Kane County County Development Committee discusses SolSmart solar energy program

By Lhalie Castillo

Apr 6, 2017

Kane County County Development Committee met Tuesday, March 21.

Kane County County Development is located at 719 S. Batavia Ave., Geneva, IL.

Here are the minutes as provided by the committee:

KANE COUNTY

COUNTY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2017

County Board Room Minutes 10:30 AM

Kane County Government Center, 719 S. Batavia Ave., Bldg. A, Geneva, IL 60134

1. Call to Order

Chairman Kojzarek called the meeting to order at 10:30 AM.

Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Margaret Auger Board Member Present Theresa Barreiro Board Member Present Brian Dahl Board Member Present Drew Frasz Ex-Officio (Transportation Chairman) Present Michael Kenyon Ex-Officio (Forest Preserve President) Present Bill Lenert Board Member Present John Martin Vice Chair Present Thomas Smith Board Member Present Kurt R. Kojzarek Chairman Present

Also present: Co. Bd. Chairman Lauzen & staff Nagel; Co. Bd. member Molina; Finance staff Ramer- Holmes; Development Dir. VanKerkhoff & staff Berkhout; Auditor Hunt; Environmental/Water Resources Dir. Anderson & staff Wollnik, Linke, Govrik; KDOT staff; OCR Dir. Berger; ITD staff Peters; members of the public.

2. Approval of Minutes: January 17, 2017

RESULT: APPROVED WITH VOICE VOTE [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Brian Dahl, Board Member

SECONDER: John Martin, Vice Chair

AYES: Margaret Auger, Theresa Barreiro, Brian Dahl, Drew Frasz, Michael Kenyon, Bill Lenert, John Martin,

Thomas Smith, Kurt R. Kojzarek

3. Monthly Financials

Monthly financial reports were included in the agenda packet. Finance staff Ramer-Holmes reported there were no FY17 budget concerns at this time. She noted that Fund 435 does have expenditures that are exceeding the budget, and they are working with the Development Director to determine what they are. A budget adjustment resolution will be prepared if needed.

4. Public Comment

Chairman Kojzarek asked that anyone signed up to speak on a Zoning Petition hold their comments until the item comes up on the agenda. There were no speakers on other agenda items.

5. Building & Zoning Division

A revised monthly report was distributed by Dev. Dir. VanKerkhoff. He reported this was the go live date of their new CityView software. He thanked ITD for their hard work on this. He said they received notice that received maximum funding. A full report will be prepared for next month. He reviewed the following Zoning Petitions:

A. Zoning Petitions

1. PETITION NO. 4411: Fred Wise

The petitioner is asking for rezoning from F-District Farming to R-9 District Multiple Family. The ZBA voted to approve. Mr. Thornhill, representing the petitioner, confirmed the petitioner is in agreement with the stipulation added by Water Resources. There are no objectors.

RESULT: MOVED FORWARD BY VOICE VOTE [UNANIMOUS] Next: 3/14/2017 9:45 AM

TO: County Board

MOVER: John Martin, Vice Chair

SECONDER: Michael Kenyon, Ex-Officio (Forest Preserve President)

AYES: Margaret Auger, Theresa Barreiro, Brian Dahl, Drew Frasz, Michael Kenyon, Bill Lenert, John

Martin, Thomas Smith, Kurt R. Kojzarek

2. PETITION NO. 4412: Lind Farm LP

The petitioner is asking for rezoning from F-District Farming to F-1 District Rural Residential. The ZBA recommended approval and there are no objectors.

RESULT: MOVED FORWARD BY VOICE VOTE [UNANIMOUS] Next: 3/14/2017 9:45 AM

TO: County Board

MOVER: Michael Kenyon, Ex-Officio (Forest Preserve President)

SECONDER: Bill Lenert, Board Member

AYES: Margaret Auger, Theresa Barreiro, Brian Dahl, Drew Frasz, Michael Kenyon, Bill Lenert, John

Martin, Thomas Smith, Kurt R. Kojzarek

3. PETITION NO. 4413: David Farm L.P.

The petitioner is requesting rezoning from F-District Farming to F-1 District Rural Residential. The ZBA recommends approval and there are no objectors.

