HomeMy WebLinkAboutPZB - 10.22.24 PZB Minutes_approvedCase No. 24-052-CU-V Conditional Use and Variation 1387 Prospect Avenue
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DES PLAINES PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD MEETING
October 22, 2024
MINUTES
The Des Plaines Planning and Zoning Board held its regularly scheduled meeting on
Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. in Room 102 of the Des Plaines Civic Center.
Chairman Szabo called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and roll call was established.
PRESENT: Bronakowski, Catalano, Fowler, Saletnik, Szabo, Veremis,
Weaver
ABSENT: None
ALSO PRESENT: Samantha Redman, Senior Planner
Jonathan Mendel, Assistant Director of CED
A quorum was present.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion was made by Board Member Fowler, seconded by Board Member Saletnik
to approve the meeting minutes of October 8, 2024.
AYES: Bronakowski, Catalano, Fowler, Saletnik, Szabo, Veremis, Weaver
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
***MOTION CARRIED***
PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEM
There was no public comment.
General Communications – Administrative Decisions:
Chairman Szabo stated the list of administrative decisions is now located on the agenda for each
meeting for approvals or denials of minor variations.
Case No. 24-052-CU-V Conditional Use and Variation 1387 Prospect Avenue
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Pending Applications:
1. Address: 1387 Prospect Avenue Case Number: 24-052-CU-V
The petitioner is requesting the following: (i) conditional use for a trade contractor use;
(ii) standard variation to reduce the required front yard; (iii) a major variation to vary
from loading space requirements; and (iv) any other variations, waivers, and zoning
relief as may be necessary.
PIN: 09-29-228-034-0000
Petitioner: Vasile Haures, 1980 Pine Street, Des Plaines, IL 60018
Owner: 1387 Prospect Ave LLC, 1980 Pine Street, Des Plaines, IL 60018
Chairman Szabo introduced the case on the agenda and swore in petitioner Vasile Haures and
petitioner ’s architect Rob Utyro.
Mr. Haures presents their proposal and its difference from the prior approval earlier in 2024. The
change was due to financing challenges resulting in amendments to the approved plan. During the
last PZB meeting at which the petitioner appeared, the petitioner was approved for a bigger
building on the lot, and due to finances, petitioner requests downsizing the building. With this
downsize, the petitioner is able to add five additional parking stalls behind the building. Petitioner
was originally approved for a two-unit building, and now would like to downsize to a one-unit.
Member Bronakowski asked how much larger the first building was compared to this one.
Mr. Haures explained the first one was double in size. Rob added that original plan took up most
of the lot with two accessible spots in the back with no off-street parking. There will no longer be
parking spots inside the building since there will be an additional five parking spots added with
the building being smaller.
Member Saletnik asked for a clarification that the bulk of materials for the jobs are delivered to
the jobsites and that the only activity at this location will be loading and unloading tools.
Mr. Haures confirms that is correct.
Chairman Szabo inquired about the look of the building.
Mr. U tyro clarified the look/shape is the same along with the windows and fenestration. However,
some masonry has been taken off due to costs.
Chairman Szabo expressed concerns about the exterior façade materials’ aesthetics and compliance
with the building design guidelines.
Case No. 24-052-CU-V Conditional Use and Variation 1387 Prospect Avenue
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Member Weaver inquired about the color of building. Mr. Utyro answered that color has not been
decided yet.
Member Weaver also asked what color the petitioner considered as compatible color with the
neighborhood. Mr. U tyro responded with an earthtone color.
Member Saletnik asked staff if the architectural review requirements apply to this case since this
is C-3.
Senior Planner Redman confirmed this would be subject to our building design standards and is
included in the report. In order to construct the building as original proposal with aluminum siding,
the petitioner would need to apply for a minor variation which would be an administrative decision.
Member Saletnik reiterated the already expressed concerns regarding building design compliance
and neighborhood consistency.
Member Fowler asked whether the material compliance be a condition of approval.
Senior Planner Redman stated it can be if the PZB wished.
Member Fowler asked if any fencing will be put up.
Mr. Haures answered that there will be an eight-foot-tall fence on the neighbor’s side and Mr.
