The July 13, 2004 Board meeting was called to order by Supervisor Anderson at 7:33 p.m. at the Community Center. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Clerk Johansen called the roll with Supervisor Anderson and Trustees Manser, Gillen, and Kupar present. Trustee Judy arrived shortly after roll call.
Reports:
Sheriff – Sergeant Collins: Deputy Johnson spoke for Sergeant Collins. It is a busy season. There has been damage to property, cars broken into, broken mailboxes, and car accidents – a deer was hit. Lock your cars because car thefts are crimes of opportunity. Devin Moose asked how often do you patrol Brown Road Park? Answer was at least once or twice a day inside and outside. Sometimes Sheriffs Deputies park in the park. B. Wojnicki said let people know where the Wasco Sheriff’s sub station is. Answer was 4N645 School Road. If a crime is in progress call 911.
Highway Commissioner – Sam Gallucci: Commissioner Gallucci stated the road crew dug out road edges and filled with shoulder gravel throughout the Township; installed a Stop Ahead sign on Town Hall Road and a School Bus Stop sign on Hunters Hill Drive; checked all stop signs in the Township on a weekly basis, and replaced damaged or missing signs; repaired driveways on Colonel Bennett Lane and Willowbrook Court; chipped up storm damage throughout the Township; dropped off wood chips to residents who requested them; dispersed altosid briquettes in Township ditches; set up detour signs for Burning Tree project; worked with County on drainage project to alleviate flooding on Old LaFox; painted no parking zone stripes on Old LaFox Road and School Street; swept all small intersections on a weekly basis; continued filling potholes with cold patch throughout the Township; continued maintenance on Township vehicles and equipment; mowed all road ditches in the Township; checked for drainage problems throughout the Township; did ditch work on Woodland Drive and replaced with gravel, tile and washed stone; dugout island and filled with gravel for future paving in Splitrail Farm Subdivision; filled large pothole on roadway and shoulder at intersection of Hidden Oaks and Route 64; and filled all cracks on Anderson Road from Route 64 to Route 38. Also there are several large projects coming up. Three roads will be repaved over about two weeks. All roadways in the Township will be restriped. The first week in August will begin brush pick up north of Route 64. Devin Moose asked is your department spending money on ball fields? Answer was no.
Assessor – Alan D. Rottmann: Assessor Rottmann stated there has been 70 million in new construction in Campton Township this year.
Open Space Committee – Judy Hines: Not present.
Park and Recreation Committee – St. Charles Junior Tennis Association – Tim Matacio: Tim Matacio stated he has 30 kids in the program. Campton Township Administrator Glas prepared a letter for underprivileged children. He hasn’t heard anything yet. The program is going well. He appreciates the opportunity to do this. Bruce Aderman asked are the courts reserved? Answer was they are reserved Monday through Thursday from 9:00 to 12:00 a.m. Supervisor Anderson asked has anyone wanted to use the courts when you were there? Answer was no.
Supervisor – Neal Anderson: Supervisor Anderson stated Campton Township was awarded a $28,000.00 grant to stabilize the 1878 “Hired Man’s House” on Corron open space land. This will be used to repair the roof and windows in order to keep it from the elements until it can be restored in full. He thanks the volunteers that serve on our committees. We held a Public Hearing on Poynor Park. Campton Township purchased the Poynor property this past December with the idea of using it for active recreation. The Poynor Park plan was driven by the need for additional recreation amenities and the deadline for application of an OSLAD grant of $400.000 in matching funds. Because of our great success in obtaining grants of approximately 3.4 million so far, Campton Township elected to move forward on plans for Poynor Park. With the deadline of the end of June approaching, last spring we solicited residents via our web site and newsletter to volunteer to be on a Planning Committee for the park, but receiving only one response, the planning process went back to our existing committees of Parks and Recreation, Open Space, Budget and Finance, Environmental, and Planning Commission. Maybe they were asking too much but what was put together was what is needed to maintain our current programs. No group or program was purposely left out. We are currently looking for ways to incorporate resident leagues into the schedules. All properties are for all residents. Our mission statement for open space reflects what I believe we are all looking for. Because of the concerns of residents, we have set up an ad hoc committee made up of ten members that includes three adjoining residents, Devin Moose, Nancy Wolf, and Greg Palagi; three from Parks and Recreation; three from Open Space; and myself. We are taking a second look at the plan to come up with alternatives that can be brought back to the residents at two open houses in August where the residents can make written comments to the ad hoc committee and the Township Board. Then with this information, the ad hoc committee will make a recommendation to the Township Board. The soonest this would come to the Board would be the September meeting. We can’t get to the means to an end if we don’t have a beginning. There is considerable misinformation out there. If there are questions call the Township. Contact us about roads, parking, lights. On your way out leave your phone number. There are no plans for three or four lane highways. There could only be a turn lane. Speak with residents of Hunters Hill to see how Brown Road Park impacted them. Contact us at our e-mail: Campton@inil.com, our fax: (630) 377-5719; or see our web page: www.camptontownship.com.
