MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
PLAN COMMISSION AND ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
OF THE CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2004

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

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

ABSENT: Ms. Cynthia Schulz

ALSO PRESENT: Ald. Fajdich, Bldg. Comm. Krautstrunk, City Attorney Robert Peck, Ald. Smetana, Ald. Straza, Ald. Conrad, Treasurer Stoffels, Ald. Krzeminski, Economic Dev. Dir. Muenzer

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The first order of business – approval of Minutes of December 6, 2003. Mr. Fahey moved, seconded by Mr. Ziemba, to approve the minutes as presented. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

Chairman Fullmer announced that Home Depot will have their Grand Opening tomorrow night from 6-9 p.m. Mayor LeGant will officiate. Residents are invited to attend.

PUBLIC HEARING

Chairman Fullmer read the Notice of Public Hearing to consider a special use of Section 10-6C-2, in order to remodel, improve and enlarge existing store/car wash/ fuel pump positions on property commonly known as 5300 South LaGrange Road. The applicant is Nader Afshari, 940 Sanctuary Lane, Naperville, IL 60540. Mr. Afshari was sworn by Chairman Fullmer and testified as follows: Mr Afshari and Architect Michael Tzanetis presented two colored renderings of the site plan. The property was acquired at auction ; it is the site of the former Clark Oil Company which filed for bankruptcy. They propose major renovations including extending the building, and the car wash. The property will become a Citgo Gas station; financing with GE Capital has been approved. They paid $1.3 million for the property and plan to spend $1 million for renovations. The present equipment is obsolete; the equipment room will remain but the entrance will be extended about twenty feet to enclose the conveyor. It will be a glass and brick building; the two vacuums will remain; there will be stacking room for 25 cars; the existing fiberglass tanks are only five years old and in excellent condition; they estimate between 65-70 daily car washes. Existing perimeter lighting will be replaced. The entire lot will be concreted; landscaping is planned as shown. Car wash hours will be from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Gas station hours of operation are from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Resident Don Krekanovich, 5313 Madison, stated that the existing fence erected by Clark Oil Co. is in terrible condition and needs to be replaced; six houses border the alley. Mr. Afshari stated that they will replace the existing fence with permission of the residents, since it is not on their property. Resident Scott Dalmer, 5317 Madison, suggested installing speed bumps in the alley to slow down exiting traffic. He asked the City to assist in this matter. Mr. Afshari stated that they are proposing a monument sign placed in the landscaped area; they also asked the City to move their entrance sign to the west at that time. Mr. Lube suggested moving the dryers (vacuums) and adding additional landscaping. Mr. Afshari agreed.

Attorney Peck stated for the record that Exhibits A and B, colored renderings of the site plan of Supersonic Petroleum, are received in evidence on property commonly known as 5300 South LaGrange Road. Mr. Moss moved, seconded by Mr. Lube, to allow the Special Use subject to construction in substantial conformity with Exhibits A and B submitted by the Petitioners; subject also to Petitioner’s replacing the existing fence between the subject property and residential area to the west; subject also to the condition that the vacuums are moved to the side of the building and additional landscaping included. Motion carried by Roll Call vote – 6/0/1.

Chairman Fullmer stated that this matter will come before the City Council at its Regular Meeting on January 28, 2004.

PUBLIC HEARING

Chairman Fullmer read the Notice of Public Hearing to consider a proposed text amendment to Chapter 6, Article A of the B-1 Retail Business District Zoning Code to add “Dry-cleaning with on-site processing” to 10-6A-2 special uses and to grant a special use permitting the operation of a dry cleaning establishment with on-site processing on property commonly known as 5555 S. Brainard Avenue, Unit 154-6. The applicant is Cleaners Depot / Matthew M. Klein, 322 W. Burlington Avenue, LaGrange, IL 60525. Mr. William Paul will discuss the change in dry cleaning technology. Both gentlemen were sworn in by Chairman Fullmer and testified as follows: Mr. Klein stated that the business will be an end-unit tenant in an existing shopping center. They are seeking a zoning amendment to include a very small package plant which is safe and user-friendly. They will be located at the west end of Salem Square Shopping Center, in a 6,000 square foot commercial area.