Utyro added the back of the property will also be enclosed.
Member Weaver inquired about some work that needs to be done in the alley way.
Senior Planner Redman clarified that this was a suggested condition of approval that came from
our engineering department. There are improvements that need to be made to the alley and would
be required to make those improvements as a part of their improvements to this property.
Member Catalano asked why the City would require the petitioner to repair the alleyway.
Senior Planner Redman clarified that this condition can be modified by the PZB members. Staff
suggested this condition because the petitioner will have access from the alley to their building.
The City does have the ability to require someone to make these types of improvements.
Member Weaver and Member Catalano are concerned about fairness in applying responsibilities
to the petitioner. Having the petitioner hire someone to rebuild a small portion of the alley—which
is used by others as well—may significantly raise the petitioner’s costs, and it does not seem fair
that the petitioner is asked to shoulder this cost.
Member Weaver also asked if anyone else’s vehicle will be going over the space that the petitioner
is asked to fix.
Case No. 24-052-CU-V Conditional Use and Variation 1387 Prospect Avenue
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Senior Planner Redman stated this would be continued to be used as an alleyway for access for the
other residents. The petitioner would be responsible for improvement for the area that fronts their
property.
Member Weaver inquiries if that means that anything to the West would be required to be repaired
with this condition.
Senior Planner Redman confirms the condition is written so the petitioner is only responsible for
this portion.
Member Fowler asks why the City doesn’t just repair the whole alley at this point. It will not look
good if only a portion is repaired.
Senior Planner Redman responded that there is always potential to coordinate with the engineering
department for any future improvements. This condition came from our Public Works and
Engineering department.
Member Bronakowski inquired once this condition is approved and area is repaved, if it is the
city’s responsibility.
Senior Planner Redman confirmed that this is correct, it remains the City’s property. The way the
condition is written, it does state it would need to be full reconstruction of that alley.
Member Saletnik mentions that the City does have a Concrete/Alley Program where his alley was
repaired about 5 years ago and all the water issues have went away.
Member Fowler would hate to see the petitioner put all this money in to repairing a portion of this
alley when eventually this alley would be repaired by the City. She feels that the petitioner should
put the money into the building/masonry and make the building look better than take their money
and fix the alley. Water issues in the alley need to be fixed one way or another.
Member Bronakowski agrees with Member Fowler. He does not believe that the petitioner should
be responsible for fixing the alley.
Member Weaver asked if engineering department’s recommendation enforces or suggests a policy
that is uniform across all properties across the City, if what they are proposing here is exactly what
they would do everywhere else to make sure that no one is treated differently. Are they being
consistent with other petitioners who are in similar situations?
Senior Planner Redman agrees and is unable to answer that question comprehensively, but we can
always modify this condition of approval and state an alternative plan to mitigate drainage issues
can be approved by the Director of Public Works.
Case No. 24-052-CU-V Conditional Use and Variation 1387 Prospect Avenue
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Member Veremis added that the wording should be changed on condition 1 as to what engineering
wants to do.
Senior Planner Redman reads her staff report.
Issue: The petitioner requests the following: (i) conditional use for a trade contractor use; (ii)
standard variation to reduce the required front yard; and (iii) a major variation to allow the loading
space to face a public way (alley).
PIN: 09-29-228-034-0000
Petitioner/Owner: Vasile Haures (1387 Prospect Ave. LLC), 1980 Pine Street, Des
Plaines, IL 60018
Case Number: #24-014-CU-V
Ward Number: #5, Alderman Carla Brookman
Existing Zoning: C-3, General Commercial
Surrounding Zoning: North: R-3, Townhouse Residential District
South: R-3, Townhouse Residential District
East: C-3, General Commercial District
West: R-1, Single Family Residential District
Surrounding Land Uses: North: Townhouses
South: Townhouses
East: Vacant
West: Single Family Residence
Street Classification: Prospect Avenue and Chestnut Street are classified as local roads.
Comprehensive Plan: The Comprehensive Plan illustrates this site as commercial.
