MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
PLANNING COMMISSION AND ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
OF THE CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON TUESDAY, JUNE 3, 2003

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. Frank O’Brien, Mr. Fred Fahey, Mr. Daniel Moss, Mr. Edward Ziemba

ALSO PRESENT: Mayor LeGant, Ald. Conrad, Ald. Fajdich, Ald. Straza, Ald. Michalczyk, Ald. Krzeminski, Bldg. Comm. Krautstrunk, City Attorney Erik Peck, Comm. Develop. Off. Muenzer

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

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

PUBLIC HEARINGS

1. Chairman Fullmer read the Notice of Public Hearing to consider a Special Use of Section 10-6C-2, Chapter 10 of the Municipal Code, to operate a car rental facility with hand car wash at 35 E. Plainfield Road. Applicant is Eileen Kenah for the Hertz Corporation, 2170 S. Mannheim Road, Des Plaines, IL 60018. The petitioner was sworn and testified as follows: A special use permit is required for all car rental operations in the City of Countryside; if a special use were not granted, residents/ businesses of Countryside would be deprived of competition in the car rental market; competition contributes to lower prices and better service. The locality is perfectly suited to a car rental operation with many car dealerships in the area; a maximum of ten cars will be staged on site at any given time. There will be no car maintenance or sale of vehicles whatsoever on site. They will have 8 parking spaces on the side of the building and two in front. The building will be renovated, however no plans are definite until a signed lease is obtained. Building permits are required for such renovation; lease duration is five years. They plan a small office, counter, work stations and waiting area for guests.

The hand car wash is strictly for their rental cars.

Dale Cotton, 1050 S. Sixth Ave., owns the residential property adjacent to the subject area. He has concerns about parking in the public alley. Ms. Kenah stated that all parking will be next to the building and in front. Hours of operation will be 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 9am to noon on Sat./Sun. They will have three employees; no speaker system; no outdoor light enhancement is planned. The car wash will be contained within the building with triple basin interceptor; no runoff outside the building; they plan to use the existing sign. Bill Johnson, 5549 Madison, noted that Enterprise stated that 15 cars would be stored on their lot and recently he counted 29 parked cars. Ms. Kenah stated that Hertz’ objective is to have no cars stored on the lot. Mr. Moss moved, seconded by Mr. O’Brien, to approve the Special Use to Hertz Corporation to permit the operation of a car rental facility with hand car wash at property commonly known as 35 E. Plainfield Road. Motion carried by unanimous Roll Call vote. Mr. Fullmer stated that this matter will come before the City Council for final approval at its Regular Meeting on June 25, 2003.

2. Chairman Fullmer read the Notice of Public Hearing to consider a Special Use of Section 10-6A-2, Chapter 10 of the Municipal Code to operate a mortgage company, Union Financial, Inc., at 6345 Joliet Road. The applicant is Michael H. Reddy, 20 Valley View Drive, Lemont, IL 60439. Mr. Reddy was sworn in and testified as follows: He purchased the existing building; the previous tenant’s use was similar to his, being a small mortgage broker, plus offices of the FOP. Union Financial has been incorporated since November 1999; they began with three people and now have 14 employees with plans to expand that number; employees will shop and dine in the immediate area bringing over $40,000/year to local businesses. He was able to purchase the building through an SBA loan, which requires that his company occupy 51% of the building. This is one of the dome office buildings on Joliet Road; they are currently located near Midway Airport in Chicago. They look forward to coming to Countryside; they will occupy the entire first floor of the building. The land includes the garage behind it and 18 parking spaces. The first floor occupies 4,700 square feet; the upstairs is about 1,000 feet. Employees typically work from 9-5 however three employees work till 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday on a split-shift basis; hours are 9-5 on Friday and 9-1 on Saturday. Mr. Reddy noted that the majority of his business is done via the Internet in Illinois and Indiana; they very rarely have customers come to the office; shipping is done via Fed Ex. There is an existing sign which they will use with a new insert.

Mr. Ziemba moved, seconded by Mr. Fahey, to approve the Special Use to operate Union Financial, Inc., a mortgage company at property commonly known as 6345 Joliet Road. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote. Mr. Fullmer advised that this matter will come before the City Council on June 25, 2003 for final approval.

