McHenry Times

McHenry County Staff Plat Review Committee met Sept. 5.

Here is the minutes provided by the Committee:

I. CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order by Mr. Moore at 8:34 a.m.

Meeting called to order at: 8:30 AM by Darrell Moore.

PRESENT: Wallen, Moore, Beets, Levato

ABSENT: Colletti, Sandquist

Ms. Sarah Salomon was present on behalf of Joanna Colletti for the Water Resources Division.

II. PUBLIC COMMENT

None.

III. DRAFT MINUTES FOR APPROVAL

Staff Plat Review - Public Meeting - Aug 1, 2018 8:30 AM

Motion by Mr. Wallen, seconded by Mr. Beets to approve the minutes.

RESULT: ACCEPTED BY VOICE

IV. SITE PLAN REVIEW

A. Hamilton Ranches - Petition #18-024

Present on behalf of Hamilton Ranches was:

Dan Curran, Attorney

Mark Hamilton, Owner

Mr. Curran explained that the petitioner is up for renewal of a conditional use that has been in effect since 1998. His client has asked if we can renew for 20 years as opposed to 10 years.

It is a grass landing strip used by the Hamilton family. There are three planes and Mark Hamilton is the only pilot. There have been no complaints from any of the neighbors, and it has not caused interference with Route 47 or any ground transportation.

STORMWATER COMMENTS - Sarah Salomon

Ms. Salomon stated she had no comments.

MCDOT - Ray Beets

Mr. Beets did not have any comments. The project does not affect any County highways

PLANNING and ZONING - Darrell Moore

Mr. Moore had no comments.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH - Jeff Levato

Mr. Levato stated the site plan did not appear to have a well or septic, so there is no need to show the locations on the site plan

BUILDING - Adam Wallen

Mr. Wallen noted the accessory structure on the property was built in 1981 for personal use, so he is not concerned with the use of that building. If the use were to change, new requirements may be required.

Motion by Mr. Beets, seconded by Mr. Levato to approve the site plan.

All members voted aye, motion passed.

B. Geronimo Energy/Lawrence Solar LLC/Beetstra Trust - Petition 18-034

Representing Geronimo Energy/Lawrence Solar was: Robert Leah, Geronimo Energy

Tom Beetstra, Land owner

Mr. Leah stated he is seeking approval for a solar project on 40 acres just north of Harvard off of Highway 14. He stated the land is set back from residences, and they do not anticipate any changes to the terrain. Mr. Leah mentioned they expect to find tiles and they will look for them at the time of construction.

WATER RESOURCES - Sarah Salomon

Ms. Salomon stated a drain tile survey will be required to show any existing drain tiles and to make sure the property is protected from damage tiles.

She noted there is a large area of impervious proposed. She pointed out they should include the post and the piers as impervious. Ms. Salomon recommended they recalculate the impervious to include the posts and piers if they have not already done so. Stormwater detention could be required, if the exceptions are not met.

Ms. Salomon stated if there are wetlands on the property, additional requirements may be required. Based on the size of the project, a stormwater management permit will be required.

MCDOT - Ray Beets

Mr. Beets had no comments. The project would fall under IDOT's jurisdiction.

PLANNING and ZONING - Darrell Moore

Mr. Moore reviewed the zoning requirements.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH - Jeff Levato

Mr. Levato had no comments.

BUILDING - Adam Wallen

Mr. Wallen noted the 16-foot road is shown. He stated the clear space needs to be not less than 20 feet. The fire apparatus access path, is required to be 20 feet clear from the entry point to the inverter box.

Mr. Wallen noted the County enforces the International Fire Code, but the Harvard Fire District will have their own adoption of the code. In discussions with the Fire Marshal's, the 20 foot clear up to the inverter box is standard. Beyond the inverter box they want circulation for the ambulances and brush trucks. The access path should have a clear space that goes around the installation. The clear width of that road shall be coordinated with the Harvard Fire District.

Motion by Mr. Wallen, seconded by Mr. Beets to approve the site plan subject to addressing the comments made today. All members voted aye, motion passed.

C. VonBergen-ConditionalUsePermittoAllowforIntensiveAgritourism-Petition #18-036

Present on behalf of the Conditional Use Permit were: Mike VonBergen, owner

Terry McKenna, attorney

Mr. McKenna explained they are requesting a renewal of a conditional use permit that was issued in 1988 to allow a farm stand operation. He noted they are proceeding under the UDO as intensive agriculture because in addition to the other activities, there are gift shop which items. The original use permit was issued for 13 acres, and the UDO requires 20 acres so we are increasing the size of the property that is subject to the petition to meet the requirements.

STORMWATER - Sarah Salomon

Ms. Salomon stated she had no comments.

MCDOT - Ray Beets

no comments.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH - Jeff Levato

Mr. Levato asked about the well. It was noted there are two wells on the property. Mr. Levato was shown where the second well was. Mr. Levato stated that the second well should be shown on the site plan.

Mr. Levato mentioned they were not on a non-community water supply. He stated if they have restrooms open to the public, and if they are open more than 60 days a year, they should be part of the non-community water program. This will include well testing. The system should be chlorinated at the start of year, flushed out and tested before opening. Mr. Levato will follow up and send them information on the non-community program.

PLANNING and Zoning - Darrell Moore

Mr. Moore asked which areas are open to the public and which areas are not. Some areas, in particular the area around the house, are outside of the conditional use. Uses will be limited in these areas to UDO requirements for farm stands. There are no parking standards for this type of use. It was noted there are three signs on the site plan. One is permanent and two other two will be for the season.

BUILDING - Adam Wallen

Mr. Wallen stated they are in compliance as of today. He asked about the number of employees and customers on peak and low days

It was noted four employees on the weekdays and maybe six to eight in the fall. During peak times, there could be twelve to fourteen employees on the weekends.

Mr. Wallen mentioned the concern is the toilet rooms. He said he wold like to go on a site visit in advance of the hearing to see what is on site. This may also impact some of the comments from the building division.

Mr. Wallen stated a lot of the buildings on the property are permitted as agriculturally exempt which were never inspected. Any future expansions are required to follow the International Building Code, and they will fall under commercial codes. He pointed out that an architect is going to be required if building permits are applied for. He stated he cannot give approval, at this point, for the site plan because he needs more information.

Mr. Levato told Mr. Wallen he will have someone from the Health Department accompany him on the site visit.

Motion by Mr. Wallen, seconded by Mr. Beets to accept the site plan on the condition that with the understanding that an updated site plan may be required after the site visit by Mr. Wallen and the Health Department. All members vote aye, motion passed.

V. STATUSUPDATE

Mr. Moore stated One Energy made an update and it looked good.

VI. MEMBER COMMENTS

Mr. Moore informed the Committee he was leaving the employee of the county and going to the City of Woodstock.

VII. ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Mr. Wallen, seconded by Mr. Levato to adjourn. All members voted aye, motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 10:05 a.m.

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