MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING
OF THE PLAN COMMISSION AND ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
FOR THE CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE, IL
HELD IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2011

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, Ms. Tina Grotzke, Mr. Daniel Moss, Mr. Crecencio Gonzalez IV.

ABSENT: Mr. Charles Stoub, Mr. Richard Toth.

ALSO PRESENT: Atty. Erik Peck, CDP Swanson, Fire Marshal Lyons

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: 48 COUNTRYSIDE PLAZA

Chairman Fullmer read the Public Hearing Notice for the 48 Countryside Plaza application, published on December 8, 2011 in The Doings Newspaper.

Consideration of two special use requests for the Formally Modern Tuxedo business in the Countryside Plaza pursuant to the City of Countryside Municipal Code (Zoning Ordinance).

Consideration of a special use pursuant to Section 10-8C-3 B to permit a business in which less than 50% of its income is derived from sales which generate a retailers’ occupation tax or service occupation tax for the City;

Consideration of a special use pursuant to Section 10-8C-3 B to permit a rental service store – at the real estate commonly known as 48 Countryside Plaza, Countryside, IL 60525.

Mr. Lube moved to open the Public Hearing, seconded by Mr. Moss and carried by unanimous voice vote. The applicants were sworn in by Chairman Fullmer. The required proofs of notice were received by the Building Department.

CDP Mr. Bryan Swanson made the Staff Presentation. The Formally Modern Tuxedo rental business is a retail and service use business that desires to locate at 48 Countryside Plaza. The applicant is applying for two separate special uses. The first is to allow a business in which less than 50% of its income is derived from sales tax. A 50/50 split between sales tax and tuxedo rentals is being proposed for this location. Finance Director Drazner has reviewed the business plan and does not believe an in-lieu fee should be proposed. The intent of the LaGrange Road Arterial Corridor overlay zoning district is to provide protection for future land uses along the thoroughfare. As the main commercial corridor LaGrange Road provides valuable sales tax revenue to the community; it is imperative that the City protect all commercial properties along this corridor.

Ms. Joanne Ambriz and Mr. Brian Shellhasse are co-owners of the business. Ms. Ambriz stated that their business caters to men in all aspects of clothing plus assists in educating men on proper attire for business conferences. She provided a photo of an existing store which the Countryside store would resemble. They do have a high traffic volume on busy days, perhaps 100 to 200 customers in a day, or 6,500 units yearly. Their wedding invitation business is the largest in Chicago. Typically brides come in at least three times to finalize details making this a huge retail business. Most likely brides will visit other retailers in the plaza such as The Party Store for favors, bridal shower invitations, looking at Best Buy or dining at a nearby restaurant. Their customers travel a distance of 20 miles to reach their location thus bringing in a nice mix of customers. They hope to open their doors as soon as possible. All custom tailoring is done in-house. They carry all lines and all prices of suits and formalwear. The wedding business is somewhat immune to economic trends; their business is about 50/50 sales and rental depending on the season. They believe that Countryside is a great fit for their clientele; they have no stores in this area; expressway access is an important feature.

Mr. Moss moved to close the evidentiary portion of the public hearing, seconded by Mr. Benson and carried unanimously. Mr. Gonzalez moved to approve the special use to permit Formally Modern Tuxedo, a business in which less than 50% of its income is derived from sales which generate a retailers’ occupation tax or service occupation tax and to permit a rental service store at the property commonly known as 48 Countryside Plaza, seconded by Mr. Lube and carried by Roll Call vote – 6/0/2. Chairman Fullmer stated that this matter will come before the City Council on January 11, 2012.

PUBLIC HEARING RE: 5503 SOUTH LA GRANGE ROAD

Chairman Fullmer stated that Public Hearing Notice is not required because the request is a building-related item.

Consideration of allowing an existing 2 water main to be supplemented by an alarm system instead of the required 4 water line — at the real estate commonly known as 5503 South LaGrange Road, Countryside, IL 60525. The applicant is the property and business owner, MATRIX CONTRACTORS, LLC, being represented by Luke Castrogiovani.

Mr. Lube moved to open the Public Hearing in this matter, seconded by Ms. Grotzke and carried unanimously. The applicant was sworn in by Chairman Fullmer. Mr. Swanson made the Staff presentation. In July 2011, the applicant appeared before the PC/ZBA seeking to operate a contractor’s office and plumbing retail business at 5503 LaGrange Road, along the zoning overlay district. The PC/ZBA approved the special use. Fire Marshal Lyons is present tonight to answer any questions regarding the 4 water main service to the building.

A permit was issued to the property owner in 2000 to install a fire sprinkler system throughout the building. The permit application was issued depicting a 4 water main service to the building. The property improvement did not follow the approved and submitted plans to the Building Department in 2000. At the pre-sale inspection, the City and the PVFPD alerted the prospective owner that existing service was inadequate and would need to be improved prior to gaining occupancy. The 1.5-2 water main service line would not provide enough pressure to service the sprinkler system throughout the building. Mr. Castrogiovani was aware of this requirement prior to purchasing the property. The building is not presently occupied.

Mr. Castrogiovani stated that boring under LaGrange Road would cost $62,000 and involve tearing up their driveway as well as the Enterprise Rent-A-Car driveway , increasing the cost to over $80,000. He stated that new technology existing today provides for a very early warning alarm system that alerts the Fire Department and pinpoints the exact location of the fire at the first hint of smoke — prior to the sprinkler system going off. He proposes a sprinkler system protecting half the building, keeping water away from sensitive computer hardware. Upon arrival the fire department could hook up to the outside sprinkler adapters allowing supplemental water capacity from the fire truck. Fire Marshal Lyons stated that the normal fire alarm response time is 4-10 minutes under optimal conditions. Sprinkler heads will contain the fire or put out the fire. Discussion re: adequate water pressure to fight the fire -a dry versus a wet system and proper maintenance. Fire Marshal Lyons has never seen the early alarm system in action. Discussion re: using the early alarm system until future IDOT work on LaGrange Road is begun and incorporate the 4 water main at that time. Mr. Gonzalez moved to continue this matter for further investigation — by a licensed sprinkler contractor to review the system and submit a report to the City’s building inspector for approval, seconded by Mr. Moss and carried by Roll Call vote – 6/0/2.

OTHER BUSINESS

Since the previous hearings were longer than expected, Chairman Fullmer suggested that the text amendments be continued to the next regular meeting on January 3, 2012.

Board members agreed.

ADJOURNMENT

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

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

RICHARD FULLMER, JR., CHAIRMAN