City of Countryside Plan Commission Zoning Board of Appeals met June 6.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
Meeting called to order at 7:15 p.m. by Chairman Schwarz
Roll Call: Secretary Grotzke called the Roll of Members physically present:
Present: Chairman Robert Schwarz, Steve Kehr, Tina Grotzke, Tom Geraghty, Marco Gutierrez, Jonathan Gertsmeier
Absent: Ronald Ward, Bryan White, Danielle Edenfield
Also Present: Attorney Erik Peck, Planning Manager Richard Trent, Recording Sec. Prokop
Approval of Minutes -- The Regular Meeting Minutes of May 2, 2023 were previously distributed to Board Members. There being no corrections or additions to the minutes, motion made to approve the minutes as presented.
A motion was made by Ms. Grotzke, seconded by Mr. Gertsmeier that this matter be APPROVED as presented. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 6 Schwarz, Grotzke, Kehr, Geraghty, Gutierrez, Gertsmeier
Nay: 0
Absent: 3 Ward, White, Edenfield
Chairman’s Comments - None
Action Items
1. CASE #PZV23-0001: Consideration of a Variance
a. To consider granting a Variance to reduce the corner lot front yard setback from the minimum required 30’ to 19’ 8” for a proposed new covered porch in the R-1 Zoning District at the subject property of 5540 S. Edgewood Avenue.
Mr. Gutierrez moved to open the Public Hearing in this matter, seconded by Mr. Kehr; motion carried by unanimous voice vote. Mr. Trent stated that the required Proof of Notice has been received by the Building Department. The Petitioner, Donald Tietz, and his Architect/Builder, Michelangelo Siracki, were sworn in en masse by Chairman Schwarz.
PM Mr. Trent presented the Staff Report: The Petitioner, Donald Tietz (and his wife Pamela Tietz) and their builder, Michael Angelo Siracki, are present. Mr. Tietz is requesting a Variance to reduce the corner lot front yard setback from 30’ to 19’ 8” for the construction of a new covered porch in the R-1 Zoning District. Mr. Trent provided background information re: location of the property – slides depicting a single story ranch house – considered a legal nonconforming structure – since it does not currently comply with the corner lot setback requirements from 55th Place. The house sits at an angle on the lot (facing the intersection of S. Edgewood Avenue & 55th Place). The lot is approximately 21,315 square feet or approximately .49 acres in size. Elevation photos were shown that revealed a yellow frame house as it currently sits today, depicted from all angles. This subject property is not specifically part of a Subarea Plan within the 2004 Comprehensive Plan, however the whole “Triangle Area” is designated as Single Family Residential with one of the objectives for this area being to “promote the improvement and rehabilitation of deteriorating residential properties,” which the Tietz family is proposing to do with their request.
This is an exterior encroachment on the corner lot front yard setback with 55th Place, specifically to go from 30’ to 19’ 8”. The Site Plan presented shows a front porch addition with a roofed entranceway. Mr. & Mrs. Tietz plan on relocating the current front door slightly to the west with a new landing and new covered entryway that would be approximately 103 square feet. The renderings presented show what the planned renovation would look like. The current siding would be replaced with vertical siding and horizontal siding as well as include the installation of a stone material base along the front foundation of the house. The proposed new porch is shown in the center of the rendering. Based on the information provided, Staff recommends granting the Variance as requested for the construction of a new covered porch / entryway subject to the three (3) conditions as presented in the Staff Memorandum dated June 6, 2023.
Chairman Schwarz noted that the existing structure is only approximately 13’ 5” from the property line. This request provides less of an encroachment than currently exists at the corner. Mr. Trent agreed.
Mr. Michelangelo Siracki, Builder/Hudson Construction -- stated that Mr. Trent did an excellent job covering all the issues. They are happy to answer any questions. Mrs. Grotzke asked about the material to be used (on the exterior of the house). The front elevation would be a combination of Q R stone, which is a cultured stone approximately 2” in thickness applied to the structure plus a decorative limestone cap, with siding on the front and the side facing Edgewood Avenue and 55th Place. The current vinyl siding which is in good condition, would remain on the back of the house.
