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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/09/2000 ZBA minutes 43-2000 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE MOUNT PROSPECT ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS CASE NO. ZBA-43-2000 Heating Date: November 9, 2000 PETITIONER: Peter Jankovic, for AT&T Broadband 1201 Feehanville Road PUBLICATION DATE: October 25, 2000 DAJLYHERALD REQUEST: Variation for Multiple Ground Mounted Satellite Dishes at 1201 Feehanville Road- AT&T Broadband MEMBERS PRESENT: Merrill Cotten Hal Ettmger Leo Floras Elizabeth Luxem Richard Rogers Keith Youngqmst Arlene Juracek, Chairperson MEMBERS ABSENT: None STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Michael Blue, AICP, Deputy Director of Community Development Judy Connolly, AICP, Sen/or Planner INTERESTED PARTIES: Peter Jankovic Chairperson Arlene Suracek called the meeting to order at 7:37 p.m. Keith Youngquist made a motion to approve the minutes of the October 26 meeting, seconded by Leo Floros, and the minutes were unanimously approved. At 8:35, after hearing [wo cases, Ms. Juracek opened Case ZBA-43-2000, a request for a variation for multiple ground mounted satellite dishes at 1201 Feehanville Road. Judy Connolly, Senior Planner, stated that public notice had been given and introduced the staff memorandum for the item. She explained that the Zoning Code permits one ground-mounted dish on a zoning lot. The applicant received a variation in 1996 to install a total of eight dishes. The applicant had six existing dishes that were installed before the code changed to allow one dish per property. They requested and received a variation to install two more dishes. The Village approved the request because the multiple dishes would not have a negative impact on the public welfare, other property, or neighborhood character. The petitioner is now seeking a variation m have a total of 14 ground- mounted dishes on their property. Ms. Connolly described the subject property as an existing office building in the Kensington Business Center, which is a light industrial park Two of the proposed dishes would be the same s~ze as the existing dishes, measuring 16-feet from grade to the top of the dish. They would be located within the existing brick enclosure that currently screens the existing dishes in this area of the property. The other three dishes would be located outside of the brick enclosure, where the dumpsters are currently located and would have a larger diameter. They would be almost 27-feet in height. Ms. Connolly said the proposed dishes exceed the maximum number, height, and diameter permitted by code. The petitioner proposes to screen the base of the structures in a manner that will not impact the signals to/from the dishes. In addition, the applicant proposes to install additional landscaping to provide a uniform, well-kept landscape screen that will minimize the visual impact of the new structures on the adjacent properties Changes to the existing berm landscaped area are proposed to eliminate the service disruptions that some subscribers currently experience, but the changes am not part of this application. Zoning Board of Appeals ZBA-43-2000 Arlene Juracek, Chairperson Page 2 The existing 230' tower will not be modified and will continue to be used as part of the applicant's business. The new dishes will be located in close proximity to the tower and the base ofthe proposed dishes will not be visible from the adjacent residential properties because of the berming to the south. The dishes outside the brick enclosure will be buffered from adjacent commercial property to the east by a landscape screen to be installed. Ms. Connolly reported that staff reviewed the petitioner's submitted information and visited the subject site. She related the standards that must be met in order for the proposal to be approved. The proposed variations are requested to provide a better level of service to the applicant's subscribers. The overall height of the proposed dishes will not exceed the height of the existing light standards in the parking lot and will be significantly less than the height of the existing tower. Therefore, the proposal would have no more effect on public welfare, other properties, or neighborhood character than the existing conditions of the site, meeting Zoning Code requirements. Ms. Connolly stated that the petitioner could modify the existing tower and locate multiple dishes on the tower. Although this option would not require a variation, it would impact the adjacent properties and the dishes would be more visible from a greater distance. The proposed ground-mounted locations and additional landscape screening are more supportive of having a lesser impact on other properties and neighborhood character, as listed in