VILLAGE OF LONG GROVE
Plan Commission & Zoning Board of Appeals

May 3, 2005 Meeting Minutes

                                                                                                                            

 

Chairman Pro-Tem Present:  Eduardo Acuna.

 

Commissioners Present:  Joseph Di Iorio, Michael Dvorak, Nicholas Fasano, Tobin Fraley, Bob Jenkins, Lisa Phillips and Shelly Rubin.

 

Absent:  Chairman Fred Phillips.

 

Also Present:  Village Attorney Julie Tappendorf, Administrative Assistant Sherry Shlagman, Village Manager David Lothspeich and Village Superintendent Robert Block.

 

____________ motioned to appoint Commissioner Ed Acuna as Chairman Pro-Tem, seconded by ____________.  Ayes all.  Nays none.  Motion carried.

 

1.            Call to Order

       Chairman Pro Tem Acuna called the meeting to order at 8:03 p.m.

 

2.         Continued Public Hearing to Consider a Petition Under the Village of Long Grove Zoning Code fort the Preliminary Planned Unit Development (PUD) Canterbury Park Subdivision, Submitted by Olson & Ciorba Land Developers.

Art Olson summarized the changes he made to the plan since the last Plan Commission meeting.  He explained that the plan is for the subdivision to have 12 lots with six lots surrounded by open space and three lots with one lot line and at least two sides will have open space.  The driveway to lots 4 and 5 will be maintained by the HOA.  The trees on those lots will not be disturbed.  The waste water system will have 100% bonding for five additional years and a $10,000 bond will initially be put up by the developer.  The entranceway has been widened to allow parking when dropping off or picking up children from the bus.  It allows people to turn around without going to Cuba Road.  Mail boxes will be clustered so that the mail trucks will be able to easily turn around.  Mr. Olson asked for approval for subdivision.

 

Resident Melanie Soos (3476 RFD) stated the cul-de-sacs seemed reversed.  Mr. Olson stated that the cul-de-sacs can be laid out either way.  He did not want to disturb the trees and their root systems so he planned around them as much as possible.

 

Commissioner DiIorio had concerns about the access to lot 10 from the cul-de-sac.  He agreed with Resident Soos that the cul-de-sac appeared reverse.

 

Commissioner Lisa Phillips asked how the bond would be set up.  Mr. Olson explained that the septic system will be run by a utility company.  The bond would be paid by the developer to the utility company.  The bond will cover five years after the system has been installed.  Any problems with the system would appear within those five years.  Commissioner Lisa Phillips stated she would like to see the five year point after all the houses have been built.

 

Commissioner Lisa Phillips stated that eliminating a lot from the back of the subdivision would not be her choice.  She would rather see the plan eliminate a lot from the front and have more density in the back.  Also agrees with Resident Soos that the cul-de-sac should be reversed.

 

Commissioner Fasano observed that the playground location was moved further into the interior.  Why not keep it closer to the trail?  Mr. Olson explained that the playground was moved to keep it further away from the pond.  Commissioner Fasano asked if it would be near the waste water system and Mr. Olson replied it would not be anywhere near the system.  Commissioner Fasano clarified that the cost of the waste water system would be $100,000 and Mr. Olson confirmed that number.  Commissioner Fasano commented that the outstation for waste water is on Canterbury Court.  Mr. Olson said it is all underground.  Commissioner Acuna asked if it was allowed to be underground.  Mr. Olson replied yes that Lake County preferred it that way.

 

Commissioner Fasano stated he would like to see the sign closer and mailboxes put behind the sign.

 

Commissioner Jenkins commented that he doesn’t see a problem with the lot taken from the back land rather than the front.

 

Commissioner Dvorak had concerns about the elimination of the back lot.  The explanation validates the decision to get rid of the back lot.  He added that moving the play area back made sense.  Commissioner Dvorak asked what protection is there for scenic corridor or easement versus conservancy.

 

Village Superintendent Block explained that there is more protection in a scenic corridor.  The scenic corridor can be changed by going before the Conservancy Scenic Cooridor Committee for recommendation to the Village Board.

 

Commissioner Lisa Phillips presented a compromise solution:  eliminate flag situation; cul de sac between lots 10, 11, and 12 should share driveways.

 

Commissioner Acuna stated the flag lot will be a problem.  He suggested splitting lots 11 and 12 down the middle, create a gravel road and eliminate the flag lot.  With regard to the public utility company Commissioner Acuna wanted to know if there are other customers besides the Canterbury Subdivision and what would happen if the public utility company dissolves.  Mr. Olson responded that there is one other customer.  Mr. Olson indicated that he owns the public utility company and should it dissolve there are other companies that can run the system.  Commissioner Acuna asked if the septic system fails or the public utility company dissolves is there room for a septic system on each of the 12 properties.  Mr. Olson responded yes, however, Lake County does not encourage having individual septic systems.  Lake County will be doing inspections on the septic system, not the village.  Commissioner Acuna commented that the flag lot is a deterrent.