Property/Zoning History: The property is currently undeveloped and located at the southwest
corner of the Prospect Avenue and Chestnut Street intersection. In
2022, a zoning map amendment was approved to change the zoning
of this property from C-1, Neighborhood Shopping to C-3, General
Commercial. A multitenant office building was contemplated when
the property was re-zoned. Since 2022, this property was sold to the
petitioner. Historic aerials and city records do not indicate any
structure has existed on this property in known history.
The area surrounding the property is generally commercial
properties and townhouses. However, the property immediately
adjacent to the subject project, 1383 Prospect Avenue, is a single-
family house re-zoned from C-1, Neighborhood Commercial to R-
1, Single Family Residential in 2016. The presence of an adjacent
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single family residential property creates additional requirements in
terms of the required front yard and requires a landscape and fence
buffer between the properties.
Project Description: In May 2024, an identical request with a different building and site
plan was recommended by PZB and approved by City Council. The
petitioner, Vasile Haures, proposes a one-story commercial building
for a trade contractor use. The new plan is one tenant space,
including a showroom, office, and fabrication/storage for a
hardwood flooring business.
Trade Contractor Use
A business classified as a “trade contractor” is defined in the zoning
ordinance as,
“A building or portion thereof where building and
construction trade services are provided to the public. "Trade
contractor" shall include, but will not be limited to, contractor
offices, including landscaper's showrooms, construction
supplies and storage including plumbing, heating, air
conditioning, and building equipment, materials, sales, and
other uses similar in nature and impact.” (Section 12-13-3).
Refer to the Petitioner’s Letter of Intent for business operation
information. The petitioner describes their business as a hardwood
flooring company. Customers will be able to access the showroom
by appointment only. Other services performed onsite will be
deliveries and pickups of materials and limited fabrication work
(e.g. custom cutting of hardwood planks). Activities would
primarily include performing installation and finishing pre-made
materials offsite at customer locations. The business currently
includes two employees and four subcontractors.
Storage of materials must occur indoors, except as permitted by
Section 12-7-F.5.d. Trade contractor businesses in the C-3 district
can display materials outside of the building, although they cannot
be displayed within any required yards. With the current site plan,
there are few locations on the property where outdoor display
would be possible. The petitioner has not indicated any intent to
display materials outdoors; if this changes, all requirements of
Section 12-7-3.F.5.d must be followed, limiting the location,
height, and types of material displayed.
Proposed Building and Front Yard Variation
The proposed building on the site will be 4,512 square feet in size
and one story, 17 feet 9 inches in height. One overhead door and
loading zone is located adjacent to the alley. Landscaping and
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fencing are noted on the site plan to meet landscape buffer
requirements pursuant to Section 12-10-9.
In the C-3 zoning district, the required front yard must equal the
required setback of any adjacent residential district, or 5 feet if it is
not adjacent to residential. This property is adjacent to an R-1
zoned property on the west side, thus requiring a 25-foot front yard
setback. A standard variation to reduce the required front yard is
requested to allow the building to be setback 5 feet instead of 25
feet from the property line. The proposed setback of the building
from the property line is consistent with the other commercial
properties on this block.
The current building design does not meet Section 12-3-11 –
Building Design Standards. The proposed materials meet
requirements, with brick and metal proposed on the
façade. However, for street-facing elevations (north and east
facades) a minimum of 50% transparency from 2 feet to 9 feet
above the sidewalk is required for this type of use. The petitioner
may request a minor variation, reviewed administratively by
zoning staff, to vary from this requirement.
Off-Street Parking
One accessible parking space and six standard parking spaces are
provided on the site plan. The trade contractor use does not require
a specific amount of off-street parking per Section 12-9-7. Because
trade contractor is a conditional use within the C-3 Zoning District,
a specific amount or location of off-street parking can be a
condition of approval. On-street parking is available on Prospect
Avenue and on the west side of Chestnut Street.
If the PZB requires modifications to the parking plan or if it is
determined that parking agreements should be sought to relieve
parking concerns associated with this use, a condition of approval
can be suggested with the recommendation to City Council.
Traffic and Loading
Access to the property will be provided by the existing 16-foot-
wide alley accessed from Chestnut Street. Traffic generated by this
use would include vehicle trips associated with employees,
customers, and deliveries and loading of materials. A major
variation is requested to permit the loading zones to open onto the
alley. Due to the location and size of the property, the loading zone
area opening into the alley provides access without requiring an
additional curb cut along Chestnut Street or Prospect Avenue.