the variation criteria. Based on these findings, and the fact that the Village previously approved a variation for additional ground-mounted satellite dishes, conditions which still hold, Ms. Coanolly reported that staff recommends the ZBA make a recommendation of approval of the proposal to install additional satellite dishes for a total of 14 ground-mounted satellite dishes that do not exceed 27-feet in height and be screened as shown on the attached exhibit for 1201 Feehanville, Case No. ZBA-43-2000. The Village Board's decision is final for this case. Hal Ettinger asked if the large dishes, 26.9', would only be screened by the dogwood trees to the east. Ms. Coanolly said the dogwoods would be along the property line adjacent to the commercial property that is presently a vacant lot. Mr. Blue, Deputy Director of Community Development added that the property would be screened to south by the berm and swale. Zoning Board members were concerned that dogwood trees might not provide sufficient coverage for the dishes. Ms. Connolly said the petitioner could elaborate on the proposed landscaping plan. Peter Jankovic, Hawthorne St., Elgin, IL, was sworn in. He stated they are only permitted for two dishes inside the brick wall at present. When they discovered they were over their limit, they tried predicting their future needs for the next five years and hoped to accomplish that with this request for five additional dishes. He said that their digital transmission is affected more by rain than previous transmissions and a larger size dish would cut down on the effect on the digital channels. They would like to have the ability to go to a larger dish if needed when they hook-up to another satellite, rather than come before the Zoning Board each time they need a larger dish. Ms. Juracek clarified the request: a total of fourteen dishes, including several smaller and several larger dishes, would be installed at some point in the future, but the intent is to install the small dishes right now, and install the larger dishes in the future if they are necessary. Mr. Jankovic agreed with that summation, saying they just need the two smaller dishes this year and might need a larger dish next year. Mr. Jankovic stated that the cost of the larger dishes is extraordinary, and they won't proceed recklessly with the installation of large dishes. Ms. Juracek asked Mr. Jankovic to discuss Iandscaping for the site. Mr. Jankovic said his landscape architect said dogwoods would provide a good screen as they grow to be tall and wide. Mr. Youngquist asked if they could install the dogwoods now, before installing a large dish next year. The ZBA also asked if the dogwoods were adequate. Mr. Blue said that the Zoning Board could require the petitioner to provide a substitute to the dogwood if a different planting is preferable. Ms. Juracek said it would not be necessary to have a 27' tall screen to cover a 27' dish and that the Zoning Board could consider that landscaping be installed immediately as a condition of approval. oning Board of Appeals ZBA-43-2000 Arlene Juracek, Chairperson Page 3 Ms. Luxem noted that the site was next to an industrial park and not residential. She asked if the Mount Prospect site just serves Mount Prospect. Mr. Jankovic said that it covers the north suburban area. Ms. Luxem said she appreciates that the petitioner is looking to projected needs for expansion. Ms. Juracek said ground dishes are preferable to the dishes being installed on the tower. Mr. Rogers agreed. Mr. Floros said he could not support this request. He said that the cable industry makes no contribution to the aesthetics of the community. Mr. Cotton said the size of dishes will diminish in the future and that AT&T and other companies are trying to minimize the size of the dishes and other equipmentl He said that in 25 years we will be getting reception from a golfoall size gadget. Mr. Youngquist said he prefers that the equipment be located in one site, rather than small dishes clustered all over homes in the area. At 9:08, Ms. Juracek asked for a motion. Elizabeth Luxem moved to recommend approval of the proposed variation for multiple ground mounted satellite dishes at 1201 Feehanville Road with two conditions (1) that the proposed landscaping be installed upon approval of the request, in a manner acceptable to staff and (2) of the fourteen total dishes, there be no more than three 27-foot tall dishes. The motion was seconded by Keith Youngquist. UPON ROLL CALL: AYES: Cotten, Ettinger, Luxem, Rogers, Youngquist, and Juracek NAYS: Floros Motion was approved 6-1. At 9:13 p.m., Elizabeth Luxem made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Hal Ettinger. The motion was approved by a voice vote and the meeting was adjourned. Barbara Swiatek, Planning Secretaw Judy Connolly, Senior Planner