East Central Reporter

 City of Olney Plan Commission met Jan. 2.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

AGENDA #1 “CALL TO ORDER” The meeting of the Plan Commission was called to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Olney City Hall, 300 S. Whittle Avenue, Olney, Illinois, with Chairperson Steve Eichhorst presiding.

AGENDA #2 “ROLL CALL” The following Plan Commission members were present: David Abell, Elliot Brazil, Vicki Lobacz, Vic Colwell, and Steve Eichhorst. Zachary Holder, Scott Jones, Wesley Tolliver, and Pat Everette were absent. Also present were Code Enforcement Officer Dallas Colwell, and City Clerk Kelsie Sterchi.

AGENDA #3 “APPROVE MINUTES OF THE PLAN COMMISSION MEETING ON NOVEMBER 6, 2023” Mr. Abell moved to approve the minutes of the Plan Commission meeting on November 6, 2023, seconded by Mr. Colwell. Mr. Abell, Mr. Brazil, Mrs. Lobacz, Mr. Colwell, and Mr. Eichhorst voted yes. There were no opposing votes. The motion carried.

AGENDA #4 “SWEARING IN” Mr. Eichhorst asked that anyone wishing to testify on behalf of the items being discussed to stand and be sworn in. No one present wished to be sworn in.

AGENDA #5 “PUBLIC HEARING: FINAL PLAT OF NORTHFIELD SUBDIVISION” Bradley M. Doll had submitted a final plat for Northfield Subdivision. No comments had been received from the public.

AGENDA #6 “APPROVAL: FINAL PLAT OF NORTHFIELD SUBDIVISION” Mrs. Lobacz noticed that the proposed Bonita Lane ended in a cul-de-sac with only one entry/exit point. She was concerned with only one entry/exit point here because the subdivision was bordered by high-traffic roads and safety could be an issue. She recalled approving a subdivision several years ago with only one entry/exit point. A resident had expressed concern on what to do if there was a problem at the one entry/exit point at a time when they needed to leave immediately.

Mr. Doll understood Mrs. Lobacz’s concern. He indicated that he had attempted to purchase the property off of N. East Street that would have allowed for thru-access to that road, but the property owner was not interested in selling.

Mrs. Lobacz felt that the solution would then be to add another road that would connect to Shurron Street, or elsewhere, and alter the lot layout.

Mr. Eichhorst asked for Mr. Doll to be sworn in. City Clerk Sterchi asked Mr. Doll to raise his right hand and “swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help me God.” Bradley Doll was sworn in.

Mrs. Lobacz was sure that adding another entry/exit point would be costly, but she felt it would be worthwhile. Mr. Eichhorst agreed that another entry/exit point would be wise.

Mr. Doll indicated that if adding another point of entry/exit was going to be mandatory to move forward, then he could explore that option. He was concerned with making it this far into the process to just now hear these concerns after already having the preliminary plat considered and approved by both the Plan Commission and the City Council.

Mrs. Lobacz indicated that she was not present at the Plan Commission meeting where the preliminary plat was considered.

Mr. Doll and the Plan Commission briefly discussed other subdivisions with one entry/exit point.

Mr. Eichhorst asked Mr. Doll if he would consider making a thru-road if the N. East Street property was every sold to him.

Mrs. Lobacz felt that would not work out if lots in the cul-de-sac had been sold and homes built. Mr. Doll agreed that could be a big risk. He offered that cul-de-sac properties could possibly be held from sale as long as possible in hopes that the N. East Street property became available.

Mrs. Lobacz wanted to be clear that she was pleased that Mr. Doll was interested in creating a new subdivision, and she felt it was certainly needed. Her only issue was that of potential safety.

Mr. Abell noted that he lived in a subdivision with one entry/exit point. No issues had every arisen to where residents could not leave if a problem came up. Even so, Mrs. Lobacz pointed out that she was not on the Plan Commission when that plat would have been approved.

Mr. Doll was aware that the Plan Commission would be making a recommendation to the City Council who would ultimately approve or deny the final plat. He still expressed that he had wished to know about these concerns in the preliminary plat process.

Mr. Brazil moved to approve the final plat of Northfield Subdivision, as presented, seconded by Mr. Abell.

Mr. Colwell did not see a simple solution to the addition of an additional entry/exit point without having to reconfigure lots. This would also interfere with building setback requirements, utility line placement, and would affect property values.

Mr. Abell felt that Mr. Doll had done his due diligence in the process so far. Even though Mrs. Lobacz was not present at the last Plan Commission meeting, no other member of the Commission nor members of the City Council felt that an additional entry/exit point was an issue.

Mr. Abell, Mr. Brazil, Mr. Colwell, and Mr. Eichhorst voted yes. Mrs. Lobacz voted no.

The approval or denial of the final plat of Northfield Subdivision would be heard by the City Council on January 8, 2024. A copy of the minutes would be provided to the Council, and Mr. Eichhorst specifically requested reflection in those minutes of the concern of an additional entry/exit point.

AGENDA #7 “PUBLIC COMMENTS/PRESENTATIONS” No one from the public wished to speak.

AGENDA #8 “ADJOURN” Mrs. Lobacz moved to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Colwell. Mr. Abell, Mr. Brazil, Mrs. Lobacz, Mr. Colwell, and Mr. Eichhorst voted yes. There were no opposing votes. The motion carried. The Plan Commission meeting adjourned at 7:44 p.m.

https://cms2.revize.com/revize/olneynew/pc%20Jan%202%202024.pdf