MINUTES
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
NOVEMBER 4, 2003
IN ATTENDANCE: President Byrne called the meeting to order at 8:30 p.m. The following Trustees were present: Cashman, Duros, Hebda, Koch, Weil, Williams.
Also present were Village Manager Allison, Assistant Village Manager Kalmar, Assistant to the Manager Teich, Finance Director Nakrin, Chief Fleischhauer, Building Commissioner Gerth, Public Works Director Laudenslager, Village Engineer Brown, Village Attorney Citron and Deputy Clerk Pelletier.
1. APPROVAL OF 9/16/2003 & 10/07/2003
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES.
Motion by Trustee Hebda, second by Trustee Duros to approve the 9/16/2003 & 10/07/2003 Committee of the Whole Minutes. Roll call vote:
Ayes:
6-Weil, Williams, Cashman, Duros, Hebda, Koch
Nays: 0-None
Absent:
0-None
Motion declared carried.
2. 165
S. THORNE GROVE DR.-OLDE GROVE FARMS-REQUEST FOR ZONING VARIANCE.
Mr. Gerth briefly explained the request for the variance was unclear under the Zoning Ordinance with ½ the pool to be constructed in the side yard. The main issue with staff was on drainage flow through the property. There was no recommendation by the Zoning Board of Appeals. Michael and Maria Fisher presented their request for a variance for the installation of a swimming pool in the side yard. The property is 17,000 square feet and the Fishers did not want to eliminate the sixteen-foot patio in the rear of the home. Mr. Fisher stated additional landscaping would be installed to conceal the pool from the view of the street. Mr. Fisher stated that installing the pool in the rear yard would put it closer to the neighbor’s property. Mr. Fisher stated an appraisal had been done and the property values in the area would not decrease.
Trustee Weil inquired what type of lighting would be installed around the pool area. Mr. Fisher stated the only lighting would be in the bottom of the pool and the spa. No external lighting was proposed except for the existing coach light.
Mr. And Mrs. McNiff, 139 S. Thorne Grove distributed their packet of information. They are not favor of granting the variance. The packet included supporting documents in opposition of the variance; l multiple letters from residents not in favor of the variance; and photographs. The McNiff’s home is located to the east to where the Fisher’s are requesting to install the pool. The McNiff’s stated the pool would be too close to the cul-de-sac. The pool would change the character of the neighborhood. Mr. McNiff stated the three criteria for a variance had not been met. The pool would be visible from their deck. Additional landscaping would be required to close off the view of the pool.
Nathan Carter, 268 S. Thorne Grove Dr. stated he was a member of the Olde Grove Farms architectural review committee and their findings resulted in the approval of the pool.
Cheryl Maiorano, 140 S. Thorne Grove Dr. stated her home was located across the street from the Fishers. She submitted various documents from surrounding communities where installation of side-yard pools was denied. Ms. Maiorano stated a 4-foot fence around the pool was not sufficient. The pool would be visible from her second floor. Mrs. Maiorano stated her concern for unsupervised children and noise and visibility from the street. Mrs. Maiorano stated the pool should be scaled down so it can be installed in the rear yard. Gary Maiorano stated he had contacted various realtors and their conclusion was the pool would have a negative impact in the resale of homes in the subdivision.
Lon Thompson, 1102 Meadow Ct. stated he was in favor of the pool variance and he was aware two of the neighbors also favored the variance.
Trustee Cashman inquired what the height of the fence would be and Mr. Fisher stated the fence would be five to six feet tall aluminum to replicate a wrought iron fence. Trustee Cashman stated the residents concerns are merited. He questioned if the spa could be relocated and would like to see additional landscaping. The topography of the rear yard seemed too steep to install a pool. Mrs. Fisher stated the spa would be elevated to have water cascade into the pool. This water feature would be visible from the room located in the turret.
Trustee Koch questioned if the pool could be reconfigured back towards the rear yard, around the turret and locate the spa in the rear. Mr. McNiff stated the landscaping along the easement was not addressed. Mr. Brown stated in terms of a compromise to accommodate the location of the pool; the drainage would have to be addressed. Mr. Brown added the utilities companies working in the utility easements are not required to replace landscaping. Motion by Trustee Williams, second by Trustee Koch to table the discussion for staff to review. Roll call vote:
Ayes:
2-Williams, Koch
Nays: 4-Cashman, Duros, Hebda, Weil
Absent:
0-None
Motion failed.
Motion by Trustee Cashman, second by Trustee Hebda to approve revised detailed plans, to include reconfiguration of pool; including the stipulations as setforth in the October 16, 2003 Zoning Board of Appeals hearing and other compromises including engineering, grading and landscaping.
Ayes:
6-Cashman, Duros, Hebda, Koch, Weil, Williams
Nays: 0-None
Absent:
0-None
Motion declared carried.
