HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/26/2008 P&Z minutes 11-08
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
CASE NO. PZ-ll-08
Hearing Date: June 26, 2008
PROPERTY ADDRESS:
100 N. School Street
PETITIONER:
Michael Ryan
PUBLICATION DATE:
May 7, 2008
PIN NUMBER:
03-34-416-018-0000
REQUEST:
Variation (Side Yard Setback)
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Richard Rogers, Chair
Joseph Donnelly
Leo Floros
Marlys Haaland
Ronald Roberts
MEMBER ABSENT:
Keith Youngquist
ST AFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
William Cooney, AICP, Director of Community Development
Brian Simmons, AICP, Deputy Director of Community Development
Patrick Ainsworth, Planning Intern
INTERESTED PARTIES:
Michael Ryan, Mike Haaing
Chairman Richard Rogers called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Leo Floros made a motion to approve the
minutes of the April 24, 2008 meeting and Ronald Roberts seconded the motion. The minutes were approved 4-0
with Joseph Donnelly abstaining. Chairman Rogers introduced Case PZ-II-08, a request for a Variation (side
yard set back) at 100 N. School Street, at 7:34 p.m.
Brian Simmons, Deputy Director of Community Development, stated that the property is located on the northwest
corner of East Henry Street and North School Street. He showed the existing site conditions. Mr. Simmons said
the home is presently a one story brick home with a driveway that fronts off of Henry Street. The area in question
is the North property line. The one story room is approximately 14 feet x 14 feet and a deck extends off the room
to the West. Mr. Simmons stated that the Petitioner has proposed to expand this room to the West.
Mr. Simmons said that the proposed expansion would extend 16 feet into the deck and would maintain the
existing setback line along the North property line. This extension would increase the square footage of the house
by approximately 225 feet. The existing Western end of the deck would remain as is so the size of the deck
would decrease in size to ten feet in depth, but total number of impervious area on the site would not increase as
part of the project.
Mr. Simmons stated that the existing home was considered non-conforming based on the side yard setback that
existed along the North property line. He said that the current room is five feet from the property line on the
North side while seven feet is required. Mr. Simmons stated per Village Ordinance, a non-conforming structure
cannot be expanded or constructed upon which would increase the non-conformity of the building. The proposed
expansion would extend the amount of the home which is non-conforming on the North side by approximately 16
feet.
Mr. Simmons showed a table of the R-l zoning district bulk requirements:
Richard Rogers, Chair
Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting June 26, 2008
PZ-II-08
Page 2
Rl Single Family District Existing Proposed
Minimum Requirements
SETBACKS:
Front 30' 29.86' No change
Exterior 20' 20.19' No change
Interior 7' 5' (north) 5'
Rear 25' 47' 47'
FAR 50% Maximum 22.8% 24.8%
LOT COVERAGE 45% Maximum 35.6% 35.6%
Mr. Simmons stated that the existing non-conforming setback was not applicable to the proposed room expansion;
therefore, the expansion would require approval of a Variation.
Mr. Simmons said Staff reviewed this matter with the Village's Legal Division due to the unique circumstances of
this case. He stated in 1990, the Federal Government passed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) which
established guidelines for providing access to individuals who may have disabilities or handicaps. In this case,
the Petitioner is in a wheelchair and is requesting a Variation for his house to provide access to the facility.
The Legal Division determined the applicability of ADA to zoning Variations. Based on legal review, Mr.
Simmons stated that the Village must make reasonable accommodations in light of an applicant's disability when
granting a Variation. Case law exists which demonstrates the Village may grant a Variation if demonstrated
quality of life enhancement exists or the petitioners usability of space is increased. Mr. Simmons said Staff
requested that the Petitioner provide information to show how a Variation would address his needs and how not
granting a Variation would limit the use of home.
Mr. Simmons said by Code, the Petitioner could expand the home to within seven feet for the North property line
and not require a Variation. The proposal asked for a five foot setback to be consistent with the rest of the home
along the North property line. Mr. Simmons stated that insufficient information was provided with the
Petitioner's application on why the reduction of two feet to meet the set back requirement would not enhance the
Petitioner's needs of accessing the home or limit the use of the home. Mr. Simmons said Staff believed that the
justification for the Variation is not supported by the hardship standards listed in the zoning ordinance, nor does
the legal history with ADA justify the variation in this case.
