Sangamon Sun

Sangamon County Board met May 9.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

The Sangamon County Board met in Reconvened Adjourned September Session on May 9, 2017 in the County Board Chambers. Vice-Chairman Sheehan presided and called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Bunch gave the Invocation and Mr. Fraase led the County Board in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll Call:

Vice-Chairman Sheehan asked County Clerk Gray to call the roll. There were 26 Present – 3 Absent. Mr. O’Neill, Mr. Stumpf and Chairman Van Meter were excused.

Proclamations:

Mr. Ratts, Mrs. Annette Fulgenzi, Mrs. Ruzic and Mrs. Douglas Williams presented a Proclamation to the Lanphier Lions High School Boys’ Basketball Team. The coaches and team were present to accept the Proclamation. Coach Blake Turner thanked the County Board for the recognition. He commented how much it meant to them to be recognized. He hopes they represented them well and made everyone proud. They will frame this and keep it in their trophy case.

Presentation – Elks Club:

Bob Church from the Elks Club gave a presentation. The Elks Club in Springfield started in 1907. Last year they elected their first woman, Glenda Cassons. During her tenure as the Grand Coordinator, they were a member of the Elks National Foundation out of Chicago. As long as they give them some of their money from dues, they can apply for grants. For the last 2 years they have applied for five $2,000 grants they have received.

They gave those to a group he didn’t know anything about, and he has been around here a long time. They are the Sangamon County Veteran’s Assistance Commission. They bought goods for homeless veteran’s that were receiving a permanent home. They bought things such as: sheets, towels, bedding, and hygiene products. They filled welcome baskets with these things. The have a check representing $10,000 that they have been able to get over the last two years. The grant programs will continue in June, and he will be working with Kim and Joe from the Veteran’s Assistance Commission to get more money. One of their goals is to show they are helping Veteran’s. There are many Veteran’s within their organization. Mr. Church presented the $10,000 check to the Veteran’s Assistance Commission.

Presentation – Frontiers International:

Brad Mills and Austin Randolph, Jr. were present on behalf of Frontiers International to give a presentation. Mr. Randolph, President of the Frontiers Club of Springfield, presented an award for the County Board’s help, dedication, and appreciation to young youth the club mentors here in the City of Springfield. One of the big programs they do is Grow Our Own, in conjunction with the city as well as Hanson Professional Services. They want to show their appreciation for what they do, the way they do it, and for continued support to the women and men in the City of Springfield. He thanked them.

Minutes:

A motion was made by Mrs. Williams, seconded by Mr. Sullivan, for approval of the Minutes of April 10, 2017. A voice vote was unanimous.

Motion Carried

Minutes Adopted

Resolution 1:

1. Resolution approving an Agreement of Understanding for maintenance.

A motion was made by Mr. Ratts, seconded by Mr. Forsyth, to place Resolution 1 on the floor. Upon a roll call vote, there were 26 Yeas – 0 Nays for the adoption of Resolution 1.

Motion Carried

Resolution Adopted

Resolutions 2 – 5:

2. Resolution appropriating Motor Fuel Tax Funds for the County Engineer’s salary and expenses.

A motion was made by Mr. Bunch, seconded by Mr. Krell, to place Resolution 2 on the floor. A motion was made by Mr. Bunch, seconded by Mr. Krell, to consolidate Resolutions 2 – 5. Vice- Chairman Sheehan asked County Clerk Gray to read Resolutions 3, 4 and 5.

3. Resolution approving an agreement between Sangamon County and the Illinois Department of Transportation to transfer Surface Transportation Program Funds for state funds.

4. Resolution approving a right-of-way settlement with Parr Trust.

5. Resolution approving a right-of-way settlement with Barker Trust.

A voice vote was unanimous on the consolidation. A motion was made by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Ratts that the roll call vote for Resolution 1 stands as the roll call vote for Resolutions 2 – 5, as consolidated. A voice vote was unanimous.

Motions Carried

Resolutions Adopted

Resolution 6:

6. 2017-012 – Adam & Cari Claussen, 5222 Turkey Run Road, Sherman – Granting a Variance. County Board Member – Lori Williams, District #8.

A motion was made by Mr. Mendenhall, seconded by Mrs. Small, to place Resolution 6 on the floor. A motion was made by Mr. Mendenhall, seconded by Mr. Fraase, to waive the reading of the professional staff’s report. There were no objections. Vice-Chairman Sheehan asked County Clerk Gray to call the roll. There were 26 Yeas – 0 Nays.

