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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/14/2009 COW minutes IF4ii~~~~ /,/,~~,,\\. i (1tAJii. ." "'\, \' ~"",. .. I.~\. ;:; !"".....II".."."". , ~ ,-~}~ , mIL:/ COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE APRIL 14, 2009 I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7: 1 0 p.m. in the Village Board Room of Village Hall, 50 South Emerson Street, by Mayor Irvana Wilks. Present at the meeting were: Trustees Paul Hoefert, Arlene Juracek, John Matuszak and Steven Polit. Staff present included Village Manager Michael Janonis, Assistant Village Manager David Strahl, Community Development Director William Cooney, Deputy Director Brian Simmons, Building Commissioner William Schroeder, Environmental Health Manager Robert Roels and Fire Marshall Paul Valentine. II. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING Of FEBRUARY 24. 2009. Motion made by Trustee Juracek seconded by Trustee Polit. Minutes were approved. III. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD None IV. PROPOSED PROPERTY MAINTENANCE. BUILDING. LIFE SAFETY. SIGN AND ZONING CODE UPDATES Community Development Director William Cooney introduced the topic and highlighted the need for the code changes based on the 2006 version of the International Building Code and the need for local revisions. He stated that such revisions typically take place every three years. Deputy Director Brian Simmons provided a detailed presentation regarding the code changes and highlighted the fact that the codes are intended to be more user friendly and to match up with Village needs due to the local revisions. He stated the proposed code revisions are consistent with previous versions. He stated the International Code is a general guideline and the Village typically adds amendments or modifications to the code that is unique or specific to the Village, but the use of the International Code is the general code overlay. He also stated that many of the revisions proposed match existing regulations and definitions that are currently in place with the previous code version. He stated the modifications include the definition of Occupancy Standards. He added there is a need to codify the temporary storage facilities typically referred to as PODS on residential properties. He also stated there is a need to include an amendment to allow the placement of a lien on a property for excessive violations. He stated there is a Committee of the Whole Page 1 of 5 4/14/09 provision defining a period of inactivity for condemnations considerations and the need to reduce that period for Village purposes. He outlined the Building code includes building, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fuel and energy code information that is used for inspections and permits reviews. Comments from the Village Board included the following items: . It was mentioned by several Board members that the Code is readily available for review and downloading by users and citizens. . It was also noted that the variance procedure appears to be extensive in terms of time frames. . There was also a question regarding the clarification of sleeping areas and the inactivity period definition. Environmental Health Manager Robert Roels spoke. He stated the space for the sleeping area is defined and is consistent with enforcement policies. He also stated that the combination of room's definition within a dwelling unit regarding sleeping space is broad enough to allow flexibility for the occupants. He added that the use of the POD temporary storage lockers has become an ongoing enforcement issue and staff has suggested that a reasonable time frame be established for their deployments in the residential zones and also noted that PODS are on the borderline regarding a possible sign code violation. Brian Simmons provided an update regarding the Building Code recommendations. He stated that one amendment that is recommended is for projects over 500 square feet whereby, they must provide information posted on the site with contractor information so that anyone including residents or staff can easily contact the contractor. He also stated amendments include green components as are defined specifically in the code. The code has not included green options previously. He added the green components are provided as general guidelines and are not recommending wholesale acceptance of the overall green package because some of the components are still too new to determine their overall impact. General comments from the Village Board included the following items: . There was a discussion regarding the usage and posting of the sign on the site of a construction project which should include the Village phone number and contact information. . There was also a question regarding possible costs of meeting the necessary codes and its possible impact on general residential projects. . There was also some discussion regarding the encouragement of green options during construction projects. Fire Code Discussion: The recommendations included a change in the code which would eliminate potential conflicts due to the NFPA code amendments and the local amendments. Committee of the Whole Page 2 of 5 4/14/09 Sian Code Discussion: Staff is proposing the elimination of the table in the code which defines the sign sizes based on property use and type of road frontage. This table has been determined to be confusing for compliance purposes. Staff is recommending