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 8, 2013

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. Charles Stoub, Mr. Michael Anderson, Mr. Richard Toth, Ms. Tina Grotzke, Mr. Crecencio Gonzalez IV, Mr. Bryon Bednar, Mr. Mark Benson.

ALSO PRESENT: City Atty. Eric Yehl, CDP Swanson.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The first order of business was approval of the minutes of the December 4, 2012 meeting. Ms. Grotzke moved to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Mr. Gonzalez 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: STATE BANK OF COUNTRYSIDE

Chairman Fullmer read the Public Hearing Notice for the proposed sign special use and variances requested which was published in the December 13, 2012 edition of The Doings Newspaper.

Consideration of variances and a special use request to permit an existing electronic sign to portions of the Municipal Code as follows:

Consideration of a variance to Section 8-5-9 A-1-a – Area: Title 8, Chapter 5 in the Municipal Code of the City of Countryside to permit an existing electronic sign with 24 square feet instead of the 20 square feet maximum.

Consideration of a variance to Section 8-5-9 A-1-c -Maximum Intervals: Title 8, Chapter 5 in the Municipal Code of the City of Countryside to permit an existing electronic sign which would have five-second message change intervals instead of the maximum interval message change of no more than six times per each hour/ sixty-minute interval.

Consideration of a variance to Section 8-5-9 A-1-d -Movement Restrictions: Title 8, Chapter 5 in the Municipal Code of the City of Countryside to permit an existing electronic sign which will incorporate animation, flashing, scrolling and blinking characters instead of the prohibited use of animation, flashing, scrolling and blinking characters.

Consideration of a variance to Section 8-5-9 A-1-i -Hours of Operation: Title 8, Chapter 5 in the Municipal Code of the City of Countryside to permit an existing electronic sign to be allowed to operate 24 hours a day and 7 days a week instead of the restricted use of electronic signage only during the hours of operation for the business it serves.

Consideration of a special use permit to Section 8-5-9 A-1-k -Special Use Permit: Title 8, Chapter 5 in the Municipal Code of the City of Countryside to permit an existing electronic sign at the real estate commonly known as the State Bank of Countryside, 6734 Joliet Road, Countryside, IL 60525.

The applicant is Ms. Diane Brennwald of the State Bank of Countryside, an authorized agent of the owner of the property, the State Bank of Countryside, whose address is 6734 Joliet Road, Countryside, IL 60525.

Mr. Lube moved to open the Public Hearing in this matter, seconded by Mr. Gonzalez and carried by unanimous voice vote. The Applicant was sworn in by Chairman Fullmer. The required Proofs of Notice have been received by the Building Department. The Staff report was given by CDP Bryan Swanson.

The State Bank of Countryside requests variances and a special use from the Countryside sign ordinance to permit their existing legal non-conforming electronic message sign to be used in a way that does not conform with the City’s sign standards.The subject sign was constructed in 2006-07. At that time the City only permitted the use of time/temperature electronic signage. In 2010 the City created an electronic sign ordinance that regulates the size, area, appearance and motion usage such signs may utilize. When the ordinance was formally adopted, all pre-existing signs were required to meet the standards set forth in the ordinance. An affidavit of use was required by each property owner. The State Bank of Countryside signed off on the standards indicating that they would comply with the regulations.

1. The State Bank of Countryside requests four variances and one special use to permit their sign. The existing sign has 12 s.f. of electronic message area per each face of the sign; when combined, the total is approximately 24 s.f. The City permits a combined area of 20 s.f.

2. The applicant desires to utilize the sign with the message changing at an interval rate of five seconds instead of the maximum interval of no more than six times per each hour/ 60-minute interval.

3. The applicant requests animation, flashing, scrolling and / or blinking characters – all of which are strictly prohibited.

4. The applicant requests a variance to permit the electronic sign to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The current regulation states that electronic signage must only be utilized during the hours of operation for the business it serves.

5. The applicant requests consideration for special use approval to permit an existing electronic sign. The applicant has provided a rendering of the sign and the monochrome product specifications of the sign.

Ms. Diane Brennwald has been with State Bank of Countryside for 27 years. They have always had an outdoor sign used to promote community events, safety tips, amber alerts, etc. In 2006 the Bank refurbished the sign and in 2010 they signed the affidavit. All they have been able to do with the sign is the time and temperature – 13 characters across. They would like to continue advertising for the City. They are mainly interested in the scrolling text and the five second interval. The program they have is very, very limited They wish to promote low cost deposits, free checking account and promote community events. They wish to return to the previous use; the bank is closed on Saturday afternoons and Sundays; if the sign is on only during hours of operation, the weekend time is lost to customers. It is a low wattage sign; the LED’s are 1/10 of a 60 watt light bulb. They would like to return to using the sign to promote community events.

Mr. Lube is opposed to the scrolling issue, as is Mr. Gonzalez – the changing message distracts drivers. Ms. Grotzke agreed that it is a safety issue. Ms. Brennwald stated that there have been no accidents recorded in the bank area. The City also refused the request for a two-line sign in 2006. Mr. Benson asked what happened to the other two electronic sign requests that were not permitted by the Plan/ZBA. Both Flagg Creek and Fuller’s requests were finally allowed by the full City Council. He suggested that this matter be sent to the Infrastructure Committee for revision. There were no comments from Interested Persons.

Ms. Brennwald stated that the free advertisement benefits of the sign far outweigh the disadvantages. The Bank will not abuse the sign privilege; they ask for the same consideration as the neighbors re: signage use. They are especially seeking the scrolling text, even at six times per hour. This is not a sophisticated sign; they have had many requests from local organizations for advertising events. They were never cited for any sign problems. They seek relief from the ordinance. Mr. Gonzalez moved to close the evidentiary portion of the hearing, seconded by Mr. Toth and carried by unanimous voice vote.

Mr. Gonzalez moved to recommend denial of the application in full, seconded by Ms. Grotzke and carried by Roll Call vote – 7/2/0. This recommendation will come before the City Council at its Regular Meeting on January 23, 2013. Chairman Fullmer requested that this matter be sent to the Infrastructure Committee for discussion.

OTHER BUSINESS

Mr. Swanson stated that the PC/ZBA will hold a special meeting on Wednesday, January 16, 2013 on the application of Andy’s Frozen Custard, on 58^th St. and LaGrange Road (the former fire station property). They hope to be open by June 1, 2013; they have retained an architect and engineer. Information may also be viewed online. They will be a good asset to the community.

The second matter will be a Text Amendment – to make contractor’s offices a special use in the B-1 Zoning District.

The February meeting will address Continental Mitsubishi — they are expanding their parking lot area onto the former LaGrange Motel site and will present a plat of consolidation. There are seven different lots to be addressed. They are requesting variances to not install a sidewalk on the south and west sides of the property and the absence of parkway trees.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to discuss, Mr. Stoub moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Mr. Toth and carried by unanimous voice vote.

Chairman Fullmer declared the meeting adjourned at 8:18 p.m.

RICHARD FULLMER, JR., CHAIRMAN