Sangamon Sun

Village of La Grange Board of Trustees Met July 12.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

1. CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The Board of Trustees of the Village of La Grange meeting was called to order at 7:33 p.m. by Village President Mark Kuchler. On roll call, as read by Village Clerk Paul Saladino, the following were:

PRESENT: Trustees Augustine, Gale, Kotynek, McGee and Peterson with President Kuchler presiding.

ABSENT: None

OTHERS: Village Manager Andrianna Peterson Village Attorney Mark Burkland Acting Assistant Public Works Director Russell Davenport Community Development Director Charity Jones Finance Director Lou Cipparrone Interim Police Chief Jason Cates Fire Chief Terrence Vavra

President Kuchler welcomed the Village Board and thanked Trustees for attending the meeting which has been modified to adjust for social distancing. He reminded everyone to stay six feet apart and wear a mask while in the Village Hall if you are not vaccinated. The video of the meeting was broadcasted on cable television, YouTube, and will also be available on Facebook and posted to the Village website.

President Kuchler asked Clerk Saladino to lead the audience in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

2. PRESIDENT'S REPORT

A. Resolution of Appreciation - Retiring Squad Leader Edgar Herrera

President Kuchler read the Resolution of Appreciation for retiring Squad Leader Edgar Herrera into the record. He stated that he appreciated his service to the community and the sacrifices his family has made in supporting his career.

Trustee Kotynek made a motion to approve the Resolution of Appreciation for retiring Squad Leader Edgar Herrera, seconded by Trustee Gale. Motion carried on a voice vote.

B. Annual Appointment of Village Officials

Trustee Augustine stated that in consideration of her relationship with the Village Prosecutor, she recused herself from the appointment of the Village Prosecutor.

Trustee Kotynek made a motion to approve the appointments seconded by Trustee McGee. Motion carried on a voice vote.

President Kuchler announced that on Saturday, June 26, the Village experienced a significant storm event that resulted in flooding for many residents. At the last Village Board meeting on July 28, several residents that incurred damages and losses provided comment. He thanked the many residents that provided photos and video. At the update was provided regarding the litigation with the quarry. Additionally, the Village Engineer provided information regarding the Village's sewer system and planned projects. Video from the meeting and related reports and information referenced is located on the Village website.

President Kuchler noted that an active group called “Dry Up La Grange” has formed. He stressed that stormwater remains a top priority for the Village Board and appreciates residents looking to get involved. He noted that, La Grange cannot undertake significant stormwater management projects on our own and we need to continue to work together with our elected leaders and partner agencies like the MWRD, IDOT and Cook County to implement regional solutions.

President Kuchler advised that recently he had a meeting with Commissioner Spyropoulos from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District to discuss ways that the Village and MWRD can partner on a solution to address this regional flooding problem. Various ideas were explored including a push to utilize permeable pavers and partnering with local schools to “green” their playgrounds. He also noted that he inquired about alternative methods to connect to the Deep Tunnel and proposed that the MWRD consider the overland flooding in La Grange as combined water as it often contains both stormwater and sanitary water. A meeting with Congresswoman Marie Newman and the La Grange Country Club has also been scheduled. Illinois State Representative and House Republican Leader Jim Durkin have also reached out to the Village regarding a meeting.

President Kuchler noted that the litigation with the quarry is ongoing. While the parties are exploring if settlement is possible, the Village continues to pursue a trial date on a parallel line.

President Kuchler noted that the Village will continue to update the community with progress in relation to stormwater as further efforts to connect with our regional partners are made and the lawsuit proceeds. He opened the floor to public comment regarding stormwater.

Cindy Brom, 724 S. Kensington, noted that she was speaking on the behalf of “Dry Up La Grange” and expressed her frustration with projects being built in neighboring communities that may negatively impact La Grange. She also expressed concerns about La Grange being designated as a flood zone by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA”) and inquired if the Village applied for infrastructure funds. She invited all residents to participate in "Dry Up La Grange" and noted that the email is drvuplagrange@gmail.com.