sign applications to be universally determined and to use a standard size and in many cases would reduce the overall size by 20%. He stated there are no recommended changes related to wall signs. These proposals are intended to simplify regulations for property owner compliance. There were also standards relating to illumination for daytime and night time displays and the use of LED changeable signs. General comments from the Village Board members included the following items: . There was a comment regarding the used of LED lighting in a changeable size and the need to define day and night brightness. . There was also a clarification that the animation prohibition remains as part of the code. . It was suggested that a possible amortization period be considered for these new changes and any lighting changes should comply with previously established Village lighting standards. Zonina Code Update Discussion Brian Simmons stated the last update was a comprehensive review in 1993. There have been some minor changes since but the five areas which are recommended at this time include the following items: 1. Townhome Design Standards 2. Senior Housing Definition and Standard 3. Building Site Design Elements 4. Green Technology 5. Land Use Table-match permitted and conditional uses fir simplification of variance request. The Townhome Design criteria include a 100 square foot limitation for patio construction including two car garages with two parking spaces within the garage and at least two driveway parking spaces. Defining the guest parking space as 2.5 spaces per unit and clarifying open space design requirements and clarifying the density definition coverage. Senior Housing component eliminates senior housing within the R-5 zoning district and clarifies the housing and assistant living facilities in the R-3 and R-4 districts as PUD's. The Building Site and Design Elements clarify architectural detail on larger buildings, including mechanical unit screening, ground based utility screening and additional items to enhance the appearance of the site. Committee of the Whole Page 3 of 5 4/14/09 The Green Technology aspect would allow wind energy within certain size limits including solar panels and rain barrels to be considered as an accessory structure. He stated the Land Use Table would consolidate the various uses per district for conditional and special use which would simplify filing for any petitioners and management by staff. General comments from the Village Board members included the following items: . A clarification was requested regarding the CR District as it applies to adjacent districts or consolidation within other defined zoning districts. . It was also suggested that parking agreements should require Village Board approval as final instead of Planning and Zoning. . There was also a general discussion regarding wind-turbine limits per residential and larger buildings. . It was suggested that solar panels be considered as part of the roof systems and therefore could be larger than 50% of the roof structure. . It was also suggested that staff consider an option for a one car garage as an opportunity for creation of affordable units. . A suggestion was made for staff to make sure that there are specific land protection regulations in place prior to a pending redevelopment and grading modifications which take place on a property, otherwise the property can end up sitting and not being redeveloped for a long period. . It was also suggested that the code include a definition of a studio unit. Brian Simmons stated the next steps for these codes would be to present them to the Planning and Zoning Commission for review and then ultimately a public hearing for additional input and then back to the Village Board for final approval. He also anticipates discussing the proposed changes with the park district and the shopping center owners within the Village. v. SYSTEMATIC PROPERTY MAINTENANCE INSPECTION SUMMARY REPORT Environmental Health Manager Robert Roels provided an overview of the property maintenance pro-active inspection program. He stated the program has generated 883 service reports in four sections of the community and the majority of service requests were complied with voluntarily. His staff also advised residents about the amortization of gravel driveways. He stated that there has been a need to deal with various associations in order to get the inspection process coordinated. He also stated the economy has definitely had an impact on the property maintenance issues that have come up. He highlighted staff efforts have been extremely successful in working with owners to establish time frames for compliance and the program has been generally well received from the residents. He mentioned there have been few incidences where staff follow up has required citations. He stated this program has been well received primarily because it has not been driven by a complaint basis. Committee of the Whole Page 4 of 5 4/14/09 VI. MANAGER'S REPORT None VII. ANY OTHER BUSINESS Trustee Hoefert had a question regarding recent compliance of a business. Mayor Wilks stated she had recently attended a meeting sponsored by Congressman Mark Kirk and has provided the information regarding stimulus funding to the Village Board. VIII. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 10:20 p.m. ~ 5-t:{f DAVID STRAHL Assistant Village Manager H:\VILM\Cow\2009\Minutes\4-14-09 COW Minutes.doc Committee of the Whole Page 5 of 5 4/14/09