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 6, 2010

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. Jim Jasinski, Mr. Charles Stoub, Mr. Daniel Moss, Ms. Tina Grotzke, Mr. Mark Benson

ABSENT: Mr. Richard Toth, Mr. Crecencio Gonzalez IV.

ALSO PRESENT: Mayor Conrad, Atty. Erik Peck, Ald. McDermott, Asst. City Admin. Ms. Peterson, CDP Mr. Swanson.

Mayor Conrad administered the Oath of Office to Mr. Mark Benson, on his appointment as Commissioner to the Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals, and to Ms. Tina Grotzke on her re-appointment as Commissioner to the Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals. Board members welcomed Mr. Benson and congratulated both members on their appointments. Mr. Toth will be sworn in at a later date. The PC/ZBA is now at its full complement of members. Congratulations to all.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The first order of business was approval of the minutes of the March 2, 2010 hearing. Ms. Grotzke 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: 5401 – SEVENTH AVENUE

Chairman Fullmer read the Notice of Public Hearing which was published on March 11, 2010 in THE DOINGS Newspaper re: Consideration of a variance to construct a four-seasons room which protrudes into the required front yard setback on Bobolink Drive to portions of the City of Countryside, IL Municipal Code (Zoning Ordinance):

A variance to Section 10-5C-5, Chapter 10 in the Municipal Code in order to erect a four seasons room which has as front yard setback of approximately 15.96′ to the window well and 18.48′ to the proposed addition. The existing building has a front yard setback on Bobolink drive of 15.95′ at the real estate commonly known as 5401 Seventh Avenue, Countryside, IL 60525. The Applicant is Mr. Tom Hesse of Freedom Home Construction, 5989 Fields Drive, Yorkville, IL 60560 representing the property owners, Mr. And Mrs. George and Alice Smith, 5401 Seventh Avenue, Countryside, IL.

Mr. Stoub moved to open the Public Hearing in this matter, seconded by Mr. Jasinski and carried unanimously. Chairman Fullmer swore in the Applicant, Mr. Tom Hesse. The required Proofs of Notice have been received by the Building Department.

Mr. Swanson presented the Staff Report: Current zoning on the property at 5401 – Seventh Avenue is R-3 single family. The property consists of 6,164 square feet; estimated s.f. of the building is 1,092. The Smiths desire to erect a four-seasons room approximately 234 square feet attached to the existing single-family residence. A variance is required to provide a front yard setback of 15.96 feet to the window well and 18.48 to the proposed addition instead of the required 30′ front yard setback on Bobolink Drive. This is a corner property which has two front yards. The existing home has a front yard setback of 30′ on 7^th Ave. and 15-16′ front yard setback on Bobolink. The room addition will be attached to the rear of the home on the east side of the building. The proposed front yard setback on Bobolink would be 15.96 to the window well and 18.48 to the proposed addition wall. Mr. Swanson discussed the site plan and the location of the room addition on the property.

Mr. Hesse stated that this is a single story structure with a full basement and will be in line with the existing residence so there is no obstruction on the corner. The surrounding neighbors have no objections. The room will be at the rear of the property. He presented the site plan to Board members. Discussion ensued. The room will match the existing house. The room is a frame structure with an overlay gable roof and patio door, fully heated with a sump pump below and conforming to the guidelines of the existing house.

In closing, Mr. Hesse provided the engineering plans for review and stated that there will be positive drainage away from this property and the neighbor’s property. The City engineer must approve the grading plan. Mr. Peck stated that the Site plan is received as Petitioner’s Exhibit A and the Architectural Plan is Exhibit B. Both are incorporated herein. Ms. Grotzke moved to close the Public Hearing in this matter, seconded by Mr. Jasinski and carried unanimously.

Mr. Peck stated this is a recommendation to approve the variance to Section 10-5C-5 to permit construction of a four-seasons room with a front yard setback of 15.96 and 18.48′ instead of the required 30′ front yard setback on Bobolink Drive, on the property commonly known as 5401 – 7^th Ave, all in substantial compliance with Petitioner’s Exhibit A, the Site Engineering Plan and Exhibit B, the Architectural Plan. Mr. Stoub moved to accept the variances as presented, seconded by Mr. Lube, carried by unanimous Roll Call vote – 7/0/2. This recommendation will come before the City Council at its Regular Meeting on April 28, 2010.

