VILLAGE OF LONG GROVE

MEETING OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
SEPTEMBER 25, 2002

 

1.     Call to Order:  Chair Karen Schultheis called the meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals to order at 8:00 p.m. with the following present:

 

Chair:                                                         Karen Schultheis

 

Commission Commissioner:              Charles Cohn, Richard Koenig, John Marshall, and

                                                                        Shelly Rubin

 

Commission Commissioners Absent: Leslie Pearson

 

Also Present:            Village President Tony Dean and Village Manager David Lothspeich

 

Petitioner:                                                   Jerry Novak

 

1.   Approval of August 20, 2002 Meeting Minutes.  Commissioner Rubin moved, seconded by Commissioner Cohn to approved the August 20, 2002 Meeting Minutes.  On a voice vote the motion was unanimously approved.

 

2.     Public Hearing For The Consideration Of A Request For Variation(s), And/Or Additional Relief Necessary And/Or Appropriate To Permit The Installation Of An In-Ground Swimming Pool In The Front Yard Of 6418 Collier Lane (Saddle Club Subdivision), Submitted By Jerald Novak.  Petitioner Jerry Novak, 6418 Collier Lane, was sworn in and stated that given the “unique geographics” of his home, which was a spec home, he could not place pool anywhere on his property that would not interfere with zoning regulations.  Mr. Novak noted the conservancy in the area that would normally be considered the backyard leaving the south side of his property as the only location available for a pool that he proposed to be located seventy-five (75’) feet from the south property line.

 

Mr. Novak stated that due to the way the home was situated on the lot, he considered front yard as defined by the zoning code as his side yard.  Mr. Novak added that he planned on surrounding the pool with shrubbery so that it would not be visible from the Collier Lane.  The pool would also have an electric pool cover for safety. 

Mr. Novak submitted a letter from a neighboring property owner Tita Markham, 6419 RFD, which stated that the pool would not be a problem for them.

 

Commissioner Marshall clarified that Code limited the location of swimming pools to the rear of the residence with the required setbacks situated perpendicular to the street property lines.  Village Manager Lothspeich stated that the minimum front yard setback was 75 feet.  Petitioner Novak noted that Superintendent Block informed him that Code required a 20 foot buffer line from the conservancy which limited his ability to move the pool closer to the conservancy.

 

Commissioner Cohn said that Endwood Road is undeveloped and east of the intended pool site, and this might affect future lot desirability.  Jerry Novak retorted that Lot 5 is to the east of him, and ½ of it is not visible from his location.  Commissioner Rubin noted that the pool is parallel to the main entrance fairly close to the road and that he was not aware of any other location in the Village with a swimming pool located in the front yard.

 

Petitioner Novak answered that he did not yet have a permit from the Village even though construction had begun, but that he had spoken to Bob Block and believed that he was operating in accordance to Village regulations, but that when Bob Block saw the structure he told the Novak’s that they needed a variance.  Chair Schultheis stated that the situation that the Novak’s were presenting definitely would set a precedent.  Commissioner Koenig said that even if we allowed pool in backyard we’d have to have a variance for the conservancy.  Village Manager Lothspeich suggested that any changes the petitioner wanted to make to the plans should be redrawn and re-submitted to the Zoning Board.

 

Commissioner Koenig must consider whether not having a pool was a true hardship.  Commissioner Rubin says he has been on the Board eight years and that this requests goes against the heart of the matter.  Commissioner Koenig suggested that one possible solution would be moving the septic fields. 

 

      Commissioner Cohn moved, seconded by Commissioner Cohn, to recommended denial of the petitioner’s request for variation(s), and/or additional relief necessary and/or appropriate to permit the installation of an in-ground swimming pool in the front yard of 6418 collier lane (saddle club subdivision).  On a voice vote the motion was unanimously approved.

 

4.     Other Business:  It was noted that there would be not be an October meeting due to a lack of issues.  The next meeting would be held on November 13, 2002, if needed.

 

Village President Dean spoke briefly to the Commissioners about the importance of the Zoning Board in maintaining the character and integrity of the Village.  He also complimented the group on its empathetic and resolute handling of issues presented before it.

 

5.            Adjournment:  Commissioner Rubin moved, seconded by Commissioner Koenig, to adjourn the meeting.  On a voice vote the motion was unanimously approved.  Meeting adjourned at 9:20 PM.