HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/11/1999 ZBA minutes 33-99 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
MOUNT PROSPECT ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
ZBA CASE NO. ZBA-33-99 Hearing Date: November 11, 1999
PETITIONER: Insignia/ESG
Mount Prospect, IL 60056
SUBJECT PROPERTY: 555 Business Center Drive
PUBLICATION DATE: October 27, 1999 DAILY HERALD
REQUEST: Variation to allow a driveway to encrcaeh 6' into side setback
MEMBERS PRESENT: Arlene Juracek, Chairperson
Leo Flores
Elizabeth Luxem
Richard Rogers
Keith Youngquist
MEMBERS ABSENT: Merrill Cotten
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Michael Blue, AICP, Deputy Director of Community Development
Jeffery Perkins, Planner
INTERESTED PARTIES: John King
Edward L. Kowalski
The meeting was called to order at 7:40 p.m. Minutes of the August 26~ and September 23rd meetings were
approved. ApProval of the October 28~ meeting was postponed to the next meeting. Chairperson 3uracek
introduced Case No, ZBA-34-99, a request for a Variation to allow a driveway to encroach 6' into the side
setback. Ms. Suracek opened the public hearing and inquired if notice ofthe case had been given.
Mr. Perkins stated that public notice for this case had been given in the form of a newspaper legal ad, signs
posted at the property, and a mailing to property owners within 250' of the subject property.
Mr. Perkins then introduced the staff memorandum for the item. He stated that the subject property is an
existing manufacturing facility in the Kensington Business Center with an existing driveway serving a loading
dock that is not wide enough to allow for turning movements of the trucks accessing the docks. He added that
trucks now mn over the curb and damage the landscaping while accessing the docks.
Mr. Perkins stated that the existing driveway is set back 10' from the property line and the applicant proposes to
widen the driveway by 6'. He added that the required side setback is 10', so the proposed widening would
encroach 6' into the setback, requiring a Variation. He said that the Engineering Division had reviewed the
proposal and agrees that the proposed widening is the. best available method for providing the required turning
radius.
Mr. Perkins said that the reason for the proposed variation is the tenant's need to allow for mining movements
without damaging landscaping rather than or financial gain and that the proposed widening would leave a 14'
beamed landscape area that would prevent negative effects on the neighborhood. He added that the lack of other
options for allowing the needed turning area could be seen as a hardship, justifying the proposed Variation.
Zoning Board of Appeals ZBA-33-99
Arlene luracek, Chairperson Page 2
Based on those findings, Mr. Perkins gave staff's recommendation of approval of the proposed Variation and
reminded the Board that the Village Board's decision is final for the case.
Arlene Juracek asked if the tracks in question were owned by the applicant or by vendors. Mr. Perkins said the
applicant was present and would answer that question.
Mr. Rogers said the driveway appeared to be 2-3 feet above the adjoining property in the picture. Mr. Perkins
said no, what he was looking at was a berm between the properties. It is the bottom of the berm that the tracks
are encroaching on.
Mr. Florns asked if the tenant is moving out. He noticed a for lease sign on the property. Mr. Perkins stated the
applicant would also answer that question.
John King, 8420 W. Bryn Mawr, Chicago, was sworn in. He stated he works for Insignia and is the property
manager for the location. He answered Ms. Juracek's question by stating the trucks were vendor owned. In
answer to a question about their tenant moving, he said they had been approached by a leasing agent
representing the tenant saying that the tenant wished to move, but the property they had planned to move to was
unsatisfactory so they will probably stay. Ms. Juracek askedifthey would have the same trucking problem with
a new tenant. Mr. King said they probably would. Ms. Juracek asked staff if the Variation approval should be
contingent only for this tenant. Mr. Perkins said such contingency was not necessary, they would have this
track problem with any industrial tenant.
Ms. Juracek said the business center has been very successful but truck traffic has been heavier than anticipated,
causing damage to property.
Mr. Edward Kowalski, 513 Eastman Court, was sworn in. He stated he had noticed that more and more
companies are storing things outside. He stated that the company in question formerly kept their dumpstor in a
track bay but have moved that to the outside. He said a motorized RV is stored in a truck bay and, while there is
an overturned bike rack in the parking lot, a bike is left attached to a tree. He said lumber and 55 gallon barrels
are also stored outside. He asked that the property owner keep dumpsters inside the loading docks and keep the
property heater.
Mr. Rogers asked, whether dumpsters were supposed to be screened. Mr. Perkins said the Zoning Code requires
dumpsters to be screened on all four sides or kept inside. Ms. Luxem stated these concerns should have been
addressed before coming before the Board. Ms. Juracek suggested the Village inspectors do a fall-scale
inspection.
Chairperson Juracek closed the public heating at 8:00 p.m,
Richard Rogers made a motion to approve the request for a Variation to allow a driveway to encroach 6' into a
side setback. Leo Flores seconded the motion. Elizabeth Luxem asked that comments be included for the
record that the Kensington Business Center be held to their former high standard and that if a business is an
eyesore, management needs to address that and possibly include control of vendors' trucks in their lease
agreements. The petitioner thanked staff for bringing these concerns to their attention and said it is their
intention to return Kensington to its previous high standards.
UPON ROLL CALL: AYES: Flores, Luxem, Rogers, Youngquist, Jurneek
NAYS: None
Motion was approved 5-0.
oning Board of Appeals ZBA-33-99
Arlene Suracek, Chairperson Page 3
One more case was heard. At 8:14 p.m., Richard Rogers made motion to adjourn seconded by Elizabeth
Luxem. Meeting was adjourned.
Barbara Swiatek, Planning Secretary
Jeff Perkins, Planner
H:\GElqXPLNGk7_,BA~ZBA 1999'uMinutes~ZBA-33-99 Insignia.dec