HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/27/2002 P&Z minutes 14-02MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
CASE NO. PZ-14-02
Hearing Date: June 27, 2002
PETITIONER:
Pasquale Ergastolo
208 Neil Avenue
PUBLICATION DATE:
June 12, 2002
REQUEST:
Conditional Use (porch)
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Joseph Donnelly
Leo Floros
Richard Rogers
Matthew Sledz
Keith Youngquist
Arlene Juracek, Chairperson
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Merrill Cotten
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Judy Connolly, AICP, Senior Planner
INTERESTED PARTIES:
PasquaIe Ergast01o
Chairperson Arlene Juracek called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m. Minutes of the May 23 meeting were approved. At
9:15, after the Commission heard a case under Old Business, Ms. Juracek introduced Case No. PZ-14-02, a request for a
Conditional Use to allow construction of an unenclosed porch four feet into the front yard setback, for the property
located at 208 Neil Avenue. She explained that this case would be Village Board final.
Judy Connolly, Senior Planner, introduced the case. She explained that the subject property is an existing home located
on an interior lot on a single-family residential street. The home is set back 31' from the front lot line and the applicant
would like to modify the front entrance.
She said that the proposed modification, a 12'x7' roofed, unenclosed structure meets the definition of a porch as it is
currently written. However, Ms. Connolly said that it is different from previous Conditional Use requests for a porch in
that this request has a structure that will extend two stories tall and has the characteristics of a formal entryway.
Ms. Connolly said that the petitioner's plans and color photos show that the porch would be located in the center of the
house and extend 12' across the house. The porch will encroach 4-feet into the required setback, creating a 26-foot
setback. The petitioner states in his application that the porch will enhance the appearance of the residence. The
petitioner's plans include modifying the front service walk.
Ms. Connolly reviewed the standards for a Conditional Use listed in the Zoning Ordinance. She said in order to approve
the request the porch has to meet the standards. She said Staff reviewed the plat, site plan, elevations, and visited the site
and found that the subject parcel measures 13,576 square foot and has a two-story single family home, with an attached
garage. The applicant proposes to construct a porch that extends into the front yard, leaving a 26-foot setback. The
encroachment of the porch into the front setback is listed as a Conditional Use in the R1 district and the proposal meets all
other zoning requirements.
Ms. Connolly noted that the modification would help to reduce the 'mass' of the house by making it more architecturally
interesting and provide vertical relief by creating a smoother transition from the first to the second story. She said that the
porch would not adversely affect the character of the surrounding neighborhood, utility provision or public streets and the
proposed Conditional Use will be in compliance with the Comprehensive Plan and the Zoning Ordinance requirements
Based on these findings, Ms. Connolly said that Staff recommends that the Planning & Zoning Commission make a
recommendation to the Village Board to approve a Conditional Use for a covered, unenclosed porch to encroach 4-feet
lanning & Zoning Commission
Arlene Juracek, Chairperson
PZ-14-02
Page 2
into the required front setback for the residence at 208 Neil Avenue, Case No. PZ-14-02. She said that the Village
Board's decision is final for this case. Ms. Connolly added that Staffwas asking the Planning & Zoning Commission to
direct Staff to: 1) continue to interpret this type of modification as a porch, or 2) modify the definition of a porch so as to
better define the structure, i.e., limit it to one-story.
Pasquale Ergostolo was swom in. He testified that he had purchased the home three years ago, but thought the entrance
was unattractive. He said he wanted a more homey, welcoming look to the entrance. He said the proposed improvement
would greatly add to the appearance of the home and enhance the neighborhood. He said that he shared the plans with his
neighbors and that they all approve of the proposal.
P&Z members discussed whether the proposed improvement could be called a porch or just a covered entryway. All the
Commissioners agreed the renderings showed a vast improvement over the present entry. It was agreed that the
Commission appreciated the opportunity rendered by the Conditional Use process to analyze these proposals on a case-
by-case basis, allowing attractive projects to be approved.
Mr. Rogers confirmed that the petitioner understood that the "porch" could never be enclosed if it were approved. Mr.
Ergostolo said yes.
Ms. Juracek closed the public hearing at 9:25 p.m. as there was no one in attendance to address the Commission for this
case:
Richard Rogers moved to recommend approval to the Village Board for the property at 208 Neil Avenue, Case No. PZ-
14-02. Joe Dormelly seconded the motion.
UPON ROLL CALL:
AYES: Donnelly, Floros, Rogers, Sledz, Youngquist, and Juracek
NAYS:
Motion was approved 6-0.
At 9:50 p.m., after the Commission heard two more cases, Richard Rogers made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Joseph
Donnelly. The motion was approved by a voice vote and the meeting was adjourned.
Barbara Swiatek, Planning Secretary
Judy Connolly, Senior Planner