City of Sycamore City Council met Nov. 11.
Here is the agenda provided by the Council:
1. Call to Order
2. Invocation
3. Pledge of Allegiance
Lead by North Grove Elementary Girl Scout Troop 907 Students.
4. Approval of Agenda
5. Audience to Visitors
6. Consent Agenda
A. Approval of the Minutes for the Regular City Council Meeting of November 4, 2019.
B. Plan Commission Minutes from September 9, 2019.
C. Payment of the Bills for November 18, 2019.
7. Presentation of Petitions, Communications, and Bills
A. Presentation of Community Economic Development Planning Grant from the Dekalb County Community Foundation.
8. Reports of Officers
9. Reports of Standing Committees
10. Public Hearings—none
11. Ordinances
A. Ordinance 2019.32—An Ordinance Approving a Request by Greg LeSage, President of Tech Weld Inc., for a Special Use Permit to Operate a Welding and Welding Equipment Use, as Required by Article 5.3.1.E of the Sycamore Unified Development Ordinance, at 805 Thornwood Drive in the City of Sycamore, Illinois (PIN number 09-06-426-014). First and Second Reading.
Tech-Weld Inc. is a full-service custom manufacturer of precision welded tubes, tanks, cones and weldments. The family-owned and operated business started in 1992 and has tripled in size over the past twenty-five years. Given the continued growth, the company is looking to relocate to a 32,147 square-foot building at 805 Thornwood Drive in the Sycamore Prairie Business Park. Tech-Weld has a contract to purchase the M-1, Light Manufacturing zoned property which formerly housed Smart Motion Robotics.
According to the City’s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), Welding and Welding Equipment Uses require a Special Use Permit within M-1 zoning. Greg LeSage, the founder and President of Tech-Weld has submitted a petition for a special use permit that would enable his company to relocate to Sycamore.
E. Manufacturing And Processing Uses AG R-1 R-2 R-3 R-4 C-1 C-2 C-3 C-4 M-1 M-2 ORI
Per Section 4.3.3 of the City’s Unified Development Ordinance, a Special Use Permit shall be granted only if evidence is presented to establish that:
A. The proposed structure or use at the particular location requested is necessary or desirable to provide a service or a facility which is in the interest of the public and will contribute to the general welfare of the neighborhood or community;
B. The proposed structure or use will not have a substantial adverse effect upon the adjacent property, the character of the neighborhood, traffic conditions, utility facilities and other matters affecting the public health, safety, and general welfare; and
C. The proposed structure or use will be designed, arranged, and operated so as to permit the development and use of neighboring property in accordance with the applicable district regulations.
Tech-Weld serves many industries including Aerospace, Aircraft, Automotive, Agricultural, Defense/Government, Motor Housing, Petrochemical, Food Processing and Water/Air Treatment. A significant portion of the work that Tech-Weld performs is tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding, an arc welding process that uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode to produce the weld. The process is not overly noisy and will be contained within the pre-cast building at the proposed location.
In mid-October, representatives of the City of Sycamore, the DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation, the Sycamore Prairie Industrial Park and the Sycamore School District visited Tech-Weld at their current location in Elburn. The visit provided an opportunity to learn more about the company, meet the family behind the business and view the operations. It is evident that the company takes pride in the products it makes and the image it portrays within the community. The multi-generational family business displays characteristics that align with those within the business park and the community.
A public hearing regarding the Special Use Permit was held at the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting on November 11th and a favorable recommendation was made to the City Council by a vote of 9 to 0.
City Council approval is recommended.
B. Ordinance 2019.33—An Ordinance Approving Amendments to Article 1.3, Definitions, to include Definitions for the Regulation and Sale of Recreational Cannabis – Adult Use and Modifications to Article 5.2, Conditions of Use and Article 5.3, Permitted Uses of the Unified Development Ordinance of the City of Sycamore, Illinois. First and Second Reading.
