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, JANUARY 3, 2006

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. Frank Thullen, Mr. Steven Jasinski, Ms. Cynthia Schulz, Ms. Tina Grotzke, Mr. Richard Toth, Mr. Daniel Moss

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

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The first order of business was approval of the minutes of December 6, 2005. Ms. Schulz moved to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Mr. Toth and carried unanimously by voice vote.

PUBLIC HEARING

Chairman Fullmer sought approval of the corrected Snyder & Skrine Plat of Subdivision. This material was not included in the Board packet, however, Mr. Muenzer stated that Plan Commission review and recommendation is a formality prior to submission to the City Council. An error was made on the final subdivision plat on Lots 4, 6, 11 and 13; these four corner lots show an exterior setback of 15 feet instead of the required 30 feet building setback line. The developer has resubmitted the final plat showing 30 feet from both the front and corner property lines. Mr. Peck stated that the Plan Commission should approve the corrected plat. Chairman Fullmer moved to approve the corrected Plat of Subdivision provided tonight, seconded by Mr. Jasinski and carried by unanimous Roll Call vote – 9/0.

PUBLIC HEARING

Chairman Fullmer read the Hearing Procedures calling for a hearing sign-in sheet; upon further inspection, it was noted that a hearing sign-in sheet is not provided tonight but will be required for future hearings.

Chairman Fullmer read the Notice of Public Hearing to consider a Resubdivision pursuant to Section 9-2-3, Chapter 9 of the Municipal Code, in order to subdivide one lot into four single-family lots. The property is commonly known as 9737 W. 57^th St., Countryside, IL 60525. The Applicants are Gino Fioravanti and Robert Cavalieri, 4 N. 425 8^th Ave., Addison, IL 60160. Mr. Toth moved to open the Public Hearing in this matter, seconded by Ms. Grotzke and carried unanimously.

City Attorney Peck advised the parties that the only documents before the Board are a series of surveys of the proposed lots and one survey of the lot as it is proposed to be subdivided. The petitioners have provided what purports to be a Final Plat. The drawings presented do not even constitute a preliminary plat; the City has not had an opportunity to examine any plat. He advised that the document purporting to be a Final Plat — which is erroneous in many respects, including dedication of 57^th Place – should be accepted as a Preliminary Plat and the matter be continued to the next meeting on February 7, 2006. All pertinent City offices will review copies of this document. The petitioners were directed to contact Mr. Muenzer’s office within 15 days regarding suggested changes. The petitioners may then submit a revised preliminary plat for hearing. Mr. Lube moved to continue this hearing on the Plat of Subdivision for further review, seconded by Mr. Jasinski and carried unanimously – 9/0.

PUBLIC HEARING

Chairman Fullmer read the Notice of Public Hearing to consider a Resubdivision pursuant to Section 9-2-3, Chapter 9 of the Municipal Code in order to subdivide one lot into three single-family lots. The property is commonly known as 9601 W. 57^th St., Countryside, IL 60525. The applicant is Juvenal Garcia, 9601 W. 57^th St., Countryside, IL 60525. Ms. Grotzke moved to open the public hearing in this matter, seconded by Mr. Moss and carried unanimously. Mr. Francisco Garcia, not the applicant, is present tonight; he lives near this property and received no notice. Mr. Muenzer noted that the applicant, Mr. Juvenal Garcia, did not file the mailings to notify nearby property owners about the hearing. Mr. Peck advised that this matter is not properly before the Board; notices must be filed and this matter will be continued to the next hearing, February 7, 2006. Mr. Muenzer stated that the task of noticing will eventually be brought in-house so that the issue of proper notice will become moot. No action taken.

PUBLIC HEARING

Chairman Fullmer read the Notice of Public Hearing to consider the following variances to the Municipal Code of the City of Countryside: Section 10-5B-5A&D to permit a front yard setback of 25 feet on Plainfield Road and 10 feet on 6^th Avenue instead of the required 30 feet; Section 10-5B-5C to permit a rear yard setback of 20 feet instead of the required 30 feet; Section 10-5C-6A to permit a single-family structure of 3,400 square feet instead of the permitted 2,267 square feet on property commonly known as 40 East Plainfield Road, Countryside, IL 60525. The applicant is Ankica Pervan, 828 W. 34^th St., Chicago, IL 60608. Mr. Toth moved to open the public hearing in this matter, seconded by Mr. Ziemba and carried unanimously – 9/0. The Applicant was sworn in by Chairman Fullmer and testified as follows:

Ms. Pervan stated that the property has been vacant since 1952. She would like to move to Countryside and develop the property. She has invested sums of money ($18,000) for a drainage plan, soil testing and elevation plan.

Chairman Fullmer stated that she is seeking a house 50% larger than allowed by Code. The variations she is seeking are too numerous; the plan is not workable. If this request is granted it would set a very bad precedent . Ms. Pervan stated this is a pie-shaped lot. Mr. Lube noted that this area already has a flood problem which would be exacerbated by the addition of this structure. Mr. Jasinski asked about the contingency date – Ms. Pervan stated it was extended and is good for two months.

Chairman Fullmer opened the hearing to Interested Persons. Mr. Brian Briones, 44 E. Plainfield Road, the neighbor on the east, stated that this request will provide a hardship as the structure will be much closer than the allowed setback allowances. Soft soil condition is an added concern with potential drainage problems. This is too large of a house on a small lot; he is opposed to this request. Valane Carnal, 5333 S. 7^th Ave., is opposed to the variances and having an oversized house on an undersized lot; it is a disservice to the neighborhood. John Urzina, 5343 S. 6^th Ave. agreed with the speaker.

Chairman Fullmer asked the Board for further comment. Ms. Schulz asked whether the applicant was aware of house size restrictions on that lot prior to purchase. Ms. Pervan stated she did not know there would be a problem. She invested $18,000 on this lot. She will need a new site plan to build a 2,200 square foot home.

There was no further testimony from the applicant or interested parties. Mr. Moss moved to close the evidentiary portion of the hearing, seconded by Mr. Toth and carried unanimously – 9/0.

Chairman Fullmer stated that the Board will adhere to the City Code, including FAR and all set backs. He moved to deny the petitioner’s request for variances, seconded by Ms. Grotzke and carried by unanimous Roll Call vote – 9/0.

Chairman Fullmer noted that this recommendation will come before the City Council at its Regular Meeting on January 25, 2006.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to discuss, Mr. Lube moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Mr. Toth and carried unanimously. Chairman Fullmer declared the meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.