Tuesday, August 2 Government Meetings

9:00 a.m.—McHenry County Board, meeting in the County Board room, County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

In addition to the various reports from six County Departments, authorizing a Workers’ Compensation Claim Settlement, five transportation matters are being presented for approval.  These include:

Johnsburg Road Project - consisting of roadway safety and traffic congestion mitigation on the road between Illinois Route 31 and Chapel Hill Road. These improvements include widening, resurfacing and reconstruction and include new traffic signals at Riverside Drive and at Spring Grove Road.  Also being included is the installation of a modern roundabout at Chapel Hill Road intersection as well as enhancements between Spring Grove Road and Chapel Hill Road, all in the Village of Johnsburg.

A contract is being presented to the County Board for approval for the project in an amount not to exceed $821,875.18.

Hill Road Bridge Project in Richmond Township.—An agreement for Right of Way Acquisition Services by Mathewson Right of Way Company, Chicago, is being presented for County Board approval. The cost for the service contract is $20,000.

River Road at Dowell Road intersection Improvement Project – Approval of an Engineering Services Agreement for River Road at Dowell Road Intersection. The contract with Bollinger Lach & Associates, Inc. is for a not to exceed amount of $313,758.88.

Charles Road at Raffel Road Intersection Improvement project. – A contract with Bonestroo, Inc. for a not to exceed amount of $159,285.26 for engineering necessary to perform the necessary safety improvements to the Charles Road and Raffel Road intersection.

7:00 p.m.-- Board Planning and Public Relations Committee – Meeting in Library Directors Office of the Library, 126 Paddock Street, Crystal Lake.

7:30 p.m. – Crystal Lake City Council  -- Meeting in the Crystal Lake Council Chambers, 100 West Woodstock Street.

In addition to providing time for the public to provide comments to the Council, there is also time for the Mayors Report, Council Reports. The agenda includes an application request from Kyoto Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar, 5690 Northwest Highway. The restaurant is seeking approval of a $2,500 grant funding for improvements to the facility. This is part of the project the Council approved earlier this year to encourage exterior improvements to retail sales tax generating users.

Kyoto Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar, 5900 Northwest Highway

Kyoto is moving from the current leased space in the Commons of Crystal Lake to the former Applebee’s property which Kyoto is purchasing. According to information provided by Kyoto, the purchase of the building and improvement project will exceed $1 million. The applicant is to receive a 50% reduction on their permit and inspection fees due to their investment being greater than $250,000.

Robin and Ada Ahmed, 935 Hawthorne Drive—A simplified residential variation was requested by the couple. However, the Planning and Zoning Commission voted to deny the request.

The residence is located on a corner lot located at the northeast corner of Colony Drive and Hawthorne Drive. A two-story frame residence with an attached garage is located on this lot. The petitioners requested a variation to allow a six-foot tall fence approximately 12 feet from the property line along Colony Drive. This would be in the corner side yard.

The Ahmeds also desire to build an above-ground pool in the corner side setback as close as 15 feet from the property line along Colony Drive. The pool and additional fence panels are already installed without a permit.

The Planning and Zoning Commission voted to deny the petitioners request. The City Council is to make the final decision.

Stop Control On Grant Street At Intersection With Brink Street

Following an engineering study of the intersection as well as the pedestrian and bicycle traffic at the intersection, the City’s traffic Safety Committee is recommending that a stop control on Grant Street at the intersection with Brink Street be implemented.

Parking Control For South Walkup Avenue

The City Council will be considering an ordinance implementing no stopping, standing or parking at any time restrictions on South Walkup Avenue from Franklin Avenue to the southern limit of the roadway.

Following a review of the vehicle congestion on South Walkup Avenue in front of Crystal Lake Crystal Lake Central High School near the parking lot and Immanuel Lutheran Church ball fields, parking is currently restricted on both sides of South Walkup Avenue adjacent to CLCHS. No parking signs are posted on both sides of the street.

Despite the current parking restrictions, congestion occurs during non-school hours when this section of South Walkup Avenue is utilized as a drop-off or pick-up area for the ball fields to the south on the Immanuel Lutheran Church property.

City staff has coordinated with the church to help educate parents on the need to park on Pathway Court or in the Immanuel Lutheran Church parking lot when utilizing the ball fields.

As a supplement to this educational approach, the City’s Traffic Safety Committee is recommending an amendment to the current parking restrictions on South Walkup Avenue between Franklin Avenue and the southern limit of the roadway. No stopping standing or parking at any time restriction are being implemented. The final decision is up to the City Council.