Saint John Plan Commission approves multiple plats, site plans and easements; recommends $230,000 bond acceptance

The Saint John Plan Commission on Aug. 20 approved a series of subdivision and site-plan actions that clear the way for a new bank and other development at the Wicker Avenue/90 Third intersection, a single-family lot on Cardell Drive, a new Grace Church site and related roadway and access changes, and recommended Town Council acceptance of a $230,000 performance bond for the Gates of Saint John subdivision.

The approvals matter because they finalize lot lines, required engineering conditions and agreements that allow developers to obtain building permits and begin site work. Several approvals included conditions: some signatures were withheld pending a 30-day statutory waiting period or resolution of outstanding engineering comments.

Boyer Properties, 9301 Wicker Avenue: primary plat, final plat waiver and Lot 2 site plan Bruce Boyer of Boyer Properties asked the commission to approve a two-lot subdivision for the parcel at the southeast corner of Route 41 and 90 Third that the applicant says currently holds a vacant dental office. "We're going to be tearing that down, building a new bank building there," Boyer said. The commission granted primary-plat approval during the public-hearing portion of the meeting.

Later in the same hearing the commission voted to waive Saint John Municipal Code 21A-24 to consider final plat approval the same night and to waive the development fee for redevelopment, as requested by the applicant. The commission then approved the final plat, amended to withhold signatures on the mylar until the 30-day period had passed and until all Robinson Engineering comments were addressed.

The commission also approved the Lot 2 site plan (the parcel frontage and parking realignment tied to the commercial lot) and approved a cross-access easement agreement for the parking area that was described as partially town-owned, so the matter can move to the Town Council as part of the broader parcel cleanup.

Galambos one-lot subdivision at 9291 Cardell Drive Stuart Allen of Taringa Surveying and property owner Tim Galambos sought approval of a one-lot subdivision on a vacant parcel at the northeast corner of 90 Third and Cardell Drive so a home can be built. Resident Nancy Pianc, who said she lives at 9212 (across the street), asked: "If they build a house on it, is there a net 0 runoff plan?" Allen and town staff said the parcel currently drains toward a storm drain at the southeast corner and that proposed grading and swales will direct water to the existing catch basin rather than across the street. The commission approved the one-lot subdivision.

Grace Church final plat and site plan, 13809 West 109th Avenue An applicant identified as "Mister Husk" requested final plat and site-development approval for a one-lot subdivision of just over 10 acres for Grace Church’s new permanent site. The commission approved the final plat and site plan subject to conditions noted by Robinson Engineering (in a review letter dated Aug. 11, 2025), payment of the required development fee and posting of a bond for public improvements, and the applicant’s completion of outstanding environmental and driveway permits (including a Lake County driveway permit) prior to building permits.

Performance bond and other items The commission recommended Town Council acceptance of a performance bond for Gates of Saint John Units 29–31 in the amount of $230,000 to cover remaining public improvements (the applicant indicated the majority of the bond covers street-light fixtures and related work). The commission also granted approval to advertise the Park West primary-plat hearing for the Sept. 17, 2025 Plan Commission meeting.

Votes at a glance - Approve minutes (07/30/2025 special meeting): approved (motion recorded; vote recorded in minutes). - Approve minutes (08/06/2025 study session): approved (motion recorded; vote recorded in minutes). - PC-2025-14 (Boyer / 9301 Wicker Ave): primary plat — approved; motion to waive Saint John Municipal Code 21A-24 and the development fee — approved; final plat — approved with signatures withheld until 30 days and until Robinson Engineering comments are satisfied; Lot 2 site plan — approved; cross-access easement agreement — approved. - PC-2025-16 (Galambos / 9291 Cardell Dr): one-lot subdivision — approved. - Grace Church (final plat and site plan; 13809 W. 109th Ave): final plat and site plan — approved subject to Robinson Engineering conditions (Aug. 11 letter), payment of development fee and posting required bond; applicant must obtain required environmental and Lake County driveway permits prior to building permits. - Performance bond recommendation (Gates of Saint John Units 29–31): recommend Town Council accept $230,000 performance bond. - Park West (PC-2025-10): permission to advertise primary plat for Sept. 17, 2025 meeting — approved.

What was discussed vs. decided Discussion: Commission and staff discussed drainage and grading at the Cardell Drive lot; engineering review comments from Robinson Engineering and conditions needed before signatures or permits; and the location and function of storm infrastructure along 90 Third. Direction/assignment: The commission conditioned approvals on resolving Robinson Engineering comments and withheld final mylar signatures for the Boyer final plat pending the 30-day period. Formal action: motions and approvals listed above were passed by the commission and recorded for referral or transmittal to Town Council where applicable.

The commission closed the meeting after public comment and adjourned.