Will County Gazette

Village of New Lenox Board of Trustees met July 9.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

CALL TO ORDER

The Regular Meeting of the New Lenox Village Board of Trustees was called to order at 7:02 p.m. by Mayor Baldermann in the Council Chambers of the New Lenox Village Hall.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

ROLL CALL

Upon Roll Call by the Clerk, the following members of the corporate authorities answered “Here” or “Present”:

Trustees Howard, Finnegan, Bowden, Butterfield, Smith and Mayor Baldermann

Absent – Trustee Madsen

QUORUM

There being a sufficient number of members of the corporate authorities in attendance to constitute a quorum, the meeting was declared in order.

OTHER OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE

Also in attendance were the Village Clerk Laura Ruhl, Finance Director Kim Auchstetter, Village Administrator Kurt Carroll, Assistant Village Administrator/Community Development Director Robin Ellis, Village Engineer Will Nash, Public Works Director Brian Williams, Building & Zoning Administrator Warren Rendleman, Police Chief Bob Sterba and Attorney Chris Spesia

Mayor Baldermann asked for a moment of silence for Bradley Veerman who passed away suddenly. Brad was a valuable member of our community and outstanding person who dedicated years to the Village of New Lenox and beyond.

PUBLIC HEARING – Annexation Agreement – 1429 E. Lincoln Highway

Mayor Baldermann opened the Public Hearing at 7:05pm. Village Clerk Laura Ruhl provided proof of notice and swore in any speakers.

Ms. Ellis reported this request is for an Annexation Agreement for a 5-acre property on the northwest corner of Route 30 and Anderson Road and to rezone to the C-3 General Business District. The property is currently contiguous to the Village limits to the south, east and west. The C-3 District is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and the surrounding land uses. The site in question is the motel that has been vacant for a number of years. The property is a little over 5-acres with just under 4-acres that are buildable because of a fairly substantial wetland and floodplain area along Anderson Road. Although a formal site plan has not yet been submitted preliminary discussions with the petitioner have indicated that they will not be requesting any access from Anderson Road. The Annexation Agreement is consistent with the typical language we have. There is a recapture payment that is owed by this property before it is developed so there is language in the agreement requiring it to be paid before any permits are issued.

Ms. Ellis stated she understands there is a contractual obligation between the buyer and the seller that will be taken care of at closing but if for some reason it is not it is further emphasized in the Annexation Agreement. The Plan Commission held public hearing on the annexation and rezoning last month and recommended approval.

At this time Mayor Baldermann asked if anyone from the audience wanted to speak.

Tim Anderson addressed the Village Board saying this is a residential neighborhood and a body shop should not be in a residential neighborhood. He stated the nearby strip center that was approved dumps water onto his property.

Mayor Baldermann asked if Mr. Anderson had contacted the Village Engineering Department.

Mr. Anderson stated yes and he was told this is the natural grade.

Mr. Nash addressed the Village Board saying he has been to this property and it is basically the outfall from the Coldwell Banker in the back where they have a pond.

Mr. Anderson said the pond drains directly onto his property.

Mayor Baldermann asked if any of the development had worsen the situation.

Mr. Nash stated not that he is aware of. Staff had gone to the site after a big rain and snow melt and it was holding water at that time and letting it out at the allowable release rate based on the pond and development, so it seemed to be working in accordance of how it was designed.

Mayor Baldermann stated the Board always talks about not wanting development to make any situation worse.

Mr. Anderson welcomed Staff to come to his property.

Mr. Nash stated the water always drained to a back corner.

Mr. Anderson said before the development there was never a pond and the water did not drain onto his property.

Mr. Nash asked if the water went to Mr. Anderson’s property before the development was there.

Mr. Anderson stated no, it did not. He added water also went on to the hotel property.

Mayor Baldermann stated Staff will look at Mr. Anderson’s property again to make sure everything is working.

Trustee Bowden asked Mr. Anderson if he had any photographs.

Mr. Anderson stated he does, but not with him.

Trustee Bowden said photographs would be helpful.

Trustee Smith stated Mr. Anderson should have come to the Village Board if there were issues.

Mr. Anderson said he will bring an attorney and photos to the Village Board.

At that time Mayor Baldermann thanked Mr. Anderson for coming before the Village Board.

Bonnie Anderson said she is curious why the Village Board is concerned about this property now and was never before. Is it that New Lenox is worried about the tax dollar?

Mayor Baldermann said a business wants to come into the Village.

Ms. Anderson said she has concerns about a creek that runs through the property. This will destroy habitat and her dog goes in the creek. She asked if the Board wants antifreeze, gas and oil in the creek.

Mayor Baldermann stated Ms. Anderson is making an assumption. He noted that beyond

Staff and the Village Board this business will be regulated to make sure there is nothing dumped in the creek. The Village Board does care about these issues and we are going to be on top of them. The Village Board does not want to create or make a situation worse for anyone. Mayor Baldermann explained if someone wants to come to our community, and it makes sense from a zoning standpoint, we are going to at least encourage them to talk to us. He thanked Ms. Anderson for her comments.

Trustee Smith said he will have the engineer go to the site to see if there is a drainage problem. He explained that this site is on Route 30, which is a major road, and it’s surrounded by strip malls.

Mayor Baldermann said the Board will make sure this is screened/buffered to the best it can.

Trustee Smith noted that body shops have rules that have to be followed.

Mayor Baldermann noted there are wetlands on the back of the site that cannot be built on.

Trustee Butterfield noted the creek is a lot of run-off from Route 30.

Trustee Smith stated before Country Charm was in existence, that area was a huge culvert.

The Mayor closed the hearing at 7:18pm.

Mayor Baldermann explained the ordinances for this item are later on this agenda for first read and discussion but will not be voted on tonight. These ordinances will come back to the Village Board in two weeks for second read and vote.

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