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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/24/2003 P&Z minutes 13-03MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION CASE NO. PZ-13-03 Hearing Date: July 24, 2003 PETITIONER: Village of Mount Prospect t00 S. Emerson St. PUBLICATION DATE: April 9, 2003 REQUEST: Text Amendment (Lighting Regulations) Section 14.314 MEMBERS PRESENT: Arlene Juracek, Chairperson Merrill Cotten Joseph Donnelly Leo Floros Richard Rogers Matthew Sledz Keith Youngquist MEMBERS ABSENT: None STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Judy Connolly, AICP, Senior Planner Anne Walters, Community Development Intern INTERESTED PARTIES: Dave Toeppen Chairperson Arlene Juracek called the meeting to order at 7:34 p.m. Richard Rogers made a motion to approve the minutes of the June 26 meeting, seconded by Merrill Cotton. The June meeting minutes were approved 4-0, with three abstentions (Arlene Juracek, Joseph Donnelly and Keith Youngquist). At 10:38, Ms. Juracek introduced Case No. PZ- 13-03, a request for a Text Amendment to the Lighting Regulations, Section 14.314 of the Village Code. The Village Board's decision will be final for this case. Ms. Connolly presented the case on behalf of Deputy Director Michael Jacobs. She said that at the last P&Z meeting, the Commission generally supported Staff's recommendations, but suggested some further revisions. In response to the various issues and concerns raised by the P&Z, Staff has made further modifications to the proposed text amendments. Ms. Connolly said that during the P&Z Commission's last review of this issue there were some concerns raised regarding where light level readings should be taken and what impact ambient lighting, including a full moon, could have on the readings. In researching this issue, she said that Staff had found that the average luminance level of a full moon is 0.01 foot-candles, which is based on information published by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America. Based on the recommended illumination levels included in the proposed text amendments it appears that ambient Iighting, including a full moon, will not have a great impact when enforcing the suggested 1 ighting 1 evel regulations. She said that Staff has also found that taking lighting readings at ground level is the preferred method, thus avoiding any confusion with regards to enforcing the proposed lighting regulations. Ms. Connolly reported that Staff had found that several communities have a maximum lighting level o f 0.5 foot- candles at a residential property line versus the 0.1 limit initially proposed as part of the lighting amendments. Communities that utilize the maximum illumination level of 0.5 foot-candles include Elk Grove, Lake Forest, Lake Zurich, Libertyville, Lincolnshire, Northbrook and Wilmette. She said that Staff adjusted the proposed text amendment to include a maximum illumination level of 0.5 foot-candles at any property line whether abutting residential or non-residential. It should be noted that the existing parking lot lighting limitation of 0. I foot-candles at residential property lines and 0.5 foot-candles at non-residential property lines would be maintained. She said that this approach would still limit the potential impacts of lighting on adjacent properties while also providing a little more flexibility. lanning & Zoning Commission PZ-13-03 Arlene Juracek, Chairperson Page 2 Ms. Connolly summarized changes to the Text Amendment since the P&Z last reviewed the case and noted that the Staff report has specific recommendations carried over from the last P&Z review. She reviewed the standards for a Text Amendment listed in the Zoning Ordinance and said that the proposed lighting amendments apply to all parcels in the Village and do not affect an individual parcel. Ms. Connolly reported that the changes are consistent with the objectives o f the Zoning Ordinance and Comprehensive P lan because the changes protect a nd promote the h eatth, safety, comfort, convenience, and general welfare of residents of the Village, while still preserving the character of the community. In addition, the text amendments do not make the Zoning Ordinance more permissive. The lighting regulations will help to address all outdoor lighting issues. Therefore, the proposed amendments meet the Zoning Code Standards for Text Amendments. Ms. Connolly stated that the proposed text amendments are a result of in-depth research of several sources of information to accurately reflect Village policy and goals, research of neighboring communities' regulations and what is consistent with community expectations. Based on the above analysis, the P&Z can make positive findings with respect to the standards for a Text Amendment. Therefore, Staff recommends approval of the proposed Text Amendments as outlined within this report. Leo Floros asked why these lighting amendments had been initiated. Ms. Connolly said it was in response to increased service requests from residents. Mr. Floros asked how the business community had reacted to these proposed amendments and Merrill Cotton noted that businesses had until 2005 to comply with parking lot lighting regulations whereas the new regulations applicable to all properties would be effective immediately and must be complied with immediately ~vith no grace period. After much discussion by the Commission, Chairperson Juracek asked that Staff return with enforcement regulations, compliance effective dates, penalty dates, and security lighting regulations. She closed the hearing at 10:59. At 10:59 p.m, Joseph Donnelley made motion to adjourn, seconded by Richard Rogers. The mot/on was approved by a voice vote and the meeting was adjourned. Barbara Swiatek, Planning Secretary Judy Connolly, Senior Planner H:!PLAN',Plannlng & Zoning COMM~P&Z 2003\Minute$\PZ-13-03 7-24 mtg Text Amendment-Lighting doc