Mr. William Paul, President of X-Site Real Estate, handles all real estate matters for Cleaners Depot. They recently entered into a lease with Inland Realty, the owners of Salem Square, subject to zoning approval. They seek a special use to operate the on-site processing of garments referred to as the plant-on-premises. He provided Board members with brochures explaining the dry cleaning process.. The company evolved into a one-price concept, meaning that items are all priced at $1.75 each; shirts are 99 cents; garments brought in by 10 a.m. can be picked up by 5 p.m. There are 7 stores in the Chicago area and plans for 30 stores by year-end. The company is very environmentally conscious and has begun using a hydrocarbon synthetic solvent in place of the very toxic PERC previously used; this will be done company-wide; no tailoring service or cleaning of special garments will take place. There are only 11 dry cleaners within two miles of Countryside; they expect to serve 450 customers per day. This location will be a traffic generator for the shopping center. Mr. Paul will answer any questions.

Mr. Lube asked about vapors or odors. Mr. Paul stated that they use Columbia Equipment, which is a closed loop system, self-contained, vapors are enclosed, with no venting required. Resident Laverne Norman, 718 Longview Drive, who lives directly behind the location presented a note from her physician stating that she has emphysema and COPD; her health will be adversely affected and respiratory problems exacerbated. Resident Mike Dolowich, 724 Longview Drive, asked about solvent pick-up and removal. Mr. Paul stated that the chemical is brought in steel drums every three months and then picked up by a waste hauler. Hours of Operation are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., closed Sunday; this is a highly regulated business. Sherry Norman stated that they feel at risk living directly behind a business that is using flammable materials. Mr. Moss asked about other on-site plants in Countryside; Mr. Muenzer stated that Breen’s Cleaners has such a plant. Ald. Straza stated that this business is not a revenue generator for the City. Mr. Lube noted that owners will not be on the premises. Residents stated opposition to the business. Mr. Lube moved, seconded by Mr. Ziemba, to deny the application. Mr. Klein asked for additional time to provide further information to Board members. Chairman Fullmer suggested tabling the matter for one month. Motion was not withdrawn. Motion carried by Roll Call vote – 4/1/1/1. Fahey Aye, Moss Nay, Jasinski Aye, Lube Aye, Ziemba Aye, Fullmer Abstain

This matter will come before the City Council at its Regular meeting on January 28, 2004.

PUBLIC HEARING

Consideration of The Sign Ordinance will be continued until next month.

PUBLIC HEARING

Consideration to review the City’s current residential zoning classifications to create a new rural residential zoning classification to accommodate recently annexed residential lots in Ward 2.

Chairman Fullmer stated that Attorney Erik Peck is not present tonight and suggested tabling this matter to the February meeting. Mr. Bailey is not present either. Roger Marikoff, 7424 Prescott Lane, objected to being put off a second time. Several residents are present tonight and wish to be heard. Mr. Muenzer stated that he has provided examples of rural residential zoning classifications for the Plan Commission and residents to review and use as a basis for the City plan. The City wishes to protect the unique nature of the area. Mr. Frank Zickus, 7375 Prescott stated that they did receive copies of the ordinances; he would like to discuss this with neighbors and choose sections that are applicable to Countryside and present it at the next meeting. Any zoning change must be voted on by the City Council. He suggested setting up a sub-committee with Countryside involvement. Mr. Muenzer stated that this is only an outline and suggested a special meeting be held dedicated to this issue. Mr. Peck suggested a committee of residents discuss the matter and bring a decision to the Board. This is merely a starting point; Ald. Smetana stated that both Mr. Muenzer and TPAP should be at the special meeting; resident input is essential. This process may take several months; residents would like to have a public forum open to all. Residents were adamant about discussing this matter next month. Mr. Muenzer stated that a Comprehensive Plan meeting is scheduled with the PC/ZBA on January 15, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. Suggestion was made to meet on the 2^nd or 3^rd Tuesday of February. A meeting date will be announced. Residents want to get this matter “off the ground.”

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to discuss, Mr. Ziemba moved, seconded by Mr. Fahey, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

Chairman Fullmer declared the meeting adjourned at 10:08 p.m.