On the agenda: Cherry Valley Minutes — data center (Sep 30)

VILLAGE OF CHERRY VALLEY, ILLINOIS
“SPECIAL” PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 30, 2026
Chairman John Totten called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM. A Roll Call was
taken by Village Attorney, Sara Biesterfeldt:
CHAIRMAN: JOHN TOTTEN
MEMBERS: SALLY FLEEGLE
LARRY GRAY
BILL LAWSON

PRESENT
PRESENT
PRESENT
ABSENT

MIKE WESSELN
JIM SMETANA
CHRIS PLUMMER

PRESENT
PRESENT
ABSENT

Others Present: Attorney Aaron Szeto, Village Administrator Jim Claeyssen, Carl Wedig
and Village Attorney Sara Biesterfeldt.
ADOPT THE AGENDA: John Totten entertained a motion to adopt the September 30,
2026 agenda. Sally Fleegle so moved, Larry Gray seconded. All “AYE” None opposed.
Motion carried by voice vote.
APPROVE THE MINUTES: John Totten entertained a motion to approve the September
16, 2026 meeting minutes. Bill Lawson so moved, Jim Smetana seconded. All “AYE”
None opposed. Motion carried by voice vote.
EX-OFFICIO’S REPORT: TRUSTEE CARL WEDIG –
• Trustee Carl Wedig updated the Commissioners on the items that were at the
September Planning & Zoning meeting that were sent to the Committee of the
Whole. The first item was the Text Amendment for R2, R3 zoning districts that
corrected the setbacks. The first reading was approved by the Village Board, and
the 2nd reading will take place at the next Village Board Meeting in October.
• The second item was the preliminary plat for Townhomes of Cherry Valley, which
was approved and sent to the Committee of the Whole. Both the Committee of
the Whole and the Village Board approved the resolution.
• The third item was the request for a renewal of a SUP (special use permit) for a
data center, for the Microsoft Project. This renewal was approved by the
commissioners and now goes to the Committee of the Whole for discussion and
review.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. To consider the annexation of and the annexation agreement for the property
commonly known as 4093 South Perryville Road, Cherry Valley, IL 61016 and with
PIN 16-10-226-015. Filed by OEC5, LLC.
2. To consider a map amendment from the Winnebago County Light Industrial (IL)
zoning district to the Village’s Light Industrial (IL) zoning district for the property
commonly known as 4093 South Perryville Road, Cherry Valley, IL 61016 and with
PIN 16-10-226-015. Filed by OEC5, LLC.

VILLAGE OF CHERRY VALLEY, ILLINOIS
“SPECIAL” PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 30, 2026
3. To consider a request for a Special Use Permit issued under the Code of
Ordinances for the Village of Cherry Valley, Illinois, Section 82-282(d) regarding
the Special Use to allow for Outdoor Storage in the Light Industrial (IL) zoning
district for the property commonly known as 4093 South Perryville Road, Cherry
Valley, IL 61016 and with PIN 16-10-226-015. Filed by OEC5, LLC.
Chairman Totten read through all New Business. Attorney Szeto gave a brief staff
overview of the annexation. The applicant is the owner of the subject property.
The applicant is requesting to annex the property into the Village. Attorney Szeto
explained the annexation process and explained why the applicant was applying
for a special use permit. The applicant has existing outdoor storage and needs a
SUP under the Village’s IL zoning code. The applicant plans to grow its business
by constructing another building on the subject property. Attorney Szeto
confirmed that the annexation agreement is the Village’s standard annexation
agreement with the standard terms. The property will continue to be on its
current well until it fails, then the property will connect to Village water. The
property will be zoned to Village’s IL zoning district, which is appropriate for the
business. The SUP is so the property can continue to maintain outdoor storage.
The 2nd and 3rd items are steps in the annexation process; rezoning to be under
the Village’s Zoning Code and applying for the SUP so they can continue with
outdoor storage. Attorney Szeto confirmed that staff has reviewed all the
documents submitted by the applicant and has no issues with their request. Staff
recommends approval of all three items.
Applicant was present and gave presentation. Attorney Szeto swore in the first
presenter, Thomas Lind. Mr. Lind is a landscape architect. Joined by Jerry Tigges,
President, and Steve Heideman from OEC5, LLC. The site plan was presented
along with the building elevations. Jerry Tigges came to the microphone after
handing out some materials to the commissioners. Attorney Szeto swore in Mr.
Tigges, the President of OEC5, LLC. The company is based out of Madison. There
are five total branches, with the first one in Illinois being the Cherry Valley
location. OEC5, LLC several different areas of work: lubrication equipment,
supply services to municipalities, auto dealers, county shops. They also have a
service segment, such as services mostly done on sight at customer’s property.
They have been gearing up for upgrading underground oil tanks in accordance
with state and federal regulations. OEC5, LLC also supplies services and products
to the car wash industry. The subject property is not a high-traffic retail site and
is mostly storage and parts warehousing. Technicians come and pick up
equipment and then take out to job sites.

