Peoria Standard

City of West Peoria Land Use Committee met Aug. 2.

Here is the minutes provided by the Committee:

1. Call to order

Chair Dohm called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m.

2. Roll Call

Members present were Chair Dohm, Alderperson Barnes and Alderperson Siewert. Also present were Mayor Dillon, City Administrator Krider, Code Enforcement Officers Wallace and Davis and Clerk Silver.

3. Additions to/or deletions to agenda

There were no additions to or deletions from the agenda offered.

4. Approval of Minutes - July 5, 2017

Alderperson Barnes made a motion to approve the minutes of the July 5, 2017 meeting. Alderperson Siewert seconded the motion. Motion carried.

5. Review of Monthly Financial Report

Alderperson Barnes made a motion to receive and file the monthly financial report dated June 30, 2017. Alderperson Siewert seconded the motion. Motion carried.

6. Public Comment

No public comment was offered.

7. Nuisance Properties

Code Enforcement Officer Wallace noted that 1515 Market when the work order was placed, it indicated to cut the vegetation on the fence line. Alderperson Barnes noted that the property was listed as sold on the foreclosure/vacant properties listing. The disposition of liens placed on properties was discussed. Mayor Dillon noted that if the property was sold for taxes, liens are not required to be cleared out. City Administrator Krider responded that she would validate the list. Code Enforcement Wallace continued a review of properties on the nuisance properties memorandum. Chair Dohm asked about 2513 Farmington Road and noted that the front yard was mowed last week sometime but the grass in the driveway was approximately 10 inches high and cleanup was done at some time in the past but the property needs additional attention. Wallace noted that the state came in and mowed the ditch and code enforcement has been in contact with the individuals that manage the property. Mayor Dillon wants the bank to be notified the person responsible for mowing is not performing the task. Wallace reported on multiple attempts at contact to the bank. The house has been abated and City Administrator Krider wants to send a ticket to the property owners. The definition of the acronym CWP was clarified to mean City of West Peoria. The process required by state law is to clean up nonconforming properties in non-home rule municipalities. If a property is occupied, the city must serve the property owner with a warrant and then go to court to proceed with cleanup. If a property is not occupied, then cleanup can occur. Vegetation, garbage and debris, which are considered health hazards but the definition of what allows the City of West Peoria to proceed with cleanup without a warrant remains unclear. Currently the enforceability of the code is a constant struggle. Chair Dohm reported that curb appeal must be re-established to properties. Mayor Dillon Stated that the City either must have permission from the property owners or a warrant and it takes significant investment of time and money to get, sometimes, both. City Administrator Krider stated that after abatement, a ticket should be sent immediately following to initiate a conversation to gain compliance. In response to Code Officer Davis's question regarding what should happen if the property owner gets combative, Mayor Dillon stated that the police should be called. Frustration with the perceived inability to access property to investigate complaints was debated.

8. Reports

a. Code Enforcement Report

Case Detail Report and Case Summary Report from the previous month to date were presented.

b. City Administrator's Report

City Administrator Krider distributed a listing of addresses for special use permits that will be notated on future city maps. Krider outlined property special use in contrast to owner special use. The special uses are used as a variance from the zoning of the specific location for specific circumstances. Krider is also working on noting annexations on the map as well as a review of the code book, which is estimated to be a lengthy process. Once the review is complete, new code books will be printed for distribution.

9. Old Business

a. Review and recommend Home Occupation Application

City Administrator Krider stated review continues this topic. Continued discussion with other municipalities is underway. Debate continues over the fees associated.

b. Review of Foreclosure and Vacant Properties listing

Foreclosure and vacant properties listing still requires updating. The process for updating was reviewed and a suggestion for the process of updating owner and date be included as a footer was recommended.

c. Review Empty Lots

Disposition of empty lots was discussed and how many are buildable. Code Officer Davis commented on the availability of books for narrow lot compliant housing. Exploration of the legal possibility of selling empty lots to neighboring houses provided a determination that 80% of the appraised value must be obtained unless the property goes to auction and is not disposed of. At such time, the highest bidder is entitled to the property but the cost of the appraisal would have to be recouped.

d. Approval of Inventory List

Changes to the latest list were discussed, in addition to destruction of four computers with accompanying evidence of destruction. The list will be added to the September 6, 2017 Land Use Committee agenda for approval.

10. New Business

a. Enterprise Zone - Farmington Road Properties

Next step for Enterprise Zone is waiting for Peoria County approval of the changes recommended by the City of West Peoria in addition to reaching out to other communities. Mayor Dillon asked about the need for making the changes now if we have everything together and wait until other communities have changes to make and split the cost of any updates. Walidation of the need for the area to be contiguous was raised. Chair Dohm agreed with Mayor Dillon regarding making the changes once other Communities can make changes to keep the cost down.

b. Rezoning - Farmington Road Properties

City Administrator Krider reported the Plan Commission approved the rezoning from 1 to 9 on Farmington Road properties. The Magnolia addresses were not approved but no letters have been returned from the mailing. The property owners will be contacted to see if there are any concerns. Moving forward without owner consent is possible but documentation is critical as per legal advice. Conversations with the disinterested property owner have occurred and it was believed that the concern may be property values will be increased but no additional taxes would be assessed unless a business is in place. Discussions with IDOT regarding curb cuts was reiterated. Krider reported next steps include reaching out to the owners with a time bound request.

11. Discussion Only

a. Rental Registration Memo

Chair Dohm reported that close to 50% of the mailings were returned successfully. City Administrator Krider stated that plans are to reach out a second time to those that failed to respond.

12. Public Comment

No public comment was offered.

13. Adjournment

Alderperson Barnes made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:05 p.m. Alderperson Siewert seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously by voice.

http://cityofwestpeoria.org/files/8315/0481/1204/2017_08_02_Land_Use_Committee_Agenda_and_Minutes.pdf