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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPLAN COMMISSION - 09/02/2009 - 1400 BUSSE/SPECIAL EDITION NEWSLETTER Elk Grove Village Plan Commission Minutes September 2, 2009 Present: P. Ayers F. Geinosky J. Glass E. Hauser C. Henrici J. Meyer - D. Paliganoff D. Sokolowski Absent: T. Thompson Staff- B. Jacobsen, Assistant Village Manager S. Trudan, Deputy Director of Community Development Chairman Glass called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Item 1: Approval of the Minutes Commissioner Ayers and Commissioner Henrici recommended a few minor changes to the February 4, 2009 minutes. Commissioner Geinosky motioned to approve the February 4, 2009 meeting minutes. Commissioner Meyer seconded the motion. Upon voting, (Ayers, Geinosky, Glass, Hauser, Henrici, Meyer, Paliganoff, Sokolowski, AYES) the motion carried. Item 2: 1400 Busse—Resubdivision and Rezoning Chairman Glass read the Public Hearing notice for the record and acknowledged that the Public Hearing notices were mailed to neighbors and properly published in the Daily Herald by August 18, 2009. He stated that the Petitioner did not properly post the Public Hearing notice on both frontage roads, Busse Road and Estes Avenue. At 7:06 p.m. Chariman Glass opened the Public Hearing and explained that the Commission would not act on tonight's Public Hearing and instead will be continued the meeting on Wednesday, September 16, 2009 after the petitioner properly posted the Public Hearing notice 6n both Busse Road and Estes Avenue. The Petitioner John Lass, of Centerpoint Properties was present with his attorney, Kevin Breslen. Mr. Breslen spoke to the Commission apologizing for the error. He agreed with the continuation of the hearing until September 16, 2009 and stated that the additional sign on Busse Road would be up by Friday, September 4, 2009. At 7:08 p.m. Chairman Glass closed the Public Hearing. Item 3: Special Edition Newsletter Discussion Commissioner Ayers stated that he liked the Summer\Tewsletter that went out to business owners and feels it is a proactive way to get owners on board with the Village's policies. He intends to keep this on file to show the next business owner that approaches the Plan Commission and states they were unaware of the need for permits or licensing. Commissioner Hauser added that the Village sent out 4,000 cards to business owners in the Business Park for a Master Plan meeting and only 25 people showed up. He is curious about how many business owners are actually reading the newsletter. He felt the content was good but some things were simply informational, such as the article on the Village budget. He questioned how the Village would evaluate the benefit of the newsletter. Chairman Glass stated that he attended the joint Judiciary, Planning and Zoning Committee (JPZ) and Plan Commission meeting in June and agreed it is hard to evaluate the benefit of the newsletter. He added that there does not appear to be an easy way to police unauthorized uses in the Business Park. He too was pleased that the notice was sent and added that you can't ensure business owners read their newsletters any better than the Village can ensure residents read the Village newsletters. Commissioner Hauser inquired about the criteria for business licenses. S. Trudan stated the need for licensing is dependent on their business category. He stated that this information is listed in the Village Code book. Chairman Glass stated that every business does not need a license. He noted that he has a home- based accounting business and it does not require a business license with the Village. Commissioner Sokolowski stated he leases a single level building with 12 units and none of his units require a business license. Commissioner Ayers suggested requiring every business to obtain a business license as a source of revenue for the Village. Chairman Glass stated that retail stores, food processing businesses, and businesses that sell liquor require business licenses and all of this was discussed at the JPZ/Plan Commission meeting. Commissioner Hauser again asked what specifically are the criteria for a business to require a business license. B. Jacobsen told the Commission she would include this section of the Village Code in their packets prior to the September 16, 2009 Public Hearing. Commissioner Ayers suggested the requirements be added to a future business newsletter. 2 Chairman Glass stated that most of the business owners that have come before the Plan Commission in the past year are businesses that are not necessarily prohibited, but a Special Use permit is required by the nature of their business. Commissioner Hauser stated that the Village has an 85 million dollar budget and feels there is money available for a staff position to police this. He suggested the Village add a staff member to get the Business Park back in compliance. Chairman Glass stated at the JPZ/Plan Commission meeting it was the consensus that the newsletter was the best approach and the Village does not feel there are that many violators. Commissioner Hauser questioned why the Village sent the newsletter out. Chairman Glass explained when the issue of compliance was discussed; the newsletter was used as an educational piece to remind business owners they may need licenses. The attempt to educate was made and there is now a record of it. He added that it is not economical to hire an employee only to enforce compliance. Commissioner Hauser again stated that the Village has an 85 million dollar budget why not spend fifty-thousand dollars on an entry level position and a vehicle. Chairman Glass followed up by stating that the Village does have money for an additional employee, but the question at hand is, "Do we need it" because the Village currently employs Fire Inspectors, Health Inspectors, and Engineering Inspectors who notice things when they are in the field. Commissioner Paliganoff questioned what to do when the owners know the business needs a license but the Village goes after the tenant, and the owner pleads ignorance. Chairman Glass stated that uses often change when the economy goes bad, but it is incumbent upon the landlord to confirm that their tenant is in compliance. Commissioner Sokolowski asked if it were feasible to send a newsletter to businesses with copies of the zoning ordinance outlining acceptable uses. B. Jacobsen stated it would not be feasible for staff to send a newsletter with that specific of information however, the Village could create a general newsletter outlining the zoning ordinance and a basic list of approved uses. Chairman Glass suggested a future newsletter include permitted uses and examples of what would require a Special Use Permit. He suggested it to include a line saying, "for more information on permitted uses contact us at- insert phone number." He stated it would be nice if there were a one-stop shop for information on permitted uses, needing a business license, permits, or anything else. 3 Commissioner Geinosky suggested this information is given to all new businesses, new water bill accounts in the business park, and when transfer stamps are applied for. Commissioner Ayers agreed, but added it is a tough business environment. Village Trustee Sam Lissner spoke to the Commission and stated that the JPZ committee considers this topic an open item and made clear that the poor economy was discussed. He also stated the committee did not want to seem too heavy handed with the business owners that are investing during this tough time. He stated that Village staff will catch violators again but they are open to putting business license decals on doors in the future. He stated that the Village newsletters go out regularly and the Commission can share their comments with staff or the Village Board. Finally, he mentioned that Village staff is working on redesigning the Village's website and anticipates having it much more user friendly and easy for business owners to obtain information. It was the consensus of the Commission that the newsletter was a start to addressing the business compliance issue. The meeting was adjourned at 7:32 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Beth Jaco sen Assistant Village Manager C: Chairman and Members of the Plan Commission, Mayor and Board of Trustees, Village Manager, Deputy Village Manager, Village Attorney, Village Clerk, Deputy Village Clerk, Director of Public Works, Director of Engineerin&Community Development, Police Chief, Fire Chief, Deputy Fire Chief(2), Inspectional Services Supervisor. 4