3. Chairman Fullmer read the Notice of Public Hearing to consider a variance of Section 10-2-4-5, Chapter 10 of the Municipal Code, in order to create handicap parking away from regular parking in the green belt area at 6510 Joliet Road. Applicants are J. Ray and Patricia Manz, 7930 Deerview Court, Burr Ridge, IL 60527. Mr. Manz was sworn and testified as follows: He seeks this variance for two handicap parking spaces at the front of the building which would be away from the regular traffic flow of customers. He has provided photographs of other businesses in the immediate vicinity showing their use of a similar portion of the green belt. It will not exceed the 15′ setback; there will be a berm in front of the building. He postponed other issues until this one is resolved, i.e., whether to purchase two lots or three for his business; he prefers to use two lots. Board members questioned Mr. Manz and believe that no hardship exists. They stated that the original intent was to use the third lot for parking. Mr. Manz stated that it may not be affordable at $300,000/lot. They are only taking a portion of the green belt; if they cannot proceed, it removes an entire row of parking in the back of the lot. He is seeking use of the driveway, not parking spaces; ten feet of landscaped green belt will remain beyond the sidewalk.

Dan Zimich, 6600 Stallford Road, would like the green belt to remain as is. He asked about the curb cut; Mr. Manz stated it will be one double wide curb cut. Left turns will be a definite problem onto Joliet Road. He plans to build a wall in the rear and divert water to the front to the storm sewers on Joliet Road. The building is only 6,400 square feet from the total lot size of 50,000 square feet; the entrance will be on the right front corner. This is the most economical way for handicapped individuals to enter without crossing the parking lot driveway. Jill Depue, 6601 Stallford, agrees with Mr. Zimich regarding the green belt and asked about hours of operation and the noise factor. The kitchen closes around 10 p.m. weekdays; 10:30 on weekends; clean up takes awhile; the restaurant closes at 1 a.m. They will have a very small bar area, 10 stools and 4-5 tables and a screened in area with small Italian lights in the patio area; they may change the patio location to the front rather than the back; they have no live music; patio closes at 11 p.m. Residents are opposed to the variance.

Mr. Ziemba moved, seconded by Mr. Fahey, to deny the variance to the Zoning Code at property commonly known as 6510 Joliet Road. Motion carried by unanimous Roll Call vote. Mr. Fullmer stated that this matter will come before the City Council on June 25, 2003.

4. Chairman Fullmer read the Notice of Public Hearing to consider a variance of Section 10-5A-5-A& B, Chapter 10 of the Municipal Code to construct a new attached garage into the required front yard setback from 30 feet to 20 feet and reducing the side yard setback from 10 feet to 5 feet at property commonly known as 5815 Gilbert Avenue. Applicant Arthur Vogel, 5815 Gilbert was sworn in and testified as follows: This is an odd-shaped lot. There are no standard lots in this area; all are different size lots. The current garage is in very poor condition and will be demolished and a new one built connected by a small utility room. The way the house is situated, this is the only recourse; it will only impede one corner of the property. The adjacent property to the east is approximately 40 feet from the property line. He seeks a garage door that is 8 feet high and 18 feet wide to accommodate a van; it is more convenient. Neighbors in the immediate area do not object to the proposed garage; there are no objectors present tonight. Mr. Peck stated that two documents are received in evidence, the first being Petitioner’s Exhibit A, the Grading Plan prepared by J. Andel, Civil Engineering Consultants and Petitioner’s Exhibit B, which is a roof plan, electrical plan and solid elevation plan for the property.

Mr. Ziemba moved, seconded by Mr. Moss, to approve the variance above to permit construction of an attached garage and reduce the required front yard setback from 30 feet to 20 feet, and reduce the required side yard setback from 10 feet to 5 feet on the property commonly known as 5815 Gilbert, all in substantial conformity with Petitioners’ Exhibits A and B. Motion carried by unanimous Roll Call vote. Mr. Fullmer stated that this matter will come before the City Council at its June 25^th meeting.

