CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE 5550 East Avenue Countryside, IL 60525 www.countryside-il.org Meeting Minutes Regular Meeting of the Plan Commission Zoning Board of Appeals Tuesday, April 5, 2016 7:15 PM City Hall Board Members Chairman, Richard Fullmer, Jr., Secretary Robert Lube, Michael Anderson, Marco Gutierrez, Bryon Bednar, Crecencio Gonzalez IV, Tina Grotzke, Ronald Ward, Steve Kehr
Roll Call Secretary Lube called the Roll of Members physically present as follows: PRESENT: ABSENT: Also Present: Chairman Richard Fullmer, Jr., Secretary Robert Lube, Michael Anderson, Tina Grotzke, Marco Gutierrez, Bryon Bednar, Ronald Ward, Steve Kehr Mr. Gonzalez Aldermen Jasinski, Mikolyzk, Von Drasek, Attorney Peck, Building Comm. Tisinai APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES The minutes of the Regular Meeting of March 1, 2016 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 March 1, 2016. A motion was made by Ms. Grotzke, seconded by Mr. Lube that this matter be APPROVED. Aye: 8 Nay: 0 Fullmer, Lube, Anderson, Gutierrez, Grotzke, Bednar, Ward, Kehr 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 Public Hearing Case # 19128-V: A public hearing published in The Doings to grant a variance to allow the construction of an accessory structure to exceed the maximum square footage of 720 s.f. to 1,488 s.f. A second variance is requesting to exceed the maximum height of an accessory structure from to at the property commonly known as 10600 Stalford Road, Countryside, IL 60525. Ms. Grotzke moved to open the Public Hearing in this matter, seconded by Mr. Bednar and carried by unanimous voice vote. Brandon and Danielle Edenfield were sworn in by Chairman Fullmer. The Building Department has received the required Proof of Notice. The Staff report was made by Steve Tisinai, Building Commissioner. The property size is approximately 1.89 acres; there are three existing accessory structures on this property. They would like to improve the property by constructing a 1,488 s.f. garage. In the R-1 district a maximum of 720 s.f. is allowed. The are also seeki g a height aria e to allo a uildi g of ; the urre t allo ed a i u is. They are bounded by commercial property and the Brainard Avenue condominium buildings. Photos of the existing garage / shed complex are shown. They are seeking to demolish the existing structures which are in poor condition, and replace them with one large unit to store all the equipment used to maintain their property. The property is located on a dead-end street; shade trees along the property CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE Page 2 of 6
line would screen the garage from the adjacent condos. Staff recommends approval of the size and height variances for the proposed garage with the following condition: that the accessory structure would never be used for living quarters. Mr. Edenfield stated that they have lived in the house for the past 13 years; the existing footprint will remain the same. The City ordinance actually allows for two garages, one attached and one detached, both 720 s.f.; that would be impractical and cause removal of too many trees. Also the current concrete is in need of replacement. It is an odd-sized lot; the adjacent condos are four stories high, so the garage height is not a visual problem and the garage will match the building facade. Chairman Fullmer and Mr. Lube stated that the height is conducive to a second story. Mr. Edenfield stated that it will only be used for additional storage; they will do whatever is required to allow this variance. They will have a pull-down ladder with no permanent stairway in place. Comments from Interested Parties Mrs. Diane Jovic stated that she supports the request for the height; she does not know the Edenfields. They need the added height and it is more esthetically pleasing. She knows the area and the builders, who do a good job. She supports the project. There was no closing statement by the applicant. Mr. Lube moved to close the evidentiary portion of the Public Hearing, seconded by Mr. Gutierrez and carried by unanimous voice vote. Mr. Gutierrez moved to approve the motion, seconded by Mr. Bednar. Attorney Peck stated that the two conditions are that the structure shall never be used as living quarters and access to the second floor will only be by pull-down ladder. The drawings presented by Blue Sky will be marked as Petitio er s E hi it A. Attorney Peck stated that the recommendation is to permit a variance to allow an accessory structure of 1,488 s.f., exceeding the permitted 720 s.f. and to permit a variance to the height of, e eedi g the per itted height of o the propert o o l k o as Stalford Road, i su sta tial o plia e ith Petitio er s E hi it A, su je t to the following conditions: that the structure will never be used as living quarters and that access to the second floor will only be by pulldown ladder. Chairman Fullmer stated that this matter will come before the City Council at its Regular Meeting on April 27, 2016. A motion was made by Mr. Gutierrez, seconded by Mr. Bednar that this matter be APPROVED. Aye: 8 Fullmer, Lube, Anderson, Gutierrez, Grotzke, Bednar, Ward, Kehr Absent: 1 Nay: 0 Public Hearing Case # 19118-V: A public hearing published in The Doings to grant a variance to redu e the or erside ard set a k fro to to o stru t a e si gle fa il ho e at - 7 th Avenue, Countryside, IL 60525. Ms. Grotzke moved to open the Public Hearing in this matter, seconded by Mr. Gutierrez and carried by unanimous voice vote. Mr. & Mrs. Jovic were sworn in by Chairman Fullmer. The Building Department has received the required Proof of Notice. Building Commissioner Tisinai made the Staff presentation the property at 5349 7 th Avenue, a home purchased by Jovic Builders, was demolished to build a new home. This is a narrow lot on a corner CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE Page 3 of 6
