HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/22/2014 P&Z Minutes 11-14 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
PLANNING&ZONING COMMISSION
CASE NO.PZ-11-14 Hearing Date: May 22, 2014
PROPERTY ADDRESS: 1412 Boro Lane
PETITIONER: William Tesnow
PUBLICATION DATE: May 7, 2014
PIN NUMBER: 03-25-205-004-0000
REQUEST: Variation-Overall Lot Coverage
MEMBERS PRESENT: Joseph Donnelly,Chair
Sharon Otteman
Thomas Fitzgerald
William Beattie
Keith Youngquist
Jeanne Kueter
Norbert Mizwicki
Agostino Filippone
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Consuelo Andrade, Senior Planner
Brian Simmons, Deputy Director of Community Development
INTERESTED PARTIES: William Tesnow and Phyllis Tesnow
Chairman Donnelly called the meeting to order at 7:37 pm. Commissioner Beattie made a motion,
seconded by Commissioner Mizwicki to approve the minutes of the April 24th, 2014 Planning and Zoning
Commission Meeting; the minutes were approved 5-0 with two Commissioners abstaining.After hearing
two(2)additional cases Chairman Donnelly introduced case PZ-11-14, 1412 Boro Lane.
Ms. Andrade stated that the Petitioner for PZ-11-14 is seeking a Variation to allow an overall lot coverage
of fifty three(53)percent for the property located at 1412 Boro Lane.
Ms. Andrade stated that the Subject Property is located on the west side of Boro Lane and contains a
single-family residence with related improvements. The Subject Property is zoned R1 Single Family
Residential and is bordered on all sides by the R1 district.
Ms. Andrade stated that the subject property does not comply with all of the village's zoning regulations
because of the number of garages, the overall lot coverage, and the detached garage side yard setback.
The Subject Property consists of two garages when a maximum of one is permitted, consists of fifty four
(54)percent lot coverage when the maximum permitted is forty five(45)percent, and includes a detached
garage that encroaches into the required side yard at the northeast corner. The garage is setback four and
nine tenths(4.9)feet when a minimum of five(5)feet is required.
Planning and Zoning Commission May 22,2014 Meeting 1
Joseph Donnelly, Chair PZ-11-14
Ms. Andrade stated the Petitioner wants to convert the attached garage into living space and construct a
covered porch.
Ms. Andrade explained the site plan illustrates that a portion of the existing driveway and front walk
would be removed and replaced with the covered porch. Ms.Andrade further stated the Petitioner applied
for a building permit to do the work, but the permit was denied as the Subject Property exceeds the
maximum permitted lot coverage. The Petitioner's site plan indicates the proposed improvements would
also include the removal of sixty (60) square feet of the existing driveway that leads to the primary
structure,which would bring the overall lot coverage down to fifty three(53)percent. However, since the
overall lot coverage still exceeds the maximum forty-five(45)percent allowed,a Variation is required.
Ms. Andrade stated the elevation plans indicate the porch would include a roof and would extend 4' out
from the front elevation.
Ms. Andrade showed the following table comparing the Petitioner's proposal to the R1 Single Family
Residence District's bulk requirements.
RI Single Family District Existing Proposed
Requirements
Setbacks:
Front(east) Min. 30' 30.45' No Change
Interior Side south Min. 6.5' 12.54' No Change
Interior Side north Min. 6.5' 11.68' No Change
Rear west Min.25' 68.43' No Change
Lot Coverage 45%Max. (4,182.75 sq.ft.) 54%(5,013 sq.ft.) 53% (4,953 sq.ft.)
Ms.Andrade summarized the standards for a Variation as the following:
• A hardship due to the physical surroundings, shape, or topographical conditions of a specific
property not generally applicable to other properties in the same zoning district and not created by
any person presently having an interest in the property;
• Lack of desire to increase financial gain; and
• Protection of the public welfare, other property, and neighborhood character.
Ms. Andrade stated the Petitioner indicated the proposed porch would provide protection from rain, snow,
and ice; and would be consistent with other homes in the area.
Ms. Andrade stated that Staff researched the building permit history for the Subject Property and found
record of the following permits:
➢ August 19, 1975: Installation of Air Conditioning unit.
➢ July 5, 1995: Replacement of walk, stoop, garage floor, and patio.
➢ July 14, 1995: Resurfacing of driveway serving attached single-car garage.
➢ July 1, 1999: Construction of a two-car detached garage.
➢ July 13, 1999: Electric
➢ July 20, 1999: Construction of driveway serving the two-car detached garage.
➢ May 1,2000: Fence.
➢ September 7,2000: Replacement of driveway serving the two-car detached garage.
Planning and Zoning Commission May 22,2014 Meeting 2
Joseph Donnelly, Chair PZ-11-14
Ms. Andrade stated that Staff could not locate a building permit for the construction of the home as it was
constructed prior to being annexed into the Village of Mount Prospect in 1971 (Ord. #2319). She further
explained the 1999 permit for the detached garage included a lot coverage calculation of forty two (42)
percent, but was based on a Plat of Survey dated March 1, 1960, which only included the house footprint.
It appears the permit was issued in error and at this point the property exceeded the lot coverage permitted
by code. The subsequent permits did not include lot coverage calculations but each also utilized the 1960
plat.
