McHenry Times

City of Harvard Planning & Zoning Commission met Sept. 2

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

Chairman Grieshop called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. City Clerk Logan called roll to establish a quorum. Commission members present: Mike Grieshop, J Albertson, Steve Creviston, Paul Hereley, Joshua Licht, and Hector Sandoval. Elvis Patnaude was absent. A quorum was present. Also present were Interim City Administrator Deb Bejot and Code Enforcement Officer Anne Nutley.

Public Comment

None.

Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes of August 5, 2025 – Approved Amotion was made by Commissioner Licht, seconded by Commissioner Hereley to accept the minutes of the Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting ofAugust 5, 2025, as presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

Open Hearing – Bernard Stott & Megann Stott

Charman Grieshop called to order the scheduled hearing for Bernard and Megann Stott, and the Frank Leonard Revocable Trust (Nancy Leonard and Terry Leonard, Trustees), property owners of 37 and 39 North Ayer Street, Harvard, IL (PINs: 01-35-411-009 and 01-35-411-010). The applicants are seeking a Conditional Use under Section 14.3 of the Harvard Unified Development Ordinance to permit the rental of two apartments in each building, located above the first-floor commercial use in the B-1-RC District.

The Chair confirmed with Clerk Logan that all required public notices were published in the Northwest Herald, certified mailings were sent to property owners within 250 feet of the subject properties, and the certificate of publication, petition, and staff report were entered into the record.

Staff Report

Report submitted.

Presentation of Evidence by Petitioners

Bernard Stott, residing at 6690 Wheat Road, Rockton, IL, was sworn in and provided testimony. Mr. Stott stated he is a lifelong Harvard resident with approximately 10 years of experience in real estate investment.

He and his wife are interested in purchasing the two subject properties but indicated that removing the current ordinance restriction is necessary to make the investment financially feasible. He noted that income from the upstairs apartments would constitute more than half of the total projected revenue.

Mr. Stott further stated that in 2015, the current property owners received approval for one apartment to be used by an employee, and that two additional apartments in the same building remain intact but unoccupied due to the ordinance. The second building requires more extensive renovations; however, the applicants intend to fully renovate both structures, interior and exterior, if approval is granted. He also mentioned discussing possible financial assistance programs with a Code Enforcement Officer Nutley

Discussion/Questions by Planning and Zoning Commissioners

Commissioners asked about the occupancy history of the apartments. Mr. Stott stated that one apartment is currently occupied, while the remaining units in the south building have been vacant for approximately 15 years. The apartments in the north building have been unoccupied for an estimated 40 or more years. He confirmed that all necessary building improvements would be addressed, including mechanical systems and a new roof for the north building. He noted that the south building already has a new roof installed by his company.

In response to a question regarding parking, Mr. Stott indicated that they intend to coordinate with nearby businesses that have underutilized parking lots to secure tenant parking through a pass system. Chairman Grieshop clarified that, as of 2020, the City eliminated parking requirements for residential units in the downtown district, making tenants responsible for securing legal parking, rather than requiring landlords to provide dedicated spaces.

When asked about the number of proposed units, Mr. Stott confirmed they are requesting approval for four apartments in total—two in each building. He also noted that both buildings have shared interior hallways with access points from both the street and the rear alley.

Public Comment

None.

Vote on Petition Amotion was made by Commissioner Hereley, seconded by Commissioner Albertson to recommend to the City Council to approve the conditional use permit pursuant to Section 14.3 of the Harvard Unified Development Ordinance, allowing to rent two (2) apartments inn each building located above the first floor business in the B-1 -RC District at the property commonly known as 37 N. Ayer and 39 N. Ayer St. Harvard, IL 60033. Roll call vote: Grieshop, aye; Albertson, aye; Creviston, aye; Hereley, aye; Licht, aye; and Sandoval, aye. All ayes. Motion carried.

Clerk's Report

Clerk Logan reported that the next City Council meeting would be held on September 23, and the next Planning and Zoning Commission meeting would be held on October 7.

Chairman’s Report

No report.

At 7:14 pm, a motion was made byCommissioner Creviston, seconded by Commissioner Licht to close the hearing. All ayes. Motion carried.

https://www.cityofharvard.org/media/26636