MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
PLAN COMMISSION AND ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
OF THE CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE
HELD IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2004

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

PRESENT:Chairman Richard Fullmer, Jr., Secretary Robert Lube, Mr. Fred Fahey, Mr. Edward Ziemba, Mr. Daniel Moss,Mr. Steven Jasinski, Ms. Cynthia Schulz

ALSO PRESENT:City Attorney Erik Peck, Comm. Dev. Officer Muenzer, Bldg. Comm. Krautstrunk, Ald. Smetana, Ald. Conrad, City Engineer Fitzgerald

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

First order of business was approval of the minutes of January 6, 2004. Mr. Moss moved, seconded by Mr. Jasinski, to approve the minutes as presented. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

PUBLIC HEARING

Chairman Fullmer read the Notice of Public Hearing to consider a Special Use to Section 10-6A-1 and 10-6B-1, Chapter 10 of the Municipal Code in order to add two more drive-thru facilities and expand space at State Bank of Countryside headquarters on property commonly known as 6734 Joliet Road. Applicants are John Laherty and Sandy Borkovich, agents for State Bank of Countryside. Also present: Alexander Domanskis, attorney, Thomas Heuer, Engineer, Tripp Hummel, Planner and Grant Currier, Land Planner. All the above were sworn in en masse by Chairman Fullmer.

Attorney Domanskis stated that the applicants seek special use for the above-stated location. The Bank owns the land where expansion is proposed to the east. Mr. Laherty stated that the bank is at full capacity; in order to continue to meet financial needs of their customers, they need to expand their facility. Mr. Currier discussed the architectural site plan. The existing structure is about 8,000 square feet; they proposebuilding a two-story addition of 8,000 square feet per floor. The present parking lot to the west holds 38 employee parking spaces. They are proposing to create a link between buildings, a two-story bridge over the drive-thru facility. They propose parking at the rear of the building only keeping the green space in front. Additional parking will be to the east as well as an additional egress route onto Joliet Road. The building will be solid masonry and the fa̤ade will blend seamlessly. Mr. Moss asked whether the new building will have occupants other than bank employees. Mr. Domanskis stated that the bank has not made that decision; they may have room for legal/professional offices on the second floor. Mr. Jasinski asked about a cross-easement through Dominick’s parking lot; that option is under consideration. They believe it will be of mutual benefit but no final decision has been made.

Mr. Heuer discussed the engineering site plan and stated that all plans will be in conformity with federal, state and local requirements. Existing drives will be maintained as they are; the new drive will be a right-in and right-out entry only going eastbound. Preliminary design parameters were submitted to IDOT and they approved the concept, contingent on City approval. The main issue is water detention and storm water drainage. Present drainage flows into the storm sewer on Joliet Road. Detention areas have been created as well as a piping network; water is captured on site below grade and will run to the existing storm sewer on Joliet Road. There will be a new service connect to the sanitary sewer. Grading is adjusted so that drainage flows away from the building. Hours of operation remain the same; the sign will remain as is. In five years they anticipate 15-25 additional employees. The basement will serve as storage area and mechanical services; the bank is doubling its square footage.

City Attorney Peck stated that the Architectural Site Plan and the Engineering Site Plan will be entered into evidence as Petitioner’s Exhibits A and B respectively. Mr. Jasinski moved, seconded by Mr. Lube, to recommend approval of a Special Use to the State Bank of Countryside for construction and operation of a financial facility and a second Special Use to permit construction of four drive-thru facilities, two pre-existing and two new facilities, on the property commonly known as 6734 Joliet Road, all in substantial compliance with Petitioner’s Exhibits A and B. Motion carried by unanimous Roll Call vote.

Chairman Fullmer stated that this matter will come before the City Council at its Regular Meeting of February 25, 2004.

OTHER BUSINESS

Chairman Fullmer read the continuation of consideration to review the Sign Ordinance – to review definitions of animated signs, chaser signs, flashing signs, reader signs, changing the copy of a sign, bulletin boards, display encasement or marquee signs, referred to the Plan Commission by Chairman Fullmer of the same. City Engineer Fitzgerald was asked to investigate lumens and foot-candles. Mr. Fitzgerald stated that his background is in roadway lighting. After investigating other sources of light intensity and brightness, he reviewed the recommended changes and suggested further changes. He presented his recommended revisions to Section 8-5-6 Regulation of All Signs, Paragraph G to read: The exposed lighting source of an illuminated sign shall be shaded, shielded or directed in such a manner that the light intensity or brightness will not be objectionable to the surrounding areas. No exposed reflecting type bulb or incandescent lamp which exceeds 15 watts shall be used in any sign. He explained differences between brightness and intensity and suggested that future language include Paragraph H – Brightness Limitation – Sign brightness shall be no greater than the recommended values for Luminous Background Sign Luminances specified in the latest edition of Illuminating Engineering Society of North America manual. This covers regulation of all signs.

Mr. Fitzgerald also suggested Paragraph I – Illumination Limitations Illuminated Signs shall produce no more than one-half foot candle of illumination in an adjoining residential district, or three foot-candles of illumination in an adjoining commercial district. The maximum permitted illumination levels shall be measured perpendicularly to the sign at the property line at ground level. Paragraph J – No illuminated sign shall contain blinking, flashing or fluttering lights or other illuminating devices which have a changing light intensity, brightness or color.

Mr. Fitzgerald also suggested removing Section A-1-H under Permitted Signs in Business Zoning Districts. Mr. Fitzgerald stated that outdoor neon lighting is included in the above definitions. Board members did not change the language regarding neon lights. Mr. Peck will incorporate these changes into the Revised Sign Ordinance and present it to the Board at the next meeting.

Mr. Peck stated that the current City Code relates to the BOCA Building Code. He noted that the City has adopted the International Building Code; he will rewrite that section to bring it up to date with current code. Mr. Moss moved, seconded by Mr. Ziemba, to authorize the attorney to rewrite that section of the Code and present it to the Board for consideration. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

Chairman Fullmer noted that Mr. Muenzer has provided Board members with copies of the R-7 Rural Residential Zoning information prepared in conjunction with Mr. Krautstrunk and Mr. Bailey for the newly-annexed areas of the 5^th Avenue Cutoff. After review by the Board, a public hearing is planned with affected residents present. A meeting date will be scheduled in the future.

Mr. Moss missed the January 22 meeting but would like more advance notice for future meetings. The next meeting is February 17; consultants were not prepared for the January 15 meeting; they made no recommendations, merely presented updates.

OLD BUSINESS

Chairman Fullmer stated that the City Council approved the application for Cleaners Depot by 5/1, reversing the recommendation of this Board. The Fire Marshal spoke in favor of the cleaners; due to technological changes the combustible material used is much safer than previous chemicals. The principals of Cleaners Depot were present. Mr. Muenzer believes that additional businesses are essential for the shopping center; this business will cause the least amount of traffic for residents.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to discuss, Mr. Lube moved, seconded by Ms. Schulz, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote. Chairman Fullmer declared the meeting adjourned at 8:53 p.m. RICHARD FULLMER, JR., CHAIRMAN