McHenry Times

City of Harvard Community & Economic Development Committee met July 12.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Chairman Dan Carncross called the meeting to order. City Administrator Leone called roll. Committee members present: Chairman Dan Carncross, Alderman Jay Schulz, Alderwoman Lori Lancaster and Alderwoman Rosa Luna. Also present were Mayor Michael Kelly, Alderman Charles Gorman, City Administrator Lou Leone, Community Development Director Donovan Day and Charles Eldredge.

Public Comment 

None

Economic Development Update 

Donovan updated the Committee on the following residential and commercial projects: 

• Chevy has submitted plans for a 60,000 sq. ft. addition (6 new bays) to accommodate charging/maintenance of electric vehicles.

• Building plans have been received for 40 homes in Turtle Crossing (38 duplex, 2 single family). 

• Dunkin Donuts broke ground this week. At Alderman Schulz’ inquiry, Donovan will check to see if the electric that runs along the back of the building to the right will be removed. 

• Tom Johnson previously received a loan for his business on S. Ayer St. and he is looking for another loan to put in a commercial kitchen that would be rented out caterers, bakers, etc.

Charles Eldredge discussed the status of the following development projects:

• He has been in touch with an organization called MxD which is a public/private partnership. The private parts are most of the largest manufacturers of manufacturing equipment in the world. The public part is the Department of Defense which is a not-for-profit headquartered in Chicago that has two purposes: 1) help manufacturers retrofit older equipment and 2) train workforce for advance manufacturing. They are talking about a satellite location which might be located in Harvard to do both of those things. Down the road they expect to start conversing with the college and District 50 on a workforce component. They have discussed the possibility of bringing the engineering departments of both the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana and Northern into the mix for the facility they are contemplating. This is in a very early stage.

• The tenant at the Motorola building advised him that they have started some manufacturing. Alderman Schulz inquired when the existing NDA would end and if they have received an occupancy permit. City Administrator Leone indicated that the facility isn’t fully operational yet; the tenant will apply for an occupancy permit once the fire suppression system is complete and approved. He further clarified that the tenant moved one of their production lines from their old location and will only be doing a test run, not full production. Mayor Kelly commented that the name of the company is public knowledge, but related that the NDA covers things that were disclosed that are proprietary to their business. The company plans on issuing a press release within the next month or two. They will also be doing a special tour in the next few weeks for state, local officials, City Council and the press. Aldermen Gorman and Carncross recommended additional discussion at another meeting on the parameters and communication for future NDA’s.

• A preliminary site study has been completed and is being evaluated with regard to the possibility of acquiring/expanding the airport. The crucial thing to be determined over the next couple of months is whether key pieces of land can be achieved and whether financing can be arranged.

• The City has been involved in conversations with a tax credit workforce housing organization which is aimed at people that have jobs but simply can’t afford single family houses in McHenry County. Several parcels have been identified within the City that will score well.

• The Design Coach purchased the Rummage Room building on Ayer St. and is planning extensive renovation.

• PetDine is talking about further expansion possibly in 2025.

• Sullivan’s Foods chain, including the Harvard location, has been sold with a closing in August. 

• Mayor Kelly reported on a meeting with a manufacturing association in McHenry County which is basically a consortium that collects resumes from the workforce which are available to members. There is no fee and the Mayor recommends that the City join the consortium.

• The City met with representatives from Congressman LaHood’s office to discuss the City’s wants and needs including workforce housing, funding opportunities and infrastructure. Charlie met with various state representatives/officials over the last month and spoke to them about Harvard. 

• The City is looking into municipal internet to provide services.

• The University of Illinois Extension has sent in a grant application to the Department of Energy to harden the electric grid particularly for the city, schools and hospitals so our system would be better capable of withstanding storms. This is a very large project in the early stages, and if it transpires, will probably be a 10-15 year project.

Planning and Zoning Commission Recommendations 

Chancelight, Inc. & Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church Conditional Use Alternative Education Program The petitioners were in attendance and gave an overview of their petition for a conditional use pursuant to Table 8-1 of the UDO to utilize the second story classrooms at Trinity Lutheran Church, 505 E. Blackman St., for an alternative education program for students with emotional and behavior disabilities. • Vicki Larson, Asst. Supt. CUSD 50, gave an overview of the petition and related the school district’s obligation to support all students who reside in the community. There are students who need a smaller setting whether it’s for academic, social emotional or behavioral reasons. Currently that type of facility is not available in Harvard to support our families and some of these students are sent to different school districts and facilities that are up to 2 hours away. The school’s goal is to bring students to our community so that they’re part of the Hornet family and their families are part of the school community. This led the school district to partner with Chancelight.

• Anthony Stefani, Chancelight Inc., related that they looked at several properties in conjunction with the school district and Trinity Lutheran Church was the best fit due to the setup where they can lease out the entire floor which will be split out into 3 classrooms.

City Administrator Leone reported that the petitioners presented their petition to the Planning and Zoning Commission last evening. As far as public opinion, there was one objection to the petition and one individual that wanted clarity. The Commission unanimously recommended that the petitioner’s request for a conditional use be approved as presented.

The petitioners were asked various questions by the Committee:

• Mayor Kelly inquired if District 50 teachers would be conducting education or Chancelight. Vicki related that Chancelight will recruit the teachers as they are specially trained for students who need to be in an alternative setting. The teachers would work for Chancelight under contract with the district. The space will accommodate all the students that are currently being transported.

