Oswego Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting - July 10, 2025

The Oswego Planning and Zoning Commission met on July 10, 2025, at 7:00 PM at Village Hall to consider four public hearing items: a special use permit for a water receiving station, a variance for a fence, a major PUD amendment for commercial signage, and a text amendment to subdivision regulations. The commission approved all items as recommended, with one condition on the signage amendment. A public hearing on the text amendment was continued to the next meeting.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The commission unanimously approved the minutes from the June 5, 2025 meeting.

Discussion Items

Ogden Falls Receiving Station (Special Use for Utility)

• Proposal: The Village of Oswego requested a special use permit to construct a high-zone water receiving station at 378 Ogden Falls Boulevard. The facility will include a new water storage tank, pumping station, and meter station to receive Lake Michigan water. The existing well house will be demolished after the new station is operational.
• Public Input: Brad Reese, Assistant Public Works Director, reported receiving three phone calls from residents concerned about noise, construction hours, and safety. He explained that operational noise would be minimal (pumps indoors, generator only for backup) and that the new facility would use liquid bleach instead of chlorine gas, improving safety. A nearby resident requested construction start no earlier than 7:30 AM, but the village ordinance allows 6:00 AM starts.
• Commission Deliberation: Commissioners asked about noise, fencing (new eight-foot no-climb fence), and the role of the existing water tower (still needed for pressure and storage). No public testimony was offered during the hearing.
• Outcome: The commission unanimously approved the special use permit subject to final engineering approval.

107 N. Madison Street (Variance for Fence)

• Proposal: The homeowner at 107 N. Madison Street sought a variance from the UDO to allow a six-foot privacy fence in the corner side yard. The property is zoned R2 and includes a septic system that limits where fencing can be placed. The applicant agreed to set the fence 10 feet off the property line to avoid septic components.
• Staff Recommendation: Staff supported the variance, noting that the setback minimizes impacts on neighbors and traffic sight lines. The health department approved the septic clearance.
• Commission Deliberation: Commissioners clarified that the variance allows the fence to be placed 12 feet further into the yard than normally permitted. No public testimony was offered.
• Outcome: The commission unanimously approved the variance.

MJR Oswego (Major PUD Amendment for Signage)

• Proposal: The property owner (Richard Silverman, MJR Real Estate) requested a major PUD amendment to change the location and increase the size of two rear facade signs for Sherwin Williams and Candy Cloud at 2832-2834 US Route 34. The tenants needed larger signs because the rear of the building faces a major access route.
• Staff Recommendation: Staff supported the location change but recommended limiting total rear signage to 58.2 square feet (based on a 1:1 ratio of sign area per linear foot of building facade, matching a previous tenant, Bibibop). This is larger than the UDO allowance but less than the applicant's request.
• Commission Deliberation: Extensive discussion ensued about the actual dimensions and visual balance of the signs. The applicant noted that Sherwin Williams' national sign includes a blue backer that counts as sign area, making their sign 48 sq. ft. under their proposal, while Candy Cloud's sign would be 26 sq. ft. Commissioners were concerned about disproportionate sizes and agreed that the staff recommendation of 58.2 sq. ft. total, divided at the owner's discretion, was a fair compromise.
• Outcome: The commission approved the major PUD amendment with the condition that the total square footage of the two rear signs not exceed 58.2 square feet. The applicant agreed to provide a rendering showing compliant sign sizes for the Village Board.

Text Amendment – Subdivision and Development Control Regulations

• Proposal: Staff presented a series of amendments to sections 2 and 8 of the subdivision regulations, including clarifications on landscaping, increased liability insurance ($1M to $2M), notice-to-proceed requirements, construction supervision, final acceptance including stormwater management, underground power lines, water/sewer line separation, surface flow language, and sump pump connections.
• Commission Deliberation: Rod Zenner explained each change. Commissioners asked about historical issues with ponds and the insurance requirement. The hearing was kept open for further public comment at the next meeting.
• Outcome: The commission unanimously approved the presented amendments and continued the public hearing to August 7, 2025.

Key Outcomes

• Ogden Falls Receiving Station: Unanimous approval of special use permit (subject to final engineering).
• 107 N. Madison Street: Unanimous approval of variance for privacy fence.
• MJR Oswego: Unanimous approval of major PUD amendment with condition that total rear signage does not exceed 58.2 sq. ft.
• Text Amendment: Unanimous approval of proposed amendments; public hearing continued to August 7, 2025.
• Next Meeting: Scheduled for August 7, 2025.