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DeKalb County, Illinois |
Minutes of the DeKalb County
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The DeKalb County Regional Planning Commission met on August 22, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. in the DeKalb County Administration Building, Conference Room East, in Sycamore, IL. In attendance were Lee Luker, Bill Nicklas, Les Bellah, Ben Suppleland, Rich Gentile, Ruben Allen, Mark Todd, Frank Altmaier, Bob Pritchard, Don Pardridge, Paul Rasmussen, Becky Morphy and Jerry Thompson. Absent was Commission Member Mike Schafer. Audience included Commission Director Paul Miller and staff Marcellus Anderson.
1. Roll Call
Mr. Pritchard noted all members were present, except the representative of the Village of Lee.
2. Approval
of the Minutes
Mr. Pritchard moved to approve the Minutes of the July 25, 2002 meeting of the Regional Planning Commission, seconded by Mr. Luker, and the motion to approve the minutes passed unanimously.
3. Commission
Charter
Mr. Pritchard introduced the draft Commission Charter prepared by staff, and asked if there were any comments. Mr. Luker noted that Commission member terms should be stated as three years, after the initial terms are staggered in one, two and three-year periods. Mr. Nicklas noted some minor changes, including that the regular meeting time of the fourth Thursday of each month should be written. Discussion was held regarding the goals. Noting the proposed changes, Mr. Pritchard indicated that the revised draft would serve as a written charter.
4. Review
of draft Impact Fee Study
Mr. Miller presented a draft report and chart summarizing impact fees used in each of the communities in DeKalb County. Mr. Bellah stated that Kirkland had recently adopted impact fees. Mr. Gentile stated that Genoa has water and sanitary sewer impact fees in addition to connection fees. Discussion was held regarding the difference between impact fees and connection fees. Discussion was also held regarding whether the chart should be expanded to include various other impact fees charged by the communities. Mr. Miller pointed out that summarizing impact fees is difficult, and stated that he was trying to keep the chart to one page. It was agreed that the fees on the draft should remain, but Mr. Luker requested that the Villages of Lee and Maple Park be added.
5. Discussion
on Status of UDO Project
Mr. Pritchard stated that staff had met a couple of times with the planning consultant, Land Vision, Inc., since the Commission selected them, and that he and staff would meet with Land Vision on the proposed contract on August 23, 2002. He noted that the contract included a more detailed scope of services, and that Land Vision had raised its estimated cost from $155,300 to $205,725. Several Commission members expressed concern with the increased cost, and noted that one of the reasons Land Vision had been selected was it’s low bid. Discussion was held regarding what tasks had been added; these included a comprehensive plan for Genoa, a sub-area plan for Sycamore, and an Image Preference Survey for DeKalb. It was not clear that the additional tasks warranted the $50,000 increase. Mr. Miller indicated that Land Vision had not had an opportunity yet to explain the revised cost, but that he would ask for the justifications. Mr. Pritchard invited any Commission members who wished to sit in on the meeting with Land Vision to do so.
6. Review
of pending municipal actions/developments
Mr. Bellah noted that Hines Lumber has pulled its operation out of Kirkland, resulting in a loss to the Village of $17,000 a month.
Mr. Nicklas noted that Sycamore had sent out for RFP for mapping services for the Sycamore Comprehensive Plan update.
Mr. Gentile stated that Genoa had discussed passing a moratorium on new annexation agreements while it undertakes a new comprehensive plan, but that the City Council had decided not to pass such a moratorium at this time.
Mr. Allen noted that on August 26, 2002 a vote will be held in Sandwich to allow a Walgreens to build at 34th and Main.
Mr. Todd mentioned that the street and sidewalk project in Waterman is done. Construction for a municipal well is underway. The Village is also planning on hiring an economic development expert.
Mr. Altmaier announced that Kingston will soon be home to a new Deli/Coffee shop on the corner of Rt. 72 and East Dr. Also, Kingston will be welcoming a Casey’s on Rt. 72 and Five Pts. Rd. in the spring of 2003.
Mr. Pritchard noted that DeKalb County is going to be considering an application for a large wind farm in the southwest portion of the County. Also under discussion is the overcrowding in DeKalb County’s jail, for which a commission was being formed. Finally, the County and Sycamore have agreed to a shared 911 center.
Mr. Pardridge announced that Shabbona is preparing for the planned improvements to Rte. 30 in 2003.
Mr. Rasmussen of DeKalb was pleased with the now-open Convocation Center in Northern Illinois University. He stated that the City is considering a traffic impact fee. And he mentioned that the Northland Plaza is moving along quickly.
7. Adjournment
The next meeting of the Regional Planning Commission will be September 26th, 2002.
Mr. Pritchard adjourned the meeting.
Respectively submitted,
_________________________
Robert Pritchard
Chairman, DeKalb County Regional Planning Commission
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