• At Alderman Schulz’ inquiry, Melissa Guyman Sell, CFO, CUSD 50 indicated that the contract is good for up to 5 years.

• At Alderman Carncross’ inquiry, Vicki indicated that the school would collaborate with Chancelight to make sure students are on the same pace as the rest of students in Harvard. The program is individualized based on the student’s needs. Some students might be short term, while others would be long term. There is also room for future growth at the church.

A motion was made by Alderman Schulz, seconded by Alderwoman Lancaster to recommend to the City Council that the petition for a conditional use be approved. All ayes. Motion carried.

Richard Karolczak Rezone Property on Airport Rd.

Donovan reported that the petitioner is looking to sell the property which is zoned R-1 Large Lot Residential District and is seeking a zoning map amendment to reclassify the property B-2 General Business District. The property is located on Airport Road between Division St. and Marengo Rd. Most of the surrounding property is zoned B-2. City Administrator Leone reported that the petitioner presented his petition to the Planning and Zoning Commission last evening. There were no objectors. The Commission unanimously recommended that the petitioner’s request for rezoning be approved as presented.

A motion was made by Alderman Schulz, seconded by Alderman Carncross to recommend to the City Council that the petition be approved to rezone the subject property to B-2. All ayes. Motion carried.

City of Harvard Text Amendments

Community Development Director and City Administrator Leone reviewed the three proposed text amendments to the Harvard Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) as presented to the Planning and Zoning Commission. The Commission recommended approval of the text amendments.

1. Amend Section 12.9.D.i of the UDO relating to Homeowner Associations’. The proposed amendment provides for responsibilities and requirements for maintaining common areas. Donovan and Charlie Eldredge related that the same provisions were added to the McHenry County UDO.

After discussion, a motion was made by Alderman Carncross, seconded by Alderwoman Lancaster to recommend to the City Council approval of the text amendment as recommended by the Commission. All ayes. Motion carried.

2. Amend Sections 2.3, Definition of General Terms, and 8.2, Use Matrix, of the UDO to include cannabis related business. The City previously passed an ordinance establishing tax regulations should the City get a dispensary or other cannabis related business, but the uses were not added to the UDO Use Matrix. The initial memo before the Planning and Zoning Commission showed cannabis dispensary and the cultivation center as permitted uses and craft grower as a conditional use. The Commission recommended that all the proposed uses be conditional.

A motion was made by Alderman Schulz, seconded by Alderman Carncross to recommend to the City Council approval of the text amendment as recommended by the Commission. All ayes. Motion carried.

3. Amend Sections 2.3, Definition of General Terms, and 8.2, Use Matrix, of the UDO to include firearms and ammunition sales, indoor and outdoor gun range and gunsmith. The City has been approached by a firearms retailer expressing interest in opening a retail location in Harvard. The Commission recommends approval of the text amendment as presented and for the proposed uses be conditional.

A motion was made by Alderman Carncross, seconded by Alderwoman Luna to recommend to the City Council approval of the text amendment as recommended by the Commission. All ayes. Motion carried.

New Business 

• City Administrator Leone commented that a lot of things are starting to take off in the Community Development Dept. He commended Donovan and Anne on a phenomenal job. Donovan related his open door policy in the community and concierge service that businesses and developers deserve. He noted that Anne is great to work with and is a wealth of knowledge. Internally, they would like to take the façade program up to $50,000 and expand the program to include indoors to help with build outs and things like that possibly adding on a percentage that is paid back to the City that could be used to help additional businesses. The Committee discussed continuing to help the community’s small businesses while still building the town out with bigger corporate entities.

• Donovan reported they took some developers to tour the office floors of the former Motorola facility. 

• Donovan is still working on a business contact list and will start sending out monthly or quarterly newsletters. Alderman Carncross suggested that when complete, the business directory be added to the City website. City Administrator Leone would like to put funds aside during next budget cycle to update the City website. Aldermen Carncross and Schulz concurred with the importance of investing in an up-to-date website and suggested discussion at a Committee of the Whole Meeting. Donovan related they recently engaged with the GIS specialist that works for Trotter to discuss the various layers that the City wants.

• City Administrator Leone related that he, Donovan and the Mayor met with Naturally McHenry County to discuss joining their organization. This would provide access to their version of Placer.ai which is a traffic analytics platform that provides traffic flow/demographic data that will allow the City to assist business owners with their marketing.

• City Administrator Leone related that the City has contracted with Christopher Burke Engineering to conduct a three weekend traffic study.

• City Administrator Leone reported that the staff has been sharing ideas on how to draw people to our community during the department head meetings.

• Alderman Gorman referred to the tasks assigned to the Community & Economic Development Committee at the Committee of the Whole Meeting regarding the Strategic Vision and recommended meeting more frequently. City Administrator Leone is working to schedule a new Strategic Vision Workshop this fall and will be sending out an email for available dates.

• Mayor Kelly commented that the City is trying to become much more data driven than in the past; staff has been tasked to begin collecting data that can be used when making decisions.

A motion was made by Schulz, seconded by Alderman Carncross to adjourn the meeting. All ayes. Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 8 pm.

https://www.cityofharvard.org/sites/default/files/fileattachments/community_development_committee/meeting/14808/minutescommunityeconomicdevelopment2023-07-12.pdf