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 JULY 3, 2012

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 Crecencio Gonzalez IV Mr. Richard Toth, Mr. Charles Stoub, Ms. Tina Grotzke, Mr. Robert Lube, Mr. Bryon Bednar.

ABSENT: Mr. Mark Benson.

ALSO PRESENT: Atty. Peck, City Admin. Paul, Asst. Admin. Peterson, CDP Swanson, Ald. Jasinski.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The first order of business was approval of the minutes of the June 5, 2012 meeting. Ms. Grotzke moved to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Mr. Stoub 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: 5647 PECK AVENUE

Chairman Fullmer stated that Public Hearing notice is not required for the 5647 Peck Avenue application since the request is a building-related variance.

Consideration of a building variance to Section 8-3-1 (E-1) Regulations of permitted fences to permit a fence which provides 0% permeability instead of the required 80% permeability requirement to both light and air –

at the real estate commonly known as 5647 Peck Avenue, Countryside, IL 60525. The Applicant is the property owner, Mr. William Buckholtz.

The applicant was sworn in by Chairman Fullmer. Mr. Stoub moved to open the Public Hearing in this matter, seconded by Mr. Toth and carried unanimously. Staff presentation made by CDP Bryan Swanson. He stated that the applicant desires to replace a six-foot tall 61′ long privacy fence on his property. The fence provides screening between the adjacent driveway and the applicant’s property; cars continually use the driveway and the fence provides more privacy for the family and protection from car headlights, etc. The subject property is located in the City’s Triangle Area. He presented the plat of survey. The plans presented depict the fence on the north side of the home; the existing fence is about 25 years old; photos of the fence were shown.

Mr. Buckholtz stated that the neighboring driveway is ten feet from his property line; the bedrooms are on that side of the house. He has tried to repair the existing fence many times but it is too far gone. He wants the front fence to match the back fence and increases the value of his home. He also wishes to conceal jet skis and a boat, which should be covered on three sides. There were no questions from interested parties.

Mr. Buckholtz stated that the current fence ordinance is being reviewed. People put up fences for various reasons. The ordinance should be judged on a case-by-case basis.

After discussion, Board members had no objections. Attorney Peck stated for the record that Petitioner’s Exhibit A is the fence placement for 5647 Peck Avenue, showing the location of the fence. Mr. Stoub moved to close the evidentiary portion of the public hearing, seconded by Mr. Gonzalez and carried unanimously.

Mr. Gonzalez moved to approve a fence variance to permit construction of a fence with 0% permeability instead of the required 80% permeability on the property commonly known as 5647 Peck Avenue in substantial conformity with Petitioner’s Exhibit A, seconded by Mr. Toth and carried by Roll Call vote – 7/0/1. This matter will come before the City Council on July 11, 2012.

PUBLIC HEARING RE: 10705 HILLSDALE ROAD

Chairman Fullmer stated that Public Hearing notice is not required for the 10705 Hillsdale Road application since the request is a building-related variance.

Consideration of a building variance to Section 8-3-1 (E-10) Regulations of permitted fences Patio and Deck Privacy Fences to permit a fence which provides 0% and 39% permeability instead of the required 50% permeability requirement to both light and air –

at the real estate commonly known as 10705 Hillsdale Road, Countryside, IL 60525. The Applicant is the property owner, Mr. Jeffrey A Kemmer.

The Applicant was sworn in by Chairman Fullmer. CDP Mr. Swanson made the Staff presentation. The City Code requires that pool and patio/deck fencing is at least 50% permeable to light and air. The proposed deck is four feet high and ranges between 0% and 39% permeability.

Mr. Kemmer recently constructed a pool and a deck, shown in the presentation; the deck is elevated four feet above the ground. Mr. Kemmer stated that he has used shadow box construction on the fence so that when viewed at an angle, light is visible through the fence. The fence was built prior to approval. The fence does not go entirely around the pool but there is a guard rail along the deck and stairs; the bottom of the fence is open. There were no comments from interested parties. There was no closing statement by the applicant. Mr. Gonzalez moved to close the evidentiary portion of the public hearing, seconded by Mr. Bednar and carried unanimously. Mr. Toth moved to approve the already-built fence and deck/patio with 0% permeability and 39% permeability on the property commonly known as 10705 Hillsdale Road, seconded by Ms. Grotzke and carried by Roll Call vote – 7/0/1. This matter will come before the City Council on July 11, 2012.

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE RE: AUTOBARN VOLKSWAGEN

Chairman Fullmer read the Public Hearing notice for the proposed sign variation published on June 14, 2012 in The Doings Newspaper.

Consideration of a sign variance pursuant to Section 8-5-9 B-1 Freestanding Signs – Number to establish a second sign on a property which contains an existing freestanding sign –

At the real estate commonly known as 6161 Joliet Road, Countryside, IL 60525. The Applicant is Mr. Chris J. Klbecka, manager AutoBarn Volkswagen, 6161 Joliet Road, Countryside, 60525.

The applicant was sworn in by Chairman Fullmer. Mr. Toth moved to open the Public Hearing in this matter, seconded by Mr. Bednar and carried unanimously. Mr. Swanson made the Staff presentation. The intention of the second proposed sign is to promote the dealership’s certified pre-owned vehicle inventory. The sign is approximately 15 feet in height; the space between the bottom of the sign and the ground is 9’10. The sign face is approximately 23.68 square feet; the proposed sign will be at least 6’5 from either property line.

