VILLAGE OF LONG GROVE
Long Grove Plan Commission & Zoning Board of Appeals (LGPCZBA)

October 7, 2008

 

Commissioners Present: Jeff Kazmer, Wendy Parr, Charles Cohn, Mike Dvorak, Tobin Fraley, Bob Jenkins, Shelly Rubin, Joe DiIorio

Chairman: Fred Phillips

 

Also present: Village Planner James Hogue; Planning Commission Secretary Terri Taylor; Village Attorney Jon Furr; and members of the public.

 

1.      Call to Order: Chairman Phillips called the meeting to order at 8:00 p.m.

 

2.      Old Business

 

Consideration of a request by Mr. John Ullrich for final approval of plans and plats, as part of the final PUD approval, for nine (9), single family lots to be known as the Steeple View Estates PUD Subdivision and located on the south side of Route 53 an north of Manassas Lane, within the Village of Long Grove, Illinois.

 

Chairman Phillips read the request.

 

Village Planner Hogue reviewed his staff report, noting the issues that had been identified at the September 2, 2008 meeting: 1) re-drawing of building boxes on the plat to be no greater in size than what was previously submitted 2) modifications as suggested by the Villae Attorney with regard to the wetland buffer be incorporated and 3) scenic corridor work to be reviewed and approved by the CSCC prior to any improvements commencing.

 

Commissioner Cohn asked the petitioner if the building boxes were placed in the best possible locations to preserve more trees.

 

Mr. Ullrich indicated that the septic fields are located in areas that will need to be cleared of trees. He also noted that the lot purchaser will ultimately decide how and where their home will be placed within the building box.

 

Commissioner DiIorio asked if possible pool locations could be identified on the plats. Upon discussion it was determined that each individual homeowner would need to bring the request to put in a pool and it was not necessary at this time to try to predict what may be requested at a later date.

 

Commissioner Kazmer made a motion to approve the request for final approval of the plans and plats for the Steeple View Estates PUD Subdivision as amended; Commissioner Parr seconded the motion; on a voice vote, all ayes.

 

3.      New Business 

a. Consideration of a request for approval of the final plat, engineering and site plans including landscaping, lighting, signage and elevations as part of an application by the Sunset Grove, LLC, authorizing the Sunset Grove Planned Unit Development/Subdivision submitted by Mid-America Development Company.

 

Chairman Phillips read the request.

 

Village Planner Hogue stated that the current submission is in conformance with the requirements. He then read through some of the details of the proposal, including elevations for buildings “A,” ‘B,” “D,” and “E;” access and onsite parking, sanitary sewer, site plan in “substantial conformance” with preliminary plan as previously approved, water agreement between Sunset Grove & Midwest Bank Property owners and Architectural Commission reviewed (landscaping, elevations, lighting, final plat and signage) and recommended approval of the proposal with minor “tweaks.”

 

Attorney Furr summarized the situation with the deep well, which would now be located on the Midwest Bank Property and that negotiations over financing were in progress.

 

Commissioner Kazmer asked about previous concerns regarding lighting and headlight glare.

 

Mr. Firsel indicated that significant shrubbery and landscaping have been planned in the areas of concern. He also pointed out that the buildings are located significantly below street level of Route 83 which will prevent headlight glare.

 

Commissioner Jenkins stated his concerns regarding the height and length of the proposed fence, as well as the trees planned to shield the residential properties behind the project.

 

Chairman Phillips read the details of the fence and trees from the current proposal, indicating that all conditions had been met as requested.

 

Commissioner Parr wanted to know if evidence was required of a written agreement for water on the property.

 

Attorney Furr answered that the letter supplied was sufficient for final plat approvals.

 

Mr. Firsel added some additional details about this unique situation. Because water is required from an outside source (rather than on the actual property), the specifics of the water source cannot be included on the actual plat.

 

Commissioner Parr asked about the materials and location of the retaining wall.

 

Mr. Firsel answered that the material was the same as used in the Menards project.

 

Village Planner Hogue added that some details such as the locations of the monument signs and paths would be reviewed as they are installed to ensure proper compliance.

 

Commissioner Parr asked about CVS signage and whether there could be a way to make all the store signage consistent with a theme and certain requirements.

 

Village Planner Hogue indicated that there were already many consistencies put into place, but that there was only a certain amount of control they could require. Store brands and logos would also need to meet their own corporate standards.

 

Commissioner Jenkins initiated additional discussion regarding the fence. General discussion began, however Chairman Philips closed discussion about this topic stating that no other changes were necessary because the petitioner had met all requirements previously requested.

 

Commissioner Rubin made a motion to approve the final PUD plans as presented, subject to the final water agreement approval; and all other conditions brought forth; Commissioner DiIorio seconded the motion; on a voice vote, all ayes.