Approval of Minutes:
Board Meeting June 8, 2004: J. Kupar moved the Board approve the minutes of the Board meeting of June 8, 2004. D. Gillen seconded the motion. On a voice vote Supervisor Anderson and Trustees Manser, Gillen, Judy, and Kupar voted aye. The motion passed.
Public Hearing June 15, 2004: D. Gillen moved the Board approve the minutes of the Public Hearing of June 15, 2004. K. Judy seconded the motion. A spelling correction was noted which the Clerk will make. On a roll call vote Supervisor Anderson and Trustees Manser, Gillen, Judy, and Kupar voted aye. The motion passed.
Citizens’ Comments: The Clerk stated people that want to speak need to sign in on the sheet by the entry door. We will call you in the order you signed in. If there are a lot of people we will have to limit it to three minutes each, and let you know when you have 30 seconds left. Linda Stritzel stated she searched the Chronicle for notice and couldn’t find it. You should publish in more then the Chronicle. There are a lot of parks in other areas so it affects all of you here. We had a drag racing problem. How can the park be watched. There is not enough police protection. Children will drink and take drugs there. Clerk Johansen stated there were four forms of notice. First was a legal notice in the Chronicle 30 days before the Public Hearing. Second was a notice that appeared under Public Meetings on page three of the Chronicle on the day of the Hearing. Third it was on the Township web page, and fourth it was in the Township Newsletter. Bruce Aderman stated the Township is not at fault for not informing the public. There were several meetings before. He spoke against. He was in the minority. Patty Plass stated you are doing a good job. We live by Brown Road Park and have no problems with it. People are not over there drinking. We appreciate the park. The Board is open and not set in stone. Rebecca Bramer stated if she had known a large facility was going in she would not have purchased in the Windings. She is against large lights, but is for parks. She came from South Elgin where light pollution makes it impossible to see the night sky. Kids will hang out there. Road expansion will be a problem. A park is necessary, but we can make it smaller. We should limit it to Campton so people from Sycamore don’t use it. Don’t make it the biggest park around. Devin Moose stated he became a member of the ad hoc committee after seeing the large sports complex. It’s twice as big as an Elgin facility he saw. He was in the Windings homeowners/Lilly Lake Village meeting. His phone number is 365-5466. We hope to bring back a revised plan that is respectful of the community. He proposes the Board pass a resolution tonight for no lights at Poynor Park and that we provide facilities for only Campton Township residents. Georgia Anderson stated she took a ride on Brown Road to see the Park and did not see the gate closed. She thinks the proposed park is an invasion of her privacy. Kathy Normoyle stated the Lilly Lake Plan Commission was not notified about the purchase of the park.
Planning Commission:
Bernhard Rezoning Request from F to F-2: D. Gillen stated we need to discourage to be consistent with our earlier decision on an existing landscaping business. K. Judy stated we discouraged in the past because it was spot zoning. D. Gillen moved the Board discourage the Bernhard rezoning request from F to F-2. R. Manser seconded the motion. On a roll call vote Supervisor Anderson and Trustees Manser and Gillen voted aye. Trustee Judy voted no. Trustee Kupar abstained. The motion passed.
Didier Rezoning Request: K. Judy moved the Board endorse the Plan Commission recommendation to approve the Didier rezoning request. J. Kupar seconded the motion. John Thornhill spoke for Fred Didier. He stated they notified the neighbors and haven’t heard from them in 10 days. He understands this may be a future historic district. The garage may come off. It’s a tack on thing. N. Anderson stated a historic district would only look at the frontscape. On a roll call vote Supervisor Anderson and Trustees Manser, Gillen, Judy, and Kupar voted aye. The motion passed.