Mr. Klbecka stated that the dealership should be open by July 23^rd, including signage; they are moving the existing sign from 6091 to the 6161 location. He stated that used vehicles are a large part of their business; they provide buyers with an extension of the current warranty. There were no comments from interested parties. Mr. Klbecka had no closing statement. Attorney Peck stated for the record that Exhibit A and Exhibit B are Sign Specifications presented by the applicant. Mr. Gonzalez moved to close the evidentiary portion of the Public Hearing, seconded by Mr. Toth and carried unanimously. Ms. Grotzke moved to approve the sign variance to permit a second freestanding sign on the property commonly known as 6161 Joliet Road all in substantial conformity with Petitioner’s Exhibits A and B, seconded by Mr. Lube and carried by Roll Call vote – 7/0/1. Chairman Fullmer stated that this matter will come before the City Council at its Regular Meeting on July 11, 2012.

PUBLIC HEARING RE: PROPOSED TEXT AMENDMENT

Chairman Fullmer read the Public Hearing notice for the proposed text amendment published on June 14, 2012 in The Doings Newspaper.

TEXT AMENDMENTS TO PORTIONS OF THE CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE, IL MUNICIPAL CODE (ZONING ORDINANCE) AS FOLLOWS:

Consideration of amending Title 10 of the Municipal Code as follows:

Amend Section 10-6A-1 to make a tobacco store, a store in which at least 80% of its income is derived by the sale of tobacco or tobacco-related products, a permitted use so long as it is not within 500 feet of the lot line of a school or a park.

CDP Mr. Swanson stated that the City desires to prohibit tobacco stores from being within 500 feet of a school or a park; as a result tobacco stores may be limited to certain locations within the City. Discussion re: what constitutes a tobacco store and stores within Countryside selling tobacco products and advertising specials. Mr. Gonzalez moved to amending Section 10-6A-1 to make a tobacco store, a store in which at least 80% of its income is derived by the sale of tobacco or tobacco-related products, a permitted use so long as it is not within 500 feet of the lot line of a school or a park, seconded by Mr. Bednar and carried by Roll Call vote -7/0/1. Chairman Fullmer stated that this matter will come before the City Council at its Regular Meeting on July 25, 2012.

PUBLIC HEARING RE: CREATING ARTICLE 10-8D TO ZONING ORDINANCE

Chairman Fullmer read Public Hearing notice for the proposed text amendment published on June 14, 2012 in The Doings Newspaper.

Creating Article 10-8D of the City of Countryside’s Zoning Ordinance and amending or creating Sections of the City of Countryside’s Zoning Ordinance by creating a City Center Design Standards Overlay District incorporating the design standards prepared by The Lakota Group.

CDP Mr. Swanson stated that in late 2011 City Council created an Ad Hoc Committee to review and recommend the design standards prepared by the Lakota Group. The Ad Hoc Committee is a combination of business owners and residents who worked with the Lakota Group. He asked the Board Members to review the document and discuss it further at the August 7^thPC/ZBA Hearing. The intent is to create an overlay district for the LaGrange Road Corridor and the City Center Development. Motion and second to continue this matter to the August hearing.

PUBLIC HEARING RE: BICYCLE PARKING ORDINANCE

Chairman Fullmer stated this matter is continued from June 5, 2012 – Public Hearing notice for the proposed text amendment published on April 12, 2012 in The Doings Newspaper.

Text Amendments to portions of the City of Countryside, IL Municipal Code (Zoning Ordinance) as follows: Consideration of amending Title 10 of the Municipal Code creating a Bicycle Parking Ordinance –

To consider amending a bicycle parking ordinance in Chapter 10:

Off-Street Parking and Loading.

CDP Mr. Swanson reiterated past discussion held thus far re: increasing activity for residents by taking part in non-motorized transportation. The City received a $25,000 Grant to create the Countryside Active Transportation Plan. In January 2012 the City received a grant for $133,360 to design a Safe Routes to School plan. An important tool for encouraging bicycle transportation is to provide bicycle racks for parking. Photos depict suitable locations for bicycle rack placement. The Active Transportation Ad Hoc Committee met to discuss bicycle racks, their top 2-3 ideas for bicycle usage, and also discussed the City’s role in providing budgeting and funding.

Mr. Swanson further discussed the location of bike racks as well as the design criteria and dimensions of bike racks. Board members discussed many aspects of the bicycle provisions – to be installed for new business – new business owners, any new development or after major remodeling projects. Whose responsibility is it – the business owner or the property owner? The need for bicycle racks is obvious when bicycles are seen chained to posts and/or fences in many areas of the City. All the above topics were extensively discussed. The Board was equally divided re: the cost of bicycle racks and enforcement of the ordinance. Discussion re: installing bicycle racks in Countryside parks. This matter will be continued to the August 7^thmeeting for further discussion.

OTHER BUSINESS

There is only one matter on the agenda for next month’s hearing, besides the continued matters from tonight’s hearing.

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 9:00 p.m.

RICHARD FULLMER, JR., CHAIRMAN