Village of Smithton Committee of a Whole met June 26.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
Mayor Smallwood called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm at Village Hall. Trustees Becherer, Elbe, Hopkins, and Reyling were in attendance. Trustees Rogers and Mourey were absent. David Stellhorn was also in attendance.
Mayor Smallwood reported that he has a contract from Jason Sprengel for the new Village Hall sign. Smallwood has reviewed this with Attorney Durso, and he is good with the contract. All Board members were in agreement for Mayor Smallwood to sign the contract. Sprengel has talked with Supervisor Klein, and they are coordinating the removal of the existing sign, pouring a concrete pad for the new sign, and rerouting the existing electric to the new sign.
402 S. JULIA (HYDAC PROPERTY) FENCE AND STORAGE – Engineer Saeger redrew the layout of the proposed fence with measurements. He also met with Mr. Stellhorn to discuss. Trustee Elbe went to the location to look at the proposed fence area. There is a lot of stuff sitting around outside in this area and there is no way all of this is going to fit within the newly proposed fenced area. Stellhorn replied that he can get the rollers in there for the time being, but he can’t get everything in there. Elbe stated that we’ve been on other properties in the Village as well about getting their stuff cleaned up. Stellhorn stated that he understands what Elbe is saying. Trustee Reyling stated that our Ordinance says there should be no outdoor storage. Is there a reason a fence can’t be put up where the outside stuff is sitting now? Reyling also has concerns as he went out to inspect the property. It appears that some of the stuff that was on the sidewalk along Franklin is now on the back of a flat bed that’s next to the garage. There’s also a tree coming out of the middle of the garage on that property. It doesn’t look aesthetically pleasing at all. Elbe stated that if the stuff is not put away there’s going to be more issues. Stellhorn stated that he understands what Elbe is saying.
Stellhorn stated that he told Scott where the dumpsters are he could put a wall across there so the dumpster and other items wouldn’t be seen. He’s concerned about running a forklift across the street to the newly proposed fenced in area as a safety issue. Reyling said weeds and trees between equipment needs to be kept up. Stellhorn said he has sprayed. Stellhorn said his neighbor isn’t happy with how things look. Mayor Smallwood stated that it is the neighbor’s right as a resident and a taxpayer to mention unsightly properties. Our job is to enforce the Ordinance. We cannot allow you to put up a curtain/fence and hide stuff behind it. We cannot violate our own ordinances. Trustee Becherer stated that it has to be a fence. Smallwood told Stellhorn that if everything behind the property will not fit in the proposed enclosure area across the street and bring everything into compliance then it won’t be in compliance and citations will be given and we will go to court. Stellhorn asked what happens if we forget to close the gate at the fenced in area. Trustee Becherer said if you open that gate in the morning and leave it open all day it would have to be closed at the end of the day before everyone leaves. Becherer stated that you couldn’t leave the gates open if they were to block the view for traffic. Elbe stated that the trailers parked along Julia Steet are in the street right of way. Stellhorn stated that they are licensed, and he was told that he is ok to park them there. Elbe stated that it’s not ok to park them on Village property. The trailers are where everyone parks their vehicles, and he has talked with Jason and Scott, and they said they’re licensed so legally you can leave your trailers sit there since you’re moving them. The one on the inside is on the line and the one on the outside can be parked in the right of way. We can’t have anything permanent there and it’s not a permanent parking spot. Stellhorn said they’re moving them in and out. Elbe stated that he’ll talk to Jason and Scott. He doesn’t agree with that, not for a trailer to be sitting on the road. Mayor Smallwood asked if they are moving the trailers every 48 hours. Stellhorn stated that every 2 days ones in and ones out. Trustee Reyling stated that there’s a difference between someone actually parking a trailer on the street for 2 days and then moving it to storage compared to where there’s always a trailer parked somewhere. Stellhorn said they are gone at some point for a few days.
