MINUTES

PLAN COMMISSION – ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 03, 2015 – 7:15 PM

Roll Call: Secretary Lube called the Roll of Members physically present as follows:

PRESENT: Chairman Richard Fullmer, Jr., Secretary Robert Lube, Michael Anderson, Tina Grotzke, Marco Gutierrez, Crecencio Gonzalez IV, Bryon Bednar, Ronald Ward, Steve Kehr

Also Present: Attorney Peck, Building Commissioner Steve Tisinai

APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES

The minutes of the Regular Meeting of October 6, 2015 were previously distributed to the Board Members. Chairman Fullmer asked if there were any corrections to be made to said minutes. There being no corrections or additions, motion made to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of October 6, 2015.

A motion was made by Ms. Grotzke, seconded by Mr. Lube that this matter be APPROVED. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: 9 Fullmer, Lube, Anderson, Gutierrez, Grotzke, Gonzalez, Bednar, Ward, Kehr

Nay: 0

Chairman’s Comments

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 addressing the Board is located at the podium. This hearing is being recorded. Please silence all cell phones and pagers.

Action Items

a. Public Hearing Case # 18824-SU: A public hearing published in The Doings to amend Special Use Ordinance #15-32-O which granted a Special Use permit to 5801 S. LaGrange Road for an outdoor patio for a Chipotle Mexican Grill Restaurant. The hearing is to review an amendment to the approved plans to allow the use of the existing pole sign modified to ten feet in height instead of the construction of a new ground sign.

b. Ms. Grotzke moved to open the Public Hearing in this matter, seconded by Mr. Gutierrez and carried by unanimous voice vote. Mr. Andrew Goodman and Mr. Greg Orput were sworn in by Chairman Fullmer. Buildling Commissioner Mr. Tisinai presented the Staff report in place of Ms. Clarke.

The Applicant is here to request modification of the site plan and the special use previously granted. They wish to change the free-standing proposed monument sign and repurpose the existing pole sign by reducing the height from 20 feet to 10 feet allowing for five feet of clearance from the bottom of the sign to the ground. The proposed sign location would remain the same. A photograph of the existing Brown’s Chicken sign was viewed. Chipotle plans to lower the overall height to a maximum of 10 feet above grade with a sign that is 4’6 high leaving approximately 5 å_ feet from the ground to the sign. Staff still supports construction of the original ground sign as it best complements construction of the building and future streetscape improvements the City plans to install along LaGrange Road. Alternative recommendations are to reduce the height of the pole sign down to six feet and wrap the base with a material that complements the buildingor use additional landscaping; the second is to approve the sign as presented with a 49-foot display area and open space of 5 feet from the ground to the bottom of the sign. Chairman Fullmer asked to view the original Chipotle sign. After searching, Mr. Tisinai accessed the computer to provide a photo of the original sign – a solid monument sign 6′ high with a 4′ footing.

c. Mr. Greg Orput sought consideration to reuse the Brown’s Chicken sign not due to cost considerations. The major push came from Chipotle – when driving along the LaGrange Road all businesses located there have nothing but pole signs – all up higher – there are no monument signs. When driving a car down the street six-foot high signs are not visible; Chipotle feels it needs better signage for that corner. They prefer the open base -closure presents a visual barrier for cars pulling in and out. Mr. Andrew Goodman stated that they are seeking approval for Option B – Option A is not acceptable to Chipotle.

d. Mr. Lube concurs with the Building Commissioner and Staff; the original approval presents an entire package. The building itself says CHIPOTLE . Further discussion re: Chipotle signs in LaGrange and Westmont. Mr. Gutierrez believes in re-use with further modifications – lower the sign to 7 or 8 feet and add landscaping underneath so it looks more like a monument sign. Mr. Orput stated that the area below the sign will be removed and more landscaping added; there is none there today. Chairman Fullmer discussed sign location; there is signage on the front of the building and on the side; Chipotle is on a corner with a stop light – a perfect location. Chairman Fullmer favors proceeding with the original proposal. Mr. Anderson stated that a sign of six feet is not high enough off the ground. He suggested reducing the brown area within the sign – it does nothing visually – and raising the sign to 7 or 8 feet. Both gentlemen stated that Chipotle has the final word on design.

