McHenry Times

McHenry County Zoning Board of Appeal met Feb. 10.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

1. APPLICANT

David Anderson, Contract Purchaser

Andrew and Valerie Klos (Owners of Record)

2. REQUEST:

Conditional Use Permit to allow for an Outdoor Athletic Facility

3. LOCATION AND SIZE OF PROPERTY IN QUESTION:

The subject property consists of approximately 5.78 acres and is located on the east side of Pioneer Road, approximately 1,020 feet south of the intersection of Pioneer Road and Glacial Trail in McHenry Township, Illinois.

4. DATE AND TIME OF HEARING AND VOTING MEETING

February 10, 2022 @ 1:30 PM

5. LOCATION OF HEARING AND VOTING MEETING:

McHenry County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock, Illinois, 60098, County Board Conference Room

6. PRESENT AT HEARING:

A. ZBA Members: Linnea Kooistra - Vice Chair, Kurt Schnable, Vicki Gartner, Donald Smolinski, Jessica Beverly

B. Witness: David Anderson

C: Attorney: None

D. Public: Kim Scharlow - County Staff, Robert McKay, Alan Stilling, Joan Zacharias, Lori Caputo, Victoria McKay

7. ITEMS OF EVIDENCE:

None

8. SUMMARY OF TESTIMONY AT HEARING

Vice Chair Kooistra called the hearing to order, stating that the applicants were before the Board requesting a Conditional Use Permit for an Outdoor Athletic Facility.

David Anderson explained that he currently works at Harrison School District 36 as a PE teacher and with the subject property, he plans to build a training facility for the throwing club that he runs. He noted that this will be the eighth summer running it. He explained that they specifically focus on shot put, discus, hammer and javelin. Mr. Anderson stated that he wanted a place for kids to be able to train and be with other kids that are focused on these track and field events.

Mr. Anderson explained that the primary entrance to the facility would be on Pioneer Road leading to a 90 foot by 100 foot gravel parking area, containing nineteen (19) parking spots and sufficient space for a trailer hauling equipment to turn around. He pointed out that the site would include two (2) shot put rings consisting of ten (10) foot by ten (10) foot cement slabs and a seven (7) foot diameter ring, and extending out to about sixty-five (65) feet covered in sand. The next area would be a grass javelin runway, followed by a discus and hammer ring, which includes fifteen (15)-foot high posts with nets for safety. Other than the gravel parking lot, cement pads, and the walking paths between throwing locations, the rest of the site would remain grass. Mr. Anderson stated that the site would be used for the months of June and July, when they are practicing for their competitions. He noted that the rear half of the parcel would remain as farmland. Mr. Anderson pointed out that there would be no stadiums, lights, tracks or signs, and the site would be used as private field for himself, the coaches, and the athletes.

Ms. Beverly asked the applicant whether he had reached out to any environmental groups in McHenry County with regard to preserving the land around the flood zone on the property by utilizing suitable plants. Mr. Anderson indicated that he had not done that outreach but would like to follow up with them to determine the best plan to protect the wetlands. Ms. Gartner asked if there is any other facility like this, and Mr. Anderson stated that there is only one other that he knows of in Aurora, Illinois. He explained that the kids pay into the program, and all money received goes back into the program to pay for things like uniforms, equipment, entering them into meets, and travel expenses. Mr. Anderson noted that there should never be more than twenty-five (25) people on the property at one time, including athletes and coaches, and training typically takes place between 4:00 PM and 6:30 PM. He addressed the Approval Standards for Conditional Use, noting that he plans to make positive connections with neighbors and keep the property aesthetically pleasing. He mentioned that the proposed use would not impair property values in the area.

Robert McKay, of 5712 Pioneer Road, asked the applicant why they were not seeking out a commercial property for this use. Mr. Anderson stated that it was beneficial to be in a more private, secluded area, rather than being located at a site that is used by other people or adjacent to a neighboring facility. Alan Stilling, of 4302 West Ringwood Road, asked whether they would be anticipating nineteen (19) cars coming to the site at one time. Mr. Anderson indicated that he limits how many kids are entered into the club, and many are brothers and sisters, so there should never be that many cars coming to the site at one time. Joan Zacharias asked how the view of the facility from Pioneer Road would be blocked, and Mr. Anderson explained that there are currently trees on Pioneer Road and he would be agreeable to putting in more trees to help with the aesthetics from the entrance along the road.

