Planning & Zoning Board

March 13, 2018 WHEATON PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL VOTE Chair Weller called the March 13, 2018 Wheaton Planning and Zoning Board meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Wheaton City Hall, 303 W. Wesley Street. Upon roll call, the following were: Roll Call Vote Present: Nicole Aranas Christopher Dabovich Bob Gudmundson Cecilia Horejs Mark Plunkett Dan Wanzung Scott Weller Absent: None City Staff Present: Tracy Jones, Staff Planner II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - FEBRUARY 27, 2018 The minutes were approved as presented. III. PUBLIC COMMENT There was none. IV. NEW BUSINESS ZA #18-03/ REZONING/ 1402 HILL AVENUE/ GOOD NEWS PUBLISHERS Pursuant to notice duly published on February 23, 2018 and letters mailed to neighboring property owners on February 21, 2018, Chair Weller called to order the March 13, 2018 public hearing requesting rezoning of the property located at 1402 Hill Avenue from the R-4 Residential District to the O-R Office Research District. The existing single-family dwelling located on the subject property would be demolished and the site would be restored to a vegetative state. David Bea, 225 W. Washington Street, Chicago was sworn in. Mr. Bea stated that he was the attorney representing Good News Publishers, the contract purchaser of 1402 Hill Avenue. The subject property is located on the south side of Hill Avenue between Crescent and Prospect Streets. The property is currently improved with a single-family residence constructed in the early 1960’s. His client is proposing to rezone the property from the R-4 Residential District to the O-R Office Research District. Mr. Bea stated that if the rezoning request is approved, his client is planning to demolish the existing residence and restore the site to a vegetative state. After the demolition of the existing residence is complete, his client would install dark green arborvitae evergreens along the east property line of the 1402 Hill Avenue property to screen the existing residence at 1408 Hill Avenue. Mr. Bea stated that a future parking lot expansion for Good News Publishers is anticipated on the subject property. Business and Professional Offices as well as associated parking areas are a permitted use in the O-R Office Research District. If his client is able to construct the future parking lot expansion with no setback variations, no additional zoning approval would be required. Ms. Aranas questioned the lot size of 1402 Hill Avenue.  Wheaton Planning and Zoning Board March 13, 2018 Page 2 of 2 Mr. Bea stated that the property is currently zoned R-4 Residential District and has a lot size of .13 acres. His client is proposing a rezoning to the O-R Office Research District. The minimum lot size is 1.0 acre in the O-R Office Research District; however, the subject property would be consolidated with the existing Good News Publishers property located at 1300 Crescent Street for a total lot size of approximately 2.65 acres. The property is adjacent to other properties zoned O-R Office Research District and R-4 Residential District. Mr. Bea addressed the eight LaSalle Factors as part of his testimony at the public hearing. Mr. Bea concluded that the rezoning of the subject property is fair to the owner of the subject property, owners of surrounding properties and the public. James Beitler, 1414 Hill Avenue, Wheaton was sworn in. Mr. Beitler stated that he was a neighboring property owner and that he was supportive of the rezoning request from Good News Publishers. He commended the applicant on giving a thorough presentation. Mr. Gudmundson questioned the timing of the demolition. Mr. Bea stated that his client is planning to complete the work this spring/ summer. Mr. Dabovich moved and then Mr. Wanzung seconded the motion to close the public hearing. On a voice vote, all voted aye. The Board decided to vote this evening. Ms. Aranas moved and then Mr. Gudmundson seconded the motion to approve ZA #18-03 subject to the plat of consolidation with the existing Good News Publishers property located at 1300 Crescent Street being approved. Roll Call Vote Ayes: Nicole Aranas Christopher Dabovich Bob Gudmundson Cecilia Horejs Mark Plunkett Dan Wanzung Scott Weller Nays: None Absent: None Motion Passed Unanimously V. MISCELLANEOUS There was none. VI. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Plunkett moved and then Mr. Wanzung seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:28 p.m. On a voice vote, all voted aye. Respectfully submitted, Tracy L. Jones, Staff Planner