New Business – Presentation and Discussion for Action:
a. Presentation by Feather Run Saddle Horse Farm for Use of Headwaters Conservation Area Barn/Gaited Horse Training Seminar – Dusty Rhodes: Dusty Rhodes stated he trains gaited saddle horses. He was trained by a man born in 1900 and now he does his own clinics. Our Headwaters would be an excellent place to have trails for training horses. He wants a learning center to teach people how to be safe on gaited saddle horses. He could use the pole barn for this purpose. Administrator Glas stated the barn has a gravel floor. R. Manser asked what kind of usage? Answer was clinics with small groups. Horsemanship is an individual skill. The pole barn would be a perfect learning center. We are a not for profit group that gives clinics. He cordons off the audience from the horses. R. Manser asked where would the people come from? Answer was a lot of people in this area have gaited horses. It depends on demand. Part of the purpose is to teach trail etiquette for safety. He has three clinic horses, but uses one for a show horse. J. Kupar stated the infrastructure is not there now. Did you look at Corron Open Space? Answer was yes, but the pole barn at the Headwaters is the attraction. Administrator Glas stated she ran this past Township Attorney Noble for his opinion on insurance. Dusty Rhodes stated sometimes it’s easier to start with a concept plan and then move to the details later as they come up. He sees this as an equine learning center that would share its use with other groups. K. Judy asked can the Open Space Committee look at this? N. Anderson stated both Open Space, and Parks and Recreation can look at it, and then bring it back to the Board with a recommendation. This is just a presentation. No motion is necessary.
b. Review and Act Upon Headwaters Conservation Area Design – Hitchcock Design: Per Supervisor Anderson, a $400.000 OSLAD grant was approved for development of this property. Eric Hornig and Bob Ijams spoke for Hitchcock Design. This is a 50 acre parcel that includes the pole barn. These are improvements of a core area that overlooks a larger rolling hills site. There are four core amenities that include an equestrian zone, a pond, parking, and a dog area. There is a gravel parking area for unloading horses; horse trails that are separate from bike trails; a dog play area where you can unleash dogs; a picnic, shade, shelter, play area; a sled hill; and a four acre pond. There are 26 parking places including two handicapped. They are seeking approval to go into the design document phase. J. Kupar asked where do you get water to supply the pond? Answer was drain tiles will provide the water source. The intent is for it to be a fishing pond of eight to 12 feet deep. We don’t have a thorough analysis of whether the soil supports the pond. D. Gillen asked will you come back for more money? Answer was we will bring it in on budget. J. Kupar asked what happens if you have to line the pond with bentonite or clay? Answer was that’s the biggest wild card. The pond would have to be smaller. N. Anderson asked if you are to start construction, when do you need a plan? Answer was August. K. Judy stated we need the Open Space Committee to look at it first. J. Kupar asked what about the lower pond? Answer was it’s a wetland that is under Army Corps. We need to leave that alone. K. Judy stated let’s get a joint meeting of Park and Recreation with Open Space. N. Anderson stated yes, Administrator Glas will arrange it. Bruce Aderman commented is a dog area next to a horse area a good mix? Answer was no, we provide separation and a fence to keep them apart. N. Anderson stated we will send this back to the Park and Recreation and Open Space committees for them to comment and bring back to the Board. K. Judy moved the Board table acting upon the Headwaters Conservation Area design in order for Supervisor Anderson to refer it to the Park and Recreation and Open Space committees for them to comment and bring back to the Board. D. Gillen seconded the motion. On a voice vote Supervisor Anderson and Trustees Manser, Gillen, Judy, and Kupar voted aye. The motion passed.
c. Review and Act Upon Additional Services for Conservation Design Forum – Jay Womack: R. Manser moved the Board approve additional services for the Conservation Design Forum in an amount not to exceed $3200.00. The motion was seconded by J. Kupar. On a roll call vote Supervisor Anderson and Trustees Manser, Gillen, Judy, and Kupar voted aye. The motion passed.