VILLAGE OF CHERRY VALLEY, ILLINOIS
“SPECIAL” PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 30, 2026
Commissioner Smetana asked if they do residential for EV charging. Mr. Tigges
stated they are only service commercial and retail businesses.
Commissioner Lawson asked about the deadline for the underground storage. Mr.
Tigges explained that the state regulates underground storage tanks to ensure
that the systems are secure so that nothing is being released into the ground. He
explained that technology has changed dramatically and the regulations are
designed to protect the environment. Commissioner Lawson asked if their
business provides new tanks. Mr. Tigges answered yes. OEC, LLC does the physical
work, such as installation and inspections.
Mr. Lind came back to the microphone. He went through the site plan, building
plan, and building elevations for the Commissioners. There are two existing
buildings on the west half, and the east half of the site is where the new building
will be constructed. The existing site is currently accessed via an access
easement and that is how they will continue to access the property. There will
be 5 new parking stalls based on zoning requirements, along with new pavement.
The existing well is located to the south. They will be handling stormwater on
site. Legal and engineer have given counsel on how to handle the stormwater
intake.
The proposed building will be mostly warehouse use, with a mix of offices and
meeting room space on the east portion of the building. All four sides of the
building will have metal panels. The view from Perryville will have a smoother,
more aesthetic metal panel. Mr. Lind asked if there were any questions.
Commissioner Lawson asked if it was steel. Mr. Lind confirmed it was.
Commissioner Smetana asked about the driveway used by neighboring property.
Mr. Lind confirmed that the access easement will continue to be used for ingress
and egress.
There were no other questions for Mr. Lind.
Chairman Totten asked for audience questions. One member of the audience
came up and was sworn in. The speaker’s first name was Sharon. She asked where
this would be built. Attorney Szeto explained the location of the property, next
to Andy’s landscaping, located at 4093 S. Perryville Rd.
Chairman Totten asked if there were any further questions. One member of the
audience stood and was swore in. Mr. Gonzalez asked if the inspection mentioned
would be state or federal. Mr. Tigges explained that underground storage started
as federal, then filtered to state regulation and implementation. Mr. Gonzalez