Comments from Interested Parties: Father Charles Faso – a Franciscan Friar who has lived across the street from the yellow house for the past 30 years. They were on friendly terms with the previous owner, who passed away last year. This would be wonderful news, to see a new look in the neighborhood; they are anxious to see the improvements and upgrades to the house. Mr. Trent stated that several people have called in regarding this request; the Triangle Area residents have been very interested in what was being proposed at the property, even before Certified Mailings were officially sent out. Many were relieved and supportive of the request when they heard what was being proposed. Chairman Schwarz entered into evidence the Petitioner’s Application plus the Staff Memorandum dated June 6, 2023 as part of this Hearing – without objection.
Closing Statement - Mr. Tietz stated that they have lived at Clocktower for the past 3 ½ years; their son lives in LaGrange. They like this area in particular; they have been looking for a property all that time and finally found this house. It needs some work but they plan on staying for a while.
Mr. Gertsmeier 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 requested Variance subject to the three (3) conditions stated in the Staff Memorandum dated June 6, 2023, seconded by Mr. Gertsmeier and carried by unanimous Roll Call vote.
A motion was made by Ms. Grotzke, seconded by Mr. Gertsmeier that this matter be APPROVED as presented. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 6 Schwarz, Grotzke, Kehr, Geraghty, Gutierrez, Gertsmeier
Nay: 0
Absent: 3 Ward, White, Edenfield
Chairman Schwarz stated that this matter will come before the City Council at its next Regular Meeting on June 14, 2023 at 7:30 p.m.
Public Comments - None
Other Business
Comprehensive Plan Update - Status
Mr. Trent has nothing new to report at this time. No new documents received to be shared and discussed.
Ticket Statistics (for May 2023) – In May, 21 tickets were issued in total (compared to 6 in April) - 1 issued for idling trucks prohibited; 20 issued for parking/storing tractor-trailers; 0 issued for commercial vehicles at a residence; and 0 issued for not registered to a business. Regarding the number of parking/storing tickets – one property is mainly responsible for the increase. Recently, the building at 6428 Joliet Road (just west of the former Hyundai Annex Automobile Dealership) is an office building that has a “truck transportation office” – where accounting/paperwork are only to be done. They have been cited with 7 trucks parked in the back parking lot - the tractor portion - some tickets were even issued multiple times – the trucks were finally removed. This location is supposed to be an “administrative office” – which does not include storage of tractors or trailers at this location. We will continue to monitor the Holiday Inn/Best Western situation. Staff is working with the City Attorney to craft language in the Code to address no parking at the rear of the hotels.
The Zoning Case Log from 2018-2023 is included in the Board packets and updated monthly. This is a tracking document for Staff and for PC/ZBA members. Some items were updated including the former City Hall site; the approved PUD has been extended to December 2024.
Upcoming Cases
There is one (1) item on the agenda – a Variance request for the height of an industrial building at 411 E. Plainfield Road – near Dansher Park (on the western edge). The owner is looking to renovate the industrial building and convert it to a self-storage facility – similar to CubeSmart. They plan to raise the building by two (2) stories which would exceed the 35’ maximum height requirement.
At this point, there has been no reaction or comment from Holiday Inn (from last month’s meeting) – one way or the other.
The proposed daycare facility at 6525-35 Joliet Road (Creative Academy) – Ms. Woods is still working with DCFS to address all of their requirements; they also may be working on resolving any building/plumbing issues. They are leasing the premises. The other proposed daycare facility (Kiddie Academy at 1023 W. 55th Street) is still moving along slowly; the outdoor play equipment is up.
The next PC/ZBA Meeting is scheduled for July 11, 2023 at 7:15 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT:
A motion was made by Mr. Geraghty, seconded by Mr. Gertsmeier, that this Hearing be ADJOURNED. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 6 Schwarz, Grotzke, Kehr, Geraghty, Gutierrez, Gertsmeier
Nay: 0
Absent: 3 Ward, White, Edenfield
Chairman Schwarz declared the meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
https://www.countryside-il.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/06-06-23-PCZBA-Minutes.pdf
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