HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/23/2009 P&Z minutes 08-09
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
CASE NO. PZ-08-09
Hearing Date: April 23, 2009
PROPERTY ADDRESS:
915 S. Hi Lusi Avenue
PETITIONER:
Alexandros Agalianos
PUBLICATION DATE:
March 11, 2009
PIN NUMBER:
08-14-207 -008-0000
REQUEST:
Conditional Use (circular driveway)
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Richard Rogers, Chair
William Beattie
Joseph Donnelly
Leo Floros
Marlys Haaland
Ronald Roberts
Keith Youngquist
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
Brian Simmons, AICP, Deputy Director of Community Development
Consuelo Andrade, Development Review Planner
INTERESTED PARTIES:
Alexandros and Georgia Agalianos
Chairman Richard Rogers called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Leo Floros made a motion to approve the
minutes of the February 26, 2009 meeting; Marlys Haaland seconded the motion. The minutes were approved 6-
0; with Joseph Donnelly abstaining. After hearing one previous case, Chairman Rogers introduced Case PZ-08-
09, a request for a Conditional Use (circular driveway) at 915 Hi Lusi Avenue, at 7:37 p.m.
Consuelo Andrade, Development Review Planner, said the Petitioner was requesting Conditional Use approval to
allow construction of a circular driveway for the property located at 915 Hi Lusi A venue. The subject property is
zoned R-l Single Family Residential and is bordered on all four sides by the R-l district. The lot measures 75
feet wide by 150 feet deep; it contains a single-family home with related improvements.
Ms. Andrade showed a copy of the Plat of Survey that reflected the existing site conditions. She also showed a
picture of the existing home. Ms. Andrade stated that the existing home is one story made out of brick and is
currently unoccupied. The subject property presently complies with the R-l zoning requirements. The Petitioner
was proposing to demolish the existing home and construct a new single-family home with related improvements
that include a circular driveway in the front yard. Ms. Andrade said Village Code requires a Conditional Use for
a circular driveway.
Ms. Andrade showed the site plan for the proposed home. It would be two stories with related improvements that
include a patio in the rear yard and the proposed circular driveway. The proposed driveway would measure 12
feet wide and would connect to a standard 12 foot wide by 20 foot wide driveway. Ms. Andrade showed pictures
of the building elevations. The home would be constructed out of brick and stone. A three car garage would be
attached to the home one car garage door fronting Hi Lusi and the two car garage would face the north side yard.
Richard Rogers, Chair
Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting April 23, 2009
PZ-08-09
Page 1 of 4
Ms. Andrade showed a table for the R.l Single Family District Requirements:
Rl Single Family District Existing Proposed
Requirements
Setbacks
Front 30' 40.07' 32'
Interior 10' or 10% oflot width 7.4 2' -north 8'-north
21.30' -south 8'- south
Rear 25' 64.04' 61 '
Lot Covera2e
Front Yard 45% max 22% 44.73%
Overall 45% max 22% 43.67%
Minimum Lot Width 75' min. 75' No change
for Circular Driveways
Turning Radius 15' min. N/A 18'
Minimum Driveway Width
(circular portion) 12' min N/A 12'
Ms. Andrade stated that it has been previous Village policy to support a request for a circular driveway when the
subject property fronts an arterial street and/or traffic volume is such that a circular driveway is necessary to
resolve a safety conflict. She stated that circular driveways are not always requested as a safety issue, but as part
of a larger improvement project for a residential property, and that Ordinance 5547 was approved recognizing
this.
Ms. Andrade discussed Ordinance 5547 that passed on February 7, 2006. This set forth minimum requirements
for consideration of a Conditional Use approval for circular driveways to lots that measured 75 feet or greater in
width. Additionally, the circular driveway should be a minimum 12 feet wide and have a minimum turning radius
of 15 feet. Ms. Andrade showed the proposed driveway measurements. She said the Petitioner's proposed
driveway would comply with the requirements set forth by Ordinance 5547. The subject property measures 75
feet wide, the circular drive width is 12 feet, and the minimum turning radius is 18 feet. Ms. Andrade said that
Staff recommended approval of the motion listed in the Staff Report.
Mr. Donnelly said he knew the Village had looked at circular driveways when the requirements were created, he
thought if they met the requirements that they would not have to go in front of the Planning and Zoning
Commission. Ms. Andrade stated that circular driveways are listed as a Conditional Use in the R-l zoning
district. Any use that is considered a Conditional Use is required to go before the board for approval.
Mr. Donnelly asked if the Planning and Zoning Commission would see all of the circular driveway cases if they
met the criteria. Ms. Andrade said that this statement was correct.
Mr. Roberts said Ordinance 5547 was passed to establish the minimum criteria; it would still be considered a
Conditional Use. Ms. Andrade stated that this was correct.
There was general discussion regarding whether or not the tree in front of the property was on the Village right-
of-way or not. Ms. Andrade said the Petitioner was in the audience and could address this.