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The Letter of Intent provided by the petitioner (refer to
attachments) states deliveries will occur between 8 A.M. and 5
P.M. on weekdays, and larger deliveries would be scheduled
outside of peak traffic hours. Loading and unloading will occur
within the designated loading zones. A suggested condition of
approval states that any loading and unloading outside of the
building may not occur between the hours of 10:00 P.M. and 7:00
A.M.
The petitioner proposes an eight-foot-tall fence around the rear of
the building, enclosing the parking lot and loading space. A gate is
proposed at the entrance from the public alley. To prevent any
issues with visibility for motorists or pedestrians navigating within
and around the property, a proposed condition of approval is that
the fencing within the ten-foot sight triangle must be partially
transparent, and landscaping must be maintained to a height of no
taller than three feet. Chain link, wrought iron, or another type of
partially open fencing option must be located in this area. Note
Section 12-8-2 of the Zoning Ordinance allows nonresidential
properties to have fences up to eight feet tall, without specific
requirements for the sight triangle. The suggested condition of
approval provides greater certainty that adequate visibility will be
present with the development of this property.
Due to the proposed use of the alley for entrance and exit for all
loading, deliveries and parking, and the poor condition of the
existing pavement, a suggested condition of approval is to complete
alley improvements. The petitioner acknowledges this condition in
the Letter of Intent and states plans for the improvements will be
provided at time of building permit.
Standards for Conditional Use
The following is a discussion of standards for conditional uses from Section 12-3-4(E) of the
Zoning Ordinance. Rationale for how the proposed use would satisfy the standards is provided
below and in the petitioner’s response to standards. The PZB may use this rationale toward its
recommendation, or the Board may make up its own.
1. The proposed Conditional Use is in fact a Conditional Use established within
the specific Zoning district involved:
Comment: Trade contractor is a conditional use within the C-3, General
Commercial District.
2. The proposed Conditional Use is in accordance with the objectives of the City’s
Comprehensive Plan:
Comment: The 2019 Comprehensive Plan designates the subject site as
Commercial. This business would create a commercial use for this vacant,
commercially zoned property. A zoning map amendment was approved in 2022 to
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re-zone this property from C-1 to C-3 to expand the permitted uses for this parcel.
Per historic aerials and City records, the property has been undeveloped for known
history. The zoning was changed from residential to commercial for this block of
Prospect Avenue in 1989; despite the commercial zoning, no commercial building
has been constructed on this site. The conditional use would provide a commercial
use for this property for the first time in known history.
3. The proposed Conditional Use is designed, constructed, operated, and
maintained to be harmonious and appropriate in appearance with the existing or
intended character of the general vicinity:
Comment: Many suggested conditions of approval are included with this case to
provide assurances about the use being compliant with applicable zoning
requirements and minimize impact in terms of noise. Suggested conditions include
limitations on the timeframe for loading and unloading at the exterior of the
building, improvements to the alley, and providing information at time of building
permit to ensure the turning radius of trucks will be adequate in the loading zones.
4. The proposed Conditional Use is not hazardous or disturbing to existing
neighboring uses:
Comment: As discussed in the Petitioner’s Letter of Intent, the business will operate
Monday through Saturday 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. and closed on Sunday. See the
Petitioner’s Letter of Intent and Response to Standards for additional information
about business operations. The suggested conditions of approval are meant to
provide assurances that limit any disturbance or nuisance to the neighborhood.
5. The proposed Conditional Use is to be served adequately by essential public
facilities and services, such as highways, streets, police and fire protection,
drainage structures, refuse disposal, water and sewer, and schools; or, agencies
responsible for establishing the Conditional Use shall provide adequately any such
services:
Comment: The subject site is adequately served by essential public facilities and
services. During the permitting and construction phase and business registration
approval, the petitioner must undergo an inspection of the building by the fire,
building, and zoning divisions to determine compliance with this conditional use
and all applicable local, state, and federal regulations.