President Kuchler responded to the concerns that Ms. Brom expressed. He noted that La Grange has no jurisdiction over the permitting allowed in other municipalities as they are separate entities. He also stated that during times of drought, there is often concerns raised by residents that the Village's building requirements are too restrictive. The job of the Village is to balance these competing priorities. President Kuchler also noted that Village staff applied for infrastructure funding, however the funds were not awarded. H explained that funding opportunities are competitive. President Kuchler noted that the Village will continue to work together on regional solutions with our regional partners. He stressed that Village staff will continue to apply for funding opportunities moving forward. President Kuchler thanked Ms. Brom for bringing the inquiries of “Dry Up La Grange” to the Village meeting.

Trustee Augustine thanked Ms. Brom and noted that a meeting with residents in the future could be taken under consideration to gather more ideas.

Jen Enriquez, 741 S. Spring, thanked the Village for working on both the lawsuit and for reaching out to legislators in an effort to work on parallel lines.

President Kuchler announced the annual La Grange Craft Fair will be held July 16 through July 18 in downtown La Grange. The La Grange Craft Fair is a popular summer event featuring nearly 200 artisans offering a broad range of one-of-a-kind items. He encouraged everyone to attend and support all of our businesses this summer.

President Kuchler announced that Trustee Mike Matteucci has submitted his resignation as Village Trustee as of July 6 and read his resignation letter into the record. Per state statute, the Village President has 60 days to appoint a replacement Trustee. Once the appointed candidate is forwarded to the Village Board, it must be acted upon within 30 days. He asked stakeholders for recommendations for potential candidates, and invited members of the Village Board to forward recommendations as well. He expressed appreciation to Mike Matteucci and invited Trustee comments.

Trustee Peterson noted that she met Trustee Matteucci during their recent run for election. She noted he was a strong community leader and wished him well.

Trustee Gale expressed his appreciation to Trustee Matteucci.

MANAGER'S REPORT

Village Manager Peterson announced that the Village Board meetings scheduled for Monday, July 26, 2021 and also August 9, 2021 will be cancelled as has been the Village's practice. The next regularly scheduled Village Board Meeting will be Monday, August 23, 2021 in the Village Hall auditorium.

Village Manager Peterson announced that the Village has initiated a new hiring process for the position of Police Officer and for Firefighter / Paramedic. The Village seeks a diverse pool of applicants with a goal to attract, develop and retain the best and brightest from all walks of life and backgrounds. For more information and to apply, please visit the Village website at www.lagrangeil.gov or www.IOSolutuions.com.

PUBLIC COMMENT REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS

Steve Palmer noted that he and La Grange Business Association President Nancy Cummings were in attendance to answer any questions regarding Endless Summer.

5. CONSENT AGENDA AND VOTE

A. Resolution – Illinois Housing Development Authority Grant Acceptance

B. Minutes of the Village of La Grange Board of Trustees Regular Meeting, Monday, June 28, 2021

C. Consolidated Voucher 210712

Trustee Augustine stated that in consideration of her relationship with the Village Prosecutor, she recused herself from each item on the voucher related to the Village Prosecutor.

A motion was made by Trustee Kotynek to approve the Consent Agenda, seconded by Trustee Gale.

Approved by a roll call vote:

Ayes: Trustees Augustine, Gale, Kotynek, McGee and Peterson

Nays: None

Absent: None

6. CURRENT BUSINESS

A. Special Event - 2021 Endless Summerfest – Request for Approval

President Kuchler asked Trustee Augustine to introduce the item. Trustee Augustine stated the La Grange Business Association partnered with the Park District in order to host the 2021 La Grange Endless Summerfest. The event will include carnival rides, food, drinks, live entertainment, and fireworks. The event hours will be Friday, August 6th from 4:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., Saturday, August 7th from 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., and Sunday, August 8th from 11:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

The event will again be located in Gordon Park. The Park District / LGBA is seeking Village approval to use the Locust Avenue right of way and municipal Lot 14 for event operations. The street and parking lot closure will begin at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, August 4. Event parking will principally be provided within the event site, with additional overflow parking located in the Shawmut Industrial Park.

