Oswego Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting

The Planning & Zoning Commission met on June 5, 2025, at 7:00 PM at Village Hall. The meeting covered a concept plan review for Harrison Street Square, a special use permit for Barkville Buddies, and proposed text amendments to subdivision regulations and the Unified Development Ordinance. All items received unanimous approval.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes of the May 8, 2025, Planning & Zoning Commission meeting by unanimous roll call vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke during the public hearing portions or public forum.

Discussion Items

Harrison Street Square (Concept Plan, Project #1264.25)

• Presented by staff and applicant UCSC, LLC. The concept includes reusing an existing industrial building into commercial multi-tenant space, a recreational turf area, food trucks with a pavilion, and small retail shops (approximately 100–120 square feet each). The applicant described a "feeder program" for startup businesses with anchor vendors staying 3–5 years and others rotating yearly. Operations would be seasonal (May through November). The village is coordinating Harrison Street streetscape improvements. The pavilion would be a permanent structure with power, fans, and lighting; a future expansion area is also planned. Commissioners expressed strong support for the project, noting it aligns with downtown redevelopment goals.

Barkville Buddies (Special Use Permit, Project #1262.25)

• The applicant, Nicole Nicklin, proposed a dog park with an indoor bar area (bottled beer and canned wine) at 174 South Harrison Street. The 2,700 square foot outdoor dog park would connect to the indoor space via a garage door. The business would be membership-based with day passes available; proof of vaccinations required. The applicant cited successful similar venues in other cities and her own meetup group of 1,500 members. Commissioners asked about year-round operation (yes, with indoor/outdoor access), noise mitigation (six-inch insulated demising walls), and compatibility with neighboring businesses. A public hearing was held with no public testimony. The property owner noted the space allows for future expansion.

Text Amendment – Subdivision and Development Control Regulations (Project #1263.25)

• Staff recommended two amendments: (1) require a floodplain/floodway application as part of final site plan and final plat approvals; (2) update road construction detail OSW-R-1 to match IDOT standards (two-foot wide pavement patch with minimum six-inch hot mix asphalt over minimum six-inch sub-base). No public testimony.

Text Amendment – Unified Development Ordinance (Project #1252.25)

• Staff presented a comprehensive list of amendments covering sections 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 13. Key changes include: clarifying notification requirements for annexation agreements; redefining minor subdivisions as three lots or fewer regardless of adjacent road type; treating reductions in gross floor area under 5% as minor amendments; allowing up to 15% rear setback reduction for lots abutting common open space; revising PUD standards; allowing village engineer flexibility on impervious surface calculations; adding design standards for schools and churches; adjusting building facade material requirements (EFIS above six feet, transparency measured by linear feet); reclassifying video gaming as a special use (not incidental); codifying cannabis dispensary distance restrictions; creating a specialty driving school category; clarifying poultry as chickens only (excluding ducks, turkeys, etc.); prohibiting tattooing/piercing as home-based businesses; solar panel placement rules; EV readiness requirements; parking placement restrictions (behind front or corner side yard setback); driveway width adjustments; foundation planting requirements for multifamily; buffer yard landscaping credits; dumpster screening; and numerous definition updates (common open space, corner side yards, impervious coverage, semi-pervious materials, outdoor storage, specialty driving school). A commissioner suggested adding clarity for paver patios under impervious coverage. No public testimony.

Key Outcomes

• Harrison Street Square Concept Plan: Unanimously approved.
• Barkville Buddies Special Use Permit: Unanimously approved subject to conditions: final engineering approval, adherence to the maintenance plan, and a requirement to begin the process of annexation to Fox Metro Water Reclamation District within 18 months and fully connect within 24 months.
• Subdivision Regulations Amendments: Unanimously approved.
• Unified Development Ordinance Amendments: Unanimously approved.
• Next meeting scheduled for July 10, 2025.