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, APRIL 3, 2012

Chairman Fullmer called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Secretary Lube called the Roll of Members physically present:

PRESENT: Chairman Richard Fullmer, Jr., Secretary Robert Lube, Mr. Mark Benson, Mr. Charles Stoub, Mr. Daniel Moss, Ms. Tina Grotzke, Mr. Crecencio Gonzalez IV, Mr. Bryon Bednar.

ABSENT: Mr. Richard Toth.

ALSO PRESENT: Mayor Krzeminski, Atty. Peck, CDP Swanson, Ald. Jasinski.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The first order of business was approval of the minutes of the March 6, 2012 meeting. Mr. Gonzalez moved to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Mr. Lube and carried unanimously.

Chairman Fullmer stated the Rules of Proceeding for the hearing before the Plan Commission – Zoning Board of Appeals will follow a strict order of presentation. A sign-in sheet for interested persons is located at the podium. This hearing is being recorded. Please silence all cell phones and pagers.

PUBLIC HEARING RE: 6025 SOUTH LA GRANGE ROAD

Chairman Fullmer read the Public Hearing Notice for the 6025 S. LaGrange Road application published on March 16, 2012 in The Southtown Star newspaper.

The petitioner requests consideration of a special use to establish an outdoor patio and deck at 6025 South La Grange Road, Countryside, IL 60525 as follows:

To consider a special use pursuant to Section 10-6B-2 special uses to permit an outdoor patio and deck attached to Time-Out Sports Bar – at the real estate commonly known as 6025 South LaGrange Road, Countryside, IL 60525.

Ms. Grotzke moved to open the Public Hearing in this matter, seconded by Mr. Stoub and carried unanimously. The applicant, Nick Mataragas, 1082 Ripple Ridge Road, Darien, IL, was sworn in by Chairman Fullmer. The Proofs of Notice were received by the Building Department.

CDP Mr. Swanson presented the Staff report regarding Time Out Sports Bar at 6025 S. LaGrange Road. The property is zoned B-2 or limited service; the property is .83 acres and the building size is 5,400 s.f. Mr. Mataragas is seeking a special use to permit an outdoor patio/deck attached to Time Out Sports Bar. Hours of operation are Sunday-Thursday 11 am to 2 am; Friday and Saturday, 10 am to 2 am. Kitchen hours are 11 am to 1 am seven days a week. The City has acquired 13 acres at the corner of LaGrange Road and Joliet Road as the City Center; this property is adjacent to Time Out Sports Bar. The aerial view reveals the subject property surrounded by other businesses and the City Center Development. The site plan depicts the patio and deck area on the northeast side of the building. It will be comprised of a wood privacy fence surrounding the entire patio, six feet high; the flooring will be raised off the asphalt; the main access will be through the rear of the building. The proposed patio is approximately 847 s.f. and will follow the same hours of operation as the restaurant/bar. Combined parking requirements are 32 spaces for both the restaurant and outdoor dining area; upgrading of handicap parking and the addition for outdoor dining will bring the regular parking spaces to 68. The Fire Protection District reviewed the plans and stated that the 20′ radius for emergency vehicles around the perimeter of the building is sufficient.

The PC/ZBA may recommend certain conditions. Time-Out Sports Bar is located along LaGrange Road, a very important commercial corridor for the City. It also serves as an opportunity to showcase the community. Countryside is taking important steps for the economic well-being of the City. While the subject business is not located within the new development, the look and feel of the existing building greatly affects the potential visitors to the City Center Development. The existing building exterior needs some improvements and upgrades. The City is taking steps to require new businesses to install U-shaped bicycle racks on private property. Photos of the rear and sides of the building were depicted showing the need for paint, siding and other improvements. A photo of the new style bicycle rack was shown.

Chairman Fullmer asked about routes for bicycle riding. A text amendment will be presented next month seeking installation of bike racks for new businesses. North of the subject property will possibly be a Chick Fill-A Restaurant with a walking path /bicycle path through the City Center Development.

Mr. Mataragas stated that his customers have asked for an outdoor patio. His competitors have outdoor patios and to remain viable he needs this upgrade. There will be no exterior access to the patio; the only entrance is through the rear of the building; they will create an entrance between the restaurant and patio. There may be a partial trellis overhead with umbrellas. There will be an 8′ fence on the west side for noise suppression. The rest of the fence will be 6′. The emergency exit from the deck will be adjacent to the new doorway. No gate is planned for the outdoor patio for security reasons. The unsightly portions will be resided; exterior painting and maintenance will be made a condition of approval. Other features will be discussed with his architect as well. The patio will have a smoking section.

There were no comments from Interested Parties. Mr. Mataragas had no closing statement except to ask for approval of his request. Mr. Gonzalez moved to close the evidentiary portion of the Public Hearing, seconded by Mr. Stoub and carried unanimously. Discussion re: riding bikes within Countryside — installing bike racks. Mr. Swanson stated that in the future there may be bike lanes on LaGrange Road. Atty. Peck stated that the site plan, marked as Petitioner’s Exhibit A, is the addition for the Time Out Sports Bar, prepared by Architects by Design, P.C. Ms. Grotzke moved to approve the special use to permit the construction and operation of an outdoor patio/ deck on the property commonly known as 6025 S. LaGrange Road, seconded by Mr.Stoub, all in substantial compliance with Petitioner’s Exhibit A, subject to the following conditions: that the east side of the building will be re-sided and the doors painted; the petitioner agrees to improve the overall condition of the exterior building; three U shaped bike racks will be installed within 50 feet of the entrance; and the petitioner will repair potholes in the parking lot. Motion carried by Roll Call vote – 8/0/1. This matter will come before the City Council at its Regular Meeting on April 11, 2012.

OTHER BUSINESS

Mr. Swanson stated that Mr. Fisher, co-owner of the Autobarn dealership, desires to subdivide the Subaru and Mazda dealers into two parcels. He requested a special meeting. Chairman Fullmer accommodated him and set a Special Meeting for Thursday, April 5, 2012. The preliminary and final plat of approval will be the only matter on the agenda that evening. The only matter may be moving a free-standing sign to allow each parcel to keep one sign.

There may be an application for a fence variance for a new privacy fence. Text amendments may be on the agenda. The Triangle Area homes were built in the 1940s. A resident-owner would like to add an architectural entrance to his home which would obstruct in the required front yard setback by 6 or 8 feet. He will seek a text amendment for that possibility. The structure involves no living space, merely an entrance way with a roof and columns. Another text amendment would involve bike racks for new businesses. The City just received a grant for $25,000 for non-motorized vehicles.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to discuss, Mr. Stoub moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Mr. Benson and carried by unanimous voice vote.

Chairman Fullmer declared the meeting adjourned at 8:28 p.m.

RICHARD FULLMER, JR., CHAIRMAN