Ms. Andrade stated, while staff understood the desire to provide a porch, the present nonconformities do
not constitute a physical hardship unique to the parcel for the lot coverage Variation request. The
proposed improvements would reduce the overall lot coverage by only sixty(60) square feet;reducing the
overall lot coverage from fifty four(54)to fifty three(53)percent,which would still exceed the maximum
forty five (45) percent permitted by code. Staff is not supportive of the Variation request. Other
impermeable surface areas could be removed in order to bring the property into compliance.
Ms. Andrade stated that Staff does not find the request meets the Variation standards and recommends
that the P&Z deny the following motion:
"To approve a Variation to allow an overall lot coverage of fifty three (53) percent, as shown in the site
plan dated 7/23/13 for the residence at 1412 Boro Lane."
She explained that the Planning&Zoning Commission's decision is final for this case.
Chairmen Donnelly swore in William Tesnow & Phyllis Tesnow 1412 Boro Lane Mount Prospect,
Illinois.
Mr. Tesnow stated that the home is his wife's childhood home which he and his wife have been doing
improvements to throughout the years. He gave a brief history of the various projects that have been done
to the house over the years.
Mr. Tesnow explained that the current porch gets very icy and dangerous in the winter. He explained that
his wife is having both of her knees replaced and the unenclosed porch would help against slippery
conditions.
Mr. Tesnow stated that he has seen some other homes in his neighborhood with similar covered porches.
He explained that the 1960 Plat of Survey was the only one he has ever had for the property. He stated he
didn't understand why there was a problem with the lot coverage because the concrete patio was added
before the property was annexed into the Village of Mount Prospect.
Commissioner Beattie suggested narrowing the driveway in order to make up some of the square footage.
Mr. Tesnow stated that he is not willing to narrow his driveway because he has a large family and needs
the parking spaces, and doesn't want to lose value on his home.
The Planning and Zoning Commission and the Petitioner discussed back and forth the issue of the lot
coverage and what needs to be done in order to approve the current request.
Chairman Donnelly stated that if the Petitioner provided the correct information the permit for the two car
garage wouldn't have been issued.
Mrs. Tesnow stated that the inspector came out and approved the property for the project.
Planning and Zoning Commission May 22,2014 Meeting 3
Joseph Donnelly, Chair PZ-11-14
Chairman Donnelly stated that the inspector only looks at the project and doesn't measure the entire
property and calculate lot the coverage; and that the Plat of Survey is used to calculate the lot coverage.
Mr. Simmons stated that the permit was issued in error and since the project was permitted and completed
without any Variation it is considered legal non-conforming.
Mrs. Tesnow stated that it wasn't their fault the permit was issued in error.
Chairman Donnelly stated he understood but the Petitioner's Plat of Survey was inaccurate therefore it's
now creating the current issue.
Chairman Donnelly explained if the Variance was granted to decrease the lot coverage to fifty-three
percent (53%) structures can be knocked down and rebuilt to the fifty-three percent (53%). He further
explained the Variance can't be revoked if a new owner decides to rebuild.
Mrs. Tesnow questioned why bigger homes where able to be built on smaller lots.
Mr. Simmons stated that different zoning districts have different requirements. The lot coverage in some
zoning districts is as high as fifty percent(50%).
Commissioner Youngquist stated that he understood the Petitioner's frustration and agreed that they are at
a disadvantage due to the legal non-conforming driveway.
Mrs. Tesnow stated that she is handicapped and the proposed overhang will help make it safer to enter
and exit her home; she further stated that she is merely replacing existing asphalt with concrete.
Commissioner Otteman asked Staff if there was a requirement to have a recent survey in 1999 when the
Petitioners applied for the two car garage.
Ms. Andrade stated that a survey showing the existing conditions of the property would have been
required at the time of getting the permit.
Commissioner Otteman stated that the permit to build the two car garage was issued in error and that
regardless whether or not the Petitioners were asking for the Variance the property would still be legal
non-conforming with a lot coverage exceeding the forty-five percent(45%)allowed.
There was general discussion between the board and Petitioner regarding the Petitioner's need for the
Variance.
Chairman Donnelly asked if there were any other residents to discuss the matter. Chairman Donnelly
swore in Ewald Peliwan,the Petitioner's next door neighbor 1414 Boro Lane. The neighbor stated that he
is happy with the improvements the Petitioner has done over the years and has helped the increased the
value of the neighborhood.
Chairman Donnelly asked the Petitioner if they would like to try and work with Staff to decrease the lot
coverage or to take a vote.
Mr. Tesnow asked to take a vote.
Chairman Donnelly asked the board if they had any more comments, hearing none, Commissioner
Youngquist made a motion seconded by Commissioner Beattie to approve the following motion:
Planning and Zoning Commission May 22,2014 Meeting 4
Joseph Donnelly, Chair PZ-11-14
"To approve a Variation to allow an overall lot coverage of fifty three (53) percent, as shown in the site
plan dated 7/23/13 for the residence at 1412 Boro Lane."
UPON ROLL CALL: AYES: Youngquist, Kueter,Mizwicki,Otteman, Fitzgerald
NAYS: Beattie, Donnelly
The motion was approved 5-2. This case was Planning and Zoning Commission final.
Jenna Moder, Community Development
Administrative Assistant
Planning and Zoning Commission May 22, 2014 Meeting 5
Joseph Donnelly, Chair PZ-11-14