McHenry Times

City of McHenry Planning and Zoning Commission met Sept. 20.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

Chairwoman Rockweiler called the September 20, 2023, regular meeting of the City of McHenry Planning and Zoning Commission to order at 5:30 p.m. In attendance were the following: Commissioners Bremer, Locke, Rockweiler, Lehman, and Davis. Absent were Commissioners Riley and Gleason. Also in attendance were City Planner Cody Sheriff, Community Development Director Ross Polerecky, and Deputy City Clerk Monte Johnson.

Approval of the Agenda: 

A motion was made by Commissioner Bremer and seconded by Commissioner Lehman to approve the agenda as presented. Voice Vote: 5-ayes: Commissioners Bremer, Rockweiler, Locke, Davis, and Lehman. 0-nay; 0-abstained; 2-absent: Riley, Gleason. Motion Carried.

Approval of Minutes: 

Approval of the August 16, 2023, regular meeting minutes as presented. A motion was made by Commissioner Bremer and seconded by Commissioner Locke for approval as presented. Voice Vote: 5-ayes: Commissioners Bremer, Rockweiler, Locke, Davis, and Lehman. 0-nay; 0- abstained; 2-absent: Riley, Gleason. Motion Carried.

Public Input 

No members of the public offered any public input.

File No. Z-2023-15 

McHenry Battery Storage LLC of 132 N York St, Suite 3L, Elmhurst, IL 60126 

Request for a Use Variance to allow an expansion of the existing footprint of the Battery Storage Facility by approximately 20 feet east, and 9 feet south, for an overall footprint of 24,123 square feet on the property commonly known as 302 N. Front Street 

Chairwoman Rockweiler opened the file at 5:31 p.m. Planner Sheriff stated that all publication requirements have been met. Patrick Hart of McHenry Battery Storage LLC and Chris Meyers, doing construction management, were sworn in by Chairwoman Rockweiler. Mr. Hart explained that they are applying for an expansion of the existing site. Last fall his company took over the site from a previous owner. They are working to re-power the site. They will remove the outdated technology and replace it with advanced technology and use the site as it was in the past. Due to changes in safety standards, they are required to increase pacing between containers, which is causing the request to increase the size of the project.

Planner Sheriff stated that they are seeking an amendment of use variance by 20 feet east and 9 feet south. There is 140 feet of separation from the adjoining sing-family residences,  there are trees and landscaping surrounding the site, and the must adhere to the landscape plan. The units must also be painted an earth tone. Staff does not see any adverse impacts from the property.

Commissioner Locke asked what caused the operation to break down years ago. Mr. Hart explained that the ISO for the region changed the duration of the signal it sends to the site. The plant operates on frequency regulation. The signal was at a shorter duration but increased, and that caused the site not to respond. The new technology has been built to handle future changes, so they won’t be subject to issues if frequency changes are made in the future. Commissioner Locke asked how the batteries generate power. Mr. Hart explained that the batteries charge during peak solar and wind hours, and discharge at other times. He expects this site to operate 22-23 hours a day. Commissioner Locke asked how they are integrated and how they sell the energy. It was explained that the ISO purchases their energy when needed. The power is generally localized to the area where it operates, but there is no way to tell exactly where the power goes.

Commissioner Davis asked if the new technology would increase noise, light, or radiation. Mr. Hart stated that none of those are a factor.

Chairwoman Rockweiler opened the public hearing at 5:39 p.m. With nobody wishing to speak, she closed the public hearing at 5:39 p.m.

Commissioner Locke asked what measures are taken for runoff or spills, or if there was a fire in the battery. Mr. Hart explained that each container has a secondary containment within it. Any liquid spilled would stay inside the container. Each container also contains fire detection, gas detection, and fire suppression. The overall site has detection software that monitors the temperature of each container. If a container experienced an increase thermal event, the container would be shut down and isolated.

Commissioner Locke sated that he is in favor of the project as it is simply replacing the footprint, using better technology, and nobody from the public was present to object to the project. All other commissioners agreed with Commissioner Locke and there were no issues brought up.

A motion was made by Commissioner Lehman and seconded by Commissioner Locke to recommend approval of the petitioner’s request for a Use Variance to allow an expansion of the existing footprint of the Battery Storage Facility by approximately 20 feet east, and 9 feet south, for an overall footprint of 24, 123 square feet subject to the following conditions:

1. All development on site shall be in substantial conformance with the submitted plans. 

2. All containers located within the fenced-in area shall be painted an earth-tone color.

AND, by making said motion, I agree that the approval criteria for Use Variances have been met as outlined in the staff report. Roll Call Vote: 5-ayes: Commissioners Bremer, Rockweiler, Locke, Davis, and Lehman. 0-nay; 0-abstained; 2-absent: Riley, Gleason. Motion Carried.

Chairwoman Rockweiler closed file Z-2023-15 at 5:43 p.m.

Clerk’s Note: File Z-2023-16 was not discussed and was pulled from the agenda. 

Open Discussion: 

There was no open discussion.

Staff Report: Planner Sheriff explained that the Commission will continue to meet at 5:30 p.m. as the time does not appear to be an issue for anybody. There has been a lot of community outreach for the comprehensive plan. Everall everybody is happy with the things going on in McHenry. There are some improvements requested, like work at the former K-Mart site, more restaurants, senior housing, and affordable housing. All age ranges and a broad scope of demographics were reached for help with the comprehensive plan.

Commissioner Locke asked if there were any requests for more industry. Director Polerecky explained that the big focus from the citizens was the downtown areas. More residential in downtown has been requested to keep a small-town feel, but to grow at the same time. Bigger industries and companies will not come to McHenry without enough housing available for their workforce. The City will have to look at where they should allocate the limited resources. A list of items will be needed for the City’s priorities for the next 25 years.

Commissioner Bremer stated that somebody in her neighborhood has been asking about frisbee golf. It was explained that this topic will come up at a Council meeting in the near future. There is a push for a frisbee golf course, but there have been many objections to having the course located next to a specific subdivision. Commissioner Bremer also asked when the fiscal year starts and if there are no façade grants available. It was explained that May 1st is the start of the fiscal year, and that all of the money allocated to façade grants has been used for this current fiscal year.

Adjourn: A motion was made by Commissioner Lehman and seconded by Commissioner Davis to adjourn the meeting at 6:00 p.m. Voice Vote: 5-ayes: Commissioners Bremer, Rockweiler, Locke, Davis, and Lehman. 0-nay; 0-abstained; 2-absent: Riley, Gleason. Motion Carried.

https://cms8.revize.com/revize/mchenryil/Document_Center/BoardDocs/Planning%20&%20Zoning/PZ%20Minutes%209-20-23.pdf