6. The proposed Conditional Use does not create excessive additional
requirements at public expense for public facilities and services and will not be
detrimental to the economic well-being of the entire community:
Comment: The proposed use would not create a burden on public facilities or
services. This business would be located within a new building, and it is not
anticipated that this use would generate additional need for public facilities or
services compared to any other building constructed in this area.
7. The proposed Conditional Use does not involve uses, activities, processes,
materials,
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equipment and conditions of operation that will be detrimental to any persons,
property, or the general welfare by reason of excessive production of traffic, noise,
smoke fumes, glare or odors:
Comment: Traffic generated by this use will include trips generated for employees,
deliveries, and customers (by appointment). The Letter of Intent by the petitioner
states deliveries would occur between 8 A.M. and 5 P.M. A suggested condition
of approval states that any loading and unloading outside of the building may not
occur between the hours of 10:00 P.M. and 7:00 A.M., intended to limit the amount
of noise associated with the business impacting neighboring properties. No
extraordinary glare, smoke fumes, or odors are anticipated to occur with the
operation of this business; however, any business within Des Plaines must meet
Chapter 12 – Environmental Performance Standards of the Zoning Ordinance
regulating noise, odor, glare, and any other specified nuisances, otherwise
enforcement action can be taken.
8. The proposed Conditional Use provides vehicular access to the property
designed so that it does not create an interference with traffic on surrounding
public thoroughfares:
Comment: Access to the building will be provided through the existing alley
accessed from Chestnut Street. No additional curb cuts are proposed for this
property. A suggested condition of approval will require a turning radii analysis
submitted to City staff prior to building permit issuance to ensure adequate space
is available for trucks entering/exiting the loading zone and any vehicles entering
or exiting through the overhead doors.
9. The proposed Conditional Use does not result in the destruction, loss, or
damage of natural, scenic, or historic features of major importance:
Comment: The proposed project would not result in the damage of natural, scenic,
or historic features. A large parkway tree is present in the public right of way in
front of the property, which is within public property and required to be preserved
regardless of this development unless otherwise authorized by the City. Section 8-
4-4 of the Public Ways and Property title of the municipal code prevents any injury
or movement of this tree without authorization by the city.
10. The proposed Conditional Use complies with all additional regulations in the
Zoning Ordinance specific to the Conditional Use requested:
Comment: The proposed use complies with all applicable requirements as stated in
the Zoning Ordinance. Two variations are proposed with this application associated
with the required front yard and the loading zone and one minor variation may be
requested upon approval of this conditional use to vary from building design
standards in Section 12-3-11.
Standards for Variation:
Variation requests are subject to the standards set forth in Section 12-3-6(H) of the Zoning
Ordinance. Rationale for how the proposed requests would or would not satisfy the standards is
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provided below and in the attached petitioner responses to standards. The Board may use the
provided staff comments as its rationale, modify, or adopt its own.
1. Hardship: No variation shall be granted pursuant to this subsection H unless
the petitioner shall establish that carrying out the strict letter of the provisions of
this title would create a particular hardship or a practical difficulty.
Comment: Without the variation to reduce the required front yard, the buildable
area of this relatively small C-3 zoned property would be further reduced.
Hardships were imposed on this property in 2016 when the adjacent property, 1383
Prospect Avenue, petitioned for a zoning map amendment from C-1, Neighborhood
Commercial to R-1, Single-Family Residential. Commercially zoned properties
adjacent to residentially zoned properties are required to meet certain setback and
screening/landscaping requirements. Prior to 2016, the front yard would have been
required to be 5 feet for this property.
The major variation for the loading zone is necessary due to the size of the property.
This property is relatively small for a C-3 zoned property and this specific use
requires more dedicated areas for loading/unloading than other businesses. There
is insufficient space for this loading space with the proposed size of the building,
unless the petitioner chose to have loading space within the building. However,
loading within the building would be challenging due to the size of the property.
2. Unique Physical Condition: The subject lot is exceptional as compared to other
lots subject to the same provision by reason of a unique physical condition,
including presence of an existing use, structure, or sign, whether conforming or
nonconforming; irregular or substandard shape or size; exceptional
topographical features; or other extraordinary physical conditions peculiar to and
inherent in the subject lot that amount to more than a mere inconvenience to the
owner and that relate to or arise out of the lot rather than the personal situation
of the current owner of the lot.
