Peoria Standard

City of Batavia Plan Commission & Zoning Board of Appeals met June 15.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

1. Meeting Called to Order for the Plan Commission & Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting

Chair Gosselin called the meeting to order at 7:00pm.

2. Roll Call:

Members Present: Chair Gosselin; Vice-Chair LaLonde; Commissioners Peterson, Joseph, Harms and Moore

Members Absent:

Also Present: Drew Rackow, Planner; Joel Strassman, Planning and Zoning Officer; Jeff Albertson, Building Commissioner; and Jennifer Austin Smith, Recording Secretary

3. Items to be Removed, Added or Changed

There were no items to be removed, added or changed.

4. Approval of Minutes: May 18, 2022

Motion: To approve the minutes from May 18, 2022

Maker: Joseph

Second: LaLonde

Roll Call Vote: Aye: Joseph, Gosselin, Moore, LaLonde, Peterson, Harms

Nay: None

6-0 Vote, 0 Absent, Motion carried.

5. Emagine, 550 North Randall Road, Tower Construction, Applicant

• PUBLIC HEARING: Variances for Building Height and Sign Area

• Design Review

Motion: To open the Public Hearing

Maker: Peterson

Second: Moore

Roll Call Vote: Aye: Peterson, Harms, Joseph, Gosselin, Moore, LaLonde

Nay: None

6-0 Vote, 0 Absent, Motion carried.

The Public Hearing was opened at 7:03pm.

Rackow discussed the staff report for variances for building height and sign area and the Design Review with the Plan Commission (PC). Brian Eichstaedt, speaking on behalf of Emagine Theaters, addressed the PC. He stated that granting relief to the height variance would allow them to construct the largest cinema scope screen in the state of Illinois, measuring 94ft in width. Eichstaedt discussed the site plan for the building. The PC viewed documents titled “Tower Construction Proposed Building Addition” and “Color Exterior Elevations” with the applicant. Eichstaedt discussed the fire exits and the new east side entrance along the theater.

Chair Gosselin asked if there were any comments from the public. There were none.

Motion: To close the Public Hearing

Maker: Harms

Second: Joseph

Roll Call Vote: Aye: Harms, Joseph, Gosselin, Moore, Peterson, LaLonde

Nay: None

6-0 Vote, 0 Absent, Motion carried.

The Public Hearing closed at 7:31pm.

Motion: To adopt the Findings for Approval of the requested variances as drafted by staff Maker: LaLonde

Second: Peterson

Roll Call Vote: Aye: LaLonde, Harms, Joseph, Gosselin, Moore, Peterson

Nay: None

6-0 Vote, 0 Absent, Motion carried.

Motion: To recommend City Council approval for variances 1 A, B, and C as drafted by staff

Maker: Harms

Second: Moore

Chair Gosselin noted that the conditions of approval should be included in the motion. Harms amended her motion to include the conditions of approval.

Motion: To recommend City Council approval for variances 1 A, B, and C as drafted by staff with the conditions of approval (A, B, C, D, E) as listed in the staff report dated June 10, 2022

Maker: Harms

Second: Moore

Roll Call Vote: Aye: Harms, Joseph, Gosselin, Moore, Peterson, LaLonde

Nay: None

6-0 Vote, 0 Absent, Motion carried.

Motion: To approve the Design Review Findings as drafted by staff

Maker: Joseph

Second: LaLonde

Roll Call Vote: Aye: Joseph, Gosselin, Moore, Peterson, LaLonde, Harms

Nay: None

6-0 Vote, 0 Absent, Motion carried.

Motion: To approve Design Review for Emagine Theaters, 550 North Randal Road, in conformance to the plans conditionally approved for the requested variance and subject to City Council approval

Maker: Peterson

Second: Joseph

Roll Call Vote: Aye: Harms, Joseph, Gosselin, Moore, Peterson, LaLonde

Nay: None

6-0 Vote, 0 Absent, Motion carried.

6. Election of Officers

LaLonde nominated Gosselin for the position of Chair and Peterson seconded.

Motion: To elect Tom Gosselin as Chair of the Plan Commission

Maker: LaLonde

Second: Peterson

Roll Call Vote: Aye: LaLonde, Harms, Joseph, Moore, Peterson

Nay: None

4-0 Vote, 0 Absent, 1 Abstain, Motion carried.

Joseph nominated Moore for the position of Vice-Chair. Peterson seconded. LaLonde nominated Harms for the position of Vice-Chair. Joseph seconded. Harms graciously declined the offer to serve as Vice-Chair of the Plan Commission.

Motion: To elect Amy Moore as Vice-Chair of the Plan Commission

Maker: Joseph

Second: Peterson

Roll Call Vote: Aye: Joseph, Gosselin, Peterson, LaLonde, Harms

Nay: None

4-0 Vote, 0 Absent, 1 Abstain, Motion carried.

7. Matters from the Public (for items not on the agenda)

There were no matters from the public for items not on the agenda.

8. Other Business

Rackow stated that there would be a PC meeting on July 6, 2022.

9. Adjournment

There being no other business to discuss, Chair Gosselin asked for a motion to adjourn the Plan Commission & Zoning Board of Appeals. Peterson moved to adjourn the meeting, LaLonde seconded. All were in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 7:53pm.

http://www.cityofbatavia.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_06152022-1942