location. Under current codes both sides of the lot must comply with corner setbacks, which would be 30 feet. The Jovics request a variance to reduce the required cornerside yard from 30 feet to 12 feet, putting the home in line with other homes fronting on that street. An aerial view of the property was shown; they are requesting a variance for the Bobolink side of the street to align with the homes on the east and the west. Photos of the demolished home were shown. They seek to build a home similar to the recent one they built on 8 th Avenue, with some minor changes and enhanced details. Staff recommends approval of the corner sideyard variance with two conditions: that the elevations shown in the drawings be made part of the approval and that the driveway apron for the old driveway off of Bobolink be removed and the parkway be restored to normal grass. Mr. Bob Jovic stated that they purchased this property 3-4 months ago and demolished the existing structure, which was badly deteriorated; they are aware of the setback requirements. The old house was 11 feet from the property line; the new home will be a huge improvement for the area. Water drainage will be addressed by the City engineer. This will be the third house the Jovics have built in the immediate area -- a four-bedroom house with 2 ½ baths that seems to be the preferred size. The house is only 2.400 s.f. but looks much bigger. The Plat of Survey shows the lot to be only 50 feet wide; they will have a four-foot fence around the home, plus landscaping. The house has not been sold yet; they believe there is interest in this type of home. Mrs. Jovic stated that any new construction raises the value of homes in the community; it is a win-win situation; it brings young couples into the area. Board members had no additional questions. Comments from Interested Persons - Resident Charles Mason, 5415 asked where will the water go; the back lot is wet as is the one on 8 th Avenue; that corner floods all the time. the whole area floods. Mr. Tisinai stated that before any home is built the civil engineer must design water runoff with review by the City engineer. Photos of flooding were provided to Chairman Fullmer; they will be given to Mr. Fitzgerald; residents are concerned about more severe flooding. The Jovics stated that they will do whatever is necessary to address this problem. 5358 - James Kopp another resident. Mrs. Jovic stated they are not asking for a variance in size; the only thing they require is the sideyard setback; without a variance, that lot would be useless. The old home had a detached garage plus a large driveway going through to the back; they are actually reducing the former footprint. They can prevent any additional water from affecting neighbors. Mrs. (no name given) has lived in Countryside for 48 years and has seen many changes. That corner floods continuously; water approaches and eventually surrounds their home what good will this do for the rest of the neighborhood. They are the low spot in the Triangle Area. Five years ago they built an addition that had to be setback further due to codes. The a t go through a other flood. Thi gs ha e gotten worse. They are afraid to stay in their current location. Chairman Fullmer stated that the proposed home has a smaller footprint than the previous home and garage. The Jovics will prevent any additional water from going to neighboring properties. Mr. Lube lives in the area and agrees that water comes from the streets and sewers not because they are covering more land. Mr. Tisinai stated that the drainage on the Jovic property will improve the immediate area. Ald. Jasinski stated that flooding on Bobolink and 7 th Ave. is also seen on 56 th St. because the sewers on 55 th St. that empty into the quarry are backed up and at full capacity with heavy rains; the state and county are working to increase the size of the sewers that should take about two years. It is a work in progress; new engineering should take care of the problem. CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE Page 4 of 6
There was no closing statement. There were no further comments by interested parties. Mr. Gutierrez moved to close the evidentiary portion of the Public Hearing, seconded by Ms. Grotzke and carried by unanimous voice vote. Ms. Grotzke moved to approve the variance, seconded by Mr. Lube. Attorney Peck stated that it is on the condition that the driveway on Bobolink is removed and the parkway restored. The elevation site plans for the proposed home are arked as Petitio er s E hi it A. The recommendation is to approve a variance to reduce the cornerside yard on Bobolink from 30 feet to 12 feet to permit the construction of a single-family home on the property commonly known as 5349 7 th Ave. in substantial compliance with Petitio er s E hi it A su je t to the follo i g o ditio that the driveway on Bobolink is removed and the parkway is restored. Chairman Fullmer stated that this matter will come before the City Council at its next Regular Meeting on April 27, 2016. A motion was made by Ms. Grotzke, seconded by Mr. Lube that this matter be APPROVED. Aye: 7 Fullmer, Lube, Anderson, Gutierrez, Grotzke, Bednar, Ward, Kehr Absent: 1 Abstain: 1 PUBLIC COMMENT Chair a Full er asked the Jo i s to dis uss the Cit s re e tl passed fire spri kli g s ste s pertai i g to new home construction only. Mr. Tisinai stated that the City Council adopted the 2015 version of the International Building Codes as stated, which requires sprinklers in new construction residential homes; that does not apply to additions or remodeling. This ordinance becomes effective after April 10, 2016. All permits submitted after that date will be subject to the new requirement. Previously, 4-5 years ago, the City did require sprinklers in all commercial buildings. At the same time all new townhomes required sprinklers. The only change now is for new construction single-family. Chairman Fullmer inquired whether a new home must be hard-wired for heat and smoke detectors. Mr. Tisinai replied affirmatively -- 110-volt with battery back-up must be linked together. He stated that the sprinkler heads used in residential applications are different from those used in commercial applications. General discussion re: fire and smoke detector alarms; monitoring same; insurance questions; projections re: sale of home. Mrs. Jovic believes that requirement would probably deter new construction. She stated that more research is needed; the ordinance should be rescinded. Ald. Von Drasek stated that it is a learning curve. Mr. Tisinai stated that they now sell smoke detectors with tenyear sealed batteries that never need changing. Buildings are of a lighter grade construction today than they were years ago. OTHER BUSINESS There is no Old Business New Business two items are on the agenda for next month re: the trailer ordinance and a special use request for a martial arts studio on the LaGrange Road corridor. Chipotle is very close to starting probably in 2-4 weeks. CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE Page 5 of 6
ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Ms. Grotzke, seconded by Mr. Lube that this meeting be ADJOURNED. Aye: 8 Nay: 0 Chairman Fullmer declared the meeting adjourned at 8:43 p.m. /fp APPROVED: Respectfully Submitted, RICHARD FULLMER, JR., CHAIRMAN CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE Page 6 of 6