McLean County Times

McLean County Land Use and Development Committee met April 4.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

Members Present: Chairman Chuck Erickson, Members Laurie Wollrab, Members Jacob Beard, Lyndsay Bloomfield, Sharon Chung and Shayna Watchinski

Members Absent: Member George Wendt

Other Board Members Present: Members George Gordon and Logan Smith

Staff Present: Mr. Bill Wasson, County Administrator, Mr. Eric Schmitt, Administrative Services Director and Ms. Julie Morlock,

Recording Secretary; Jessica Woods, First Assistant State’s Attorney Civil Division; Mr. Trevor Sierra, Assistant State’s Attorney

Department Heads/Elected Officials Present: Mr. Phil Dick, Director of Building and Zoning

Others Present: Ms. Lisa Nafziger

Chairman Erickson called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. declared a quorum and presented the minutes from the March 7, 2019 regular meeting for approval.

Motion by Chung/Beard to approve the minutes from the March 7, 2019 regular meeting.

Motion Carried.

Chairman Erickson presented bills that had been reviewed and recommended by the County Auditor with a prepaid total and fund total of $1,126.57.

Chairman Erickson indicated there had been a request to speak and turned the floor over to County Administrator Mr. Bill Wasson. Mr. Wasson indicated that Ms. Lisa Nafziger had requested to speak to the Committee regarding fireworks permitting and livestock. Ms. Nafziger handed out information to the Committee and presented the history of their farm and homecoming fireworks at Olympia. Ms. Nafziger went over animal reactions to fireworks in general and more specifically their cattle’s reaction. She discussed the loss they incurred when their cattle stampeded during fireworks before a homecoming game in 2017. She also discussed recourses they tried to recoup their losses including contacting insurance companies for the fireworks company, Olympia and their own personal insurance. She stated that they are asking that the Code be updated to include proper bonding including fright, the proper amounts of coverage, proof of insurance, limiting the proximity to livestock and the size, height or sound decibels to be set off. She indicated they wanted fireworks limited to 2 miles from livestock, or if not that then restrictions of no loud booms and that they must be let off below the tree line. She also asked that longer notification time be required. She thanked the Committee for their time and assistance with this matter.

Mr. Erickson indicated the issue was brought to him and he asked Ms. Wollrab to speak with the Nafzger’s and she did, but subsequently he learned this is not under the jurisdiction of the Land Use committee, but under jurisdiction of the Justice Committee. He stated he invited her to come speak, but also let Ms. Nafziger know that Land Use does not have oversight of fireworks permits. Mr. Erickson confirmed Ms. Nafziger had also requested to speak before the Justice Committee in the month of May. He thanked her for her time.

Chairman Erickson indicated that the next item on the agenda was an update on demolition, disposal, clean up and sealing of a well on a residential property in Weston. Mr. Dick provided an updated indicating that the lot had been cleaned and the well had been sealed. He also showed several photos to the Committee illustrating the lot before it was cleaned up, during the process and then Wednesday of this week after clean up. Mr. Erickson asked about the septic tank that was discovered on the property and if it had been properly closed. Mr. Hendershot came forward and indicated that the contractor, Opperman sealed the septic tank per code. Mr. Erickson thanked him and thanked Mr. Dick for the update on the project.

Mr. Erickson indicated that the next item on the agenda was the Regional Planning Commission Community Information Forum on April 10, 2019. Mr. Dick indicated that this was just a reminder for the committee and let them know that he had signed up those who were interested.

Chairman Erickson indicated that the next meeting was May 2, 2019 at 3:30 p.m. and asked if there was other business. Mr. Beard asked them to confirm that the Nafziger concern fell under the Justice Committee and not under a zoning permit process. Ms. Woods indicated fireworks permits are issued through the County Clerk’s office, not through Building and Zoning and that according to our Board rules the Justice Committee has purview over fireworks licensing. Mr. Beard asked them to confirm that to create changes it would not have to go through a Zoning Board of Appeals process, but through the Justice Committee. Ms. Wood indicated that we are granted the authority to issue firework permits by State Statute and the criteria we have currently in our code comes from that statute. She indicated that the statute also allows us to adopt reasonable rules and regulations regarding the fireworks permits and based on that statute the Justice Committee could amend the fireworks ordinances. Mr. Erickson commented on firework permitting not falling under the purview of Land Use and Mr. Wasson mentioned that at one point this was probably a law enforcement issue, which would be why it is under the purview of Justice.

Chairman Erickson asked if there was anything further for the Committee; hearing nothing, he asked for a motion to adjourn.

Motion by Beard/Chung to adjourn. Motion Carried.

The Land Use and Development Committee meeting was adjourned at 3:51 p.m.

https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/6654