 

b. PUBLIC HEARING Consideration of a request for a Special Use Permit excavation of ponds in lowland conservancy district soils per sections 7-5-3 (F) & (G) of the Village Code or additional relief necessary and/or appropriate under the village code to allow such work in conjunction with a petition for preliminary plat approval for subdivision of property to be known as the “Equestrian Village of Galway Farm Subdivision” on property commonly known as 1889 Checker Road submitted by Mr. Bart Canady.

 

c. Consideration of a request for preliminary plat approval for the subdivision of property to be known as the “Equestrian Village of Galway Far” Subdivision within the R-2 Residential District on property commonly known as 1889 Checker Road submitted by Mr. Bart Canady.

 

Chairman Phillips asked to be recused from this public hearing because the petitioner is his neighbor.

 

Commissioner Parr made a motion for Commissioner Kazmer to be chairman pro tem for the remainder of the meeting; Commissioner Rubin seconded the motion; on a voice vote, all ayes.

 

Chairman pro tem Kazmer swore in the audience.

 

Village Planner Houge read the proposal.

 

Attorney for the Petitioner, Jerome Pinderski, Jr described the location and current state of the property. He stated that one positive outcome of the project for the local residents would be to resolve a current traffic issue with the ingress and egress to Checker Rd. for the properties on Bordeaux. It is currently difficult to see westbound when exiting on to Checker. Another key element, he stated, would be the addition of a riding path for the new property owners. The trail will not be for commercial use. Overall, the petitioner believes this characteristic makes the subdivision unique and will be attractive to certain buyers.

 

Natalie Karney, project engineer, spoke about the current water detention and the project plan to restore and create more wetland area, filtering the water runoff to reduce pollutants. She described the proposal of a sanitary sewer rather than septic due to available access in a nearby subdivision.

 

Chairman Pro-Tem Kazmer asked the audience for their questions and comments.

 

Dr. Herbert Canter, 1628 Picardy, asked about the requirements for Public Hearing notifications.

 

Village Planner Hogue indicated that he had an affidavit by the petitioner of letters sent to the nearby property owners, as well as a newspaper ad and a sign posted on the property.

 

Mr. Canter expressed concern over a 2008 summer construction project where a bridle path on Gallway Farm was created in close proximity to his property. He wanted to know if this was intended for commercial purposes.

 

Attorney Pinderski indicated that the riding trail was for social riding and not commercial purpose.

 

Mr. Marsh, 1630 Picardy, expressed concern over the bridle path location.

 

The petitioner, Mr. Canady believes Mr. Marsh and Mr. Canter are simply unhappy that activity is happening on his property. He stated that he tried to work with Mr. Marsh regarding this on a previous occasion.

 

Camy Gould, 2230 RFD, Country Club Estates homeowners association president, stated her concerns with the close proximity of some homes. She suggests that the tree line should be protected and wants a commitment to preserving that for the current property owners. She also asked about maintenance of the path system and meadow with this being a straight subdivision.

 

Attorney Pinderski indicated these items have been addressed in the project plan.

 

Mike Ditallo, 1648 Bernais, believes Mr. Canady has greatly improved the farm.

 

Lisa Powell, 1680 Bordeaux, likes the concept of the subdivision. She asked about the proposed location of the gate and entrance.

 

Attorney Pindersky answered that Mr. Canady spoke with the eight property owners on Bordeaux who support his concept for the new road.

 

Commissioner Cohn asked why they chose to make this a gated community.

 

Mr. Canady said that it would be a very small development with a lot of sharing of common property. Gating would provide privacy and safety.

 

Commissioner Cohn asked about the Lake County Forest Preserve letter provided. Is this project in violation of a judgment?

 

Attorney Pinderski indicated that they will be meeting with the Lake County Forest Preserve to help them better understand the project and so they could see the engineering plan.

 

Commissioner Rubin asked about their decision to connect to a sewer system. General discussion took place with the commission. Finally Commissioner Fraley stated that the petitioner must show a hardship in order to allow connectivity to the sewer.

 

Due to the circumstances surrounding the LCFPD issues which require resolution before the PCZBA can make any decisions, Commissioner Rubin made a motion to continue the Public Hearing until the next scheduled meeting, Commissioner Cohn seconded the motion, on a voice vote, all ayes.

 

Commissioner Fraley made a motion to move this to a special meeting on November 17, 2008 (to replace the regular meeting of November 4 due to Election Day); Commissioner DiIorio seconded the motion. On a voice vote, all ayes.

 

4.      Approval of Minutes; September 2, 2008

 

Commissioner Fraley made a motion to continue the approval of minutes until the next scheduled meeting, Commissioner Rubin seconded the motion and on a voice vote, all ayes.

 

5.      Other Business:

 

None to report.

 

6.      Adjournment:

 

Commissioner Fraley made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Commissioner Rubin. On a voice vote, all ayes; no nays. Meeting was adjourned at 11:40 p.m.

 

7.      Next Special meeting – November 18, 2008, 8 p.m.

Next Regular meeting – December 2, 2008, 8 p.m.      

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Terri Taylor; Secretary, Long Grove PCZBA