Planning and Zoning Board

APPROVED MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PLAN COMMISSION AND ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS VILLAGE OF NILES COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS April 4, 2011 The Niles Plan Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals was called to order at 7:00 P.M. Chairman Kanelos asked everyone to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. Present along with Chairman Thomas Kanelos and Village Attorney Joseph Annunzio was Vice-Chairman Karen Dimond, Commissioners Thomas Surace, Angelo Troiani, Barbara Nakanishi, Robert Schulter and Morgan Dubiel. Also present was Charles Ostman, Director of Community Development and Richard Wlodarski, Assistant Director of Community Development. Chairman Kanelos asked if there were any questions, clarifications or corrections to the minutes of March 7, 2011. There were none. Commissioner Dubiel moved to approve the March 7, 2011 minutes. Seconded by Vice-Chairman Dimond, on roll call the vote was: AYES: 7 Dimond, Surace, Kanelos, Troiani, Nakanishi, Schulter, Dubiel NAYS: 0 There being seven (7) affirmative votes the motion carried. Commissioner Troiani asked Chairman Kanelos if he was going to answer to a motion of approval or denial as we go through like we’ve been doing, or are you going to revert to Robert’s Rules of Order and not vote until you make a tie or break a tie. Chairman Kanelos said he is going to vote but asked Secretary Troiani to call him last. He will vote on every issue. OLD BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS 11-ZP-05 Greg McGahey, Director of Construction Bismarck Real Estate Partners Inc. 2600 Network Drive #130 Frisco, Texas 75034 Page 1 of 5  APPROVED MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PLAN COMMISSION AND ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS VILLAGE OF NILES COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS April 4, 2011 Requesting approval of a Special Use to Appendix B Section VIII (B)(3)(d) for an automobile service station and repair shop, but not including body repair nor painting and to Appendix B Section X (B) (10)(h) for a parking variation of a total of 104 spaces or 26% at 7237 W. Dempster St., Niles, IL 60714. Chairman Kanelos called for the first item on the agenda. 11-ZP-05 Greg McGahey, Director of Construction Bismarck Real Estate Partners Inc. 2600 Network Drive #130 Frisco, Texas 75034 Requesting approval of a Special Use to Appendix B Section VIII (B)(3)(d) for an automobile service station and repair shop, but not including body repair nor painting and to Appendix B Section X (B) (10)(h) for a parking variation of a total of 104 spaces or 26% at 7237 W. Dempster St., Niles, IL 60714. Richard Wlodarski presented this case number 11-ZP-05. Subject property is 7237 W. Dempster. Legal notice was published on March 17, 2011 in The Bugle Newspaper and letters were mailed out to all properties located within 250 ft. of the subject property. The existing building was occupied by Lone Star Steakhouse until September, 2006. They had 150 seats that required 83 parking spaces. As the shopping center existed when Lone Star was open, the center was 125 parking spaces short of what was required by Village ordinance. With the proposed Firestone, the size of the building is approximately 3,000 sq. ft. larger but the actual parking requirements have been reduced by 21 parking spaces. As the shopping center is today, a 29% parking variation would have to be granted. With the proposed Firestone dealer the variation has been reduced to 26%. The Community Development Department has reviewed this request and has no objections. This Board is a recommending Board to the Board of Trustees on this matter. Chairman Kanelos asked if there were any questions from the Board of Commissioners. Commissioner Dubiel said he understands there is a general parking plan each mall is supposed to meet. This is going to be an exception and he would like to know why. You’re asking for a 26% parking variation reduction. Is Page 2 of 5  APPROVED MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PLAN COMMISSION AND ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS VILLAGE OF NILES COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS April 4, 2011 that because the rule is so global that is doesn’t count for this kind of business? Mr. Wlodarski said the way the mall is and the makeup of the businesses including what was there with Lone Star, they feel comfortable in granting the 26% variation; it won’t hurt any other businesses including Firestone. Commissioner Dubiel said the lot is pretty empty and you [Mr. Wlodarski] feel it will match the business needs. Mr. Wlodarski said correct. They have had extensive discussions with Firestone just on these issues and the mall property owner to make sure everyone was on the same page with the requirements for parking. They felt there were no issues whatsoever. Commissioner Dubiel looked at page R4 of the elevations that were given to the Board by Bismarck Real Estate Partners. It looks like the Firestone sign is on three elevations facing east, west and