The State of Illinois has enacted the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act, which pertains to the possession, use, cultivation, transportation and dispensing of adult-use cannabis. The City of Sycamore has the authority to adopt ordinances and to promulgate rules and regulations that protect the public health, safety and welfare of its citizens. The City Council voted on November 4th to permit adult-use recreational cannabis dispensaries beginning January 1, 2020. The adult-use recreational cannabis dispensaries shall operate consistent with zoning ordinances regulating these business establishments, including rules governing the time, place, manner and number of cannabis business establishments, and minimum distance limitations between cannabis business establishments and locations the City deems sensitive through a special use process. The appropriate zoning ordinances, rules and definitions shall be promulgated in the City’s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) effective January 1, 2020.
Staff has prepared amendments to Article 1.3, “Definitions,” Article 5.2, “Conditions of Use,” and Article 5.3, “Table of Permitted Uses,” of the UDO as a starting point to create the necessary zoning regulations for adult-use recreational cannabis. The proposed guidelines factor regulations discussed by the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council in 2014 for medical cannabis and provisions of the Illinois Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act.
Article 1.3, Definitions (add new definition):
Cannabis, Recreational – Retail Dispensing Organization (Adult Use): A facility operated by an organization or business that is licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to acquire cannabis from licensed cannabis business establishments for the purpose of selling or dispensing cannabis, cannabis-infused products, cannabis seeds, paraphernalia or related supplies to purchasers or to qualified registered medical cannabis patients and caregivers, per the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act, (P.A.101-0027), as it may be amended from time-to-time, and regulations promulgated thereunder.
Article 5.2, Conditions of Use (create new section)
A new section is proposed in Article 5.2, “Conditions of Use,” to outline certain criteria related to adult use recreational cannabis operations within the City of Sycamore as follows:
F. All uses involving the sale or dispensing of adult use recreational cannabis shall be subject to the following additional conditions:
1. Dispensaries must be a minimum of 1,000 feet from the property line in all directions of any preexisting public or private preschool or elementary or secondary school or daycare center, daycare home, group daycare home, part day childcare facility and cannot be in an area zoned residential. A 250-foot setback to residential-zoned property is required.
2. On-premises cannabis consumption within any district is prohibited.
3. Craft-growers, or any other dispensary or retail location other than those defined under the “Cannabis, Recreational – Retail Dispensing Organization (Adult Use)” definition in Article 1.3 are prohibited.
4. A minimum separation of 1,500 feet between cannabis dispensaries is required.
5. No drive-thru dispensaries are allowed.
6. Business hours are limited to 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. for dispensaries per State law.
7. A maximum of one (1) dispensary shall be permitted for every 9,000 in population. A three fourths (3/4) vote of the Corporate Authorities shall be required to waive the population proration to accommodate an additional dispensary.
8. No dispensary shall operate before January 1, 2020.
Article 5.3, Table of Permitted Uses
The table of permitted uses will be amended to outline and differentiate medical and adult-use cannabis dispensaries and calls for both to require a special use permit within C-3, Highway
Business Zoning as follows:
K. Retail Trade Uses AG R-1 R-2 R-3 R-4 C-1 C-2 C-3 C-4 M-1 M-2 ORI
The Special Use Permit process requires that petitioners demonstrate that the use is consistent with the criteria outlined Section 4.3.3 of the UDO and a public hearing is held.
A public hearing regarding the proposed amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance was held at the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting on November 11th and a favorable recommendation was made to the City Council by a vote of 9 to 0.
City Council approval is recommended.
C. Ordinance 2019.34—An Ordinance Approving a Request by Andrew Christensen on Behalf of Pet IQ, for a Special Use Permit to Operate a Veterinary Clinic as Required by Article 5.3.1.A of the Unified Development Ordinance at 541 Puri Parkway, Unit C in the City of Sycamore, Illinois (PIN number 06-31-330-011). First and Second Reading.