e. Mr. Tisinai stated that that suggestion would help bring the sign more into compliance with the current sign code. The board could add conditions such as a maximum height of 10 feet and a minimum height above grade of it 6’6 – that puts limitations on the sign. Mr. Lube agrees with Chairman Fullmer – the original sign is a much nicer rendition; people will find Chipotle because they have a good product.

f. Chairman Fullmer asked for comments from interested parties. Ms. Kathy Berkle, 5803 Rose Court, is opposed to the new sign. It won’t matter; people will turn right out of there. The sign should be lower. She also requested another traffic study on 58^th Street. As a resident of that street she is opposed to the curb cut on 58^th Street. She believes that the traffic study was completed at an inappropriate time during a cold spell in July, the week after July 4^th when children were not in school. Those factors should be taken into consideration. Mr. Tisinai does not know about any future studies. Chairman Fullmer asked that Ms. Clarke discuss this matter with Mr. Fitzgerald. Ms. Berkle is opposed to traffic from LaGrange Road turning into residential streets. Chairman Fullmer stated that the State was removing one of the curb cuts on LaGrange Road; there is no way any facility could be built with only one curb cut. Also, Chipotle will not have a drive-thru; it is a sit-down restaurant; that’s why the curb cut was approved. Discussion re: the amount of traffic caused by Andy’s at all times of the day and night, regardless of school hours. Mr. Tisinai stated that Ms. Clarke has been working with Andy’s regarding their traffic tie-ups. Ms. Berkle is concerned that two businesses now exiting onto 58^th Street will cause a traffic nightmare. Chipotle is a sit-down or take out restaurant.

g. Mr. Goodman stated that due to confusion generated this evening, he requests tabling this matter and taking the feedback back to Chipotle and their sign consultant for further review – to make the sign more acceptable to the City. Chairman Fullmer stated that if the City Council wishes to amend the original proposal, they may do so at the Council meeting. This project was approved as a whole- the sign, the variances – the entire package was approved; leave it as is.

h. Mr. Goodman stated that after the approvals were granted, corporate people were driving up and down LaGrange Road after the fact and called attention to the monument sign. Mr. Lube agrees with Chairman Fullmer; the Board approved it as a package; it was presented as a package; It should remain a package. Mr. Gonzalez moved to close the Evidentiary Portion of the public hearing, seconded by Mr. Ward and carried by unanimous voice vote.

i. A motion was made by Mr. Gonzalez, seconded by Mr. Ward, to deny amending the special use ordinance 15-32-O to permit the re-use of the existing pole sign instead of the approved monument sign on the property commonly known as 5801 S. LaGrange Road.

A motion was made by Mr. Gonzalez, seconded by Mr. Ward that this matter be DENIED. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: 9 Fullmer, Lube, Anderson, Gutierrez, Grotzke, Gonzalez, Bednar, Ward, Kehr

Nay: 0

j. Chairman Fullmer stated that this matter will come before the City Council at its Regular Meeting on November 11, 2015 at 7:30.

Other Business

a. Chairman Fullmer advised Board members that a special Training Session will be held on Tuesday, November 17, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. All Board members should have received the 2016 Meeting Schedule. Two changes to note are in July and September – those meetings will be held one week later.

b. Steve Tisinai stated that there is only one item on the agenda for the December meeting. Discussion of various renovations taking place in Countryside – Jack Phelan Dodge. Terry’s Bike Shop is moving slowly; permits were issued three weeks ago; slow progress is being made. There will be one residence on the top floor and one residence on the first floor. Chariot Automotive is recovering from their damage event. Honda will be renovating their vestibule.

ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Mr. Lube, seconded by Ms. Grotzke that this meeting be ADJOURNED. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: 9 Fullmer, Lube, Anderson, Gutierrez, Grotzke, Gonzalez, Bednar, Ward, Kehr

Nay: 0

Chairman Fullmer declared the meeting adjourned at 8:03 p.m.

/fp

APPROVED: 12-1-15

Respectfully Submitted,

RICHARD FULLMER, JR., CHAIRMAN