north. Mr. Wlodarski said this has not been reviewed for signage and the Village is in the process of changing the sign ordinance. There will have to be some corrections made with the signage. Commissioner Dubiel asked the packet be entered as Exhibit A to 11-ZP-05. Commissioner Troiani said owning an automobile service station used to mean “including gasoline.” Is that going to be in this particular program? Mr. Wlodarski said no, they are not going to be pumping gas. Mr. Ostman said that is the category you see there. That is in the Zoning Code. And that is what this Firestone dealership falls under. That is why it says service station. There were no other questions from the Commissioners or the public. The petitioner was called forward and sworn in. Edward F. Seifert, Principal with Intech Consultants, Inc., Engineers and Surveyors, 1989 University Lane, Suite D, Lisle, IL 60532 stepped to the Page 3 of 5  APPROVED MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PLAN COMMISSION AND ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS VILLAGE OF NILES COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS April 4, 2011 podium. He felt Mr. Wlodarski covered everything in his presentation. The information in the packet describes what they are going to do. Mr. McGahey extends his apologies for not attending tonight. Mr. Seifert emphasized parking – Firestone is comfortable with the parking available in the center. They will not be adversely impacting anyone else. They want to be good neighbors. They are a national corporation and have extensive requirements for their stores. Also, they do not park the cars outside at night. Most of the cars are dropped off in the morning and then picked up in the evening. If a vehicle has to be worked on a second day, it is put in the bay and kept inside overnight. Firestone is cognizant of their neighbors. There is a residential area to the west of the site. Therefore the bay doors will face east – toward the parking lot and the commercial area. The back end of the building [the rear 25% or so] has closed storage. They don’t generate a lot of noise. Most of the information is in your packets but he will answer any questions the Board might have. Vice-Chairman Dimond asked how many vehicles will fit inside the facility. Will there be vehicles parked outside during the day? Mr. Seifert said during the day there may be 25 to 30 patrons for repair or tires. They are not worked on in the parking lot. There are 10 bays inside the building. Worst case scenario, they could accommodate 10 cars in the building at night. Commissioner Troiani asked if they were leasing or buying the space. And when would construction start if this is passed. Mr. Seifert answered it was a lease. He added they have started their construction documents and hope to pull a building permit in late June. They would like to bring this site on line immediately and be in well before Thanksgiving if possible. The applicant tonight is Bismarck Land Partners Inc. They are a construction manager and developer that works for Firestone to develop these things. They are in complete control of what the contractors do out there. Theirs is a constant presence at the site. The rest of the design team is also on top of it. Chairman Kanelos asked if there were other questions from the Commissioners. There were none. There were also no questions from the public. At this time he entertained a motion. Page 4 of 5  APPROVED MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PLAN COMMISSION AND ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS VILLAGE OF NILES COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS April 4, 2011 Vice-Chairman Dimond made a motion regarding 11-ZP-05 by Greg McGahey, Director of Construction, Bismarck Real Estate Partners Inc., 2600 Network Drive #130, Frisco, Texas requesting approval of a Special Use to Appendix B Section VIII (B)(3)(d) for an automobile service station and repair shop, but not including body repair nor painting and to Appendix B Section X (B)(10)(h) for a parking variation of a total of 104 spaces or 26% at 7237 W. Dempster St., Niles, IL 60714. As part of the motion this request for a Special Use should be granted because it is necessary for the public convenience for the people of Niles for the business to be there. It is designed, located and proposed to be operated so that the public health, safety and welfare will be protected. It will not cause substantial injury to the value of other property in the neighborhood in which it is located. Seconded by Commissioner Dubiel, on roll call the vote was: AYES: 7 Dimond, Surace, Troiani, Nakanishi, Schulter, Dubiel, Kanelos NAYS: 0 There being seven (7) affirmative votes the motion carried. Chairman Kanelos said there being no other business, he entertained a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Dubiel moved to adjourn. Seconded by Commissioner Surace, on roll call the vote was: AYES: 7 Dimond, Surace, Troiani, Nakanishi, Schulter, Dubiel, Kanelos. NAYS: 0 There being seven (7) affirmative votes the motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m. Kathleen Janessa, Recording Secretary Page 5 of 5