PetIQ provides pet health and wellness products and veterinary services to pet families through retail channels across the country. The veterinary arm of the business provides services at retail centers and is called VetIQ. Services provided include vaccines, minor illness treatments, prescriptions, nail trims, retail pet health and wellness products, and microchipping. No major surgeries, boarding, kenneling or overnight stays are planned.
The company plans to lease a 764 square-foot tenant space (Unit C) to operate VetIQ within the Meijer store at 541 Puri Parkway. According to the City’s Unified Development Ordinance, a Veterinary Clinic requires a special use to operate within C-3, Highway Business District Zoning.
VetIQ will have an entrance and exit that is separate from Meijer, therefore pets will not have access to the retail store at any time.
Table 5.3.1
A. Agriculture Uses AG R-1 R-2 R-3 R-4 C-1 C-2 C-3 C-4 M-1 M-2 ORI
Per Section 4.3.3 of the City’s Unified Development Ordinance, a Special Use Permit shall be granted only if evidence is presented to establish that:
A. The proposed structure or use at the particular location requested is necessary or desirable to provide a service or a facility which is in the interest of the public and will contribute to the general welfare of the neighborhood or community;
B. The proposed structure or use will not have a substantial adverse effect upon the adjacent property, the character of the neighborhood, traffic conditions, utility facilities and other matters affecting the public health, safety, and general welfare; and
C. The proposed structure or use will be designed, arranged, and operated so as to permit the development and use of neighboring property in accordance with the applicable district regulations.
Given that VetIQ will have a separate entrance and exit, the proposed use within the Meijer store is consistent with traditional multi-tenant strip centers. These types of arrangements are commonly found within the commercial zoning of the proposed location.
A public hearing regarding the Special Use Permit was held at the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting on November 11th and a favorable recommendation was forwarded by a vote of 9 to 0.
City Council approval is recommended.
D. Ordinance 2019.35—An Ordinance Providing for the Transfer of Land from the City of Sycamore to the Illinois Department of Transportation. First and Second Reading.
As part of the Sycamore Park District’s Action 2020 initiative the Great Western trail system will be connected from the Sycamore Forest Preserve to Old Mill Park. In order to make that connection, the City and Park District have been working with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to get access on IDOT owned property where Page and Pleasant Street intersect.
In order to facilitate the connection, the City and IDOT are transferring parcels of land for zero compensation. The first parcel consists of 0.251-acres at the southeast corner of North Walnut Street and East Page Street that will be transferred from the City of Sycamore to IDOT. In return the City will acquire 1.085 acres along Pleasant Street. This ordinance approves the transfer of the 0.251-acre site. Resolution 806, below outlines the City’s intent to accept the 1.085 acre parcel from IDOT and grant permission to the Sycamore Park District to construct a trail on the northern edge.
Trails and connections have consistently been noted as a priority during the City’s comprehensive planning processes and the Park District’s planning processes. This “land swap” is another example of units of government working together to take a step forward to meet community objectives.
City Council approval is recommended.
12. Resolutions
A. Resolution 806—A Resolution Confirming Acceptance of Property Transfer from the State of Illinois.
As noted above in Ordinance 2019.35, the City and Park District have been working with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to get access on IDOT owned property where Page and Pleasant Street intersect in order to facilitate the connection of the Great Western Trail to Old Mill Park.
The City and IDOT are transferring parcels of land for zero compensation. The City transferred 0.251-acres at the southeast corner of North Walnut Street and East Page Street as part of Ordinance 2019.35. In return the City will acquire 1.085 acres along Pleasant Street. This resolution outlines the City’s intent to accept the property and grants permission to the Sycamore Park District to construct a trail on the northern edge.
The Park District has secured grant funding from the State of Illinois to make this connection which will be let in January 2020. Construction is expected to begin in Spring 2020.
City Council approval is recommended.
13. Considerations
A. Consideration of the Annual Property Tax Levy in the City of Sycamore.
14. Other New Business
15. Appointments
16. Adjournment
https://cityofsycamore.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/cc20191118a-amended-1.pdf
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