Metro East Sun

The City of Highland Heights Planning and Zoning Board met Wednesday, May 4.

City of Highland Heights Planning and Zoning is located at 176 Johns Hill Road, Highland Heights.

Here are the meeting minutes as provided by the Highland Heights Planning and Zoning Board:

2610 Plaza Drive - P.O. Box 218 Highland, Illinois 62249-0218

Phone (618) 654-7115 Fax (618) 654-5570 www.ci.highland.il.us

City of Highland

Department of Community Development

Building & Zoning Division

City of Highland

Combined Planning and Zoning Board

Minutes of the May 4, 2016 Meeting

Acting Chairperson Gallatin called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Members present were Gallatin, Harlan, Koehnemann, Lodes. Vance, B Korte and J Korte were absent. Also present were City Attorney Long, Asst City Manager Peck, Chief Building & Zoning Official Limestall, Code Enforcement Stock, and Recording Secretary Walter. 14 Citizens were present.

Minutes

The minutes of the April 6, 2016 meeting were approved with no corrections.

Public Comment

Acting Chairperson Gallatin opened the Public Comment section. Hearing no comments the Public Comment Section was closed. All attendees wishing to speak were sworn in.

Public Hearing

Chairperson Gallatin opened the Public Hearing for a subdivision review request by Virgil Schrage 2730 Broadway Highland IL. Joe Langhauser was present to represent Virgil Schrage. Limestall explained Schrage wishes to subdivide the property and sell off the back section. Per the Land Development code this is a major change to the original subdivision plat and requires a review. Limestall state the Storm water concerns will be addressed at the permitting process. Joe Langhauser submitted all the proper paperwork to the city with no concerns from city staff.

Tony Hempen, 2720 Broadway Highland IL has concerns about the drainage runoff. The drainage goes to the far south edge of the property and he would like assurance that will continue.

Mike Kuhl, 8 Sunrise Ct Highland IL stated the drainage issues have never been addressed by the city and he is concern this create a bigger drainage problem.

Phil Klostermann, 2740 Broadway, Highland IL stated he is concerned about the drainage, the water slowly drains to Iberg Road.

Christa Homann, 12547 St Rt 143 Highland IL is the realtor for a potential buyer of the house, and would like more information on the drainage issues. Joe Langhauser stated he was not aware of the drainage issues but if the drainage easement is properly maintained there should not be a problem with the water runoff. Limestall stated the board could put stipulations on the motion. Building & Zoning has not received any comments from Public Works

Hearing nothing further Gallatin closed the public hearing.

Motion made by Lodes to recommended approval of the subdivision plat review with the stipulation the drainage issues be addresses. Seconded by Koehnemann. Gallatin opened the discussion. Limestall stated the city recommends approving the subdivision plat request with stipulations. Harlan stated she would like the city to correct the drainage issue prior to the CPZB determination. City Attorney Long advised that it depends on what the original subdivision plat states and the city’s rights. The residents may have created their own drainage issues by placing landscaping, fences, etc. in the drainage easement. Hearing nothing further Gallatin closed the discussion. Roll call taken. Gallatin, Harlan, Koehnemann, and Lodes voted yes. Motion carried

Chairperson Gallatin opened the Public Hearing for a 3ft south lot line variance to Section 90-125 of the City of Highland Municipal Code request by Allan Gieseking 309 Laurel St Highland IL. Mr. Gieseking was present to answer any questions. Limestall explained Gieseking would like a 3ft south lot line variance to install an above ground pool closer to the property line than is allowed. There is an overhead electrical service line and by the National Electric Code the service line must be a minimum of 22.5 ft from the surface of the pool water. To be in compliance Gieseking would have to place his pool 3ft closer to the lot line. Gallatin asked if Gieseking had considered moving the service line. Gieseking stated he had but it was very expensive. There were no objections from those in attendance. Hearing nothing further Gallatin closed the public hearing. Motion made by Lodes to recommend approval of the variance request. Seconded by Harlan. Gallatin opened the discussion. Gallatin opened the discussion. Limestall stated the board must follow the Standards of Consideration. He further suggested Geiseking either move the overhead service or bury it underground. The city recommends denial of the request. Harlan stated she believes the power should be moved. Hearing nothing further Gallatin closed the discussion. Roll call taken. Gallatin, Harlan, Koehnemann, and Lodes voted no. Motion denied.

Chairperson Gallatin opened the Public Hearing for a Zoning Text Amendment to Section 201-Table 3.1 of the City of Highland Municipal Code by the City of Highland 1115 Broadway Highland IL. Limestall explained the text amendment would clarify and create the definition of “Agricultural –Farming Operations” and allows such Uses by Right in the “Principal Non-Residential Uses” zoning classifications R1A, R1B, R1C, R1D, C1, C2, C3, C4, and Industrial. The first amendment would be for the verbiage, the second amendment would be to amend Table 3.1. Blackie Kuhl, Highland Road, Highland IL questioned if the property is in the city limits. Attorney Long advised Mr. Kuhl that this agenda item is only for a text amendment and nothing else. Hearing nothing further Gallatin closed the public hearing. Gallatin opened the discussion. Gallatin stated the primary reason for the text amendments are to bring other properties into compliance by changing the classification from accessory to principal use. Limestall stated the city recommends approval on both text amendments. Gallatin questioned if animal operations would be an allowed use. Limestall stated no.

Motion made by Harlan to recommend approval of the Zoning Text Amendment. Seconded by Lodes. Roll call taken. Gallatin, Harlan, Koehnemann, and Lodes voted yes. Motion carried.

Motion made by Harlan to recommend the amendment to Table 3.1 of the City of Highland Municipal Code. Seconded by Koehnemann. Roll call taken. Gallatin, Harlan, Koehnemann, and Lodes, voted yes. Motion carried.

Chairperson Gallatin opened the Public Hearing for a Rezoning request by Grandview Farms Partnership, 10205 St Rt 143 Marine IL for 28.5 acres located S ½ of NW ¼ S6,T3N R5W of the 3rd PM Madison Co IL from R1C-Single Family to I-Industrial to allow the continuation of Agricultural – Farming Operations. Limestall explained Dr. Drake is annexing the property but would like to rezone to Industrial and continue to farm the ground. Blackie Kuhl, Highland Rd Highland IL asked if the property is in city limits and if not how can the board decide anything on the property. Kuhl express his concern about a possible train track spur and would the city allow that. Limestall explained the city does not allow rail yards unless it would come before the CPZB board again. Hearing nothing further Gallatin closed the public hearing. The city recommends approval of the rezoning contingent upon annexation as Ag operations, non-residential use. Gallatin opened the discussion. There was no discussion. Gallatin closed the discussion. Motion by Koehnemann to approve the rezoning contingent upon annexation as Ag operations, non-residential use. Seconded by Harlan. Roll call taken. Gallatin, Harlan, Koehnemann, and Lodes, voted yes. Motion carried.

Gallatin opened the continuation discussion on Site Plan Review policy and procedure. After a brief discussion Lodes stated that deadlines don’t mean anything to the developer and incentives may not work. However a penalty may work if all the documentation is not properly submitted, hit them in the pocket to get them going. Limestall provided an outline of future discussion. Next meeting will cover Fences and landscaping in easements, Land Development Code requiring front lot elevation requirements, Land Development Code requiring drainage swale elevations, and Chickens. Limestall suggested the board members email any suggestions to highlandzoning@highlandil.gov for discussion at the next meeting.

Adjournment at 8:05 pm.