Plan Commission / Zoning Board of Appeals Minutes - June 7, 2005

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE PLAN COMMISSION AND ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
FOR THE CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE, IL
HELD IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON TUESDAY JUNE 7, 2005

Chairman Fullmer called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.  Secretary Lube called the Roll; the following members were present:

PRESENT: Chairman Richard Fullmer Jr., Secretary Robert Lube, Mr. Edward Ziemba, Mr. Daniel Moss, Mr. Steven Jasinski, Ms. Tina Grotzke, Mr. Richard Toth, Mr. Frank Thullen

ABSENT: Ms. Cynthia Schulz

ALSO PRESENT: Attorney Robert Peck, CDD Muenzer, Ald. Von Drasek, Ald. Pondelicek

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The first order of business was approval of the minutes of May 3, 2005.  Mr. Jasinski moved to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Ms. Grotzke and carried unanimously.

Chairman Fullmer introduced CDD Muenzer who announced that the item on the agenda for tonight’s meeting, Re: 5704 Catherine re-subdivision, has been rescheduled to July 12, 2005.  Mr. Muenzer stated  that the original Notice was incorrect; there was no mention made for a variance; Attorney Erik Peck decided that the matter should be republished with the correct information.  The July 5^th meeting has been rescheduled to July 12, 2005; all interested parties will be re-noticed via Certified mail.  The City takes responsibility for this error; the matter is rescheduled in the interest of fairness.  Residents present tonight who cannot be available on July 12, may write letters to the ZBA, Chairman Fullmer or CDD Muenzer stating their comments about the proposed plan.  Those documents will be entered into the record at that time. Chairman Fullmer urged residents to attend.

Chairman Fullmer asked Mr. Muenzer to report on the status of Building Commissioner Krautstrunk.  Mr. Muenzer stated that Mr. Krautstrunk retired from his position as of June 1, 2005.

PUBLIC HEARING

Chairman Fullmer read the Continuation to consider review of the Sign Ordinance as allowed by Section 8-5-3 of the Municipal Code for City of Countryside.

Chairman Fullmer stated that the City Council asked the PC/ZBA to review plans from January 31, 2003.  Current zoning does not allow electronic reader signs.  Board members viewed two photographs of the Oak Brook sign showing the original design requested and then the final product on site, which is entirely different.  The question for Board members tonight is should the City permit electronic reader signs, yes or no.  Lengthy discussion ensued regarding pros and cons of the new signs -- black background with red LCD letters, it was noted that future costs for these types of signs are coming down drastically.  In the past these signs were limited to one line showing time, temperature and/or bank rates, etc.  In the Oak Brook Bank sign the reader portion is much larger and changes every five seconds.  Board members have not discussed what percentage of the sign should be a reader portion.

Mr. Muenzer stated that changing signs or EVM (electronically variable message) signs were a proposed special use; the maximum area of those signs cannot exceed 18 square feet.  The Oak Brook Bank sign is 49 square feet. If the Board decides to prohibit electronic reader signs, then the current electronic reader signs will become non-conforming uses.  The Board can set up standards for specific use on a case-by-case basis.  Auto dealers who have replaced their signs have not gone to the reader board variety.  Mr. Jasinski would like to stop or limit electronic reader signs at the present time.  In a letter dated July 28, 2003 from Erik Peck, he describes strict requirements for backlit LCD signs.  City Council asked Board member to further define electronic signs.  Mr. Lube asked whether there have been major requests for these types of signs.  Mr. Muenzer stated there have not been any actual serious requests.  Board members prefer to leave the status quo and revisit the issue again later.  Technology is changing too quickly to set hard and fast rules. 

Mr. Jasinski moved to amend Section 8-5-9 A to read -- Signs Permitted: All signs except temporary signs and those signs specifically prohibited in Section 8-5-7 hereof: Signs Prohibited: Changing Signs (Automatic and EVM) and Time or Temperature Signs.  This includes amending Section 8-5-7 to include changing signs (Automatic and EVM) and Time or Temperature Signs.  Ms. Grotzke seconded the motion.  Motion carried by unanimous Roll Call vote.  Mr. Peck will draw up the revised language and present it to the Board at its next meeting. 

Board members discussed the Landscape Ordinance.  Mr. Muenzer stated that the revised ordinance was given to members for their review and comment prior to the next meeting – July 12, 2005.  Mr. Muenzer discussed new businesses including Panda Express, BP Amoco and the proposed landscaping around these establishments plus reworking of the Countryside Plaza parking lot.  Trees and shrubs will be added.  The Shramko building looks very good and is a huge improvement; property owners are responsible for upkeep of their landscaping.  The City is applying to IDOT under their grant program wherein they pay 80% of the cost for streetscape implementation.  Office Depot opened last month; it was their 1000th store and turned into a very big media event with huge press releases including Countryside.

Board members were given Proposed Rules for PC/ZBA – which will govern how to proceed with meetings. He asked members to review and comment on the document.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to discuss, Mr. Lube moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Mr. Jasinski and carried unanimously.

Chairman Fullmer declared the meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

RICHARD FULLMER, JR., CHAIRMAN       

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