McHenry Times

City of McHenry Planning and Zoning Commission met Oct. 23

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

Call to Order: Chairwoman Rockweiler called the October 23, 2024, regular meeting of the City of McHenry Planning and Zoning Commission to order at 5:30 p.m. In attendance were the following: Commissioners Locke, Rockweiler, Riley, Bremer, Gleason, Lehman, and Beattie. Also in attendance were City Planner Cody Sheriff, Director of Community Development Ross Polerecky, and City Clerk Trisha Ramel who was in for Deputy Clerk, Monte Johnson’s absence.

Approval of the Agenda:

Members of the Commission unanimously approved the agenda via voice vote.

Public Input: There was no public input at this time.

File No. Z-2024-17

Petitioner: Petitioner: 1860 Richmond Road LLC. Et Al.

A request for a Use Variance to allow an expansion of the existing self-storage facility/miniwarehouse at 1860 N Richmond Road.

Chairwoman Rockweiler opened the file at 5:30 p.m. Petitioner was present and complied with public notice requirements. Chairwoman Rockweiler swore in Petitioner Steven Schwartz. He was here today for use expansion and helped facilitate the out-lot with Popeyes etc. He was very proud of the development and the building and the climate control at the storage facility done quite well and wanted to take the opportunity to expand.

Steven also walked through a presentation for ExtraSpace Storage. Included the existing acres that were available as well. The overall shopping center was presented along with the rest of the details. Additional climate control was outlined with the proposed expansion and the future components were outlined during the presentation. The portable high-quality connected units were displayed during the presentation, they will help keep out the weather as well. Elevations of the out-lot were also shared.

City Planner Sheriff gave the staff report remarking that it was consistent with the current comprehensive plan, will not affect the parking. Storage facilities generally have a low traffic use, overall it could not alter local character since it is already an existing storage facility.

Also noted by the petitioner there will be no trucks. 

Chairwoman Rockweiler asked if there were questions: Commissioner Locke wanted to know if it just extra spaced owned by the petitioner and it was confirmed. 54 parking spaces may be a little much that Commissioner Locke mentioned, wanted to understand the future expansion. The petitioner explained the use and where once again in the documentation. He also asked what the current occupancy is at it was confirmed that it is over 90% full.

Commissioner Riley wanted to know from the City Planner Sheriff that there is a flow to the traffic, it may help with more direction of cars.

Chairwoman Rockweiler opened the public hearing at 5:46 p.m. With nobody represented to speak it was closed at 5:46 p.m.

Planning Commission discussion: Commissioner Riley likes the idea as well as Commissioner Beattie did not have any issues with it. Commissioner Gleason, Commissioner Bremer and Locke all agreed.

The only point was the parking per the previous statement that Commissioner Locke had noted above.

A motion was made by Commissioner Gleason and seconded by Commissioner Bremer to recommend approval of the Petitioner’s request for a Use Variance to allow an expansion of the existing self-storage facility/mini-warehouse at 1860 N Richmond Road.

Roll Call vote: 7-ayes: Gleason, Bremer, Rockweiler, Locke, Lehman, Beattie. Motion carried.

File No. Z-2024-17 was closed at 5:47

File No. Z-2024-19

Petitioner: City of McHenry

A Public Hearing for consideration of approval of a new Comprehensive Plan (Titled: “City of McHenry Vision 2050 Comprehensive Plan”) & Downtown Plan (Titled: “City of McHenry Vision 2050 Downtown Plan”) in accordance with the City of McHenry Zoning Ordinance.

Chairwoman Rockweiler opened the file at 5:48 p.m.

Chairwoman Rockweiler opened the Public Hearing at 6:29 p.m.

Chairwoman Rockweiler swore in RJ Fitzgerald. Read through the plan and was very surprise about it. Traffic safety and road safety may need to have more solutions. Concerned about the intersections and speeding. The middle housing is also a concern because it is missing as well.

