Will County Gazette

Village of Elwood Planning and Zoning Commission met Aug. 27.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

Call To Order

Chairman Michelle Peterson called to order the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting of the Village of Elwood on August 27, 2024, at 7:00 p.m.

Roll Call

Present:

Michelle Peterson, Chairman

Michael Norton, Commissioner

Kenneth Duda, Commissioner

Joe Meyers, Commissioner

June Eastman, Commissioner

David Darin, Commissioner

John Brach, Commissioner

Also Present:

Clerk/Village Administrator Julie Friebele, Village President Doug Jenco

The Meeting Opened With the Pledge to the Flag

Public Hearing – Fire Training Tower Facility

A motion was made by Commissioner Norton to open and conduct a public hearing at 7:05 pm to hear testimony and comments regarding the issuance of a special use and associated variances to permit a Fire Training Tower Facility to be located in a side yard, exceed the one thousand (1,000) square foot size restriction for the total amount of accessory structures and to exceed height restrictions for accessory structures in a R-1 Single Family Residential District. The property lies within the corporate limits of the Village of Elwood and is commonly known as 309 W. Mississippi Avenue. Commissioner Meyers seconded the motion. A vote was called: Commissioner Norton – yes, Commissioner Meyers – yes, Commissioner Eastman – yes, Commissioner Brach – yes, Commissioner Darin – yes, and Commissioner Duda – yes. The motion carried.

a) The Petitioner is Chris Locacius, Fire Chief of the Elwood Fire Protection District.

b) On August 7, 2024 the Public Notice was published in the Wilmington Free Press, published outside the main entrance of the Village Hall, and on the Village of Elwood’s website. Additionally, the adjacent property owners were notified by certified mail. The public hearing sign was posted on the property commonly known as 309 W. Mississippi Avenue, Elwood, IL.

c) A slide show regarding the proposed Fire Training Tower was presented by Fire Chief Chris Locacius, and he discussed the important value the Training Facility brings to the Village. Provided information of ISO ratings and the required training to keep the ratings high, proposed night drills, and maximum live fire drills annually. The live fire drills would consist of two (2) pallets and one (1) bale of hay that would create only minimal smoke, some training would use fog instead of live fire, and the facility is proposed tall enough to provide for training in propelling. The training provides for a safer community as a whole. d) Public Comments: Members of the public discussed the following:

• Possibility of Locating the Facility Somewhere Else

• Facility is Proposed too Close to the Bike Path and Park

• Design of the Facility

• Noise

• ISO Ratings

• Height of the Facility

• Children and Safety

• Smoke

• Tax Dollars

• Drills Per Day, Month, Annual

• Night Drills

e) Staff Report:

Per the regulations of the underlying zone district, § 162.057 R-1 Single-Family Residence District – Police and Fire Stations are permitted use by Special Use review. The proposed Fire Training Tower Structure is compatible with the existing development (Fire Station) of the parcel. The location of the proposed, expanded use is directly between areas of residential development and industrial development. The training tower characteristics are compatible with an industrial land use development and would not impede the normal and orderly development and improvement of surrounding properties. The lot is of a sufficient size. The combined Floor Area Ratio of the combined buildings (Fire Station, Accessory Vehicle Storage, and Fire Training Facility) does not exceed the underlying zoning district’s Floor Area Ratio standard. The proposed structure complies with all code requirements of Section 162.089 excepting the 1,000 square foot building maximum and the required placement in the rear yard. The request for a variation is necessary to build the approximately 960 square foot (footprint) building on site in the proposed location.

Further, the proposed accessory structure exceeds the maximum allowable height per 162.057. Other than the size, location (side yard) and height there are no other concerns with the development. The entire site is approximately 5 acres. The building will be far from any neighboring structures and does not encroach within or near any setbacks.

Per the applicant’s input, the training structure would be used, on average, a few times a month. Live fire training usually occurs in the cooler months of the spring and fall. Additionally, the district anticipates mutual aid training with neighboring districts a few times a year. The Police department, Exxon Mobile, and Stephan Chemical will also conduct training, for specialized rescue scenarios, at the facility. The National Fire Protection Association limits the amount of allowed combustible material (one hay bale and two wood pallets) for each training exercise. This aids in maintaining low emissions from the structures and manages fugitive smoke impacts to neighboring properties. Water usage for management of the structure will be no greater than what is currently used for training.

A motion was made by Commissioner Duda to close the public hearing at 8:10 pm. Commissioner Darin seconded the motion. A vote was called: Commissioner Norton – yes, Commissioner Meyers – yes, Commissioner Eastman – yes, Commissioner Brach – yes, Commissioner Darin – yes, and Commissioner Duda – yes. The motion carried.

Actions to be Taken Following the Public Hearing

A. A motion was made by Commissioner Norton to recommend approval of a Special Use Permit for a Fire Training Tower Facility at the current fire station located at 309 W Mississippi Avenue, Elwood, Illinois. The Fire Training Tower Facility will be located as set forth in the site plan. Commissioner Duda seconded the motion. A vote was called: Commissioner Norton – yes, Commissioner Meyers – yes, Commissioner Eastman – yes, Commissioner Brach – yes, Commissioner Darin – yes, and Commissioner Duda – yes. The motion carried.

B. A motion was made by Commissioner Brach to recommend approval of Variations requested in the application to permit the Fire Training Tower Facility to exceed the 1,000 square foot maximum as set forth in the zoning Ordinance and for an accessory structure to be located in a side yard rather than a rear yard. Commissioner Eastman seconded the motion. A vote was called: Commissioner Norton – yes, Commissioner Meyers – yes, Commissioner Eastman – yes, Commissioner Brach – yes, Commissioner Darin – yes, and Commissioner Duda – yes. The motion carried.

C. A motion was made by Commissioner Meyers to approve the Report to the Village Board of Trustees from the Planning and Zoning Commission. Commissioner Brach seconded the motion. A vote was called: Commissioner Norton – yes, Commissioner Meyers – yes, Commissioner Eastman – yes, Commissioner Brach – yes, Commissioner Darin – yes, and Commissioner Duda – yes. The motion carried.

Comprehensive Plan Presentation

Aaron Tulley, Baxter & Woodman discussed the progress of the Comprehensive Plan update. Mr. Tulley reviewed the Comprehensive Plan structure and process. Previously small group meetings were held with Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Midewin National Tall Grass Prairie, Elwood Fire Department, Elwood School, Public Works, Village staff/departments, and an open house at the Elwood Community Consolidated School to provide information regarding the Comprehensive Plan and to receive feedback. The discussions regarded community vision, goals, and strategies. Direction on how to stimulate local economic development and gateway ideas, including statues, mascots, and murals.

The next steps: Implementation Action Plan

a) Amend the proposed Comprehensive Plan as requested by the Planning & Zoning Commission

b) Meetings with the Planning & Zoning Commission and Village Board

c) Public Hearing

Presentation Of Minutes

A motion was made by Commissioner Meyers to approve the minutes of the June 25, 2024 meeting as presented. Commissioner Eastman seconded the motion. A vote was called: Commissioner Norton – yes, Commissioner Meyers – yes, Commissioner Eastman – yes, Commissioner Brach – yes, Commissioner Darin – yes, and Commissioner Duda – yes. The motion carried.

Public Comments

Members of the audience did not provide public comments.

Other Business

No other business was discussed.

Adjournment

A motion was made by Commissioner Meyers to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Eastman. The Planning and Zoning Commission voted in favor of the motion. The motion carried.

http://www.villageofelwood.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_08272024-793