By Andrea Arens
At the Peotone Village Board Meeting, a social media storm over the village posting a code reminder that trailers are not allowed to be parked in driveways led to one attendee showing up to address it.
Justin Chapman received a violation for a parked trailer in his driveway. He addressed the board and asked why the village was delineating which trailer was allowed, if the ordinance was addressing appearance. Chapman also said he called the number at the bottom of the violation notice five times and never received a response.
Chapman said, “I know the village has contracted this out to an outside source, but if we can’t get questions answered on things in violation, what are we supposed to do? I think that’s something that’s really important for the board to look at and to figure out another number on these notices or that whoever we’re paying as a village to do this, can actually return a phone call.”
Village President Peter March said the ordinance review will be turned over to the building committee, and they will take a look at it. March also said that in the meantime, no tickets will be issued while it is being reviewed.
After a failed motion to approve a liquor license for Serendipity Venue banquet facility, it was put back on the agenda a second time and approved unanimously. March said board members had asked that it be brought back up.
An ordinance had to be amended to create the new liquor license category for class B-banquet halls.
Previously both Trustees Gary Hudson and Patrick Bowden said they were not in favor of another facility serving liquor.
Serendipity is in Sunset Plaza in the old NAPA location and across a parking lot from the liquor store that was just burglarized.
The newly approved liquor license would allow the banquet facility to host functions and serve liquor only with complete meals and until as late as 9 p.m. on weeknights and 10 p.m. on weekends. Serving time can be extended by the village president, who is the local liquor control commissioner.
The venue already was hosting events with liquor but advertising patrons to “bring your own booze.”
Police Chief Demik added that he spoke with owner Calthon Whitley and reviewed the expectations. He said an occupancy limit would need to be posted, and parking could affect that. The Chief said parking is one car for every 10 individuals, and the parking lot is not striped.
The liquor license was unanimously approved for Serendipity Venue, with the stipulation the parking lot be striped. Previously, owners of the Sunset Plaza, Doris and Mark Baumgartner, where Serendipity Venue is renting the space, had said they saw no need to stripe the parking lot.
The village also amended Title IX, Chapter 98, of the codes, in regard to trees and shrubs. The new chapter enacts a tree board and lays out rules for tree preservation and trees that will be allowed in the parkway. The chapter also outlines rules for care and trimming, removal of stumps, and spacing.
Violations of the tree preservation act could result in $100 to $750 fines, and a separate offense can be added for each day during which the violation continues, with a compromise payment of half of any fine should the person fined choose to settle and without a court appearance.
Trustee Mike Jones wanted to look back at housing permits and check which houses were in compliance with the planting of two trees in the parkway of new construction. Administrator Aimee Ingalls said administration and public works can approve waivers of the planting of those trees.
Trustee Nick Strba, “I think if you don’t want a tree in front of your house, you don’t have to have a tree.”
In other news, final payment for Railroad Street to Robinson Engineering, for almost $500K, was unanimously approved. Construction engineering services for 88th Avenue and Wilmington-Peotone Road and I-57 exit ramps also were unanimously approved for $350,000, with a condition to pay more to Robinson Engineering, should additional services be required. The engineering services include a plethora of pre-construction services but not construction itself. The goal is to have the construction of those road improvements completed as soon as possible, as the truck stop is hoping to be open for business by fall of this year.
Final payout to P4Security Solutions for $18,900 also unanimously was approved. New Police Chief David DeMik was sworn in last week.
In the consent agenda, special event permits for Peotone Car Club’s Cruise-in on May 20 and their 36th annual Car Show on July 29, a new tobacco license for Suzy’s Saloon, and raffle licenses for the Will County Farm Bureau and Peotone American Legion all unanimously were approved.
The demolition of 206 N. Second Street is scheduled to begin as soon as the utilities are moved.
