Georgette Vota - Republican, Board Member | Grundy County Website
Georgette Vota - Republican, Board Member | Grundy County Website
Grundy County Zoning Board of Appeals Committee met Sept. 16.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
I. Call to Order/Pledge of Allegiance
| Attendee Name | Title | Status | Arrived |
| Dick Joyce | Present | ||
| Bob Breisch | Absent | ||
| Lisa Lynch | Present | ||
| Mark Hill | Present | ||
| Mark Sandeno | Present | ||
| Ryan Cryder | Present | ||
| Al Skwarczynski | Present | ||
| Heidi Miller | Land Use Director | Present | |
| Alec Macdonald | Director of Development | Present | |
| Mary Kucharz | County Administrator | Present | |
| Beth Skoff | Land Use Assistant | Present |
Kyle Behm-petitioner, Larry Meyer, Amy Sproull, Bill Stahler-Maine Township Road Commissioner, Dennis Wills, Mark Hall, Lindsey Yonker, Tyler Morris-USS Solar, GIna Ancel, Jack Kaps, Mike Walick, Michele Siegel, Susan Juskicwicz, Tim Juskicwicz, Jennifer Carroll, Howard Prichard, Claire Wilson, Michelle Siegel, Ben Sike, Dan Marshall, Ed Kroeger, Jim Luszbetack, Ryan Anderson, Jodi Noner.
II. Approval of Minutes
Minutes approved as published. Dick Joyce moved, Lisa Lynch seconded. Ayes 5-0
1. Zoning Board of Appeals Committee - Public Hearing - Aug 19, 2025 7:00 PM
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Dick Joyce SECONDER: Lisa Lynch AYES: Joyce, Lynch, Hill, Sandeno, Cryder ABSENT: Breisch |
1. 25-ZBA-013 Special Use Permit - GSM HOLDINGS
Vice Chair Skwarczynski asked Alec Macdonald for his statement on 25-ZBA-013 Special Use Permit - GSM HOLDINGS.
Macdonald stated the developer would like the petition to be tabled until Oct 21, 2025 ZBA meeting.
| RESULT: TABLED [5 TO 0] Next: 10/21/2025 7:00 PM
MOVER: Mark Sandeno SECONDER: Lisa Lynch AYES: Joyce, Lynch, Hill, Sandeno, Cryder ABSTAIN: Skwarczynski ABSENT: Breisch |
Vice Chair Skwarczynski asked Alec Macdonald to read summary. Macdonald read summary. Vice Chair Skwarczynski swore in public speaking on this petition. Tyler Morris, USS Solar, spoke on behalf of the owners on this petition. Gina Ancel spoke in opposition, placement of solar panels, sound, water contamination, visual eye sore and submitted a formal letter of objection. Jack Kaps- representing owners, spoke in favor of petition. Mike Walick spoke in opposition based on property value diminishing. Michelle Siegal spoke in opposition and entered in a letter. Public comment closed at 8:35pm.
Lasalle Factors:1.The compatibility with the existing use and zoning of nearby property. Determined that there is no problem when adding another condition to the special use.
2. The extent to which property values of the subject property are diminished by the existing zoning requirement. Voted there is no problem.
3. To the extent to which the proposed amendment promotes a public health, safety, and welfare of the county. Voted there is no problem.
4. The relative gain to the public, as compared to the hardship imposed upon the applicant. Voted there is no problem.
5. The suitability of the subject property for the purpose of which it is presently zoned. Voted 4-1 there is a problem.
6. The length of time that the subject property in question has been vacant, as presently zoned, considered in the context of the development in the area where the property is located. Voted there is no problem.
7. The consistency of the proposed amendment with the Comprehensive Plan, and any adopted land use policies. Voted there is no problem.