d. Review Kane County 2030 Plan: Ken Shepro of the Northern Illinois Planning Commission (NIPC) stated the confusion of the 2020 Plan regarding 40% open space is cleared up by the 2030 Plan. This is whether 40% open space applied to all land. For any planned unit development within a Resource Management Area, 40% open space is the minimum requirement. Outside Resource Management Areas, the 2030 Plan takes out any reference to a specific density of the 2020 Plan and refers instead to concepts such as the character of the surrounding area as the criteria for new developments. The proposed 2030 Plan stays away from any minimum or maximum. The one size fits all notion is gotten away from, and instead we emphasize a site specific taking into account of the surrounding area. The debate was what is open space? They couldn’t agree. They welcome specific suggestions and input. Everybody has their own idea of what is open space. The proposed 2030 Plan is not a tweaked version of the 2020 Plan. It is a complete rewrite. Where township land use plans were consistent with what they wanted, they weren’t adopted. K. Judy stated is there a map that puts together all these planning documents showing where they conflict and did you find such conflicts in Campton Township? Answer was he didn’t know. D. Gillen stated Elgin wants to expand west to Route 47 and south to Silver Glen. That concerns us. What protection do we have if Elgin decides to incorporate all over? K. Shepro stated the short answer is nothing. The County can do nothing. Utilities are the only thing that can limit, like approvals from NIPSI, for example. Sewer approvals go to the IEPA. R. Manser asked is the Critical Growth Area the same? Answer was it has moved slightly to the west. Plan Commission Vice Chairman Johansen stated this item was put on the agenda because our Plan Commission looked at portions of it and questions came up. He referred to page 129 of the proposed 2030 Plan and read from the middle of the second full paragraph: “The 2020 Land Resource Management Plan introduced a bloodthirsty approach to open space preservation.” And then from the first full paragraph on page 11, “50% or more of the total area of Kane County can still be in farmland and open space, but if, and only if, 50% of the population increase occurs in the Urban Corridor and the other 50% in the Critical Growth Area.” Vagueness makes this criteria impossible to operationalize by a Plan Commission when it is looking at a developers concept or preliminary plan, and when a Plan Commission makes decisions based on vague criteria, and a developer makes decisions based on profit, lawsuits result. The language on page 11 appears to be written by lawyers instead of land planners, and it invites lawsuits. The reference to the 2020 Plan’s precise and understandable definition of open space as “bloodthirsty”, indicates an overreaction to past issues that is fixing something that isn’t broken. This plan needs to make a serious adjustment of its open space criteria that reflects reality, or it will make past issues worse, instead of better. Supervisor Anderson stated relay our concerns to the County. Our Plan Commission will revisit this shortly.
Old Business – Presentation and Discussion for Action: None.
Claims and Demands for Payment:
Town Fund: D. Gillen moved the Board approve the claims and demands on the Town Fund. J. Kupar seconded the motion. On a roll call vote Supervisor Anderson and Trustees Manser, Gillen, Judy, and Kupar voted aye. The motion passed.
Open Space Fund: D. Gillen moved the Board approve the claims and demands on the Open Space Fund. R. Manser seconded the motion. R. Manser asked do we have another quote on catastrophic insurance? Administrator Glas stated we haven’t found a company for tornados yet. R. Manser stated lets get a bid. Administrator Glas stated she would. On a roll call vote Supervisor Anderson and Trustees Manser, Gillen, Judy, and Kupar voted aye. The motion passed.
Park and Recreational Fund: - None.
Executive Session – Land Acquisition and Personnel: R. Manser moved the Board go into Executive Session for the purpose of land acquisition and personnel, and include the Open Space Committee, Township Attorney Noble, Township Administrator Glas, Township C.P.A. McKay, Chuck Hanlon, and Peter Brennan. The motion was seconded by K. Judy. On a roll call vote Supervisor Anderson and Trustees Manser, Gillen, Judy, and Kupar voted aye. Clerk Johansen prepared the audio recorder. Executive Session began at 10:27 p.m.
Adjournment: Supervisor Anderson reconvened the regular session at 11:35 p.m. R. Manser moved the Board adjourn. J. Kupar seconded the motion. On a voice vote Supervisor Anderson and Trustees Manser, Gillen, and Kupar voted aye. Trustee Judy was absent. The motion passed and the Board adjourned at 11:36 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Richard Johansen
Clerk