3. HOUSEHOLD FINANCE/HSBC BUILDING - 475 CORPORATE WOODS PKWY-EXPANSION CONCEPT PLAN.
Tim Morgan of Timothy Morgan Associates presented concept plans for an expansion to their facility, which would be the main facility in the United States. Mr. Morgan is requesting a 2-story additional to the current structure to accommodate their server equipment with adequate power and cooling and their backup power generators. The facility would house 60 employees who would work a 3-shift day, whereas the number of required parking spaces for this facility would not be needed. Mr. Kalmar stated this project still had to proceed with technical review. The Board concurred to allow the plan to move forward to technical review.
4. VERNON HILLS GOLF
COURSE –
A. Signage Along Route 45
B. Parking Lot Entrance Signage On Evergreen.
Mr. Teich presented plans for new signage and landscaping at the Golf Course. The Rt. 45 sign could be 12’ x 6’ or 10’ x 5’. The Evergreen Sign would be 6’ x 3’. The plans showed 2 styles of verbiage.
Mr. Jim Streiff, 101 Country Club Ln. and Mr. and Mrs. Kunkel, 103 Country Club Ln. stated they had no problem with the requested the Rt. 45 sign. County Club Ln. is a private; no outlet street and many cars turn onto it to try to access the golf course. This has created a safety issue and an annoyance with vehicles having to turn around in their driveways. Trustee Koch recommended having “left turn at light” be placed somewhere on the sign. Mr. Laudenslager stated IDOT would not allow signage at the corner of Evergreen Dr. and Rt. 45 right of way.
Trustee Hebda recommended removal of the picture on the sign. President Byrne questioned the cost of the project. Mr. Teich stated there were available funds for the signs and landscaping. Mr. Teich would provide new costs for the proposed signs. Motion by Trustee Cashman, second by Trustee Hebda to approve the two signs eliminating artwork; one sign sized 10’ x 5’ along Rt. 45 with “left turn at light” verbiage and the second sign sized 6’ x 3’ double-faced at the Evergreen Dr. entrance; and landscaping for installation in the Spring of 2004.
Ayes:
6-Duros, Hebda, Koch, Weil, Williams, Cashman
Nays: 0-None
Absent:
0-None
Motion declared carried.
5. CONSIDERATION OF A
RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZED THE BUILDING COMMISSIONER TO HAVE TEMPORARY NO PARKING
SIGNS POSTED IN AREAS WHERE CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT, DELIVERY VEHICLES, AND
WORKER VEHICLES MAY BLOCK OR IMPEDE NORMAL TRAFFIC FLOW.
Pulled.
6. CONSIDERATION OF AN
ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH A CLASS III DESIGNATED TRUCK ROUTE.
Mr.
Laudenslager stated a Class III Truck Route needed to be established in the
Village on certain streets in Continental Executive Parke to accommodate trucks
delivery their loads at various facilities without having to apply for special
permits. Motion by Trustee Cashman,
second by Trustee Duros to approve the draft ordinance establishing a Class III
designated truck route. Roll call vote:
Ayes:
6-Hebda, Koch, Weil, Williams, Cashman, Duros
Nays: 0-None
Absent:
0-None
Motion
declared carried.
7. AUTHORIZATION TO INCLUDE THE IPPFA 457 AS
A PROGRAM THAT CAN BE OFFERED TO VILLAGE EMPLOYEES.
Pulled.
8. NORTHERN ILLINOIS POLICE CRIME LAB.
Pulled.
9. SUMMER CELEBRATION 2004.
Mr.
Allison stated the budget for the entertainment for the 2004 Summer Celebration
needed approval so contracts could be completed. President Byrne stated he would like to see the “Battle of the
Bands” by local teen bands be a possible event. Trustee Duros stated he would like to see a reduction in the
costs of the large bands and provide a smaller venue to the local
residents. Trustee Weil suggested a
possible “comedy night” for local residents to perform in. The monies requested would be for the
entertainment only, not for any of the setup or additional sound equipment. Trustee Williams was in favor of continuing
the entertainment by groups who no longer charged high prices. Motion by Trustee Duros, second by Trustee
Weil to reduce the entertainment budget by $20,000. Roll call vote:
Ayes:
2-Weil, Duros
Nays:
4-Koch, Williams, Cashman, Hebda
Absent:
0-None
Motion
failed.
Motion
by Trustee Hebda, second by Trustee Koch to reduce the entertainment budget by
$5000, from $55,700 to $50,700. Roll
call vote:
Ayes:
4- Weil, Hebda, Koch, Byrne
Nays:
3- Williams, Cashman, Duros
Absent:
0-None
Motion
declared carried.
10. COMMUNITY HARVEST FARMERS MARKET AT WESTFIELD SHOPPINGTOWN - HAWTHORNE
Pulled.
11. ADJOURNMENT
Motion
by Trustee Duros, second by Trustee Hebda to adjourn the meeting. Roll call vote:
Ayes:
6- Cashman, Duros, Hebda, Koch, Weil, Williams
Nays: 0-None
Absent:
0-None
Motion
declared carried
Meeting adjourned at 11:05 p.m.
Linda Pelletier, Deputy Village Clerk Roger
L. Byrne, Village President