One of the stipulations by the Zoning Board was to make the intersection a 4-way stop. Stellhorn stated that making that intersection a 4-way will not be beneficial. He’s concerned about the installation of a new stop sign and him being able to maneuver equipment. He’s also concerned about deliveries and trucks parked there so no one will be able to see the stop sign. Elbe suggested painting something on the road warning drivers of a stop sign ahead. The stipulations laid out by the Zoning Board were discussed. Stellhorn disagrees with the no parking by his business. He stated that no other business has this stipulation. Mayor Smallwood stated that he would have to do some research and find out. Trustee Becherer stated that if Stellhorn would pave the area where everyone’s currently parking then that would be an official parking lot. Stellhorn said that the area was grandfathered in, and Ray said anything prior to was ok and anything after that would need to be paved. Hopkins said 2 fences are needed for each property area for storage. Stellhorn said basically to meet the ordinance yes, that’s what’s needed. Six months was the zoning boards stipulation for the fence to be erected. Reyling thinks 6 months is way too long. Stellhorn said it’s hard to find someone to put up a fence. Stellhorn asked about a fence for the lot behind his building. It was stated that as long as he is within the setbacks all he would need to do is submit a building permit application for a fence. It would not require a Special Use permit. Mayor suggested that this could be a part of the stipulations for the property across the street. Stellhorn stated that the Village doesn’t want him moving pallets across the street to the other fenced in area for safety reasons. Elbe suggested that if the material will not fit in the new proposed fenced in area a fence will need to be constructed behind the building. This would need to be stated in the stipulations for the Special Use and variances. Mayor stated that the Board would like added to the proposal from the Zoning Board that if there are any remaining items behind the HyDac building after the enclosure has been built and there is no more room left, that an enclosure be built behind the HyDac building to house the rest of the remaining items so that HyDac would be in compliance with the Ordinance. A separate building permit would need to be submitted, approved, and issued for this. A request was made for HyDac to place flags where the proposed fence will be placed.
208 SUN MEADOW – Nothing to report.
BRIA BUILDING AND PROPERTY FUTURE PLAN – Mayor called the Lessee of the property last week and explained the situation to him. Told him how much it was going to cost to have the building torn down and hauled away. He also explained to him that this lot is between public housing and an apartment building with mobile homes on the street behind it. The Village can’t justify paying a large amount for this property based on its current state and value. Mayor has not heard back from him. He stated that he has tried to call him back 3 times and left messages but hasn’t heard from him. Trustee Reyling stated we need to make sure the property has a clean title. If the Mayor hears anything back, he will let the Board know.
VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR – It was suggested that Trustees go through all the job descriptions and write down what they think the job description should be for the Village Administrator. The new person will be the Village Administrator and the person in that position would have to handle the zoning matters as well. Trustee Reyling mentioned that we need someone to go out and find Grants and apply for them. It was determined that we will put a general ad together to advertise this position.
BUILDING PERMITS – Having St. Clair County handle the building permits with inspections was discussed.
SMITHTON BALL FIELDS 3 AND 4 LIGHTS – We don’t have a date for the inspections on the light poles that we currently have.
1 N. MAIN SIDEWALK – On the original plan for the curb it called for filing in the existing driveway. It was mentioned to replace the whole curb. This was not part of the original plan. Engineer Saeger spoke with IDOT and if we wanted changes, they needed to receive the request for adding curbing and it would be fine to do that.
10 N. SMITH – Mayor Smallwood reported that more discussion was needed for the proposed shed to be built at 10 N. Smith. An original building permit was submitted as well as a Zoning Hearing being held. The proposed shed was approved at a Zoning Hearing. The property owner submitted a building permit application, and a building permit was issued. The building permit was never picked up by the property owner because he had health issues and was not able to build the shed. Engineer Saeger called him about his building permit, and he said to just void the permit. Recently he has resubmitted a building permit for a new shed. The new proposed shed is not the same plan as the original application that was submitted. The ordinance for setbacks has been changed in the Ordinances. It was determined that the property owner will need to go through another zoning hearing since so much has changed.
Trustee Elbe made a motion which was seconded by Trustee Becherer to adjourn. All Trustees were in favor. The motion was granted. Meeting adjourned at 9:00 pm.
https://smithton-village.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Minutes-6-27-23.pdf
Alerts Sign-up