Charlotte Blome and her family want to be able to have a few chickens in their back yard, not only as pets, but also for fresh cholesterol free eggs.
However, apparently neighbors think differently and apparently reported the situation to the city because an inspector came to their yard and told the 13-year old son they could not longer have “farm” animals in the yard.
The Blomes were before the recent City Council meeting to plead their situation. Ms. Blome told the Council that the chickens are her pets and that she has had them for a number of years. She also told the Council it would have been better had the City employee contacted the parents not the 13-year old regarding the situation.
At least after hearing the story and discussing it, the Council is going to do further research regarding what other communities do. Apparently, it is becoming more than just having chickens for pets. Raising them on your property eliminates the need to buy eggs with all the other “additives”. In other words these are “real” farm eggs.
Someone in the audience noted that there is a need to stop the nonsense of nosey neighbors who watch what is going on in neighbors’ backyards.
Mayor Aaron Shepley said he would ask city staff to investigate and the Council would need to consider the request to allow the chickens. Additionally, if a change is to be made it would have to go before the Crystal Lake Planning and Zoning Committee for a recommendation.
It seems there needs to be a better description of “farm animals” than currently in the City Code. As the Mayor noted there does not seem to be a description of what are “farm animals.” He also expressed concern that allowing chickens could open the door to other “farm animals”. However, it would seem that the description of what animals would be allowed could be spelled out in the ordinance.
NOTE
Yes, we are biased. My family raised a couple chickens, ducks and rabbits in our backyard. However, that was located in Crystal Lake Manor which is in the county, not the city. Our three sons also built a small cement pond for the ducks and helped build the cages for the rabbits and the chicken. All of these animals were 4-H projects and had to be transported to the County Fair. But the memories that remain to this day have not disappeared.
Other Matters At The City Council:
Consent items:
Sage YMCA of Metro Chicago, 701 Manor Road, was granted the request for a Temporary Use Permit for a Special Promotion to allow a 30-foot by 50-foot tent to remain during summer camp and a waiver of the Temporary Use Permit application fee.
Also granted was a Special Use Permit to allow an accessory structure over 600 square feet, to add a 100 square foot deck to a 572 square foot pool.
Electronic Message Signs
Requests for Electronic Message Center Signs have been before the Planning and Zoning Commission numerous times because it is necessary to seek a Special Use Permit for these.
An Electronic Message Center Sign is a sign that periodically changes a lighted message. Prior to 2007, the Crystal Lake Sign Ordinance prohibited EMC signs with one exception of time and temperature signs.
From June 2007 to July 2009 EMCs were permitted, subject to certain restrictions. During this two-year period, seven EMCs were requested.
The Council approved the recommendation of the Planning Commission to amend the necessary part of the City Code of Ordinances with changes to allow Electronic Message Center Signs as Special Use Permits with the caveat only if there are no current sign variations on the property and none will be requested in the future.
Water Tower Painting
It is time again to paint water towers. Crystal Lake has four elevated and four ground water storage tanks to provide the water needs for the residents. Periodically they need exterior paint to preserve them. Last year the Ambutal Tower was painted. This year the 250,000 gallon elevated storage tank located in McCormick Park is to be pained. This tower was constructed in 1958.
It should be noted that there is more associated with this project than just putting on a new coat of paint. Sandblasting is also expected, welding integrity inspected and proper coating applications are needed. The cost for this project is $17,186.
Paying State Fee Under Protest
The annual topic of paying the state in order to discharge the City’s wastewater and stormwater systems is again being paid under protest. This fee began in 2003 following the adoption of the 2003 annual state budget that included a huge deficit. Since then the City has paid $389,000, including $48,500 for this year. This is required under the Clean Water Act of the State. The Governor and Legislature justly the fees as being needed to fund the IEPA and its oversight of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Prior to 2003 these were funded without permit fees other than new water and sewer extension permit fees.
The Council voted 6-1 to pay this year’s fee with Councilmember Ferguson voting no.
Private Sanitary Sewer Work
The City maintains a common sewer system for all residents and businesses within the Crystal Lake boundaries. Private sewer laterals are then connected to the common main to benefit each individual parcel as they are built. Because the lateral benefits only one owner, it has always been a private service, maintained and repaired at the owner’s expense.
This policy, as outlined in the City Code under Building Sewers and Connects, is typically not an issue. But there are certain service lines that extend further and deeper than others, or proceed under roadways or large trees. These can be difficult to access.
Such is the case for property located at 876 Lombard Drive with the owner coming before the Council to seek City assistance. The sewer to this property is constructed of clay pipe, which is not as durable as the present-day products. The sewer line was laid under Barlina Road and has now collapsed. This home, among others in that area, is the result of a development being located in this area.
The property owner was asking if the City could assist in the sewer problem which is estimated to cost $17,500 to repair due to the problem lying under Barlina Road. Concerns of the Council are that this was part of a development and there could be others in a similar situation. The Mayor and Council expressed the view that repair of this line would be benefiting only the one residence and not others.
Although there has been some minor work accomplished on the road it reportedly is not of the kind to cause damage to the sewer line.
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