 

Commissioner Fasano stated he would like to see the plan cleaned up before it is approved.

 

Commissioner DiIorio asked with regard to the septic system if each house has a pump.  Mr. Olson explained that there will be fiber glass tanks.  Each tank holds 1,500 gallons.  Most homes will have a pump but he won’t know exactly how many until the houses are built.  The pumps last 15-20 years.  The pumps and flows will be monitored by computers.  If a pump fails, there will still be a three day supply of water.  A septic system on property measuring 43,000 sq. ft. would need 1,000 sq. ft. of piping.  There would be room to put in a septic system.

 

Village Superintendent Block asked if Lake County requires potential expansion area on individual parcels.  Mr. Olson responded no.

 

The Commission asked Mr. Olson to change the cul de sacs and address the flag lot.

 

Commissioner Fasano moved to continue public hearing at next scheduled Plan Commission meeting in June, seconded by Commissioner Lisa Phillips.  Ayes all.  Nays none.  Motion carried.

 

3.         Final PUD Plat for the Orchards Subdivision, Submitted by Mehran Farahmandpour.

Plan is consistent with what came before the Plan Commission one year ago with some minor fluctuations on lot sizes.

 

Attorney Tappendorf stated there were a few points to address:  change title to final plat of subdivision; restrictions; consistency of naming

 

Commissioner Fasano asked if there would be any sheltering from Route 22.  Mr. Farahmandpour responded that there was no particular sheltering.  The pathway would not allow buffer between Route 22 and the path but there would be a swale.

 

Commissioner DiIorio noted there are two lots where homes would back up to Route 22.  Mr. Farahmandpour stated that there actually would be three lots.  Commissioner DiIorio asked if there would be a berm.  Mr. Farahmandpour responded yes.

 

Commissioner Jenkins asked if they widen Route 22 what would happen to the berm.  Mr. Farahmand stated that IDOT suggested keeping berm 15 feet away from road.  Furthermore, the Village, HOA and individual homeowners would all have to be asked for approval to widen road.

 

Commissioner Lisa Phillips motioned, seconded by Commissioner Jenkins, to approve the final planned until development to subdivision the existing R1 single family zoning lot into seven (7), R3 PUD single family zoning lots as specified within the 2002 Annexation Agreement (average net lot size of 1.2 acres) located at the southeast corner of Old McHenry Road and Route 22 (subject to the following conditions):

a.       Review and approval of the final engineering (drainage, septic, etc.) by the Village Engineer.

b.       Review and approval of the final plat for conformance with Code by the Village Attorney and Village Engineer.

c.       Other restrictions suggested by the Plan Commission.

Ayes all.  Nays none.  Motion carried.

 

4.         Soos Variation for Hoofed Animals.

Residents Melanie and Robert Soos are requesting relief to Sec 10-4.15.  The Soos have less than 2 acres (1.94 acres) and own three hoofed animals.  They are planning to purchase another pony which will be housed in a 2,500 sq. ft. barn.  This is the fourth oldest standing structure in Lake County.  The Soos do not plan on building any additional structures.  They have four stalls each 10’ x 13’ and a sand turnout area for exercising animals.  Brickman surrounds their property with Old Route 53 on one side.  They went to Steve Brickman to ask for 10’x10’.  Mr. Brickman seemed agreeable.  Village Manager Lothspeich called the Brickmans to make aware of the situation.  Mr. Brickman did not object.  Resident Melanie Soos indicated that they went to the homes within 250 feet of their property to ask their opinion on the Soos owning a fourth animal.  Commissioner Rubin asked the Soos if they had plans for more than four animals.  The Soos indicated they would not be adding any more animals. 

 

Commissioner Fasano motioned, seconded by Commissioner ______________, to grant a variance to allow hoofed animals on the Soos property at 3476 RFD.  Ayes all.  Nays none.  Motion carried.

 

5.         Other Business.

Combining Plan Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals.

Attorney Tappendorf indicated the Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals would have four Plan Commission general members and six members on the ZBA which would make a total of 10 members.  With attrition there will eventually be nine.  Commissioner Acuna said he would prefer seven.  Commissioner Fasano preferred nine.  Village Manager Lothspeich explained that the ZBA would meet on the special Plan Commission meeting nights.  Commissioner Rubin wondered if the ZBA could meet at 7:30 and then the Plan Commission could meet at 8:00.

 

8.      Adjournment:

Next Regular Meeting, Tuesday, June 7, 2005, at 8:00 pm

Motion to adjourn by Commissioner Dvorak, seconded by Commissioner Fasano.  Ayes, all.  Nays, none.  Motion carried.  Meeting adjourned at 9:47 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted by,

 

 

 

Sherry Shlagman, Administrative Assistant,

Village of Long Grove