As in past years, the event is proposed to include a fireworks display on Sunday evening. Section 94.25 of the Village Code grants the President and Board of Trustees the authority to waive the local prohibition on fireworks for the public display of fireworks by properly qualified people under the direct supervision of experts in the handling of fireworks.

A motion was made by Trustee Augustine to approve the special event for the 2021 Endless Summerfest, seconded by Trustee Gale.

Approved by a roll call vote:

Ayes: Trustees Augustine, Gale, Kotynek, McGee and Peterson

Nays: None

Absent: None

B. Ordinance – Zoning Code Text Amendment, Special Use, Site Plan Approval, and

Design Review Permit for a Coworking Facility with Retail Sales (Brick & Mortar) at 30 South La Grange Road, Andrew Nast and Adam Clabaugh

President Kuchler asked Trustee Gale to introduce the item. Trustee Gale stated the petitioners, Andrew Nast and Adam Clabaugh, are the contract purchasers of the property at 30 S. La Grange Rd. The petitioners are requesting a text amendment to the Zoning Code and a special use permit with associated site plan and design review approvals. The petitioners are requesting the text amendment to add coworking in conjunction with retail sales as a special use in the retail core of the C-1 Central Commercial District (C-1CR) when located on the first floor. The petitioners are seeking approval of a special use permit to operate a coworking facility with a convenience store at 30 S. La Grange Road. The proposed coworking facility will offer shared workspace, conference rooms, and private office spaces for monthly, daily, or hourly rentals. The proposed retail store is a convenience store that sells small or start up brands of"grab and go” food and beverage items. The proposed retail store occupies the majority of the storefront width of the subject property. The remaining storefront width provides a first floor entrance to the coworking area, which is primarily located behind the retail area.

The petitioners have indicated they will also be seeking a Class B (General Retail Sales) Liquor license from the Village, which allows the sale of wine and beer for consumption off-premises in convenience stores when the sale of wine and beer is merely incidental to other sales conducted on the same premises. The petitioners are also planning to hold special events, which may include alcohol served by a licensed caterer. Depending on the frequency, additional liquor licensing considerations may apply. The Liquor Commission will review the petitioners' liquor licensing request separately.

On June 8, 2021, the Plan Commission held a public hearing on this matter. At the hearing, the petitioners provided information on the proposed text amendment and special use. The petitioners also discussed how coworking generally operates and the services and amenities that are offered to customers. The petitioners also discussed the proposed retail concept and the types of products that would be sold. One member of the public spoke in favor of the application.

The Plan Commission found that the proposed text amendment was consistent with the existing permitted and special uses in the C-1 Central Commercial District. Although the coworking use is not retail in nature, the Plan Commission found it was more akin to a service use than traditional office. The use of the coworking space is flexible and allows for many different and ever changing users, which encourages new visitors to La Grange. The coworking use provides amenities and services beyond a rentable desk, such as networking and mentorship opportunities. The Plan Commission found that coworking could positively add to the downtown with requirements for minimum retail area and restrictions on the potential location of coworking uses. The Plan Commission noted that traditional office remains inconsistent for locations in the retail core of the C-1 District.

After deliberation, the Plan Commission voted unanimously (6-0) to recommend approval of the proposed text amendment with minimum requirements for retail frontage (majority of the building frontage) and retail area depth (25 ft.), as well as a minimum spacing between similar uses (600 ft.). The Plan Commission also recommended approval of the special use and site plan application with four conditions (a modest increase in the depth of the required retail area, removal of a proposed sidewalk café, continued common ownership of the two businesses, and a direct emergency connection to LTACC). The Plan Commission also recommended approval of the Design Review Permit as submitted. The petitioners have submitted a letter agreeing to the Plan Commission's conditions and revised the proposed floor plan to comply with the conditions of the Plan Commission.

A motion was made by Trustee Gale to approve the ordinance for Zoning Code Text Amendment, Special Use, Site Plan Approval, and Design Review Permit for a Coworking Facility with Retail Sales (Brick & Mortar) at 30 South La Grange Road, seconded by Trustee Kotynek.

