Oswego Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting - March 5, 2026

The Planning and Zoning Commission met on March 5, 2026, to hear public comments, introduce a new commissioner, and receive a presentation from the Economic Development Director on site selection and development priorities. No formal votes were taken; the meeting concluded with adjournment and scheduling of the next meeting for April 9, 2026.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Unnamed resident from Meadowwood Lane (representing her community): Expressed strong concerns about a proposed subdivision adjacent to her neighborhood. She raised issues about traffic safety (citing speeding on Berrywood and the need for a police presence), potential loss of trees and forest area, inconsistent fencing that could lower property values, lack of nearby parks for children, overcrowding at Y-15 schools, and the mismatch between large existing lots and proposed smaller lots. She asked about buffer zones, builder accountability, and whether the subdivision would exacerbate existing problems. She also noted that a board meeting the previous night had discussed issues at the nearby Grand Reserve area.
• John Burdy (2470 State Route 31, Oswego): Proposed a "Burnham plan" for Oswego, focusing on a riverfront conservation easement along the floodplain from Etzinger Road to Mill Road. He cited the 1996 flood (river rose 10 feet in 24 hours) and suggested purchasing easements at $100 per riverfront foot ($528,000 total) plus grants for a bike/walking path and water gardens. He argued this would enhance property values and attract tourism, similar to Carmel, California. He also raised concerns about soil science and hydrology, referencing Hooton Muck soil issues at Richards High School and questioning whether soil scientists had been consulted for the proposed Parkland development. He asked where to take his proposal next (Park District) and requested contact information for the comprehensive plan.

Discussion Items

• Introduction of New Commissioner: Commissioner Terry Anderson introduced himself, noting he has lived in Oswego since 1969, is a realtor, and replaced Andy (who stepped down due to travel). He expressed a desire for responsible growth.
• Economic Development Presentation (Kevin Lighty, Director of Economic Development): Provided an overview of the department's role in business attraction, retention, and expansion. He explained the real estate site selection process, emphasizing that the village does not control which businesses locate where—decisions are made by private site selectors based on market conditions. Key factors include traffic counts (e.g., 18,000 vehicles per day on Orchard Road), co-tenancy, evolving trends (experiential retail, drive-through only models), and high build-out costs (e.g., $500,000 for restaurant equipment). He noted challenges such as high borrowing costs, restrictive covenants (e.g., TGI Fridays lease restrictions), and the difficulty of attracting independent restaurants due to landlord preferences for national chains. He highlighted Oswego's advantages: population growth, desirable demographics, and a business-friendly reputation. Current priorities include downtown development, industrial development (Kendall Point), hotel/tourism, and advancing Orchard Road projects. Notable 2026 projects include Trader Joe's (fall 2026), Dutch Bros Coffee, Harrison Street Square redevelopment, and Home Goods (late 2026/early 2027).
• Commissioner Questions and Discussion:
  • Discussion of restrictive covenants: Commissioner noted the story of Famous Dave's vs. Anchor Bar—the landlord required a national chain, limiting options. Anchor Bar qualified as a national chain (based in the East), but many local operators are excluded.
  • Lot 6 on Route 34 (90 acres): Owner reportedly refuses to subdivide, making development challenging; Commissioner suggested a creative partnership between a homebuilder and commercial developer.
  • Downtown development: Village-owned site #1 is being marketed for a new restaurant, but high construction costs are a barrier. Dairy Barn and Reserve at Hudson Crossing have had showings but high per-square-foot costs.
  • Quarry ledge property: Located south of the quarry, north of Hunt Club; likely 10-20 years away from development, currently being harvested.
  • Updated marketing materials for available sites on Route 34 and Orchard Road were shown (not yet uploaded to website).

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes or decisions were made during this meeting.
• The meeting was adjourned; the next meeting is scheduled for April 9, 2026.