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Proposed Regulations for New Subdivisions and Land Developments
A team of nine City staff has been working internally for the past year to draft stronger regulations for subdivision and land development in an attempt to address the heavy residential development that is occurring both inside and outside the City. This ordinance will be released for public review and comment by October 1 (it will be posted on the City’s website and available at City Hall and City Library), and it will be discussed in depth and voted on by both the City Planning Commission and the City Council. Highlights of the new regulations include: 1) A requirement for developers to dedicate a ratio of 6 acres of parkland for every 1,000 anticipated new residents
generated by a development (equals roughly 350 new single-family homes), with a minimum size of three acres needed for a city park. A fee in lieu of land can be provided at the discretion of the Council in certain cases where an off-site park is more suitable, 2) Much more stringent storm water and drainage planning requirements prior to construction of a new development, 3) Greater soil erosion and grading controls for new developments, 4) More on-site subdivision inspections and stronger warranty requirements for infrastructure built by developers, 5) Changing street design requirements to help slow traffic through subdivisions, as well as create more appealing neighborhood environments through the use of street trees in a boulevard style design, 6) Improving street and utility construction standards, including requiring easier curb access into private residential driveways; and finally 7) Extending these stricter development requirements to proposed subdivisions both within
the City and to proposed subdivisions up to 1.5 miles outside the City limits (this authority is given by state statute).
The City is making these changes in an attempt to improve the quality of new developments and to gain a greater measure of control over those inside the City limits and those springing up in the rural, unincorporated areas around the City, each of which will have an effect on City services and our schools.
Sprinkler and Fire Pump Inspection at American TV
Inspectors from the Planning and Zoning Department recently performed sprinkler system, fire pump, and fire alarm operational inspections on the new American TV and Appliance Store in Central Park. These inspections signal one of the last inspections prior to the opening of the store. The only inspections remaining are the finals, which include structure, electric, plumbing, mechanical, site work and infrastructure. On a building the size and complexity of American TV, the entire review, permitting, and inspection process from preliminary concept drawings through final inspection and system testing can be long and complex.
The entire building review and inspection process is designed not only to protect the valuable investments made by businesses and homeowners, but to protect the public health, safety and welfare of the people inside these buildings, as well as any public safety personnel that may need to enter the building in an emergency. O’Fallon is noted for having a comprehensive building review and inspection process that helps ensure the buildings are safe and that they become long-term assets to the community. If buildings are well-built consistently throughout the community, not only do they stand the test of time, but they also increase the property values throughout our neighborhoods and business areas. This helps give homeowners, business owners, and builders the confidence needed to invest in the community.
One key in making sure these buildings are constructed in a manner that protects the public interest is to have a highly qualified inspection staff. The Planning and Zoning Department conducts all inspections related to new residential and commercial construction, and our inspection staff is required to have extensive training and certifications in all areas of construction, with each one specializing in specific disciplines.
In the picture above, inspectors work with the sprinkler company and fire department personnel in performance tests that ensure the sprinkler system will function properly if it is ever needed. This particular system has a fire pump to boost city water pressure and volume in the event of a large fire, until the fire department can hook up to the sprinkler connections on the outside of the building. To ensure these systems remain operational and have the required annual performance tests, all buildings with sprinkler systems are required to have an annual Commercial Occupancy Inspection performed by inspectors from the Planning and Zoning Department.
New Planner
 Lisa Reime has recently joined the Planning and Zoning Department team as Planner
for the City of O’Fallon. Previously she was employed as a Senior Planner with the City of Carbondale for six years. Prior to her employment with Carbondale, she held the position of Assistant City Planner/Downtown Coordinator with the City of Belleville. Reime completed both her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Geographical Studies and Urban/Regional Planning at Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville.
In addition to her job responsibilities with the City of O’Fallon, she is currently serving as Assistant Director of American Planning Association, Illinois State Section, and will be serving a three-year term with the Illinois Historic Sites Advisory Council which evaluates properties nominated for the National Register of Historic Places.
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