VILLAGE OF CHERRY VALLEY, ILLINOIS
“SPECIAL” PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 30, 2026
asked why the federal EPA dropped out. Mr. Tigges explained that federal EPA
oversees and the state is in charge of implementing and tracking.
There were no further public questions. Public hearing closed.
The Commissioners then began their discussion of all three items. Attorney Szeto
instructed the Commissioners to deliberate if they have any further questions.
Commissioner Wesseln asked what it would take for Village to provide water. Village
Administrator Jim Claeyssen explained that there is a water main on the east side of
Perryville they can tie into when needed.
Commissioner Lawson asked what the advantage was to annexing into the Village.
Village Administrator Claeyssen explained that Winnebago County 2030 plan is to try
and move businesses that are close to municipalities to oversee regulations. The County
suggested OEC5, LLC come into the Village because they are now contiguous due to
recent annexations nearby. The Village anticipates collecting sales tax dollars for the
Village.
Commissioner Smetana asked how many tank change outs were anticipated. Mr. Tigges
stated that there are other companies that do this, but the anticipated number of
changeouts is unknown because there are differing level of services required by
customers. Tanks are directly shipped to sites, not stored at the subject property. They
will only store some very small tanks. They are empty and do not have petroleum in
them. Commissioner Smetana asked about demand for tank replacement. Mr. Tigges
stated that people wait to the last minute but still must comply with EPA and IEPA
regulations. Commissioner Smetana asked how many tanks they replaced last year.
Attorney Szeto interjected to make sure the Commissioners remained on topic for the
zoning matters.
Mr. Lind clarified that while doing their due diligence, one of the access easements was
not recorded. He confirmed that OEC5, LLC is in the process of recording the easement
with the County.
There were no other Board questions or comments.
The Commissioners first voted on the first item. Chairman Totten asked for a motion
to approve the annexation of and annexation agreement for the property commonly
known as 4093 South Perryville Road, Cherry Valley, IL 61016 and with PIN 16-10-226015. Filed by OEC5, LLC. Bill Lawson so moved, Sally Fleegle seconded. A Roll Call
Vote was taken:
JOHN TOTTEN
AYE
LARRY GRAY
AYE
JIM SMETANA
AYE
BILL LAWSON
AYE
SALLY FLEEGLE
AYE
MIKE WESSELN
AYE

VILLAGE OF CHERRY VALLEY, ILLINOIS
“SPECIAL” PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 30, 2026
CHRIS PLUMMER
ABSENT
The motion PASSED by a vote of 6-0-1.
The Commissioners then voted on the second item. Chairman Totten asked for a
motion to approve a map amendment from the Winnebago County Light Industrial (IL)
zoning district to the Village’s Light Industrial (IL) zoning district for the property
commonly known as 4093 South Perryville Road, Cherry Valley, IL 61016 and with PIN
16-10-226-015. Filed by OEC5, LLC. Jim Smetana so moved, Bill Lawson seconded. A
Roll Call Vote was taken:
JOHN TOTTEN
AYE
LARRY GRAY
AYE
JIM SMETANA
AYE
BILL LAWSON
AYE
SALLY FLEEGLE
AYE
MIKE WESSELN
AYE
CHRIS PLUMMER
ABSENT
The motion PASSED by a vote of 6-0-1.
The Commissioners then voted on the third item: to approve a Special Use Permit issued
under the Code of Ordinances for the Village of Cherry Valley, Illinois, Section 82-282(d)
regarding the Special Use to allow for Outdoor Storage in the Light Industrial (IL) zoning
district for the property commonly known as 4093 South Perryville Road, Cherry Valley,
IL 61016 and with PIN 16-10-226-015. Filed by OEC5, LLC.
Attorney Szeto stated that the Findings of Fact were in the staff report in the
Commissioner’s packets and that if the Commissioners had no further comments, a
motion could be made to adopt the Findings of Fact as presented in the staff report.
Sally Fleegle so moved, Larry Gray seconded. A Roll Call Vote was taken:
JOHN TOTTEN
AYE
LARRY GRAY
AYE
JIM SMETANA
AYE
BILL LAWSON
AYE
SALLY FLEEGLE
AYE
MIKE WESSELN
AYE
CHRIS PLUMMER
ABSENT
The motion PASSED by a vote of 6-0-1.
Chairman Totten entertained a motion to recommend approval of the Special Use
Permit. Jim Smetana so moved, Bill Lawson seconded. A Roll Call Vote was taken:
JOHN TOTTEN
AYE
LARRY GRAY
AYE
JIM SMETANA
AYE
BILL LAWSON
AYE
SALLY FLEEGLE
AYE
MIKE WESSELN
AYE
CHRIS PLUMMER
ABSENT
The motion PASSED by a vote of 6-0-1.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None.
ADJOURNMENT: Chairman Totten entertained a motion to adjourn. Bill Lawson so moved
to adjourn at 7:03 PM, Sally Fleegle seconded. All “AYE” None opposed. Motion carried
by voice vote.
Minutes recorded by Village Attorney Sara Biesterfeldt.
Minutes reviewed by Administrator Jim E. Claeyssen on October 1, 2026.