DeKalb Times

City of DeKalb Planning & Zoning Commission Met Dec. 7.

Here is the minutes provided by the commission:

The Planning and Zoning Commission held a meeting at the DeKalb Public Library in the Yusunas Meeting Room located at 309 Oak Street, DeKalb, Illinois. Chair Maxwell called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.

Chair Maxwell stated he wanted to thank everyone for being here tonight. He mentioned for those attending, the meeting room has been set up to meet the CDC recommended distancing guidelines and the Executive Order from the Governor.

A. ROLL CALL

Principal Planner Dan Olson called the roll. Planning and Zoning Commission members present were: Ron Klein, Steve Becker, Trixy O’Flaherty, Jerry Wright, Bill McMahon, Vice Chair Doe and Chair Maxwell. No members were absent. Principal Planner Dan Olson and City Manager Bill Nicklas were present representing the City of DeKalb.

B. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA (Additions/Deletions)

Chair Maxwell requested a motion to approve the December 7, 2020, agenda as presented. Ms. O’Flaherty motioned to approve the agenda as presented. Vice Chair Doe seconded the motion, and the motion was approved by unanimous voice vote.

C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

1. November 16, 2020 – Chair Maxwell requested a motion to approve the November 16, 2020, minutes as presented. Mr. Klein motioned to approve the minutes as presented. Mr. Wright seconded the motion, and the motion was approved by unanimous voice vote.

D. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION (Open Floor to Anyone Wishing to Speak on Record)

None

E. NEW BUSINESS

1. Public Hearing – A petition by Safe Passage Inc. for approval of a zoning map amendment from the “CBD” Central Business District to the “PD-C” Planned Development Commercial District and approval of a preliminary development plan to accommodate a new two-story 42,00 square foot building which will contain an emergency shelter, counseling services, administrative offices, outdoor playground and other accessory uses for the property located at 217 Franklin St.

Mary Ellen Schaid, representing Safe Passage, advised she is the Executive Director of Safe Passage. She stated they have been looking for a new location for the past five years. She advised Safe Passage is one of the only programs in the area that serve victims of domestic abuse, sexual assault, human trafficking, and other types of abuse.

Ms. Schaid stated Safe Passage currently operates a 30-bed shelter, which is comprised of five buildings along S. 4th St. Prospect St. and S. 5th St. She noted the shelter consists of an apartment building and four offsite apartments where they provide transitional housing. She advised the program primarily serves women and children, but also serve men. She noted they provide counseling services throughout the community and also provide a significant amount of public and prevention education in the schools throughout DeKalb County.

Ms. Schaid said when she first walked into the Safe Passage shelter, she immediately knew the building was inadequate for the services they needed to provide. She mentioned the shelter is an old farmhouse, which consists of five bedrooms and 1.5 bathrooms. She said they have bunk beds in each of the bedrooms due to the lack of space and have to turn away 15-20 people a month due to the lack of adequate facilities. Ms. Schaid stated having Safe Passage spread throughout five different buildings isn’t ideal and is inefficient for their programs.

Ms. Schaid mentioned the new building will consolidate their services to one location and provide cohesiveness. She stated Safe Passage serves approximately 1,000 people each year, with a budget of 2.5 million dollars and are primarily grant funded by the federal government.

Ms. Schaid advised Safe Passage looked at several different properties to relocate to, but when the former DeKalb Clinic site became available, they immediately purchased it. She noted they sent out an RFP for the project and chose Pappas Development to construct their new building.

Ms. Schaid stated there will be 18 parking spaces on site for clients and Safe Passage has been in contact with the church (St. George Greek Orthodox Church) regarding using their 32-space parking lot across Franklin St. She stated the church does not use their parking lot during the week. She stated Safe Passage’s current facility only has about 12 parking spaces and many of

the employees have to park on the street or in the alley. She noted the parking arrangement at the new facility will be a huge improvement. Ms. Schaid said the new facility will be able to accommodate a maximum of 60 people, which is double of their current facility.

Chair Maxwell questioned if they will be maintaining their old facility or if Safe Passage will be completely move to the new facility. Ms. Schaid advised they will be maintaining the old shelter (transitional housing building) for the time being, but their plan is to sell as many buildings as they can.