8. That the proposed amendment will benefit the needs of the community. Voted there is no problem.
Motion make to make a positive recommendation to Land Use adding more conditions to the special use. 5-0
| RESULT: REFERRED TO COMMITTEE [5 TO 0] Next: 9/24/2025 4:30 PM
MOVER: Dick Joyce SECONDER: Lisa Lynch AYES: Joyce, Lynch, Hill, Sandeno, Cryder ABSENT: Breisch RECUSED: Skwarczynski |
Vice Chair Skwarczynski asked Alec Macdonald to read summary. Macdonald read summary. Vice Chair Skwarczynski swore in public speaking on this petition. Tyler Morris, USS Solar, spoke on behalf of the owners on this petitioner. Susan Juskowoitz, spoke in opposition. Tim Juskowitz spoke in opposition with location, noise and road frontage. Jennifer Carroll spoke in opposition with the location. Public comment closed at 9:19pm. Sandeno and Morris spoke on compromise for the Carroll property, ended with decreasing the amount of panels, making the panels go no farther north the southerly most point of the Carrolls property line approximately 300 ft south of Sherrill Rd.
There were no problems with any of the 8 Lasalle Factors. Motion make to make a positive recommendation to Land Use voted 4-1
| RESULT: REFERRED TO COMMITTEE [4 TO 1] Next: 9/24/2025 4:30 PM
MOVER: Lisa Lynch SECONDER: Mark Hill AYES: Joyce, Lynch, Hill, Sandeno NAYS: Cryder ABSTAIN: Skwarczynski ABSENT: Breisch |
Vice Chair Skwarczynski asked Alec Macdonald to read summary. Macdonald read summary. Vice Chair Skwarczynski swore in public speaking on this petition. Tyler Morris, USS Solar, spoke on behalf of the owners on this petitioner. Howard Pritchard, petitioner spoke in favor of the petition. Claire Wilson spoke representing the Peterson's in objection. Michelle Siegel inquired where to see the packets, Macdonald told her they were available online. Siegel asked who benefits for the solar panels. Public comment closed at 9:54pm. Morris stated Morris High School and Saratoga 60c will beneift as well as a 10% discount in electric to residents who connect to the projects. There were no issues with any of the 8 Lasalle facotrs. ZBA voted 5-0 to send to Land Use with a positive recommendation with conditions as stated.
| RESULT: REFERRED TO COMMITTEE [5 TO 0] Next: 9/24/2025 4:30 PM
MOVER: Lisa Lynch SECONDER: Mark Sandeno AYES: Joyce, Lynch, Hill, Sandeno, Cryder ABSTAIN: Skwarczynski ABSENT: Breisch |
Vice Chair Skwarczynski asked Heidi Miller to read summary. Miller read summary. Vice Chair Skwarczynski swore in public speaking on this petition. Ben Sike spoke for New Leaf on the petition. Jim Luszbetack spoke to have a burm or extra trees to block the solar farm towards his land. Ed Kroger spoke in opposition and about drainage. Public comment closed at 10:19pm. Sike spoke to add more trees to help block Luzbetack's property. Dan Marshall spoke on the drainage of post construction run off. Sandeno suggested to work with someone to address the drainage issue. Miller spoke of the motion lighting not being enough and low level lighting needs to be at entrance. There were no issues with the 8 Lasalle Factors. ZBA voted 5-0 for positive recommendation to Land Use with conditions set forth with addition of a condition for more trees surrounding the subject property.
| RESULT: REFERRED TO COMMITTEE [5 TO 0] Next: 9/24/2025 4:30 PM
MOVER: Lisa Lynch SECONDER: Dick Joyce AYES: Joyce, Lynch, Hill, Sandeno, Cryder ABSTAIN: Skwarczynski ABSENT: Breisch |
Vice Chair Skwarczynski asked Heidi Miller to read summary. Miller read summary. Vice Chair Skwarczynski swore in public speaking on this petition. Ryan Anderson spoke on behalf of the petitioner. Jodi Noner spoke on the sheep grazing process. Lynch and Noner spoke of the care the sheep would be getting. Miller asked about the pollinator blend. Noner stated is a pollinator prairie blend. Noner spoke on guard dogs/guardians, training and shepherds. Anderson asked for clarification on some of the conditions. Miller question the vet location, Anderson stated it would be close. Anderson asked Noner to clarify shelter for the sheep. Kutzarz questioned the extension of the Special Use on the agenda with the sheep grazing modification. Sandendo questioned how may times this petition has been extended. Anderson answered, it has been 3 times. Open comment closed at 11:10pm. There were no problems with any of the 8 Lasalle factors. ZBA voted 5-0 to recommend sheep grazing modification to the Land Use meeting with 31 conditions.