Comment: This commercial property is unique in this neighborhood due to its
location adjacent to an R-1 zoned property. Refer to the Zoning Map attachment.
Other parcels in this area are zoned commercial or townhouse residential. The
other commercial properties have smaller front yard setbacks along Prospect
Avenue, like what is requested by this petitioner.
The location of the loading zone facing the alley is primarily due to size limitations
of the property. Unless the petitioner chose to have loading inside the building,
there are few design alternatives to add the necessary loading areas for the business
without requiring the driveway to face a public way. This orientation of the loading
zone presents a less significant impact compared to a loading zone along the public
streets.
3. Not Self-Created: The aforesaid unique physical condition is not the result of
any action or inaction of the owner or its predecessors in title and existed at the
time of the enactment of the provisions from which a variance is sought or was
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created by natural forces or was the result of governmental action, other than the
adoption of this title.
Comment: With the re-zoning of the adjacent property (1383 Prospect Avenue) to
residential, a hardship was imposed on this property requiring a larger front yard
setback for a new building than other commercial properties along this block.
The property owner was aware of the size limitations when purchasing this property
and because this is a new building, the hardship related to the loading zone is related
to their chosen site design, rather than a hardship imposed by the physical property.
However, any commercial property on this site would require a loading space,
pursuant to Section 12-9-9, and may face similar challenges with its orientation on
the small property away from a public way.
4. Denied Substantial Rights: The carrying out of the strict letter of the provision
from which a variance is sought would deprive the owner of the subject lot of
substantial rights commonly enjoyed by owners of other lots subject to the same
provision.
Comment: The rights denied to the property owner could be the ability to develop
this building as proposed. However, it is conceivable that additional options exist
to redesign the property to be compliant with all zoning ordinance standards. The
PZB may ask the petitioner if this property is suitable for this type of use and clarify
why specific decisions were chosen regarding the building design.
5. Not Merely Special Privilege: The alleged hardship or difficulty is neither
merely the inability of the owner or occupant to enjoy some special privilege or
additional right not available to owners or occupants of other lots subject to the
same provision, nor merely the inability of the owner to make more money from
the use of the subject lot.
Comment: Variation decisions are made on a case-by-case, project-by-project
basis upon applying the variation standards. In those evaluations, the determining
body (e.g., PZB and/or City Council) usually determines the petitioner has
exhausted design options that do not require a variation. The PZB may ask the
petitioner to explain whether they have exhausted other alternatives.
6. Title And Plan Purposes: The variation would not result in a use or
development of the subject lot that would be not in harmony with the general and
specific purposes for which this title and the provision from which a variation is
sought were enacted or the general purpose and intent of the comprehensive plan.
Comment: If the variations and conditional use were approved, it would meet all
applicable requirements except for a minor variation required for the proposed
building design.
7. No Other Remedy: There is no means other than the requested variation by
which the alleged hardship or difficulty can be avoided or remedied to a degree
sufficient to permit a reasonable use of the subject lot.
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Comment: A remedy to relieve necessary relief for the required front yard would
be to locate the building further from the property line along Prospect Avenue.
However, the property is small, and this would further reduce the buildable area of
the parcel.
Unless the petitioner chose to have loading inside the building, there are few design
alternatives to adding the necessary loading areas for the property without requiring
the driveway to face a public way. This orientation of the loading zone presents a
smaller impact compared to a loading zone along the public streets.
8. Minimum Required: The requested variation is the minimum measure of
relief necessary to alleviate the alleged hardship or difficulty presented by the
strict application of this title.
Comment: With the variations sought, it would meet all applicable requirements
with the exception of a minor variation required for the proposed building design.
PZB Procedure and Recommended Conditions: Under Section 12-3-7.D (Procedure for Review
and Decision for Amendments) and Section 12-3-6.F (Major Variations) of the Zoning Ordinance,
the PZB has the authority to recommend approval, approval subject to conditions, or denial of the
request to City Council. City Council has final authority on these requests.