Mr. Klein questioned if the parking lot to the south of the subject site was owned by the DeKalb Clinic or the church (St. George Greek Orthodox Church). Mr. Olson advised it was originally owned by the DeKalb Clinic, but is currently owned by the church. Mr. Klein questioned what will happen if the negotiations with the church don’t work out.

Principal Planner Dan Olson went through the staff report dated December 3, 2020. He advised the property is currently zoned “CBD” Central Business District and the petitioner is requesting the property be rezoned to “PD-C” Planned Development Commercial District. He stated Safe Passage is currently located in six buildings along S. 4th St., Prospect St. and S. 5th St. and offers a variety of services and programs for abuse victims.

Mr. Olson advised the new two-story facility will be approximately 42,000 sq. ft. and have 24 separate bedrooms to serve up to 65 individuals. He stated the building will include a full kitchen, administrative offices, therapy and counseling spaces, as well as a variety of other accessory uses.

Mr. Olson stated access to the facility will be provided from the same locations that served the DeKalb Clinic including entrances along South 2nd St., Franklin St., and South 3rd St. He noted the South 2nd Street access will be for deliveries and donation drop offs. He mentioned the new facility will have more green space than the DeKalb Clinic site due to the addition of an outside play area.

Mr. Olson mentioned the church (St. George Greek Orthodox Church) did provide a letter for tonight’s Commission meeting advising they are in negotiations with Safe Passage for the use of their parking lot. He noted in the staff recommendation, a condition was added requiring a parking agreement be finalized prior to occupancy of the new facility.

Mr. Olson said there are 18-parking spaces on subject site for clients and employees. He stated the church across the street will provide 32 parking spaces if approval is granted. He mentioned there is an abundance of public parking in the area including 82 parking spaces in the Vaugh Parking Lot located to the northwest of the subject site and 3-hour street parking for approximately 20 vehicles along S. 2nd and S. 3rd Streets.

Mr. Olson advised per the UDO the subject site is located in an area of downtown that does not require on-site parking. He added, however, the amount of parking already on site cannot be decreased. He stated DeKalb Clinic had approximately 60 spaces, and Safe Passage is looking for a waiver to bring the amount of parking spaces down to 18. He advised staff recommends approval of the waiver due to the decrease in traffic compared to the DeKalb Clinic, the nearby public parking available, and the pending parking agreement between Safe Passage and the church.

Mr. Olson mentioned an 8” sanitary sewer that runs through the middle of the site will be rerouted to the west and south along S. 2nd St. He stated a funding request will be coming to the City Council on December 28 that will involve an equal contribution from the petitioner, City, and the Kishwaukee Water Reclamation District to cover the cost of the sewer re-location.

Mr. Olson stated the DeKalb Police Department was asked if they had any concerns with Safe Passage’s current and proposed location. He noted the Police Department indicated they did not have any safety concerns with the existing or new location. He mentioned Safe Passage and the Police Department have work together closely in the past and have a good relationship. Mr. Olson added the facility will have enhanced security measures that will include cameras and a fenced area for people entering the shelter.

Mr. Olson advised the DeKalb Clinic site hasn’t been operational in approximately 10 years and the addition of Safe Passage will be a benefit to the community. He noted the rezoning will be complementary to neighboring properties in the area.

Mr. Olson mentioned the City received an email from Corey Gallon, owner of 316 South 2nd Street, indicating he does not support the proposal. Mr. Gallon’s e-mail indicates he supports the cause but does not believe the rezoning will be beneficial to the neighborhood. Mr. Olson advised a second email was received from Chris Cosentino with the Cosentino Law Firm (213 and 217 S. 2nd St.) who indicated support for the proposal but had a concern about the availability of on-street parking in front of their offices.

Mr. Olson said staff recommends approval, which does not include approval of the architectural elevations at this time. He noted the recommendation to approve is subject to the preliminary development plan, Planned Development Standards, and submittal of the Final Development Plan prior to any permits being issued for the site.

Chair Maxwell gave the public an opportunity to speak.

https://www.cityofdekalb.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_12072020-1933