PUBLIC HEARING RE: TEXT AMENDMENTS

Chairman Fullmer read the Notice of Public Hearing which was published on March 18, 2010 in The Doings Newspaper: Consideration of Text amendments to portions of the City of Countryside, IL Municipal Code (Zoning Ordinance):

Consideration of amending Section 8-5-9: Permitted Signs in Business Zoning Districts: to consider adding G electronic signs (changeable signs) which meet the following criteria:

Limits the maximum size (cannot exceed fifty percent (50%) of the permitted area of a monument sign or freestanding sign), gasoline service stations shall not exceed 32 square feet;

Brightness (thirty foot-candles of illumination, four feet from the sign);

Color, full color LED or single color;

Rate of change (cannot change more than once in any ten-second period and must contain a static message – no scrolling;

Hours of operation (sign is off at the end of the business day).

Mr. Moss moved to open the Public Hearing in this matter, seconded by Ms. Grotzke and carried unanimously. Staff Report by Mr. Swanson – he provided members with a printout of his research on electronic message boards (EMB) for use in commercial zoning as an updated method to promote business, especially with changing gasoline prices. After reading through various ordinances, the two best examples of City controlled signs are found in Antioch and Naperville.

The bulleted text above provides some guidelines for discussion of proposed initial text amendments limiting signage. Chairman Fullmer noted that in Antioch EMBs are a special use, while in Naperville EMBs are a permitted use. Mr. Swanson stated that permitted use may be applicable to gas stations, while a special use as in Antioch, is preferable and requires the business owner to submit a sworn affidavit abiding by the regulations of the Code. Board members agree that the special use with specific modification is a better way to control signage. The hearing cost for special use is $500 application fee, $75-$100 for legal notice publication, and $5.40 per certified mail copy notifying residents within 600 feet. Members discussed each item above and made specific recommendations.

Maximum Size — Chairman Fullmer suggested that the maximum size be cut down to 20′ – twenty feet or 50% of a monument sign, whichever is less. The size limit for monument signs is 65 square feet per side, and less for pole signs. The electronic portion cannot be added but must be included therein. Anything beyond that would require a variance. Mr. Peck stated that the City must define whether it is a permitted use or special use.

Brightness – sign must be adjusted for night time – LED measured in NITS – after discussion, Board allowed 5,000 NITS for day illumination and 1,000 NITS for night illumination or 30 foot candles at four feet for incandescent light.

Color – after discussion Board agreed to a one-color sign with black as a background and red or green or white as the one color permitted.

Rate of Change – Chairman Fullmer suggested that the display change no more than once per hour with a static message – (time and temp isolated) — no scrolling allowed – no chasing, flashing, no animated movement.

Hours of Operation — The EMB portion must be turned off at the close of business or from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. After discussion, Board members agreed to use time restrictions when a business is open leave the sign on, not the EMB. Board members agreed to include the affidavit – the business owner must sign, understand and abide by the Regulations.

Messrs. Peck and Swanson will draft language incorporating the above items for electronic message boards including 1) special use, 2) 20 s.f. or 50%, whichever is less, 3) LED=5,000 nits daytime, 1,000 nits at night or 30 foot candle for bulbs, 4) red or green or white single color on a black background, 6) static display duration one hour, no animated, flashing or scrolling, – (time and temp separate) 7) message allowed during hours of operation only and 8) business owner must sign affidavit. Mr. Peck stated that one standard must be applicable for everybody; a provision must be made for existing signs. The newly-drafted language will be sent to Board members for discussion /recommendation at next month’s meeting. Ms. Grotzke moved to continue the matter to next month, seconded by Mr. Lube and carried unanimously.

OTHER BUSINESS

Mr. Swanson stated that two applications are on the agenda – ATI Corp., a national physical therapy chain is considering purchasing the Blockbuster property and seeking a special use for physical therapy zone, zoned B-2.

Mr. Arce, Tavern on LaGrange, would like to utilize the basement portion of his business; he needs additional parking and seeks to allow off-site parking for 16 cars, based on City Code. Discussion regarding the necessity for additional parking.

The Mobil Gas Station renovation is not proceeding as planned; it looks tacky.

Mr. Peck stated that the PC/ZBA is an independent advisory body; they will make recommendations and review changes to the EMB after which time those recommendations will be brought to the City Council for its vote.

ADJOURNMENT

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

Chairman Fullmer declared the meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

RICHARD FULLMER, JR., CHAIRMAN