5. Chairman Fullmer read the Notice of Public Hearing to consider rezoning of Section 10-5B-1 Chapter 10 of the Municipal Code, in order to rezone and resubdivide property from R-1 to R-2 single family residences with 90 feet front widths (4 lots) at 5651 Madison Avenue. Applicant is Jovic Builders, 7920 Deerview Court, Burr Ridge, IL 60527. Mr. Bob Jovic was sworn in and testified as follows: He would like to subdivide the existing 360×138 foot parcel into four lots to build four single-family homes. This property adjoins commercial. The proposed R-2 zoning will allow the property to fit into the character of adjoining homes; it will not have a negative impact on the neighborhood and will increase property values. The homes will be 2,500 square feet and have either 2-3 garages with a value of $400,000 to $450,000. The lot immediately to the north has 90 foot frontage; total lots will be 12,460 square feet. They will not seek any other variances and will meet all other Code requirements. These will be brick custom homes with full basements. Mr. Lube stated that the property has been dormant and believes this will be a nice addition. He applauds Mr. Jovic for coming in with a new more workable plan after being turned down previously.

Mr. Pat Dumas, 5604 Madison, stated that he and his neighbors vehemently oppose any zoning change; there is no obvious benefit to the City to build homes since there is no tax issue. Last week’s storm called attention to the flooding issues in the area; water drains slowly; the problem has never been addressed. They would like to see two single family homes; all lots in the immediate area are 20,000 square feet; they do not want to see overcrowding. Joyce Haberman, 5602 Madison, suggested a compromise of three homes. Mr. Dumas stated that all lots are 20,000 feet; these lots are almost half the size; they should not set a precedent. Matt Bolek, 5544 Madison, stated that four crammed houses on lots less than 12,500 is too crowded. Diane Jovic responded that these homes are not destroying the neighborhood; zoning has not changed for 50 years; it is time to update. Bill Johnson, 5549 Madison, stated that his lot is 145×138 and so are his neighbors. He wants all lots kept the same size. Bruce Riley, 5650 Madison, opposes any change in zoning keep the R-1, 20,000 square foot lots and 100-foot frontage. Mr. Dumas asked the Board to uphold the current zoning laws.

Mr. O’Brien moved, seconded by Mr. Ziemba, to deny rezoning the four lots on the northeast corner of 57^th and Madison, commonly known as 5651 Madison from R-1 to R-2.

Mr. Ziemba – Aye, Mr. Lube – Nay, Mr. Fahey – Nay, Mr. Moss – Nay, Mr. O’Brien – Aye, Mr. Fullmer – Aye.

Motion failed due to a tie vote – 3/3.

Mr. Peck asked Board members to rephrase the vote in the affirmative, i.e., to approve the resubdivision. Mr. Moss moved, seconded by Mr. Lube, to approve the rezoning of the four lots on the northeast corner of Madison and 57^th St. commonly known as 5651 Madison from R-1 to R-2. If there is another tie the motion fails.

Mr. Ziemba – Nay, Mr. Fahey – Nay, Mr. Lube – Aye, Mr. Moss – Aye, Mr. O’Brien – Nay, Mr. Fullmer – nay.

Motion failed – 4/2. The recommendation to the City Council will be to deny rezoning.

OTHER BUSINESS

Chairman Fullmer stated that a special meeting of the PC/ZBA is set for next Tuesday. Teska Associates and TPAP Inc. will present their proposals for the City Comprehensive Plan. The meeting will last about 1 å_ hours including both presentations and a Q and A period. Mr. Fullmer believes that the Board will require additional meetings during the course of the year to assist the chosen company in developing a plan. Mr. Muenzer encouraged Board members to prepare for the meeting by reading both proposals, adequately reviewing material presented tonight and asking relevant questions. Both firms are familiar with Countryside and have done background work in the area.

Mr. Peck stated that the City Council has returned the electronic billboard issue to the PC/ZBA for further review and recommendation. Mr. Peck will have the recommendation at the next regular meeting.

Mayor LeGant thanked Frank O’Brien for his many years of service to the City of Countryside. This is Mr. O’Brien’s last Regular Meeting; he is moving out of the area. The Mayor expressed the appreciation of the entire City Council, Board members and residents of Countryside for his time and effort on behalf of the City over the years; he will be missed. Mr. O’Brien thanked the Mayor for his warm wishes.

Mr. Moss asked about the status of Home Depot. Mr. Muenzer stated that they plan to open in November. Mr. Krautstrunk stated that they are working on asbestos abatement at present; racks, shelving and light fixtures are also being removed.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no other 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 9:25 p.m.

RICHARD FULLMER, JR., CHAIRMAN