By Janelle Fisher
Staff Intern
Rezoning request approved, ATV ordinance passes, Kramer’s contract extended
HOBART – A developer’s plan to construct six condo-style homes at 4758 Forest Road with space for a business and a pond for stormwater moved forward Tuesday following lengthy discussion and public comment regarding the rezoning from agricultural to residential.
Several residents who live near the property spoke at the meeting, voicing concerns over how the rezoning might impact their neighborhood if the request was approved.
Village President Richard Heidel said that while he’s receptive to the concerns of the residents, rezoning always bring about concerns.
He said this is just the first step in a lengthy process where he is confident those issues can be resolved.
“I’m always interested in hearing what the concerns are. But I think I try to discern which of those are compelling and which of those are essentially reoccurring with every rezoning,” he said. “So having said that, at this stage of the game, knowing what lies ahead of us, if the developer decides to continue on, I do trust in the commission, in this board, that whatever the issues are, I’m sure that they’d be resolved.”
The request to rezone the property was approved 3-1, with Trustee Vanya Koepke casting the sole opposing vote after hearing the residents’ concerns.
“Having read the agenda that was sent to us last week, the six houses, to me, seemed like a better option,” he said. “But then I continue to see the residents of the neighborhood, who live there, come out and speak and voice their concerns… and I’m leaning torwards not supporting this proposal.”
Exotic animal ordinance amendment proposed
A proposed amendment to the village’s existing wild and exotic animal ordinance was presented at the August 16 meeting.
The proposed amendment specifically addresses the length and type of snakes allowed within the village and establishes a permitting process for prospective snake owners.
The current ordinance allows for only non venomous snakes with an adult length of less than three feet.
If the amendment is approved, residents would be allowed to possess certain constricting snakes, with an adult length between three and six feet, with a permit.
Per the proposed amendment, the permit would cost $25 per snake and be valid for the duration of the snake’s life.
Both Police Captain Michael Renkas, who drafted the amendment, and Village Administrator Aaron Kramer emphasized that the purpose of the permit is not to be overbearing to snake owners, but to create a sort of registry that can inform public safety decisions.
“For example, if we get a call – 911, fire, EMS – they would know that, just like commercial properties where we know what hazardous materials are inside the building, (we) need to know where there’s a six-foot python,” Kramer said.
The ordinance will be presented again at the next board meeting for a second reading.
Upcoming public hearings
The board also set dates for several public hearings.
Two public hearings will be held at the Sep. 6 meeting to discuss the rezoning of 1590 Park Dr. from residential to rural residential and to consider a conditional use permit for a second accessory structure at 3792 Rolling Meadows Rd.
A public hearing will be held at the Sep. 20 meeting to discuss the rezoning of 4547 Country Aire Ct. from residential to agricultural.
ATV ordinance approved, Kramer contract extended
In other news, the board voted unanimously to approve a contract with Bayland Buildings, Inc. for the construction of a new fire station on South Pine Tree Rd. in 2023.
The board also approved the previously proposed ATV/UTV ordinance which will go into effect Jan. 1, 2023.
Following a closed session, the board unanimously voted to extend Village Administrator Aaron Kramer’s employment contract through Dec. 31, 2028.