RESULT: MOVED FORWARD BY VOICE VOTE [UNANIMOUS] Next: 3/14/2017 9:45 AM

TO: County Board

MOVER: Michael Kenyon, Ex-Officio (Forest Preserve President)

SECONDER: Margaret Auger, Board Member

AYES: Margaret Auger, Theresa Barreiro, Brian Dahl, Drew Frasz, Michael Kenyon, Bill Lenert, John

Martin, Thomas Smith, Kurt R. Kojzarek

4. PETITION NO. 4414: Stathis L.P.

The petitioner is requesting rezoning from F-District Farming to F-1 District Rural Residential. The ZBA recommends approval and there are no objectors.

RESULT: MOVED FORWARD BY VOICE VOTE [UNANIMOUS] Next: 3/14/2017 9:45 AM

TO: County Board

MOVER: Drew Frasz, Ex-Officio (Transportation Chairman)

SECONDER: Michael Kenyon, Ex-Officio (Forest Preserve President)

AYES: Margaret Auger, Theresa Barreiro, Brian Dahl, Drew Frasz, Michael Kenyon, Bill Lenert, John

Martin, Thomas Smith, Kurt R. Kojzarek

B. Potential Zoning Amendments Regarding Roosters

Referencing a PowerPoint presentation, Dir. VanKerkhoff discussed potential zoning amendments having to do with roosters. He pointed out that roosters are not currently specifically defined in the zoning ordinance. He discussed what other communities are doing, and what potential restrictions the county could put on roosters. McHenry County's policy prohibits roosters in all residential areas. VanKerkhoff suggested looking at how roosters would be treated in the various districts; i.e., farming, estate & residential. They would also need to determine what a reasonable minimum lot size is as well as reasonable distance from other residences. VanKerkhoff indicated that are looking at restricting parcels that are smaller than 5 acres and possibly a minimum of 1,000 feet from neighboring residents. He said this was just the beginning of the process; that he was looking at getting some feedback from the Farm Bureau and that this could come back to the committee with some draft amendments and then to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a formal hearing and input from the public. For the text amendment to actually be implemented in the county code it would come back to the Development and Agriculture Committees and then to the full Board for a vote.

Some discussion followed. Chairman Kojzarek suggested looking at the ordinance McHenry County already has in place as a starting point. VanKerkhoff thought the key was figuring out how to deal with a lot of small lots that are actually in the Farm District without overly restricting having roosters on farm zoned parcels in rural areas. Possibly a combination of lot size and minimum set back could be an option. Martin questioned why we would allow roosters, which he thought would only be needed as part of a commercial operation. Kenyon noted that 4H kids often raise roosters for the county fair. VanKerkhoff said there were a number of scenarios where roosters end up on a residential lot and they do occasionally get complaints about them. Frasz urged caution here as roosters can be very loud and the sound carries a long way. Lenert said he received a complaint in his district from someone who is on 1/3 acre lot. VanKerkhoff stated they were basically talking about parcels smaller than five acres, as parcels five acres or larger are exempt from our Zoning Ordinance for agricultural uses.

C. Request for Variations from Kane County Financial Policies

Referencing information included in the agenda packet, Dir. VanKerkhoff asked the committee's approval of a variation from the county's financial policy so that the County Auditor can reimburse an employee's request of $276.40 for mileage reimbursement in excess of the policy, as well as $75 parking expenses charged to the Development Department's Pcard associated with her vehicle. VanKerkhoff explained that he was unaware of the county's policy that states that where a private auto is used on out-of-town trips, the mileage allowance is not to exceed the related cost of coach airfare. In this case, the coach airfare rate of $269 (not including bags) was less than the mileage reimbursement of $545.40 for the actual miles driven using the employees own vehicle.

RESULT: APPROVED BY VOICE VOTE [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Drew Frasz, Ex-Officio (Transportation Chairman)

SECONDER: Margaret Auger, Board Member

AYES: Margaret Auger, Theresa Barreiro, Brian Dahl, Drew Frasz, Michael Kenyon, Bill Lenert, John

Martin, Thomas Smith, Kurt R. Kojzarek

6. Planning & Special Projects

Dir. VanKerkhoff provided highlights from the monthly reports included in the agenda packet.

