERS ATTENDING Mary Pat McGuire, Karen Perrine, Chris Saunders
REMOTELY:
1. CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL AND DECLARATION OF QUORUM
Chair Fitch called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. Roll call was taken, and there was a quorum of
the members present.
2. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
There were none.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of the April 22, 2021 regular Plan Commission meeting were presented for approval.
Mr. Fell moved that the Plan Commission approve the minutes as written. Mr. Allred seconded the
motion.
Roll call on the motion was as follows:
Mr. Allred - Yes Mr. Fell - Yes
Mr. Fitch - Yes Mr. Hopkins - Yes
Ms. McFarland - Yes
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May 20, 2021
The minutes were approved by a vote of 5 ayes and 0 nays.
4. COMMUNICATIONS
Chair Fitch announced that he was retiring from the Plan Commission effective June 30, 2021.
Kevin Garcia, Principal Planner, stated that the City appreciated his service and professionalism
during the years that he had served.
5. CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARINGS
There were none.
6. OLD BUSINESS
There was none.
7. NEW PUBLIC HEARINGS
Plan Case No. 2420-M-21 – A request by Tailwind Holdings, LLC to rezone 802 West
Oregon Street from R-7, University Residential, to R-4, Medium Density Multiple Family
Residential Zoning District.
Chair Fitch opened the public hearing for Plan Case No. 2420-M-21. Kat Trotter, Planner I,
presented the staff report to the Plan Commission. She began by explaining the purpose of the
rezoning, which is to allow the existing building to be used as apartments as it was intentionally built
for. She showed the location of the subject property on a map noting the zoning and land uses of
the subject property as well as the adjacent properties. She stated that the Future Land Use
designation was “University Residential”. She mentioned that the applicants held a neighborhood
meeting on May 13, 2021, to discuss their plans with the residents in the neighborhood. She
reviewed how the rezoning criteria relate to the proposed map amendment. She read the options of
the Plan Commission and presented City staff’s recommendation for approval. She said that Chris
Saunders, applicant, was available to answer any questions.
Chair Fitch asked if any members of the Plan Commission had questions for City staff.
Mr. Allred asked if by approving the proposed rezoning, would they be creating a legally non-
conforming use with regards to the Floor Area Ratio (FAR). Ms. Trotter replied yes; however, the
building is already non-conforming with the existing development regulations in the R-7 Zoning
District. If they allow the rezoning, then it would allow for compatibility with the R-4 zoned
property to the north should it ever be demolished and rebuilt. Mr. Hopkins added that they would
not be changing the non-conformities with the development regulations because they do not plan to
make any changes to the building; however, they would be making the use conforming by rezoning
the property to R-4.
With there being no further questions for City, Chair Fitch opened the hearing for public input and
reviewed the procedure for a public hearing.
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May 20, 2021
Chris Saunders, applicant, raised his hand to speak. He congratulated Mr. Fitch on his retirement
from the Plan Commission. He explained that the goal of the rezoning is to occupy the building. It
makes sense to rezone to R-4 to match the zoning of some other properties in the nearby
neighborhood. The intent is not to develop the property but to maintain the property. They have
been undergoing a remodel of the building in hopes that they will be able to rent units out to
students this upcoming fall.
Mr. Saunders stated that the building cannot be used as part of the Certified Housing Program
anymore based on the changes to the program. He said the previous owners did a great job
maintaining the building, and the renovations he is making are cosmetic improvements.
Mr. Saunders talked about the R-7 Zoning District. He mentioned that he had heard that the City
was intending to make changes to the district; however, COVID hit and had delayed the City’s
plans.
There was no further public input. Chair Fitch closed the public input portion of the hearing. He
then opened the hearing for Plan Commission discussion and/or motion(s).
Mr. Hopkins moved that the Plan Commission forward Case No. 2420-M-21 to the Urbana City
Council with a recommendation for approval. Mr. Fell seconded the motion. Roll call on the
motion was as follows:
Ms. McFarland - Yes Mr. Allred - Yes
Mr. Fell - Yes Mr. Fitch - Yes
Mr. Hopkins - Yes
The motion passed by unanimous vote.
Ms. Trotter noted that Plan Case No. 2420-M-21 would be forwarded to the Committee of the
Monday, June 7, 2021.
8. NEW BUSINESS
There was none.
9. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
There was none.
10. STAFF REPORT
There was none.
11. STUDY SESSION
There was none.
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May 20, 2021
12. ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING
The meeting was adjourned at 7:21 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kevin Garcia, Secretary
Urbana Plan Commission
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Agenda
URBANA PLAN COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
DATE: Thursday, May 20, 2021
TIME: 7 :00 P.M.
PLACE: Due to COVID-19, this meeting will be held via Zoom Webinar.
AGENDA
1. Call to Order, Roll Call & Declaration of Quorum
2. Changes to the Agenda
3. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting
Minutes from the April 22, 2021 Plan Commission Regular Meeting
4. Communications
5. Continued Public Hearings
6. Old Business
7. New Public Hearings
Plan Case No. 2420-M-21 – A request by Tailwind Holdings LLC to rezone 802 West
Oregon Street from R-7 (University Residential) to R-4 (Medium Density Multiple Family
Residential).
8. New Business
9. Audience Participation
10. Staff Report
11. Study Session
12. Adjournment
NOTE: Please note that the details of a request or application related to an agenda item may change
during the public review process.
May 20, 2021
INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO JOIN THE MEETING and HOW TO PROVIDE INPUT
Plan Commission Meeting on Thursday, May 20, 2021
Anyone can watch the meeting on streaming services or UPTV. You can attend virtually via
Zoom webinar if you wish to provide public input during the meeting. If you attend the
meeting via Zoom webinar, please turn off any sound from other sources such as UPTV, as
there will be a lag in the audio. The meeting will be recorded by the City as part of the record.
