Dupage Policy Journal

City of Warrenville Community Development Committee of the Whole met July 8

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

A. CALL TO ORDER

Chairman Weidner called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

B. ROLL CALL

Present: Chairman Bill Weidner, Mayor David Brummel, and Aldermen: Stuart Aschauer, John Paul Augustynowicz, Clare Barry, Kathy Davolos, Craig Kruckenberg, John Lockett, and Judy Wilkie

Absent: None

Also Present: City Administrator Cristina White, Assistant City Administrator Alma Morgan, Community and Economic Development Director Amy Emery, Public Works Director Phil Kuchler, and City Clerk Julie Clark

Also Absent: Executive Assistant and Deputy City Clerk Dawn Grivetti, and City Treasurer Maury Goodman

C. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Chairman Weidner led the Pledge of Allegiance.

D. CITIZENS COMMENTS

There were no comments from persons present.

E. OFFICIALS AND STAFF COMMENTS

Mayor Brummel and Alderman Davolos thanked everyone who participated in and volunteered with the 4th of July celebration, parade, and fireworks. Mayor Brummel specifically thanked Karen Johanek for an exceptional job organizing the parade again this year.

F. BUSINESS OF MEETING

1. Presentation of the draft 2024 City of Warrenville Strategic Plan

City Administrator (CA) White presented a draft of the Strategic Plan framework with staff recommended revisions. She indicated staff has been working for several months putting together a new Strategic Plan to identify the priorities of the City Council for the next five years. She highlighted the opportunities members of the community, staff, and Council have had to provide input and assist in the development of the Plan and asked Committee members for final feedback. She added that when a consensus is reached on the Key Focus Areas and Strategic Priorities, staff will develop action items associated with each, including the anticipated level of effort and resource allocation.

Ald. Davolos suggested the section on Organizational Values include elected officials in the Teamwork category.

Mayor Brummel expressed his appreciation for the usefulness of the current Strategic Plan and is encouraged by the direction the new Plan will take the City is the next few years. He commended staff for presenting a well-organized new Plan.

Chairman Weidner recognized how the Key Focus Areas and Strategic Priorities connect with the mission of the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Awareness Commission, and asked how other City Council advisory commissions connect with the new Strategic Plan. CA White recognized several opportunities for other volunteer boards and commissions to assist in implementing the new Strategic Plan and added that while the missions of the other boards and commissions are not as directly related to the new Plan, there will be action items throughout the Plan that will relate to the other advisory boards and commissions.

A consensus was reached on the Strategic Plan as presented to include the term “elected officials” in the Teamwork category of the section describing Organizational Values.

ALDERMAN LOCKETT MADE A MOTION, seconded by Ald. Wilkie, to recommend the City Council adopt the 2024 Strategic Plan framework and direct staff to develop action items for each strategic priority identified.

MOTION ADOPTED VIA VOICE VOTE

2. Consideration of Batavia Road Sidewalk Easement Agreements Public Works Director (PWD) Kuchler stated that as part of the current Batavia Road resurfacing project, the City replaced some sidewalk and parking areas that extend onto private property. These areas have been maintained by the City over the years. He added that staff has worked with the City Attorney and property owners to finalize easement agreements for the public right-of-way improvements. He noted that the easements do not include a section of the sidewalk in front of the professional building under the overhang, as the supporting columns of the building rest on the sidewalk.

ALDERMAN LOCKETT MADE A MOTION, seconded by Ald. Wilkie, to recommend the City Council pass an ordinance approving easement agreements for public right-of-way improvements along Batavia Road.

MOTION ADOPTED VIA VOICE VOTE

3. Consideration of Letter of Understanding with Warrenville Park District re: Cerny Park

PWD Kuchler stated that over the past year, City and Park District representatives have been discussing a potential transfer of Cerny Park from the City to the Warrenville Park District. He presented a Letter of Understanding for consideration that addresses the next steps of the potential transfer. He highlighted key points of the letter including: the timing of the transfer in regards to proposed improvements, the subdivision of the property, future maintenance, preparation of agreements, and the City’s right of first refusal for dates of annual community events.

PWD Kuchler added that, as part of Phase 2 of the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant application for park improvements staff will include a resolution approving the application on a consent agenda at an upcoming Council meeting prior to the grant application deadline in September.

ALDERMAN LOCKETT MADE A MOTION, seconded by Ald. Wilkie, to recommend the City Council pass a resolution authorizing Mayor Brummel to execute a Letter of Understanding transferring Cerny Park to the Warrenville Park District.

MOTION ADOPTED VIA VOICE VOTE

4. Consideration of the Winchester Parking Sticker Program Agreement

Community and Economic Development Director (CEDD) Emery stated that Winchester Subdivision has, through a handshake agreement with the City of Warrenville, allowed residents to obtain stickers to park overnight in certain areas of the Winchester Circle public right-of-way for decades. The compact layout of the subdivision offers no practical alternative to accommodate resident parking needs. With the subdivision now 50 years old, legacy knowledge and documentation about the details of the parking arrangement between the City and Winchester Subdivision are lacking. Recent changes in City staffing have brought about more questions regarding the undocumented process.

