McHenry Times

City of Harvard Planning and Zoning Commission Met Feb. 2.

Here is the minutes provided by the commission:

Chairman Carbonetti called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. City Clerk Moller called roll to establish a quorum. Commission members present: Tom Condon, Mike Grieshop and Jim Hutchinson. Commissioner Ian McCafferty was absent. Also present were Alderwoman Lisa Haderlein, Alderman Gorman, Alderman Perkins and Community Development Director Santeler.

Public Comment

Chairman Carbonetti opened the floor to public comment. There was none.

Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes of December 1, 2020 – Approved 

A motion was made by Commissioner Grieshop, seconded by Commissioner Condon to accept the minutes of the Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting of December 1, 2020. All ayes. Motion carried.

B&V Grant Highway LLC Conditional Use Petition – Airport Plaza

Chairman Carbonetti opened the hearing in the petition of B&V Grant Highway LLC. The petitioner is seeking a conditional use to operate outdoor storage and mini storage units pursuant to Table 8-1, General Use Regulations of the Unified Development Ordinance.

Subject property is located in Dunham Township and commonly known as Lot 4 in Airport Plaza which is located on the southwest corner of Airport Rd. & South Division St.

PIN 06-02-251-059; 06-02-251-061

The parties of interest in the petition were present. The Notice of Hearing was published per statutory requirements in the Northwest Herald. The Certificate of Publication, completed petition and staff report were entered into the record. Certified notices were sent to property owners within 250’ of the subject property relative to the requested conditional use.

Presentation of Evidence by Petitioners

Upon being sworn in, Corey Brackman, 838 Geraldine Court, Marengo, IL 60152 presented the petition for a conditional use to operate outside storage and mini storage units. The petitioner purchased Lot 4 in the Airport Plaza Subdivision. They have a Letter of Intent from Dunkin Donuts to go in the northeast single-story building and are planning a future strip mall when they get tenants. They would like to use the remainder of the property for self-storage units and outdoor storage in the back for RV’s and trailers. There is about 58,000 sq. ft. of storage space; the petitioner anticipates about ½ to be climate controlled with the other ½ to be cold storage. It will be fully fenced with an automatic gate. Landscaping will be done per City ordinance. The petitioners are not seeking relief from any of the City’s current codes.

Questions/Discussion by Planning and Zoning Commissioners to Petitioners

Chairman Carbonetti opened the floor to questions or comments from the Commissioners.

Commissioner Grieshop directed several questions to the petitioner:

• The petitioner confirmed that the red outline depicted on the concept plan was the fence line. They propose to use the back side of the building on the east side by the road as fence and then bring the fence all the way around. They would like to use a wrought iron/decorative aluminum type fence along the roads and chain link in the back but that would be determined by the City.

• The petitioner indicated there are existing water detention ponds that will also serve their site, one to the south (by Walgreens) and the other west of the outdoor storage area.

• They envision putting in an on-site office at the end of the first building in the proposed strip mall. 

• Signage has yet to be determined and they will come before the City if additional relief from the sign ordinance is needed.

• The petitioner clarified the number designations for Lot 4: 4.1 is for the Dunkin Donuts, 4.2 is for the strip mall and 4.3 is for the storage units.

Commissioner Grieshop felt the proposed use was a need in the community and seems to be an appropriate use of the property and a much better use of the property than what used to be there.

Commissioner Carbonetti noted there is only one other location in the City that has climate control storage.

Commissioners Condon and Hutchinson concurred and were in support of the project which they felt was well planned and thought out.

Identification of Objectors/Supporters/Witnesses/Audience Participation

There were no objectors in attendance.

Alderwoman Haderlein inquired if the existing stormwater detention areas were sized to have effectively 100% of the rest of the property paved. Community Development Director Santeler confirmed that was correct and noted that the reason there are two ponds is that the property actually borders two waterways. No additional engineering is needed on this site in regards to stormwater. With respect to landscaping and fencing, Community Development Director Santeler referenced the fencing/landscaping at McDonalds and noted that is part of the new UDO to have it visually attractive from the street. The fencing that closes in the whole place may need to be dolled up a couple notches.

Staff Report

Chairman Carbonetti asked Community Development Santeler if he had anything to add to his staff report. Steve said the storage units as proposed on the drawing are just a picture and the petitioner will have to come back in and lay it out. Steve will also have a conversation with the Fire Dept. as far as the width of the aisles and turning radius.

Alderwoman Haderlein inquired about the deed restrictions as mentioned at the City Council meeting when the resubdivision of Lot 4 was approved. Community Development Santeler reviewed the restrictions which were pretty generic as to the types of businesses that cannot be placed on the balance of the site, i.e. no pharmacies, no adult stores or other questionable businesses.

Vote on Petition

A motion was made by Commissioner Condon, seconded by Commissioner Grieshop to recommend to the City Council to approve the petitioner’s request for a conditional use as presented. Roll call vote: Condon, aye; Grieshop, aye; Hutchinson, aye and Carbonetti, aye. Motion approved four to zero.

At 7:17 pm, a motion was made by Commissioner Grieshop, seconded by Commissioner Condon to close the hearing. All ayes. Motion carried.

Clerk’s Report

The McHenry County Clerk is currently in the process of sending out e-mails for the electronic submission of Economic Interest Statements. The filing deadline is May 1st.

Chairman’s Report

No report.

At 7:20 pm, a motion was made by Commissioner Condon, seconded by Commissioner Grieshop adjourn the meeting. All ayes. Motion carried.

https://www.cityofharvard.org/sites/default/files/fileattachments/parks_and_recreation_board/meeting/14110/planningzoningminutes2021-02-02.pdf