The recorded video will be available on the City's website by noon on the following Friday.
Providing Public Input by Email:
Staff asks that you submit your written public comments by email by 5:00 pm (Central Time) on
Wednesday, May 19, 2021 to Planning@urbanaillinois.us so that it can be included as
communications and become part of the official record of the meeting. Due to the high volume
of emails, please put PUBLIC INPUT and the meeting date in the subject line.
Providing Public Input from a computer browser or the Zoom app on a mobile device:
You will be able to use a phone to call in:
• Call 1-312-626-6799.
• You will be asked to enter the Webinar ID number, which is 838 3411 3552 followed by
the # key.
• All callers are muted by default. If you wish to speak, please "raise your hand" by
pressing *9 once (this toggles the raise/lower hand option. When called on by the chair
or host by your phone number, you will be unmuted and you should state your name for
the record per city code*. When you finish speaking, the host will "lower your hand"
and mute you - there is no need to press any more buttons.
You will be able to use a computer to address the Plan Commission:
• Join the Zoom meeting here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83834113552
• Make sure you have a microphone on your computer if you wish to speak. Please
identify yourself with first and last name in Zoom for the record. FCC Guidelines will be
followed.
• Public participants will be muted during public input. If you wish to speak, please "raise
your hand" using the option at the bottom of the screen.
• When called on by the chair or host, you will be unmuted and you should state your first
and last name for the record per city code."
• Video will remain off for all members of the public, even while they are speaking.
Persons with disabilities needing special services or accommodations for this meeting should contact the City of
Urbana's Americans with Disabilities Coordinator at 384-2466.
May 20, 2021
PUBLIC INPUT
The City of Urbana welcomes Public Input during open meetings of the City Council, the City
Council’s Committee of the Whole, City Boards and Commissions and other City-sponsored
meetings. Our goal is to foster respect for the meeting process, and respect for all people
participating as members of the public body, city staff, and general public. The City is required
to conduct all business during public meetings. The presiding officer is responsible for
conducting those meetings in an orderly and efficient manner.
Public Input will be taken in the following ways:
Zoom Webinar Participant
Click on the link listed in the agenda to join the Webinar. You must provide your name and
email address in order to join the Webinar. If you wish to speak during Public Input, “raise your
hand” and wait to be called on by the meeting host. You must state your first and last name for
the meeting record. Participants will be muted except when they are called on to speak; video
will remain off for all members of the public when speaking.
Telephone Participant
Call the phone number listed on the Agenda. Enter the Webinar ID followed by the # key. All
callers are muted by default. If you wish to speak, “raise your hand” by pressing *9 once. When
you are called on by the host or presiding officer, you will be un-muted. You must state your
first name and last name for the meeting record.
Email Input
Public comments must be received prior to the closing of the meeting record (at the time of
adjournment unless otherwise noted) at the following: Planning@urbanaillinois.us. The subject
line of the email must include the words “PUBLIC INPUT” and the meeting date. Emailed public
comments labeled as such will be incorporated into the public meeting record, with personal
identifying information redacted. Copies of emails will be posted after the meeting minutes
have been approved.
Written Input
Any member of the public may submit their comments addressed to the members of the public
body in writing. If a person wishes their written comments to be included in the record of Public
Input for the meeting, the writing should so state. Written comments must be received prior to
the closing of the meeting record (at the time of adjournment unless otherwise noted).
Persons with disabilities needing special services or accommodations for this meeting should contact the City of
Urbana's Americans with Disabilities Coordinator at 384-2466.
May 20, 2021
Verbal Input
Protocol for Public Input is one of respect for the process of addressing the business of the City.
Obscene or profane language, or other conduct that threatens to impede the orderly progress
of the business conducted at the meeting is unacceptable.
Public comment shall be limited to no more than four (4) minutes per person. The Public Input
portion of the meeting shall total no more than one (1) hour, unless otherwise shortened or
extended by majority vote of the public body members present. The presiding officer or the city
clerk or their designee, shall monitor each speaker's use of time and shall notify the speaker
when the allotted time has expired. A person may participate and provide Public Input once
during a meeting and may not cede time to another person, or split their time if Public Input is
held at two (2) or more different times during a meeting. The presiding officer may give priority
to those persons who indicate they wish to speak on an agenda item upon which a vote will be
taken.
The presiding officer or public body members shall not enter into a dialogue with citizens.
Questions from the public body members shall be for clarification purposes only. Public Input
shall not be used as a time for problem solving or reacting to comments made but, rather, for
hearing citizens for informational purposes only.
In order to maintain the efficient and orderly conduct and progress of the public meeting, the
presiding officer of the meeting shall have the authority to raise a point of order and provide a
verbal warning to a speaker who engages in the conduct or behavior proscribed under “Verbal
Input”. Any member of the public body participating in the meeting may also raise a point of
order with the presiding officer and request that they provide a verbal warning to a speaker. If
the speaker refuses to cease such conduct or behavior after being warned by the presiding
officer, the presiding officer shall have the authority to mute the speaker’s microphone and/or
video presence at the meeting. The presiding officer will inform the speaker that they may
send the remainder of their remarks via e-mail to the public body for inclusion in the meeting
record.
Accommodation
If an accommodation is needed to participate in a City meeting, please contact the Planning
Division staff at least 48 hours in advance so that special arrangements can be made using one
of the following methods:
• Phone: 217.384.2440
• Email: Planning@urbanaillinois.us
Persons with disabilities needing special services or accommodations for this meeting should contact the City of
Urbana's Americans with Disabilities Coordinator at 384-2466.
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