Chairwoman Rockweiler closed the public hearing at 6:32 PM

The petitioners stood before the council entitled Vision 2050/ Comprehensive Plan & Downtown Pan, and talked about a lasting legacy of what The City could look like in the future. This can help guide staff on the vision, which can also be used to achieve the plan as a staff etc.

5 phases were shared with the commissioners that did start last August, the Downtown Plan was covered as well.

City Wide Plan Area Opportunities: Zoning update, Commercial Redevelopment, Mobility Improvements.

Constraints: aging population, housing affordability, lack of housing diversity, and auto dependence were also outlined.

Downtown Plan Area overview included:

Opportunities for economic development, trail connections, neighborhood character, access to open spaces, and planned improvements.

Constraints: traffic and parking, pedestrian Bike/Access, Major Infrastructure.

Community Engagement: A total of about 2,899+ people were involved in the engagement. They were reached through pop-up events, surveys, newspapers, city social media, flyers, and more. 

An engagement snapshot by age distribution was also shared with the commissioners to explain the population age and the project engagement delta.

There was also a design workshop to help the community see what development types or ideas can be used, not just in a particular site.

Community engagement themes: small town character, multi-generational, family orientation, connected, fiscally responsible. This is how the visions for The City and Downtown were created.

Recommendations and steps were also outlined on page 100 where the matrix of these was listed for the commissioners to view which will also tie into the funding strategy as well.

1) Land Development Framework (character types)

2) Mobility Framework (road types/design function)

3) Annexation Priorities building from inside of the city outwards

Community Engagement Themes were discussed following the strategies for those were also outlined in the packet for the Commissioners to view.

Fiscally responsibility was a main concern, to do so looking at the existing infrastructure was explained and how that can help expand the future as this was also feedback from residents the petitioner had engaged with.

The presentation concluded when the Petitioners asked if there were any questions from the Commissioners.

Per the City Planner Sheriff stated that he is proud of the plan that has been presented, which outlines a clear picture of where to go. People want to walk and bike places which was a big mention from residents. Investment in other areas of the community such as the West side of town was also touched upon and was very happy how this plan turned out.

Commissioner Locke wanted to know what the next step would be with zoning. It was confirmed by Director Polerecky that the comprehensive plan would go first, and then explained to the Commissioners the next steps within the process.

Chairwoman Rockweiler stated this is impressive and likes the people-orientated approach to walking. Likes the weekend tourism ideas as well. The sections on loans and grants allow it to be a plan, stating that the work was phenomenal on it.

Commissioner Gleason stated that he likes the plans and is proud of the changes in town and has brought guests here that say it is amazing. 

Commissioner Bremer stated that she likes the idea of walking and getting to any place.

Commissioner Beattie agrees with the walking everywhere and having a plan to walk or bike.

A motion was made by Commissioner Lehman and seconded by Commissioner Locke to recommend consideration of approval of a new Comprehensive Plan (Titled: “City of McHenry Vision 2050 Comprehensive Plan”) & Downtown Plan (Titled: “City of McHenry Vision 2050 Downtown Plan”) in accordance with the City of McHenry Zoning Ordinance.

Roll Call Vote: 7-ayes-Lehman, Locke, Rockweiler, Gleason, Bremer, Riley, Beattie.

File Z-2024-19 was closed at: 6:32 p.m.

Staff Report: City Planner Sheriff announced the next meeting date of November 20, 2024.

Adjourn: A motion was made by Commissioner Lehman and seconded by Commissioner Locke to adjourn the meeting at 6:35 p.m. Voice vote: 7-ayes: Lehman, Locke, Rockweiler, Gleason, Bremer, Riley, Beattie. Motion carried.

https://cms8.revize.com/revize/mchenryil/Document_Center/BoardDocs/Planning%20&%20Zoning/Trisha%20PZ%20meeting%20final%20minutes%2010.23.24.pdf