Approved by a roll call vote:

Ayes: Trustees Augustine, Gale, Kotynek, McGee and Peterson

Nays: None

Absent: None

President Kuchler noted he was sad to see Nickson's leave La Grange but he appreciated petitioners Andrew Nast and Adam Clabaugh's investment which offers first floor retail.

C. Ordinance – An Ordinance Amending Chapter 150 of the La Grange Code of Ordinances Regarding Building Regulations

President Kuchler asked that Trustee Gale introduce the item. Trustee Gale stated that the Village of La Grange currently employs the 1996 edition of the Suburban Building Officials Conference (SBOC) code for single family residential structures and the 1996 edition of Building Officials Code Administrators (BOCA) code for multi-family residential, commercial, and industrial structures. The Village has also adopted the 1996 BOCA National Property Maintenance Code and the 1996 National Electrical Code.

The adopted FY 2020-2021 Village Budget includes several objectives for the Community Development Department, including updating the Village's current building code to the 2015 International Building Code and similar versions of related codes. The 2015 code series was selected in part because 1) the 2015 series is within two editions of the most current codes (meaning that, at the Village's request, the ICC will issue interpretations to assist in applying any gray areas in the code), 2) many builders in the area are familiar with the 2015 codes and build to those standards already, 3) several of the recently approved development agreements in La Grange have been written to allow the use of the 2015 codes, and 4) neighboring communities are currently using the 2015 codes. Three of La Grange's four neighboring communities are using the 2015 code series.

The work to first adopt the ICC code series is extensive but the adoption of the 2015 ICC code series will provide a comprehensive platform for streamlined updates in the future. Staff recommends that La Grange next update the codes in 2024, and regularly thereafter, so as to remain within two editions of the current ICC codes.

Due to the magnitude and complexity of building codes, municipal codes generally adopt the standard international codes by reference with detailed local amendments to tailor the standard codes to a community's unique policies and practices, as well as climactic considerations. Within the La Grange Code of Ordinances, building codes are adopted by reference within Chapter 150: Building Regulations. In addition to the building codes, the Chapter contains the Village's administrative provisions related to the review and issuance of building permits, as well as the Village's soil erosion and sedimentation control requirements, grading and drainage regulations, and permit fee schedule. The proposed amendments represent a full replacement of the current Chapter 150; however, many provisions remain unchanged from current code language, or represent existing Village policies and practices that were not previously adopted in the Code of Ordinances.

Throughout 2020, Community Development staff communicated the intent to adopt the 2015 code series as part of regular conversations with contractors and design professionals and received universally supportive feedback. On June 1, the draft Chapter 150, as well as links to the proposed ICC, national, and state codes were posted to the Village website. From June 1 through June 30, the Village invited public comment on the draft amendments. Public comments were solicited through the publication of a newsflash, the addition of a note on all outgoing Community Development Department emails, printed materials at the permit counter in the Community Development Department, and direct emails to individual contractors and design professionals that regularly do work in the Village. Additionally, the Village Board hosted a workshop on the proposed amendments at the June 14 meeting.

Trustee Gale requested that staff move to update the Building Code on at least a triannual basis.

Former Trustee McCarty thanked staff for their hard work on updating the building codes to 2015 and noted that the Village is now in alignment with our neighboring communities. He noted that as an individual who writes building standards, he encouraged the Village to update the codes regularly and to keep them in alignment with the most current version of the codes.

A motion was made by Trustee Gale to approve the ordinance amending Chapter 150 of the La Grange Code of Ordinances regarding building regulations, seconded by Trustee Augustine.

Approved by a roll call vote:

Ayes: Trustees Augustine, Gale, Kotynek, McGee and Peterson

Nays: None

Absent: None

PUBLIC COMMENT

None.

TRUSTEE COMMENTS

None.

CLOSED SESSION

None.

10. ADJOURNMENT At 8:42 p.m. Trustee Kotynek made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Trustee Gale. Approved by a voice vote.

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