[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6297303,"mediaKeyId","2510303-2b43d109e6c2db470ca673bd9bcf3df3","parentId",2510303,"title","Residents press Geneva leaders over Burton Foundation plans for 609 South Third Street; council and staff say no formal application received","audioSeconds",547,"startMs",1173000,"endMs",1720000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2510303-2b43d109e6c2db470ca673bd9bcf3df3&start=1173&end=1720","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2510303-2b43d109e6c2db470ca673bd9bcf3df3/thumbnail_1173000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6297303/Geneva-City/Kane-County/Illinois/Residents-press-Geneva-leaders-over-Burton-Foundation-plans-for-609-South-Third-Street-council-and-staff-say-no-formal-application-received","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6297303-9766441305660817bc458d469c32baff/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191883&Signature=gAf8G3aX7Fv4QcH85koQ9UBWV7ZLBoE5xL1zBt-OqrzEU-S26Jy5wS24OM~Bzb4oVqOw-xIh93D3jO-u9nf-mOPz~QqZGC8MKlGSk7P4EYs4zifsKWVG5loa6-P5x5cP0aEC-Cm-RDLHDz1PK4FtkM~YKxjsDG7tKAkE4X8CqZ4aV~zxKsfDcFrkmlVyQ~Rob6GWtsG1JaD~gBDvmhmeDpigGI~FnA2z0co~HMD9FmmaibSi6G3sGv47lRPD2bhjVzqaxVyUKtoTFdgioeujvt1BwxtT35KNjhhTyAOpQ1P4RoAZSpeCnwDMSBNVHHzQJ-BPnA6YiOrxr8Yn16i03Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Geneva, IL","date","2025-03-04T16:41:42Z","article","Dozens of Geneva residents used public comment at the March 3 City Council meeting to object to development work tied to the Burton Foundation’s acquisition of 609 South Third Street, saying the city and developers have been insufficiently transparent and raising safety concerns based on conditions at the foundation’s other projects.

The comments came after circulation of letters and preliminary materials tied to an Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) tax-credit application for a proposed affordable housing project known in filings as Tartesso. Mark Porter, a resident who led the public comments, said the city had circulated a letter to IHDA that ‘‘gives them preferential points’’ and asked council members to release draft letters and attachments he said have been withheld from public FOIA requests.

The dispute focused on the distinction between preliminary zoning-determination letters and a formal development submittal. City Administrator Dawkins told the council that the document sent as a zoning determination was ‘‘exactly that — perfunctory’’ and that the city has not received a formal plan that would trigger the review process with public hearings and cross‑examination. Mayor Burns repeated that there is currently no formal plan on file for the Burton Foundation to build senior housing at 609 South Third Street.

Why it matters: residents and some aldermen said the site’s location at the entrance to downtown makes the possibility of an affordable housing project politically and economically sensitive. Commenters cited safety and code-enforcement problems they associated with another Burton Foundation development, Emma’s Landing in Elgin, and warned that a badly executed low‑income project could harm Third Street businesses and neighborhood safety.

What residents said: Porter and other speakers asked for copies of two draft letters the Burton Foundation requested be put on city letterhead, and for the attachments they said were referenced in city staff emails. ‘‘There are extensive plans… for a 54‑unit drawing, concept… and a newer one for a 35‑unit building,’’ Porter said, and urged the council to help citizens obtain those materials. Several speakers — including Katie Lapatina and Jim Pamillo — urged the council to slow or block development at that location.

Council and staff response: Council members repeatedly emphasized limits on their authority and the city’s legal process. Alderman Mayer said the IHDA submission was a normal part of developers’ effort to secure tax credits and noted the IHDA process and its public records are separate from the city’s permitting process. Alderman Bruno and others pointed out the parcel already carried a site‑plan approval granted under a previous owner; that entitlement makes the site more attractive to developers and, in some cases, shortens the local review requirements if a subsequent submittal ‘‘substantially complies’’ with the entitled plan.

Several aldermen asked staff to post and make available the email chain and attachments being discussed. Mayor Burns and other council members said they would work to provide requested materials and noted that the Burton Foundation’s IHDA application was not awarded tax credits this cycle. The mayor and staff also said the city’s process requires any formal submission to be reviewed by staff, posted publicly, heard by the Planning & Zoning Commission, and then considered by the council.

Procedural action at the meeting: During public comment a council member moved to suspend the rules so councilors could respond to public remarks; the motion was seconded and approved by roll call. After the suspension passed, several aldermen spoke from the dais to explain Geneva’s zoning‑determination letters, the difference between concept materials and a formal application, and the limits of what the council can lawfully do before a formal submittal.

What was not decided: No zoning changes or development approvals were made at the March 3 meeting. City officials said the Burton Foundation has closed on the property but has not filed a formal application requiring Planning & Zoning public hearings; council members reiterated that any future formal application would trigger public notice and hearings.

Next steps and outstanding requests: Residents asked the city to release draft letters and attachments they say were referenced in staff emails; Porter said he has filed or intends to file FOIA requests. Council members encouraged residents to follow the city’s development page for formal filings and to use IHDA’s public portal for status on tax‑credit applications. Several aldermen said they would work to post the email chain and attachments for transparency.