Mr. Simmons stated the Variation request for a five (5) foot interior side yard does not meet the standards for a
Variation contained in Section 14.203.C.9 of the Zoning Ordinance for the reasons previously noted. Based on
this analysis, Staff recommends that the P&Z deny the following motion:
"To approve a Variation to allow a five (5) foot side yard setback along a portion of the north lot line, as shown in
the exhibit prepared by Kabal Surveying Company, dated February 29, 2008 for the residence at 100 N. School
Street, Case No. PZ-II-08."
Chairman Rogers swore in Mike Ryan, 100 N. School Street, Mount Prospect, IL and Mike Haaning, 205 Forest
Avenue, Mount Prospect, IL 60056. Mr. Haaning said that he appreciates Staffs' position. He believed that they
are covering an existing structure, the deck which is already legal non-conforming. Mr. Haaning stated that they
are covering an existing condition and not expanding. He said that they would be reducing the encroachment of
the deck by a Y2 foot, this would increase the Petitioner's living space.
Mr. Haaning stated that the Petitioner has his exercise equipment in the garage because it does not fit in any other
areas of the home. This new room would allow the equipment to be utilized indoors despite weather conditions.
Mr. Haaning said the proposed room would allow the Petitioner to have an office area if the Petitioner could not
leave his home. He stated that egress/ingress is a current concern as Mr. Ryan can only enter his home through
Richard Rogers, Chair
Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting June 26, 2008
PZ-II-08
Page 3
the garage. If the power went out on the home, Mr. Ryan could not enter or exit the home. Expanding the den
would allow another point of access for the Petitioner. Mr. Haaning stated that if the room was expanded without
the Variation, Mr. Ryan would not have the mobility that he needs to move within his home.
Chairman Rogers confirmed with the Petitioner that a 12 foot section where the entry door would work.
Chairman Rogers asked if the Petitioner could have an entry door and still maintain the seven foot side yard. Mr.
Haaning said the way the room was situated with the pipes, there would not be enough room to install a door.
Chairman Rogers asked specifics about the exercise equipment. Mr. Ryan said he would like a set of three
stations (machines). He was not able to utilize a park district or commercial facility. Mr. Ryan stated that each
piece of the exercise equipment is approximately four by five feet.
Joseph Donnelly asked Staff about the non-conforming structure. Mr. Simmons said that it may have been
constructed before the zoning ordinance. With the existing structure, there were no Variations in the past that
would justify the five foot set back.
There was general discussion regarding the house because it is located on a corner lot.
Ronald Roberts asked if the Petitioner has discussed this proposal with his neighbor. Mr. Ryan stated that the
neighbor next to his house is supportive of the Variation. Mr. Roberts asked Staff if this case was properly
noticed to the neighbors. Mr. Simmons said the case was properly noticed and Staff did receive feedback, no one
was against the proposal. The neighbor directly adjacent to the proposed property wrote a letter of support.
Chairman Rogers called for additional questions or comments; hearing none, the public hearing was closed at
7:45 p.m.
Joseph Donnelly made a motion to approve Case Number PZ-II-08, a request for a Variation (Side yard set
back), at 100 N. School Street. Ronald Roberts seconded the motion.
Leo Floros believed this is a reasonable request since the five foot set back exists and the Petitioner is not
increasing this; he saw no problem at all.
Mr. Roberts said safety is an issue and the Petitioner needs an exit in case of a fire. He does not see an issue with
the Variation since the neighbors did not object, especially the neighbor who would be directly affected by this.
Marlys Haaland stated that an entry way was needed and hopes it works out for the Petitioner.
UPON ROLL CALL:
A YES: Donnelly, Floros, Haaland, Roberts, Rogers,
NA YS: NONE
Motion was approved 5-0.
After hearing three additional cases Joseph Donnelly made a motion to adjourn at 11: 12 p.m., seconded by
Ronald Roberts. The motion was approved by a voice vote and the meeting was adjourned.
Ryan Kast, Community Development
Administrative Assistant
H.\PLAN\Plarming & Zoning COMM\P&Z 2008\MinutesIPZ-II-08 100 N School (Ryan Residence)