Grundy Reporter

Village of Minooka Village Board met Sept. 12.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

1. CALL TO ORDER

Tuesday, September 12, 2023

Meeting was called to order by Chairman Dan Friant at 6:00 PM

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Pledge of allegiance was led by Chairman Dan Friant

3. ROLL CALL

Present: Chairman Dan Friant, Commissioners Casey McCollom, Bob White, and Dan Wittenkeller

Absent: Commissioners DeDe Clennon, Mark Skwarczynski, Bob Wilson

Also Present: Community Development Officer Jeff Lind, Deputy Clerk Jessica Harvey, and Village Attorney Haley Peters

4. REVIEW OF PREVIOUS PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES

Motion was made by Commissioner McCollom to approve the July 11, 2023 Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting Minutes.

Commissioner White seconds.

Ayes: McCollom, White, Wittenkeller, Friant

Nays: None

Abstain: None

Absent: Clennon, Skwarczynski, Wilson

Motion carried.

5. BRIEFING ON VILLAGE UPCOMING AGENDA ITEMS

Community Development Officer Lind notified the Commission that there will be an October meeting. At this time staff are aware of a solar company that would like to request the annexation of property on the north side of Minooka.

6. OLD BUSINESS

None.

7. NEW BUSINESS

A. Public Hearing on whether to amend the Minooka Zoning Ordinance as follows:

To Amend Title 5, Chapter 8, Section 5-8-3 of the Minooka Zoning Ordinance to remove railroad rights of way and passenger stations as a permitted use in the M1 Manufacturing District.

To Amend Title 5, Chapter 8, Section 5-8-4 of the Minooka Zoning Ordinance to remove air or rail terminals, and railroad switching and classification yards as a permitted use in the M2 Manufacturing District and authorize air or rail intermodal terminals, rail spurs, railroad

switching and classification yards, railroad rights of way and passenger stations as conditional permitted uses in the M2 Manufacturing District

Motion was made by Commissioner McCollom to open the Public Hearing.

Commissioner White seconds.

Ayes: McCollom, White, Wittenkeller, Friant

Nays: None

Abstain: None

Absent: Clennon, Skwarczynski, Wilson

Motion carried. Public Hearing opened at 6:05 PM.

Public Notice was published on August 23, 2023 in the Morris Herald News and Joliet Herald News and on August 24, 2023 in the Kendall County Record.

Community Development Officer Lind and Attorney Peters provided an overview that staff are working with legal to clean up ordinances to align more with the Village's Comprehensive Plan. The proposed zoning code amendment will remove railroad rights of way and passenger stations as a permitted use in M1 Manufacturing and authorize it as a conditional permitted use in M2 Manufacturing. It will also remove air or rail terminals, railroad switching and classification yards as a permitted use in the M2 Manufacturing District and authorize air or rail intermodal terminals, rail spurs, railroad switching and classification yards as conditional permitted uses in the M2 Manufacturing District. Requiring a conditional permitted use will give the Planning and Zoning Commission and Village Board more oversight.

Chairman Friant asked if there were any questions or comments. None were received.

Motion was made by Commissioner McCollom to close the Public Hearing on whether to amend the Minooka Zoning Ordinance as follows:

To Amend Title 5, Chapter 8, Section 5-8-3 of the Minooka Zoning Ordinance to remove railroad rights of way and passenger stations as a permitted use in the M1 Manufacturing District.

And to Amend Title 5, Chapter 8, Section 5-8-4 of the Minooka Zoning Ordinance to remove air or rail terminals, and railroad switching and classification yards as a permitted use in the M2 Manufacturing District and authorize air or rail intermodal terminals, rail spurs, railroad switching and classification yards, railroad rights of way and passenger stations as conditional permitted uses in the M2 Manufacturing District

Commissioner Wittenkeller seconds.

Ayes: McCollom, White, Wittenkeller, Friant

Nays: None

Abstain: None

Absent: Clennon, Skwarczynski, Wilson

Motion carried. Public Hearing closed at 6:11 PM.

Based on the evidence presented and the reasons set forth in the Planning and Zoning Meeting, Commissioner McCollom motioned to recommend to the Village Board the approval for proposed text amendments to the Minooka Zoning Ordinance as follows:

To Amend Title 5, Chapter 8, Section 5-8-3 of the Minooka Zoning Ordinance to remove railroad rights of way and passenger stations as a permitted use in the M1 Manufacturing District.

To Amend Title 5, Chapter 8, Section 5-8-4 of the Minooka Zoning Ordinance to remove air or rail terminals, and railroad switching and classification yards as a permitted use in the M2 Manufacturing District and authorize air or rail intermodal terminals, rail spurs, railroad switching and classification yards, railroad rights of way and passenger stations as conditional permitted uses in the M2 Manufacturing District pending legal, and final engineering review.

Commissioner White seconds.

Ayes: McCollom, White, Wittenkeller, Friant Nays: None

Abstain: None

Absent: Clennon, Skwarczynski, Wilson

Motion carried. Recommendation sheet attached.

8. AS APPROPRIATE

The Commission asked for an update on Little Learners. Community Development Officer Lind stated he could provide a more detailed update once he spoke with Building Officer Gabe Friend but he was aware Little Learners building progress is behind schedule. The Little Learners sign is in compliance with the Village Code though.

Further inquiries were made regarding Chipotle. Staff is aware they are currently bidding for contractors. The building permit is ready to go but the contractors will need to be registered prior to its release.

The Commission also noted at the new stop sign on Wabena at Wapella that it might be beneficial for the south bound lane to have a left turn lane added for drivers who wish to turn onto Wapella while allowing other southbound traffic to still flow without backing up near the railroad tracks. It is also recommended to have a four way stop at the intersection of Mondamin and Wabena near Cookies Restaurant.

9. PUBLIC COMMENT

Village Resident Keith Crabb approached the Commission for direction on who to speak with regarding Village Code enforcement. He has concerns that several properties in the Summerfield subdivision have fence and pool violations. Mr. Crabb also would like to see speed tables installed. Chairman Friant advised Mr. Crabb to speak with the new Building Commissioner/Zoning Enforcement Officer Gabe Friend and Public Works Superintendent Ryan Anderson; their contact information was provided.

10. ADJOURNMENT

Motion was made by Commissioner White to adjourn the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting. Commissioner Wittenkeller seconds.

Motion carried with all ayes. Meeting adjourned at 6:29 PM.

https://minooka.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2023.09.12-Planning-and-Zoning-Meeting-Minutes-with-Recommendation.pdf