Motion was made to grant extension for 1 year for Gillard Solar, LLC's solar farm. Joyce made a motion to approve the extension for 1 year. Lynch seconds. Voted 5-0 for 1 year extension.
| RESULT: REFERRED TO COMMITTEE [5 TO 0] Next: 9/24/2025 4:30 PM
MOVER: Mark Sandeno SECONDER: Dick Joyce AYES: Joyce, Lynch, Hill, Sandeno, Cryder ABSTAIN: Skwarczynski ABSENT: Breisch |
Vice Chair Skwarczynski asked Land Use Director Heidi Miller for summary. Miller read summary. Vice Chair Skwarczynski sore in public speakers for this petition. Petitioner Kyle Behm presented his case. Ryan Cryder asked about traffic paths. Behm stated instruct visitors to use 3 patterns suggested. Sandeno questioned if Behm would maintain driveway entrance, Behm stated he will maintain entrance. Lynch questioned only having 5 staff members to control parking and security, and liquor being served. Behm stated the 5 are for traffic and security only, once a liquor license has been obtained there will be an option for staff with liquor sales and day of coordinator, the property manager will available to assist. Will have structure and a contract to adhire to. Joyce asked about the rejection of a liquor license, Behm stated would work around. Cryder questioned the sound, Behm stated the sound engineer has a plan for managing the sound, and will be doing a trial sound run prior to first event. Lawrance Meyer spoke in opposition about the roads, noise is an issue, not good for community. Amy Sproull spoke in opposition about noise and parking, questioned how it will be policed. Dennis Wills spoke in opposition. Bill Stahler, Maine Township Road Commissioner, spoke about the road condition getting worse and the number of cars and narrow road, Cryder spoke of traffic on that road being narrow and rough as well. Lynch questioned if there is tax revenue from having the venue. Kucharz stated no revenue for the county. Lindsey Yonker wanted to confirm ZBA received her letter of opposition in writing. Larry Meyer asked for Sheriff Briley to speak. Sheriff Briley spoke in opposition based on his concerns with a different venue creating issues for the Sheriff Department also the road being dark. Behm clarified the parking, road impact study was done, facility will be attended by employees. Closed public comment at 7:55pm.
Lasalle factors
1. The compatibility with the existing use and zoning of nearby property. Voted 4-1 there is a problem.
2. The extent to which property values of the subject property are diminished by the existing zoning requirement. Voted there is no problem.
3. To the extent to which the proposed amendment promotes a public health, safety, and welfare of the county. Voted there is no problem.
4. The relative gain to the public, as compared to the hardship imposed upon the applicant. Voted there is no problem.
5. The suitability of the subject property for the purpose of which it is presently zoned. Voted there is no problem.
6. The length of time that the subject property in question has been vacant, as presently zoned, considered in the context of the development in the area where the property is located. Voted there is no problems.
7. The consistency of the proposed amendment with the Comprehensive Plan, and any adopted land use policies. Voted there is no problem.
8. That the proposed amendment will benefit the needs of the community.
Motion to deny petition at Land Use meeting 5-0.
| RESULT: REFERRED TO COMMITTEE [5 TO 0] Next: 9/24/2025 4:30 PM
MOVER: Mark Sandeno SECONDER: Lisa Lynch AYES: Joyce, Lynch, Hill, Sandeno, Cryder ABSTAIN: Skwarczynski ABSENT: Breisch |
1. Recommendation to the County Board for a Vice Chairman and Chairman of the ZBA
Motion for Chairman nomination
Sandeno nominated Lynch
There were no other nominations
Motion to elect Lisa Lynch to ZBA Chairperson, moved by Sandeno, seconded by Cryder Motion carries 5-0
Motion for Vice Chair
Sandeno nominates Al Skwarcznski
There were no other nomination
Motion to elect Al Skwarcznski for ZBA Vice Chairman, moved by Sandeno, seconded by Lynch Motion carries 5-0
| RESULT: REFERRED TO COMMITTEE [UNANIMOUS] Next: 9/24/2025 4:30 PM
MOVER: Mark Sandeno SECONDER: Ryan Cryder AYES: Joyce, Lynch, Hill, Sandeno, Cryder ABSENT: Breisch |
There was no new business to discuss.
VI. Motion to Adjourn 11:33 pm
Motion to adjourn
Moved by Hill
Seconded by Joyce
5-0, motion passes, adjourned at 11:33pm
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