Packed Village Board Interesting Before Election

By Andrea Arens

A packed Peotone Village Board meeting started off with some interesting public comments.

Peotone Township Assessor Virginia Hamann addressed the board on Monday night, March 27, and told the board she had been seeking answers to questions for six weeks from Administrator Aimee Ingalls and had received no reply.

The information she was seeking was whether or not Peotone had an ordinance requiring consolidation of parcels, if adjoining lots were owned. Ingalls did reply at the board meeting that the village did not have such an ordinance.

Hamann also asked for the ordinance regarding setbacks, which she had not received either.

Hamann said the concern was village officials owned adjoining parcels that were not consolidated, and it posed an assessment dilemma. Planning and Zoning Commission member Allan Gillis owned multiple lots and had built a shed on an adjacent lot, but paperwork had been located elsewhere and after the fact. Other properties included Trustee Julie Sluis’ property, which had an addition built in 2017, with the adjacent lot line running through the garage. The vacant lot also includes a pool.

Hamann said, “I am trying to straighten out this mess. That is why I asked for these ordinances, and I cannot get answers. That is why I came here.”

Hamann also said Edmund March, son of Mayor Peter March, owns three lots on Rathje and is building a home on two-of-the-three lots, and all have not been consolidated. Hamann said consolidation takes almost two years to get a new PIN number, and it poses a problem for trying to assess what’s being built.

Hamann added she had been dealing with Clerk Stacey Hartwell and found files of two copies of permits in the village office, which meant copies of the permits had never been forwarded to the previous assessor, Pat Latham. Administrator Aimee Ingalls is the building department until a full time code enforcer/building inspector is hired. Ingalls has held that position since she was hired.

Two police officers resigned and both went to higher paying positions with other departments. Chief DeMik let the trustees know all the other officers are great about picking up extra time. DeMik also said a couple officers are going to truck enforcement school, which will allow officers to issue citations for violations in town. Demik also spoke to the board about utilizing Stanard & Associates service for up to $1,500 that would allow candidates to take an online exam and help build an eligibility list. DeMik has standby spots reserved for the August police academy and more spots reserved for the January academy. DeMik encouraged those in attendance to see him if they knew anyone wanting to be a police officer.

The village also approved a pay raise for lateral police officers. Currently, veteran officers coming from other departments would not receive pay for experience and would start at the entry level salary. Peotone officers starting salary is at $52K, while Beecher’s starting salary is $77K.

Required paperwork through IDOT unanimously was approved for the motor fuel tax road improvements on Hans Brinker, Mill Trace, and Van Gogh. The street survey completed by CMAP, along with Public Works Manager Robert Hennke, determined the streets that needed repair. Hennke said the pavement is actually sinking below the sewer, and he wasn’t sure if the surface layer was ever applied years back when it was developed.

The village board also unanimously voted to deny the Planning and Zoning’s favorable recommendation to rezone the parcel on Peotone-Wilmington Road to B1 Auto Service Oriented. Neil Piggush, of Piggush Engineering and representing the developer – Chalkstone Partners of Texas, attended the board meeting with the concept of determining how the property could be developed. None of the renderings were set in stone, and Piggush said they could not negotiate with potential tenants until they had the zoning in order. Trustee Patrick Bowden asked if they had any commitment from any developer, and Piggush said they didn’t at this time. Bowden also asked why they needed the zoning now if it was already being marketed for said concept plan, and Piggush replied it was part of the process.

Bowden said, “I don’t think we need to be in a big rush to rezone it now, sight unseen, for what somebody may do. Because the potential downfall going forward is they may put in something we hate, that conforms, and then we’re stuck with it.” Bowden suggested the company work with a developer and create a formal plan and then come to the village and ask for rezoning. Once Bowden expressed his viewpoint, the rest of the trustees followed suit. Bowden made the motion to deny, and Jones seconded, with the rest voting the same. March told Piggush the village isn’t against development, and they’d like to have a conversation with the developer.

Board Bits

Brush pick up starts the first Monday in April. Public Works also is participating in two local touch-a-truck events for children.

Mayor Peter March said construction on 88th Avenue, Wilmington Road, and the I-57 ramps will begin soon and last most of the summer. Eighty-eighth Avenue will be closed to local traffic only, almost all summer, but Wilmington Road and the I-57 ramps will experience mostly night closures. March said the improvements will be safer and increase sight lines.

The Village Clerk is taking over the community garage sales, which will be held June 16 and 17.

The board approved an in-home business occupation permit for Diva Me Bella, LLC, traveling booking agency, for hair and makeup, predominantly in the wedding industry.

An M2 liquor license allowing for entertainment on premises was approved for Suzy’s Saloon.

A special use permit for Hardcore Hammers, 1201 Teal Street, unanimously was approved. The company will occupy the warehouse building there and since the zoning is B3 Auto Service and the company is not auto service oriented, it requires a special use permit. The company is relocating from Hillsborough.