7. Subdivision

A. Approving Appointment to Land/Cash Subcommittee

Chairman Kojzarek will be appointed to the Land/Cash Subcommittee, replacing former Board member Brian Pollock. Dir. Anderson noted that a Land/Cash meeting will be held next month prior to the Development Committee meeting

RESULT: APPROVED BY VOICE VOTE [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Bill Lenert, Board Member

SECONDER: Theresa Barreiro, Board Member

AYES: Margaret Auger, Theresa Barreiro, Brian Dahl, Drew Frasz, Michael Kenyon, Bill Lenert, John

Martin, Thomas Smith, Kurt R. Kojzarek

B. Approve: Minor Subdivision – Cutsinger Subdivision (attached) 2 Lots proposed on 2.962 Acres Section 6, Sugar Grove Township (14-06-200-019) Existing zoning is F, proposed zoning is F-1

Dir. Anderson discussed the minor subdivision and recommended approval.

RESULT: APPROVED BY VOICE VOTE [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Drew Frasz, Ex-Officio (Transportation Chairman)

SECONDER: Bill Lenert, Board Member

AYES: Margaret Auger, Theresa Barreiro, Brian Dahl, Drew Frasz, Michael Kenyon, Bill Lenert, John

Martin, Thomas Smith, Kurt R. Kojzarek

C. Approve: Allendale Subdivision Lot 9 (attached) Variations & Exceptions (AD-1701) Front Yard

Building Setback Line Variation 1915 Western Avenue, 12-16-226-003 Section 12, Geneva Township

Dir. Anderson discussed the variation and recommended approval.

RESULT: APPROVED BY VOICE VOTE [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Michael Kenyon, Ex-Officio (Forest Preserve President)

SECONDER: Drew Frasz, Ex-Officio (Transportation Chairman)

AYES: Margaret Auger, Theresa Barreiro, Brian Dahl, Drew Frasz, Michael Kenyon, Bill Lenert, John

Martin, Thomas Smith, Kurt R. Kojzarek

8. Environmental Resources

A. Presentation: SolSmart Program

Referencing a PowerPoint presentation included in the packet, staff Govrick discussed making Kane County a solar-ready community. She outlined the county's renewable energy goals and explained that SolSmart is a national program that provides no-cost technical assistance to help local governments reduce barriers to solar energy growth. Communities pursuing SolSmart designation will be eligible for no-cost technical assistance from a team of national solar experts. She reviewed the application process and discussed the path to SolSmart Bronze. Govrik noted that there are currently no Illinois communities designated under this program. She said they are looking for general support for the county to submit an application, and Dir. VanKerkhoff encouraged the county to pursue this application. The committee was supportive.

9. Water Resources

Referencing a PowerPoint presentation, staff Linke discussed the following cost-share projects:

A. Nottingham Woods Cost Share 2017-001

The total cost of the improvement is $20,500 (County-32%, Blackberry Township Highway District- 68%).

RESULT: APPROVED BY VOICE VOTE [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Drew Frasz, Ex-Officio (Transportation Chairman)

SECONDER: Bill Lenert, Board Member

AYES: Margaret Auger, Theresa Barreiro, Brian Dahl, Drew Frasz, Michael Kenyon, Bill Lenert, John

Martin, Thomas Smith, Kurt R. Kojzarek

B. Windenoak Subdivision Cost Share 2017-002

The total cost of the improvement is $16,900 (County-25%, Blackberry Township Highway District- 75%).

RESULT: APPROVED BY VOICE VOTE [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Margaret Auger, Board Member

SECONDER: Drew Frasz, Ex-Officio (Transportation Chairman)

AYES: Margaret Auger, Theresa Barreiro, Brian Dahl, Drew Frasz, Michael Kenyon, Bill Lenert, John

Martin, Thomas Smith, Kurt R. Kojzarek

10. Office of Community Reinvestment

A. HUD Continuum of Care Funding Awards

OCR Dir. Berger reported that HUD has awarded just over $1.6 million to three non-profit agencies in the county to address the needs of the homeless and coordinate services. The awards were facilitated by the Continuum of Care to Ecker Center for Mental Health in Elgin ($658,886), Hesed House in Aurora ($554,325) and Lazarus House in St. Charles ($250,468). A budget adjustment be brought forward if needed.

11. Settler's Hill End Use Update

None

12. New Business

None

13. Reports Placed On File

RESULT: PLACE WRITTEN REPORTS ON FILE [8 TO 0]

MOVER: Drew Frasz, Ex-Officio (Transportation Chairman)

SECONDER: Margaret Auger, Board Member

AYES: Margaret Auger, Theresa Barreiro, Brian Dahl, Drew Frasz, Michael Kenyon, Bill Lenert, John Martin, Kurt

R. Kojzarek

AWAY: Thomas Smith

14. Executive Session (IF NEEDED)