Motions Carried

Resolution Adopted

Resolution 7:

7. 2017-013 – Jorge & Nancy Fahrenbacher, 3451 Pet Cemetery Road, Springfield – Granting a Rezoning and Variances. County Board Member – Tom Madonia, Jr., District #9.

A motion was made by Mrs. Deppe, seconded by Mrs. Hills, to place Resolution 7 on the floor. A motion was made by Mr. Mendenhall, seconded by Mr. Madonia, to waive the reading of the professional staff’s report. There were no objections. A motion was made by Mr. DelGiorno, seconded by Mr. Smith, to dispense with the roll call vote and move by acclamation. A voice vote was unanimous for the adoption of Resolution 7.

Motions Carried

Resolution Adopted

Resolution 8:

8. 2017-014 – John Kulek, 6151 Main Street, Salisbury – Granting a Variance. County Board Member – Tom Fraase, Jr., District #1.

A motion was made by Mr. Fraase, seconded by Mr. Preckwinkle, to place Resolution 8 on the floor. A motion was made by Mr. Mendenhall, seconded by Mr. Snell, to waive the reading of the professional staff’s report. There were no objections. A motion was made by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. DelGiorno that the roll call vote for Resolution 6 stands as the roll call vote for Resolution 8. A voice vote was unanimous.

Motions Carried

Resolution Adopted

Resolution 9:

9. 2017-015 – Ron Metzger, 600 Toronto Road, Springfield – Granting a Rezoning and Conditional Permitted Use. County Board Member – Brad Miller, District #13.

A motion was made by Mr. Miller, seconded by Mr. Madonia, to place Resolution 9 on the floor.

Vice-Chairman Sheehan asked the professional staff to give their staff report. Trustin Harrison, professional staff, stated the petitioner is requesting rezoning from “I-1” Restricted Industrial District to “B-3” General Business District and a Conditional Permitted Use for a tavern with a beer garden and live entertainment. Steve Keenan, professional staff, stated the Planning Commission recommends approval of the requested “B-3” zoning due to the trend of development in the area. Recommend approval of a Conditional Permitted Use for a tavern with a beer garden and live entertainment with the following conditions: (1) the tavern with live entertainment is limited to the footprint of the building and beer garden as per the site plan submitted with the petition; and, (2) the hours of operation of the tavern with a beer garden and all live entertainment including but not limited to any dancing, band, DJ music, or any other noise generating music of any kind, are governed by the Sangamon County Liquor Ordinance. Mr. Harrison stated that the Zoning Board of Appeals concurs with the staff recommendation for approval.

Petitioner Ron Metzger, address the County Board. He stated he is doing the old Stuckey’s on Route 55, formerly known as Nick’s Pizza and Pub. He is putting a Springfield Motor Head traditional bar and grill in there. It will really highlight Route 66, the Springfield Mile, Joe Shaheen’s, and anything to do with motors. It’s going to be a family oriented thing. They will abide by the rules on everything. They addressed the noise concern really well by putting the stage on the back side and by putting up eight-foot fences up between the buildings. It will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It will obviously be a restaurant with liquor sales and entertainment. There will not be any head banging music, but will just be a fun place to be for all of us.

Attorney Mike Fleshman, representing Objector Gebhardt Properties, and Mr. Gebhardt were present to address the County Board. Mr. Fleshman clarified that their objection is for the conditional permitted use for the outdoor live entertainment. His client does not have any objections to the other issues Mr. Metzger has brought up. Mark Gebhardt addressed the County Board. He is the owner of Rich Development and Richland Estates. They own the 28 acres immediately south and to the west of Canadian Cross, and also the 30 acres southwest of this property. This area between Second Street, Toronto Road and Canadian Cross has been a victim of poor development by a desperate developer in the past. Currently it has a truck stop there that was zoned for no overnight parking. There is no enforcement and no way to enforce it. There is routinely more than 25 trucks there at a time. These things have created a huge trash pile in his field, which is just to the south of that area. He thinks the warehouse faces east, which is kind of an ugly eyesore on Second Street. They would just like to eliminate the trash problem with live entertainment, people parking up and down Canadian Cross, taking glass with them out of the bar and throwing it out into the field. He is constantly picking up trash, and he would like to make sure that doesn’t happen there. They have looked at the Curve Inn and what happens there. Little Flower Church provides parking, and they have to pick it up every night. There is no way they can enforce picking up the junk, beer cans, and stuff people leave behind. The do not want the noise generated with outdoor music, or the big crowds that leave their trash behind.