Ms. Andrade said. Staff wanted to note that the Petitioner previously had the driveway closer to the home;
however, the original plan exceeded the maximum amount of lot coverage. It originally exceeded the lot
Richard Rogers, Chair
Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting April 23, 2009
PZ-08-09
Page 2 of 4
coverage requirement by approximately 114 square feet. The Petitioner reduced the width of the driveway from
15 feet to 12 feet and reduced the lot coverage in the front yard.
Chairman Rogers swore in Alexandros Agalianos, 823 Concord Lane, Des Plaines, Illinois. Mr. Agalianos said
he does not presently live at the subject property, but plans to move in after construction of the new home.
Chairman Rogers asked about the tree in the front yard. Mr. Agalianos said he believed that the mature tree in
question would not be in the way of the circular driveway. He was told that the tree was in the parkway (right-of-
way) and it belonged to the Village.
Mr. Youngquist discussed possible tree requirements for paved surfaces in the right-of-way. He believed there
were requirements set forth by the Forestry Division.
Mr. Beattie asked if the circular driveway would be in compliance due to its location with the parkway tree. Ms.
Andrade stated that the zoning ordinance does not have a minimum distance required between the driveway and
the tree. She said she was not aware of the Forestry requirements. Ms. Andrade stated that this requirement could
be reviewed at the building permit stage to ensure compliance with any Forestry requirements.
Mr. Roberts wanted the potential Forestry requirements be noted for this case so they could be reviewed before
this case goes to the Village Board.
Chairman Rogers said from the aerial view, he believed the drip line of the tree just touches the driveway. He
stated that it should be okay, but advised that the Petitioner needed to take special care of the tree during
construction.
Mr. Floros asked the Petitioner why he wanted a circular driveway since there is already a three car garage for the
proposed home. He said this was a lightly traveled street, not on a busy thoroughfare. Mr. Agalianos stated that
he is building his dream house. He and his wife really wanted a circular drive as they met the requirements and
had their architect draw it in. He also wanted a safer area for his kids.
Mr. Roberts stated that he hoped that the circular drive would not be used to park cars since the Petitioner
proposed a three car garage. Mr. Agalianos said the only time cars would be on the circular drive would be for a
family function to reduce the amount of cars parked on the street. Mr. Donnelly asked the Petitioner if there
would be a problem if a condition was placed on the circular driveway for no overnight parking. Mr. Agalianos
said he had no problem with the condition.
Mr. Donnelly made a motion to approve the circular driveway with the condition that there would be no overnight
parking on the circular drive.
There was general discussion regarding whether or not a condition banning overnight parking could be placed due
to enforcement.
Mr. Donnelly stated that it would not be enforceable by Staff, but if there were complaints from neighbors it
would give the Village a chance to step in. Mr. Donnelly said if a condition was not placed, then the Petitioner
could utilize the driveway as a parking lot.
Chairman Rogers asked Staff for a ruling on this.
Richard Rogers, Chair
Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting April 23, 2009
PZ-08-09
Page 3 of 4
Brian Simmons, Deputy Director of Community Development, stated that he was unsure of previous history with
the Village Board on circular driveways. He said that the Planning and Zoning commission could add conditions
for approval. The Village Board then could vote with or without the conditions placed by the Planning and
Zoning Commission. He stated that the condition would be difficult to enforce.
Mr. Roberts suggested that two items be checked before going to Village Board. He wanted the Forestry
requirements to be reviewed and see if the Village Board would consider placing restrictions on overnight parking
for a circular drive.
Mr. Agalianos said he only has two vehicles and a motorcycle. Chairman Rogers stated the preference of the
Planning and Zoning Commission was for the Petitioner not to park vehicles on the circular drive overnight. Mr.
Agalianos stated that he planned to do landscaping and wants the home to look nice.
Mr. Youngquist said he does not see a difference between a circular driveway and a standard car driveway on any
home. Chairman Rogers stated the only objectionable item would be seeing the entire length of the vehicle. Mr.
Floros said he agreed with Mr. Youngquist and would not support the restriction placed preventing overnight
parking. There was general discussion regarding the limits set forth by the 2006 circular driveway ordinance.
Chairman Rogers stated no matter what the Planning and Zoning Commission decided, overnight parking on a
driveway could not be enforced. Mr. Donnelly said he was okay with removing the condition placed in the
motion ifthe Planning and Zoning Commission was in favor of doing so.
Mr. Donnelly made a motion to approve a Conditional Use permit for a circular driveway for the residence at 915
Hi Lusi Avenue, Case No. PZ-08-09. Mr. Beattie seconded the motion.
The Village Board's decision is final for this case.
UPON ROLL CALL:
AYES: Beattie, Donnelly, Floros, Haaland, Roberts, Youngquist, Rogers
NAYS: None
Motion passed 7-0.
Mr. Beattie made a motion to adjourn at 8:03 p.m., seconded by Mr. Donnelly. The motion was approved by a
voice vote and the meeting was adjourned.
Ryan Kast
Community Development Administrative Assistant
Richard Rogers, Chair
Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting April 23, 2009
PZ-08-09
Page 4 of 4