Village of Seneca Planning Commission met Jan. 14
Here are the minutes provided by the commission:
CALL TO ORDER:
Council meeting was called to order by Chairman Tom Justice at 6:00 PM.
ROLL CALL:
Title Name Status
Planning Commission Chairman Tom Justice Present
Planning Commissioner Ray Jackson Present
Planning Commissioner Lida Kiehl Present
Planning Commissioner Melissa Klicker Present
Planning Commissioner Jeff Lamb Present
Planning Commissioner Larry Rasmussen Present
Planning Commissioner Paul Smith Present
Also Present: Village Mayor Jeff Olson, Public Health and Safety Commissioner Scott Peddicord, Village Clerk Jessica Harvey, and Village Attorney Brian Wellner. All were physically present at the meeting.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
All stood for the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.
APPROVAL OF DECEMBER 10, 2025 MEETING MINUTES:
Commissioner Jackson noted a correction needing in the minutes, amending 223 N. Richards St to 223 N.
Commerce St. Motion was made by Commissioner Jackson, seconded by Commissioner Klicker to approve the December 10, 2025 Council Meeting Minutes as corrected.
Ayes: Jackson, Kiehl, Klicker, Lamb, Rasmussen, Smith, Justice
Nays: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Motion carried.
CHANGES TO MEETING AGENDA
Chairman Justice moved New Business before Old Business.
ZEO REPORT & UPDATE: None
CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER REPORT & UPDATE: None
NEW BUSINESS:
Discussion and set public hearing of subdivision of Hossack Street Lot, PIN#24-26-208-030 (SIEBERT PROPERTY)
Property Owner, Scott Seibert, addressed the Planning Commission expressing interest in subdividing the Hossack Street Lot with a shared driveway. Commission noted that Village Code requires a 60 ft easement but in discussion felt a 35 ft easement variance request could be an agreeable option with 5 ft on the west side of proposed driveway location to help prevent encroachment. Attorney Wellner noted the Planning Commission is fine with the proposal in discussion, but the Village Council will make the final decision. Property owner was advised by Attorney Wellner to start the official request by submitting a subdivision and variance request application with preliminary or preliminary and final plat of subdivision to the Village.
OLD BUSINESS:
Review of International Property Maintenance Code.
Commissioner Jackson expressed the International Property Maintenance Code represents a broad model that may extend beyond the specific needs and scale of the Village of Seneca. Upon further review there was a unanimous consensus amongst the Commission to step away from reviewing the International Maintenance Code for recommendation of adoption and to instead work to draft a locally written minimum standard for the maintenance of the exterior of property within the Village of Seneca. The Commission would like to review codes and ordinances of Dwight, Morris, Coal City, Braidwood, Wilmington, Marseilles, Ottawa, Mendota, Peru, Sandwich, Streator and Yorkville as reference models in developing this local standard; and that upon completion, the proposed Seneca-specific minimum exterior property maintenance standard be presented to the Residents of Seneca and the Village Council for consideration and possible adoption.
Attorney Wellner advised it would be better to adopt the International Property Maintenance Code by reference, pairing it down to what would suit the Village of Seneca than to draft a local standard. The code, if adopted by reference, is an official recognized standard source municipalities, lawyers and judges use to regulate and legislate, noting many of those municipalities sited for research have already adopted the code by reference as it pertained to their particular locations.
Mayor Olson thanked the Planning Commission for their time in reviewing the International Property Maintenance Code but concurred with Attorney Wellner. He further expanded that while the Village is aware of some property issues, the goal is to work with residents to address any issues to ensure and protect minimum safety and sanitary standards. Commissioner Peddicord will seek Village Council guidance.
COUNCIL REFERRED ITEMS:
Chairman Justice noted that there was an industrial entity inquiring about a proposed field mounted solar project on site and inquired with Attorney Wellner for best response. Upon review of inquiry, staff was advised by Attorney Wellner to request industrial entity to apply as a solar farm.
FUTURE AGENDA: None
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Resident addressed the Commission with concerns that most of the referenced models to research in the motion are for municipalities not similar in makeup to the Village of Seneca and asks Commission to research municipalities similar in population and rate of new growth and inquire how it is utilized. Resident finalized remarks stating upon speaking with staff from municipalities within a 40-mile radius of Seneca, most with similar population did not adopt the IPMC.
MEETING ADJOURNMENT:
Motion was made by Commissioner Jackson, seconded by Commissioner Kiehl to adjourn the Planning Commission meeting.
MOTION CARRIED with a voice vote of all ayes. Meeting adjourned at 6:59 PM.
https://cms5.revize.com/revize/seneca/PLANNING%20COMMISSION/Minutes_2026_01_14.pdf?t=202602121117540&t=202602121117540