Staff noted that the requested Conditional Use Permit supports the text of the 2030 Plan as it would have minimal impact on the objectives to preserve and protect agricultural land, natural resources, and water resources. They noted that the use would not include lighting, spectators, or large amounts of traffic, and it would be considered a relatively minor use.

A few surrounding land owners indicated concern for their property values potentially being affected, as well as introducing a commercial use to the area. Staff explained that the Unified Development Ordinance allows the opportunity for an outdoor athletic facility to be requested as a conditional use in the A-1 District as it may be compatible with agricultural uses.

Lori Caputo stated that she has been working with Mr. Anderson and explained that he is more than willing to put in berms or landscaping. She noted that there are other commercial uses in the vicinity, but she does not believe this proposed use would be disruptive to the surrounding community in terms of real estate costs.

9. SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT REPORT

For further information refer to report number: L21-052-4374

10. ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

The consultation was not required for this petition.

11. SUMMARY OF VOTING MEETING DISCUSSION

Vice Chair Kooistra opened the voting meeting immediately following the hearing and read the proposed conditions:

1. The Conditional Use Permit shall expire ten (10) years from the date of approval by the McHenry County Board.

2. The activities allowed on site as part of the Outdoor Athletic Facility shall be limited to throwing events, such as javelin, hammer, discus and shot-put.

3. If any new structures are proposed in the future, an amendment to the Conditional Use Permit will be required.

4. Written approval from the McHenry Township Road District is required for the proposed access from Pioneer Road.

5. Hours of operation shall be limited to Monday through Friday, from 3:00pm to 7:00pm, during the months of May through August.

6. No competitions, matches, or tournaments shall be held on site.

7. Site development shall be in compliance with the site plan titled Boas Throwing Club, received on December 28, 2021.

8. All other federal, state, and local laws shall be met.

Ms. Gartner made a motion to add a condition stating that there shall be no lights installed on the property. Mr. Smolinski seconded the motion. The motion carried.

Ms. Gartner made a motion to approve the proposed conditions, as amended. Mr. Schnable seconded the motion. The motion carried.

Ms. Gartner made a motion to recommend approval of the request, subject to the approved conditions. Mr. Smolinski seconded the motion. Ms. Gartner stated that she is in favor of the proposed use as it would be preserving farmland and not creating any noise, traffic, or lights, and would likely not affect anyone's property values. The other Board members agreed and were all in favor of the request.

12. FACTS THAT SUPPORT RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF THE REQUEST

1) The Approval Standards for Conditional Use, listed in Section 16.20.040.E of the McHenry County Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), have been met to the satisfaction of the Zoning Board of Appeals.

2) The proposed use will not create lighting, noise, or traffic that would affect neighbors negatively.

13. FACTS THAT SUPPORT RECOMMENDING DENIAL OF THE REQUEST

None

14. MOTION

Made by Vicki Gartner, seconded by Donald Smolinski, to recommend approval of the request for an Outdoor Athletic Facility, subject to the following conditions:

1. The Conditional Use Permit shall expire ten (10) years from the date of approval by the McHenry County Board.

2. The activities allowed on site as part of the Outdoor Athletic Facility shall be limited to throwing events, such as javelin, hammer, discus and shot-put.

3. If any new structures are proposed in the future, an amendment to the Conditional Use Permit will be required.

4. Written approval from the McHenry Township Road District is required for the proposed access from Pioneer Road.

5. Hours of operation shall be limited to Monday through Friday, from 3:00pm to 7:00pm, during the months of May through August.

6. No competitions, matches, or tournaments shall be held on site.

7. Site development shall be in compliance with the site plan titled Boas Throwing Club, received on December 28, 2021.

8. All other federal, state, and local laws shall be met.

9. There shall be no lights installed on the property.

15. VOTE

5 - AYES; 0 - NAYS; 0 - ABSTAIN

Vicki Gartner - Aye

Kurt Schnable - Aye

Donald Smolinski - Aye

Linnea Kooistra - Aye

Jessica Beverly - Aye

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