CEDD Emery stated that over the past year, staff has been working with the Winchester Subdivision Condominium Association and property management company to understand how they have been administering the program, the value of the program, and parking challenges that exist in the neighborhood. With that knowledge, staff has developed an agreement for the administration of a parking sticker program in the subdivision that documents the procedures of the program and allows for succession of administration. CEDD Emery added that the agreement also provides transparency regarding how the subdivision right-of-way is being used. She further stated that an ordinance will be necessary to codify the allowance of overnight parking on Winchester Circle with a parking sticker.

Several members of the Committee thanked staff for the cooperative effort with area residents to provide clarity to the process and a plan for continuing the program.

ALDERMAN LOCKETT MADE A MOTION, seconded by Ald. Wilkie, to recommend the City Council pass a resolution authorizing the City Administrator to execute the Winchester Parking Sticker Agreement and approve a corresponding Ordinance to codify the sticker requirement within the City Code.

MOTION ADOPTED VIA VOICE VOTE

5. Review and File Information Update for Warrenville By Design Project CEDD Emery presented information resulting from the public hearing for the proposed Warrenville by Design (WBD) Mixed-Use and Middle-Housing Overlay. She recognized the exceptional rate of participation during the public hearing process and summarized the concerns of property owners in the area regarding non-conforming uses and what that means for them. She reassured the Committee that the Warrenville By Design regulations do not change the non-conforming provisions of the City Code. Every non-conforming property in the City has the same requirements and are the same as in other comparable communities. She also indicated that some property owners in the area want to be excluded from the zoning district, however staff does not recommend an exclusion, which would change the continuity and vision of the new district.

CEDD Emery noted that the Plan Commission recommended approval of the zoning overlay by a vote of 7-2, and the item will be presented to City Council on July 15 for direction of staff to work with the City Attorney in preparation of the ordinance.

There was discussion regarding moving forward with the overlay as presented and the effect on non-conforming properties. CEDD Emery reiterated that the properties in question are currently non-conforming and will continue to be non-conforming when the overlay is adopted. No changes to the properties will be required. However, if they wanted to make a change in the future, the overlay regulations would guide that change.

CEDD Emery clarified that the Warrenville By Design zoning overlay does not re-zone properties in the district but does provide additional requirements for the use and development of the properties.

Ald. Aschauer expressed a concern that the restrictive nature of the overlay may negatively impact properties in the district making it harder for property owners to sell. CEDD Emery replied that every zoning district in the City provides different regulations, and the overlay provides additional regulations in a prescribed area regarding building materials and style. She further described the efforts staff made to inform property owners within the district of the clear set of expectations and requirements associated with the overlay.

At Mayor Brummel’s request, CEDD Emery highlighted again the objective for implementing the Warrenville By Design zoning overlay, which is to exemplify the City’s Comprehensive Plan and the Civic Center Subarea Plan; and to recognize the vision and appeal of the plans to create designations within the City separate from any other areas of the City. The zoning overlay adds regulations to the plans to make what is envisioned a reality. She further clarified that existing non-conforming uses will be allowed to continue until the current or future owner changes the structure or establishes a new use.

Plan Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals Chairman Cosgrove stated that some of the non-conformity issues are related to setbacks, which will become more compliant under the Warrenville By Design zoning overlay. Additionally, the new overlay may encourage potential developers of the City-owned property to feel confident that non-conforming structures or uses will eventually conform to their new development for a more cohesive look.

NO COMMITTEE ACTION WAST AKEN NOR REQUESTED

6. Review and File Bi-monthly Code Enforcement ActiviLy Report

The Code Enforcement Activity Summary Report for May and June 2024 was presented for review. There were no comments.

NO COMMITTEE ACTION WAS TAKEN NOR REQUESTED

7. Review and File Commercial/Retail InventOLy Summaiy Report

The Commercial Retail Inventory Summary Report was presented for review. There were no comments.

NO COMMITTEE ACTION WAS TAKEN NOR REQUESTED

8. Review and File FY 2025 Community Development Work Plan Update

The Community Development Department's FY 2025 Work Plan was presented for review. There were no comments.

NO COMMITTEE ACTION WAS TAKEN NOR REQUESTED·

G. MISCELLANEOUS

H. CLOSED SESSION

I. ADJOURN

ALDERMAN LOCKETT MADE A MOTION, seconded by Aid. Wilkie, to adjourn.

MOTION ADOPTED VIA VOICE VOTE

The meeting adjourned at 7:54 p.m. 

https://www.warrenville.il.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_07082024-1398