June 22, 2004 Special Session – 6:00pm

Agenda

  1. Call to Order
  2. Approval of Agenda*
  3. Public Comment
  4. River Crossing Subdivision*
  5. Adjournment*

* Board Action Required

Minutes

Members Present
  • Mr. W. Boudreau
  • Ms. B. Durell
  • Dr. P. Reeder
  • Dr. G. Trapp
  • Ms. R. Turner
Members Absent
  • Ms. L. Faber
  • Dr. R. Mann
  • Dr. L. O’Connor
Staff Present
  • Ms. B. Schaafsma
  • Mr. J. Bevis
Others Present
  • Dave Tyson
  • Cliff Cross
  • Mayor Don Green
  • Chairman Karl Kruse

Call to Order

Meeting was called to order at 6:00pm by President Dr. Gregg Trapp. The Agenda was approved by unanimous vote following the motion to approve the agenda by Dr. Reeder and the second by Ms. Faber.

Public Comment

Public comment was presented by Kankakee Mayor Don Green, Cliff Cross, and Kankakee County Board Chairman Karl Kruse. All speakers addressed the River Crossing Subdivision and requested that the Board consider approving the subdivision plans as presented previously with city water and private septic. Mayor Green stated that the City of Kankakee had already waived the requirement for city sewer due the difficulty and cost of running the sewer lines under the river and “Who would pay for that?” Mr. Kruse stated that the county had already granted the variance to allow the subdivision planning with private septic.

River Crossing Subdivision*

Dave Tyson of Tyson Engineering presented the subdivision seeking approval. He explained the location of the subdivision and that it is classified as a “urban” subdivision. The Planning Zoning and Agriculture Committee of the County Board has already granted 3 variances from the requirements in the County Subdivision regulations, including the road cross section and the mandate for municipal water and sewer. The plan has been modified to include city water supply but comes to the Board of Health for the approval of private septic systems rather than municipal sewer. Mr. Tyson presented the Board members present a copy of a letter he had written this week to Mr. Bevis of the Health Department explaining the above.

Dr. Trapp presented the concerns of the Board as discussed at the last meeting regarding putting in a subdivision with private septic systems in this area due to the situation with high bedrock and past problems with wells in another subdivision in close proximity. Discussion ensued with questions presented as to the distance of this subdivision from the city limits, past problems with having this many private septic systems per the acreage and the Board’s concern with the issues with water quality that may arise later. Dr. Trapp and Ms. Turner discussed their concerns that the County needs to address the issue of a comprehensive plan in regards to this issue and the many areas where subdivision are being considered outside but in close proximity to, city limits, in areas where the soil and rock formation are not ideal for wells and conventional septic systems. Dr. Reeder and Ms. Faber discussed whether if the approval was given for private septic systems, could they be converted to city sewer if available at a later date, and who would bear the cost for this.

Dr. Reeder made the motion to approve the subdivision plan for city water and private septic systems as presented with the addendum that the proper easements are added to the plan to allow for future sewers to be installed when available. Mr. Boudreau made the second to the motion. During discussion, Dr. Trapp also asked for an addition to the motion to include the Board of Health’s concern that the County address the issue of a comprehensive plan in regards to large subdivision and the availability of municipal water and sewer vs. private systems, especially in areas where the soil and substructure is in question. Dr Reeder accepted the addition to the motion. The motion passed by a 3-2 vote. Ms. Faber and Ms. Turner voted nay. Dr. Reeder, Dr. Trapp and Mr. Boudreau voted yes.

Adjournment

There being no further business, Mr. Boudreau made the motion to adjourn, with the second by Dr. Reeder. Motion passed and the meeting adjoined at 7:45pm.

Minutes
respectfully submitted by Dr. Phyllis Reeder, Secretary
prepared and reviewed by Ms. Bonnie Schaafsma, RN, BSN, MBA, Public Health Administrator