Oswego planning commission recommends approval of two Prairie Market subdivision plats amid noise concerns from nearby residents

The Oswego Planning and Zoning Commission on the evening of the meeting recommended approval of two related subdivision plats that redivide parcels at the Prairie Market shopping center along Route 34.

Planning staff said the proposals—filed as Prairie Market East (project 1252.25) and Prairie Market Subdivision (project 1256.25)—would split existing commercial parcels into separate lots without changing current uses or approving any new buildings. "The applicant is requesting approval of a preliminary and final plat to divide the existing commercial parcel into 4 separate parcels," staff said, adding that the applicant is not proposing any physical changes to the site at this time.

Nearby homeowners used the public hearing to press officials about existing noise from deliveries at the Aldi store on the site. Jan Conway of 719 Bohannon Circle told the commission, "My concern is the noise level at Aldi's already and anything proposed for that site is greatly troubling to the residents on Bohannon Circle and in the Steeplechase area. ... I talked to someone at the city and they were kind enough to request that Aldi put a buffer on that, but the noise level is extremely troubling to us."

A staff member responded that "there is a noise ordinance, and if there's a noise issue, please contact the police department and they can go out and they can measure it and they can contact the store to address any noise complaints." The staff member and other commissioners emphasized that the subdivision request before the commission only changes lot lines; any future development proposals for the remaining vacant lot would be evaluated separately.

Residents asked whether construction already had been approved and whether future development would require another public hearing; staff said parts of the project were approved previously as part of the original PUD and final plat, and that if a future use is consistent with those approvals it may not trigger another public hearing. "If it's consistent with what was already approved, then they can go forward with building it," a staff member said.

The applicant’s representative, Jason Rebert of PMAT Prairie Market LLC, told the commission the subdivision allows for separate ownership of buildings and better tax assessment. "It does allow some of these parcels to be sold off... It does help us to better assess real estate taxes for the individual buildings," Rebert said.

Commissioners voted by roll call to recommend approval of both the Prairie Market East preliminary and final plat and the Prairie Market Subdivision preliminary and final plat.

Neighbors were directed to village staff and the police department for follow-up on noise and screening; staff said property-owner contact information and project details are available through village offices and an online project page. The commission noted that nothing in the current vote authorizes additional land use changes beyond the lot divisions staff recommended for approval.