Ending: The council did not take legislative action on the Third Street site during the meeting; the controversy is likely to recur if and when the Burton Foundation files a formal application or reintroduces an IHDA proposal.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council & Committee of the Whole Meetings, March 3, 2025 - City of Geneva, IL.","oneSentenceSummary","Dozens of Geneva residents used public comment at the March 3 City Council meeting to object to development work tied to the Burton Foundation’s acquisition of 609 South Third Street, saying the city and developers have been insufficiently transparent and raising safety concerns based on conditions at the foundation’s other projects.","taxTitle","Geneva City, Kane County, Illinois","taxId",56193,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6297299,"Geneva council approves municipal bills, event permits and several capital contracts; committee OKs infrastructure purchases",5128,768000,5896000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2510303-2b43d109e6c2db470ca673bd9bcf3df3&start=768&end=5896","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2510303-2b43d109e6c2db470ca673bd9bcf3df3/thumbnail_768000.jpg","/articles/6297299/Geneva-City/Kane-County/Illinois/Geneva-council-approves-municipal-bills-event-permits-and-several-capital-contracts-committee-OKs-infrastructure-purchases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6297299-183f96efaa84ae1a194eebd127e763cd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191883&Signature=kcg5u9d0RUGkq8yXeBXZDTqfxM1O--WNk~fDDPJuHXCtMXUBcyoGWCNAjxcla~gWr4v6-wgZLeBV5SmpLCioRFq1vaC7JsYEpUJ5uYu219FOcDiwmgbGJbCkxeq1xykVNb6t2tbvK1iM751-v2iu~QXvf1zZcpjxosnCa9RVUfQ0A7cBOePQm6DnAjS1P~psfCBk0-yuAGAJoegEuxkwD3QPr0xwc93AQ6zU5fE1o~OzxBbhFaW~8tceNmKN69F9Z2UVjK4jH7oEKQKLpMHQhG4txJEDHLUNKx7os9vK7Cc2OZrDyCMA9~zbIczLnXAWu0eh958viKanjE1fqoezxw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Geneva City Council on March 3 approved the omnibus agenda and a set of routine and project‑specific measures, including payment of municipal bills totaling $1,507,359.96 and a set of event‑related street‑closure resolutions required by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

The most significant financial items and procurement votes at the meeting and the Committee of the Whole session that immediately followed included:

Votes at a glance

- Municipal bills for payment: The council approved payment of $1,507,359.96 as read. Motion to approve made by Alderman Bruno and seconded; roll call showed unanimous approval.

- Resolutions 2025‑20 through 2025‑24 (special‑event right‑of‑way use and IDOT closures): Approved unanimously. The resolutions authorize use of public right‑of‑way and city services for recurring events including the Memorial Day Parade, Swedish Days, Geneva Arts Fair, Festival of the Vine, Fox Valley Marathon, Geneva High School Homecoming Parade and Christmas Walk, and authorize the city administrator to finalize details in keeping with prior approvals.

- Resolution 2025‑25 (fire department equipment surplus): Approved unanimously. The measure declares listed fire department items as surplus so they may be disposed of or sold; Chief Antinori was present to answer technical questions.

Committee of the Whole approvals (same evening)

- Trench drain replacement contract: The committee recommended a contract with Tracy and Ed Construction Inc. for trench‑drain replacement at the Public Works building using an Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity grant. Staff reported the low bid was $16,615 per linear foot and asked authority to contract in an amount not to exceed $240,000 pending final grant release. The motion passed unanimously.

- Portable radios for Public Works and Geneva Emergency Management Agency (GEMA): The committee approved purchase of portable radios and accessories to move Public Works and GEMA radios onto the Starcom 21 network used by police and fire. The recommended purchase will come from Motorola Solutions via the state Starcom contract and be supported by United Radio Communications; the amount authorized was not to exceed $355,411. Councilors said the cost to join Starcom is lower than building a replacement municipal network.

- Vehicle replacements: The committee gave pre‑approval to order budgeted replacement vehicles (including dump trucks, 1‑ton trucks, a locator vehicle and a utility truck) through Sourcewell or another cooperative purchasing agreement, with purchase amounts subject to the adopted FY26 budget and requiring additional council approval if any single purchase exceeds budgeted amounts.

- Water main construction engineering services: The committee authorized a professional‐services agreement with Hampton, Lenzini & Renwick (HLR) for construction engineering on three FY26 water‑main replacement projects (Division Street, Anderson Boulevard and Delnor Health & Fitness Center) not to exceed $340,197. HLR previously did design and construction engineering work for city water projects and staff said they were satisfied with their performance.

How council described the votes: Council members noted these items are routine capital maintenance and budgeted replacements. City Administrator Dawkins and department leads said purchases and agreements will not proceed until required grant releases and delivery quotes are secured. Several aldermen emphasized that purchasing through state or cooperative contracts (Starcom, Sourcewell) reduces procurement time and cost.

What’s next: Staff will proceed with the contracts and purchases in accordance with the terms approved and the city’s purchasing procedures. The trench‑drain work will not begin until the state grant is formally released. Any purchase that exceeds a budgeted line item will return to the council for additional approval.

Ending note: All roll‑call votes reported in the meeting transcript were unanimous for the items taken up on March 3. The council also spent substantial time in public comment later in the meeting on a separate development controversy (see separate article).","At its March 3 meeting the Geneva City Council approved the omnibus agenda and a string of resolutions including $1.5 million in municipal bills for payment, special‑event street closures, and a surplus declaration for fire equipment. The Committee of the Whole approved contracts for trench‑drain work, radios and engineering services.","actionData","errors"]

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Residents press Geneva leaders over Burton Foundation plans for 609 South Third Street; council and staff say no formal application received

Geneva council approves municipal bills, event permits and several capital contracts; committee OKs infrastructure purchases