Mr. Miller asked Mr. Gebhardt how long he has owned the property. Mr. Gebhardt stated he thinks it has been about 12 years. They’ve subdivided the piece they call Richland Estates, which is directly south. They bought the sewer from the city to come out there. They are pretty much ready to do it, but are kind of waiting for the economy to come around. Mr. Ratts asked him to clarify what he would be doing. Mr. Gebhardt stated they would divide it to build single-family homes and apartments.

Mrs. Linda Fulgenzi asked if he lives in the area. Mr. Gebhardt stated he does not live in the area, but his brother Steve lives on the 30 acres to the southwest. They are behind the tree farm to the east.

Mr. Madonia clarified, as a parishioner of Little Flower, that the Curve Inn staff does a phenomenal job of picking up the Little Flower Church parking lot. Mr. Gebhardt stated he agrees, but his point was that they have to do it. Mr. Madonia stated that yes the bar owners do have to take care of that, but the church does not.

Mr. Metzger gave his rebuttal. He stated he can only guarantee the clean-up issue will be the least thing they have to worry about. If you looked at that place a year ago, and look at it today, you will see it is phenomenal what they have done in the last year. He also owns Metzger Flooring Center, and everything they do is impeccable and is nothing but quality, and that’s how it will stay when they do this. Mrs. Annette Fulgenzi commended Mr. Metzger for recognizing the value that Route 66 brings to their community. She hopes more entrepreneurs will see that value, and they can start capitalizing on the tourism with Route 66. Mr. Metzger stated this will be the biggest attraction in Springfield for Route 66.

Attorney Mike Fleshman addressed the County Board for the objector’s rebuttal. One of the biggest problems his client has with this development is that the staff recommendation says there is a buffer off Interstate 55 for residents to the east. To the west is the Road Ranger, and they say Toronto Road acts as a buffer to the north. They said properties to the south are already trending towards this development, but that is not true. The property immediately to the south is this 28-parcel tract that Mr. Gebhardt has already subdivided and ran sewer and water to. This will significantly decrease the values of the potential single-family residences and apartments that he will eventually sell as parcels or however he decides to develop it. There will be a large impact on the value of those homes. The main concern is the live entertainment. The Sangamon County Liquor Ordinance says live music stops at 10:30 p.m. In the proposed petition for this bar he thinks it said it will be operating 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. He thinks that was a typo, and it meant 1:00 a.m. He does not know who will go out there to stop them from playing this loud music past 10:30 p.m. They are asking to have a few more restrictions in place.

Mr. Krell pointed out that they have two pretty high dollar subdivisions on the other side of the highway. They are North Lake Shore and Lake Pointe. They also have Horseview Drive, and all that area in there that is developed. They also have a place over there called Crows Mill that is re- opening again after a fire. They have outdoor entertainment, and he thinks he has only received one complaint when they were open before the fire. The prices definitely have not gone down in those subdivisions. It did not hinder them one bit.

Mrs. Linda Fulgenzi stated the last sentence in the recommendation says “Are governed by the Sangamon County Liquor Ordinance.” She asked the professional staff if it would be up to the Liquor Committee to put restrictions on how long the bands will be playing. They already have 9:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. She asked if that would be enforced by the Liquor Committee. Trustin Harrison, professional staff, explained that currently from Sunday night through Thursday night the music would have to cease at 9:00 p.m., and then on Friday and Saturday it would go until 10:30 p.m. There are requirements for a beer garden. They would be required to have an eight-foot fence. That enforcement would go through the Liquor Committee.

Mr. Smith also asked the professional staff to explain their efforts in going out to establishments and enforcing the hours of operation. Mr. Harrison explained they try to address all complaints such as carrying a beer out of the establishment. This would become a property owner issue. In the ordinance they are not allowed to carry open containers out of the establishment. That would be addressed as a potential violation to the license holder. Mr. Smith asked how their staff handles complaints during late night hours and on weekends. Mr. Harrison stated that they do spot checks. He will go out Friday and Saturday nights and through the week, depending on when they have complaints. If a complaint is persistent, it may end up coming before the committee and then in front of the deputy commissioner. There are possible penalties, fines, and even revocation of their liquor license.

A voice vote was unanimous for the adoption of Resolution 9.

Motions Carried

Resolution Adopted

https://www.sangamoncountyclerk.com/County-Board/documents/May92017_000.pdf