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, MARCH 7, 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: Mayor LeGant, Ald. Michalczyk, Ald. Pondelicek, CDD Muenzer, Attorney Robert Peck, MBA Hudson, CDP Swanson

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The first order of business was approval of the minutes of February 7, 2006. Mr. Toth moved to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Ms. Schulz and carried unanimously by voice vote.

PUBLIC HEARING

Chairman Fullmer read the Notice of Public Hearing to consider a Resubdivision of two parcels, adding an additional 15 feet in lot width to Parcel 1. The property is commonly known as 10221 & 10241 West 5^th Avenue Cutoff, Countryside, IL 60525. The Applicant is Daniel J. Krause, Krause Construction, located at 3330 Edison, Blue Island, IL 60406. Chairman Fullmer swore in Mr. Krause. Ms. Grotzke moved to open the Public Hearing in this matter, seconded by Mr. Ziemba and carried unanimously.

Mr. Krause stated that both lots are a total of 231 feet in width; originally the parcels were 100 feet for Lot 1 and 131 feet for Lot 2. He is applying to equalize both lots, resulting in one lot of 115 feet and the other lot 116 feet. Mr. Muenzer stated that notices have been sent by the City. The Staff recommends preliminary plat approval on both proposed parcels, which exceed the R-7 requirement for both lot size and lot width — the primary criteria when considering a subdivision request. The developer will meet all building setbacks and various other standards when actual construction is begun. A previous attempt to subdivide the area into three parcels was unanimously denied. Sentiment of the neighborhood was to support two houses built on two lots; that is the proposal set forth tonight. Chairman Fullmer stated that lot area requirements in the R-7 Rural zoning district provides that each single-family detached dwelling have a lot area of not less than one acre (43,560 square feet) and a width of not less than 100 feet. This property meets that criterion.

Attorney Peck noted the statement from Novotny includes four items to be completed: The Statement of Dedication with regard to easement and 5^th Avenue right-of-way. The Plat Act requires a statement as to the School Districts; also the City Code requires a statement by the City Treasurer that there are no unpaid taxes or special assessments. Mr. Muenzer stated that they have submitted a Subdivision Plan not seen by this Board that likely includes those provisions.

Mr. Krause repeated his request to equalize the lots per neighborhood comment. They are anxious to proceed to the construction phase. Lot price is $350,000; the home will be in the $1-1.5 million category. They plan to build on Lot 1 first, then depending on the economy, they may build the second home. There was no further testimony from the applicant; no interested parties attended the hearing. Mr. Jasinski moved to close the evidentiary portion of the hearing, seconded by Mr. Lube and carried by unanimously.

Ms. Schulz moved to approve the preliminary plat of subdivision, seconded by Mr. Ziemba and carried by unanimous Roll Call vote. This matter will go before the City Council at its Regular Meeting on March 22, 2006.

PUBLIC HEARING

Chairman Fullmer stated that the next hearing is to consider the proposed commercial / Industrial Landscape Ordinance. Mr. Muenzer stated that Mr. Hudson will briefly discuss the changes highlighted in red. In December this Board approved the Landscape Ordinance as proposed; it was not forwarded to the City Council knowing that Mr. Hudson would be starting and would be in charge of enforcement of the Ordinance. He has reviewed the document, added or removed language as needed and provided commentary.

Mr. Hudson stated that changes made have been highlighted in red except for one additional definition regarding the front perimeter of a parking lot, which will be addressed later. Language to be removed has a line drawn through; language to be added is underlined. The largest number of proposed changes involves selectively replacing the word should with the word shall, where appropriate. Should is an advisory word; shall is a mandatory term. This has not been done throughout the document, only where appropriate.

A few definitions have been added; text has been revised for clarity. Text added in Section 5 identifies and clarifies terms defining what exactly is across from a parking lot, so as to uniformly apply this ordinance when enforcement is necessary. Much of this language is taken from the International Building Code, which allows for the same provisions in building-related issues. Board members lauded the efforts of staff in putting this document together.

Mr. Muenzer stated that the trigger for this ordinance to come into effect is the application for a building permit or applicable building activity. For larger PUDs the Landscape Ordinance could be made an additional request/condition for PC/ZBA approval. Chairman Fullmer asked whether the Ordinance as written is understandable for builders and enforceable by the City. Mr. Hudson stated that clearly written details and uniform service gives teeth to and removes guesswork from the Ordinance.

Ms. Schulz believes that only approved mulch should be used on large projects. Discussion turned to infestation by Formosan Termites being shipped to northern cities. The mulch contains ground-up material taken from hurricane areas and sold in bags that are commercially available. Mr. Hudson stated that Section 5.4.5.2 deals with various types of approved mulch. Mr. Jasinski asked what penalties apply if parties do not comply with the ordinance. It is a violation of the City Code and would go on to adjudication. Ald. Michalczyk stated that this ordinance applies to redevelopment and expansion, what about existing buildings; the Property Maintenance Code would apply in those cases but not this ordinance.

Mr. Hudson noted the addition of Front Perimeter in Section 2. He asked the Board to insert one more definition, Front Perimeter: Front perimeter shall include all perimeters encompassed in Section 5.4.7.3.2 — if adjacent to a public way. Board members agreed that is a very good addition. Mr. Moss suggested renumbering the entire document for the sake of uniformity. After reviewing the document, Board members agreed to all the recommended changes. Staff will renumber the text paragraphs accordingly and add the definition.

Ms. Grotzke moved to approve the revised Landscape Ordinance as presented including the changes noted above, seconded by Mr. Moss and carried unanimously – 9/0. Chairman Fullmer stated that this matter would be forwarded to the City Council for its Regular Meeting on March 22, 2006.

OTHER BUSINESS

Attorney Peck stated that the Regular April Agenda would include a hearing to rezone the Chariot Automotive property from M-1 to B-3 with a special automotive use. Mr. Bresnahan will testify as to the current operation, plus testimony by an appraiser as to the affect, if any, on the immediate surroundings and on the City as a whole. There will be testimony by a planner as to whether the proposal is consistent with good planning practices generally and the City’s Comprehensive Plan specifically. There should be testimony from neighbors in the surrounding area as to the effect on quality of life from the Chariot Automotive operation, plus a report from Staff on their findings. The business opened in 2002.

Mr. Muenzer stated that a Special Meeting would likely be held on April 18 at 7:30 p.m. if the applicant complies with all requirements prior to that time. The applicant will discuss and present a PUD encompassed within an Annexation Agreement with the City of Countryside. It is a condominium development of about six acres near Willow Springs Road and Joliet Road. The developer is Boomerang Properties – the development is called The Villas of Hidden Acres. Mr. Peck stated that the PC/ZBA will determine whether the necessary zoning should be granted. Annexation will require City Council, not PC/ZBA approval.

Regarding the Wishing Well property, the current property owner is developing a concept plan for a mixed-use condo and retail development.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to discuss, Mr. Jasinski moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Mr. Moss and carried unanimously.

Chairman Fullmer declared the meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.