Committee of the Whole Meeting – February 18, 2025

The Oswego Village Board Committee of the Whole met on February 18, 2025, at 6:00 PM. The primary agenda item was a detailed presentation from Economic Development staff on available commercial development lots in Oswego, along with a discussion of the site selection process, market challenges, and community strengths. The meeting also included approval of electronic participation for one trustee and public comments from two residents regarding traffic and proposed development.

Consent Calendar

• Approved Trustee Tom Geist to electronically attend the February 18, 2025 Committee of the Whole Meeting. Motion carried unanimously with a roll call vote (Trustees Johnson, McCarthy Lang, Kurt, Novi, Torres all voting yes; Trustee Geist absent).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Ann Barrett, a 23-year resident and retired registered nurse, expressed concerns about traffic congestion at the intersection of Route 30 and Route 34, citing severe delays, uncoordinated traffic lights, and safety issues. She urged the board to give concerted thought to infrastructure capacity before approving further development at that intersection.
• Colleen Schmidt, a resident of the Steeplechase subdivision, opposed the proposed development at Kendall Point Drive and Route 34. She argued the lot is too small to handle existing traffic volume, noted frequent accidents and poor sight lines, and said emergency access could be blocked. She also criticized an outdated 2004 traffic study and asked for better signage and lane improvements.

Discussion Items

• Available Commercial Development Lots Presentation – Kevin, Economic Development staff, presented an overview of Oswego's commercial sites along Route 34, Orchard Road, Downtown, and industrial parks. He explained the site selection process (driven by private businesses and site selectors), market strengths (population growth ~600 residential units/year, high median household income, business-friendly reputation), and roadblocks (high borrowing costs, restrictive covenants, lack of big-box tenants, specific site challenges). Key challenged sites include:
  • Site #6 (Route 34): ~90 acres, not listed, odd layout, owner difficult to contact, requires all-or-nothing sale.
  • Sites #9 and #10: odd shapes, utility easements, lack of big-box tenants.
  • Orchard Road sites: need more population density and traffic counts (~14,000-16,000 vehicles/day vs. 20,000 desired).
  • Downtown sites: 63 West Washington (stormwater vault, access issues), 6-12 Van Buren (pad-ready but poor visibility), 174 Harrison (proposed boardwalk shops).
  • Industrial: parks healthy but limited highway access; new opportunities on Route 30 and Orchard/Minkler for future industrial development.

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes were taken on the presentation. The board thanked Kevin and expressed interest in making such a presentation an annual update.
• Trustees discussed outreach strategies including attending more industrial/warehouse-focused trade shows (BizNow, RE Journals) and continuing to build relationships with local restaurant groups (e.g., Let Us Entertain You, Scott Harris Hospitality).
• Staff will continue to market available sites and address owner contact issues; the village will consider additional financial support, improved street lighting downtown, and connectivity projects (e.g., Route 31 sidewalk).
• The board acknowledged a recent RFP for the old Traughber (school district) site; staff will meet with the district to discuss feasibility of mixed-use development.