Under Section 12-3-6.F.2.b (Standard Variations) of the Zoning Ordinance, the PZB has the
authority to approve, approve subject to conditions, or deny the standard variation
request. However, under Section 12-2-2 (Legislative and Administrative Authority), when other
relief requiring city council approval is sought, such as conditional uses or major variations, the
PZB serves as the recommending body for all requests.
The PZB has the final authority to recommend approval, approval subject to conditions, or denial
of all requests to City Council. All requests can be reviewed and recommended in separate motions
or combined into one motion. Staff recommends the following conditions:
Conditions of Approval:
1. Full reconstruction of the portion of alley along the rear frontage is required, with a catch
basin connected to the storm sewer in Chestnut Street. The improvements must be
demonstrated on plans prior to issuance of a building permit.
2. Prior to issuance of a building permit, replacement of existing public sidewalks deemed
unsatisfactory must be demonstrated on plans, as determined by the Director of Public
Works and Engineering or their designee.
3. A turning radii exhibit is required to be submitted prior to issuance of building permit
demonstrating acceptable turning radiuses for loading/unloading, to the satisfaction of the
Director of Public Works and Engineering or their designee.
4. Loading and unloading of materials outside of the building is prohibited between the hours
of 10:00 P.M. and 7:00 A.M. No loading and unloading can occur within any public ways.
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5. Fencing within the ten-foot sight triangle at the intersection of the driveway, Chestnut
Street, and the alley must be chain link, wrought iron, or another type of fencing that
provides sufficient transparency for motorist and pedestrian visibility. Any landscaping
within this sight triangle must be three feet in height or shorter.
Member Weaver expressed concerns about the funding arrangement. He asked if it is possible for
petitioner to pay for the drainage and that the repaving may be a minor part of the cost, but it would
be a good idea to have the whole alley uniform and all done at the same time.
Member Weaver is also not convinced that the petitioner should be paying for one piece of
repaving in the alley.
Member Saletnik discussed the impact on the entire alley in relation to the required improvement
adjacent to only the subject property.
Chairman Szabo swore in Maria Lomblad of 1382 Prospect Ave, Des Plaines, IL
Ms. Lomblad asked if the alley will be extended since the day care is located there and wanted
confirmation if that belonged to the City. Staff confirmed “yes” this is City property.
Ms. Lomblad also asked about parking the cars. Will there be enough parking spaces for
employees? She is concerned about the congestion and traffic.
Mr. Haures clarified that there will be five parking spots on the property and they only have three
cars. No street parking is expected to be used.
Ms. Lomblad also inquired asked about hours of operation and when the construction is expected
to finish.
Mr. Haures stated 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Construction expected to be completed by end of 2025.
Member Veremis inquired about weekend hours and Mr Haures confirmed no operations on
Saturdays or Sundays.
Member Veremis suggested weekend hours be explicitly limited as part of the approval.
Chairman Szabo closed the public hearing and entertained a motion regarding the case.
Member Saletnik asked if there is any suggestion to change the verbiage on condition 1.
Member Veremis suggested an agreement with public works on drainage requirements.
Senior Planner Redman provided the following text encapsulating Member Weaver ’s i ntended
alternative conditions:
Case No. 24-052-CU-V Conditional Use and Variation 1387 Prospect Avenue
15
1. Improvements of the portion of the alley and drainage along the rear frontage are required
for approval of the Director of Public Works and Engineering.
2. Prior to issuance of a building permit, replacement of existing public sidewalks adjacent to
this property deemed unsatisfactory must be demonstrated on plans, as determined by the
Director of Public Works and Engineering or their designee.
A motion was made by Member Weaver and seconded by Member Saletnik to recommend
approval of the conditional use to the City Council with the staff recommended conditions Nos.3-
5 as written and amended conditions Nos. 1 and 2.
AYES: Bronakowski, Catalano, Fowler, Saletnik, Veremis, Weaver
NAYES: Szabo
ABSTAIN: None
***MOTION CARRIED***
ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Szabo adjourned the meeting by affirmative voice vote at 7:51 p.m.
Sincerely,
Jonathan Mendel, Recording Secretary
cc: City Officials, Aldermen, Planning & Zoning Board, Petitioners