HomeMy Public PortalAbout2009-06-02 PC Minutes VILLAGE OF PLAINFIELD PLAN COMMISSION MEETING RECORD OF MINUTES DATE : JUNE 2, 2009 LOCATION: Village Hall Chairman Sobkoviak cal led the m eeting of the Plan Commission to order at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Kachel , Renzi, O’Rourke, Sanders. Kiefer; ex -officio Commissioners Schrack and Heinen; and Chairman Sobkoviak Absent: Commissioner Seggebruch , Plainfield Park District, Plainfield School District, Plainfield Fire District, Plainfield Library District, and Plainfield Po lice Department Also Present: Michael Garrigan – Village Planner Village of Plainfield, Sara Javoronok – Planner I Village of Plainfield, and Carol Millan – Planning Department Secretary Village of Plainfield. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The May 19 , 2009 minute s were approved as amended. Commissioner Kiefer made a correction to Page 3, Paragraph 3. He wanted it changed to Commissioner Kiefer asked how this compares to the Rt. 59 commuter station instead of Commissioner Renzi . ANNUAL REPORT Chairman Sobkoviak called for a motion to forward the Annual Report to the Village Board. At 7:04 p.m. Commission Sanders made a motion that the Plan Commission forward the Annual Report to the Village Board Commissioner Kachel seconded the motion. Chairman Sobkoviak called for a vote by roll call. All Commissioners present voted in favor of the motion. OLD BUSINESS: CASE: 1457 -032509.SU.PP.FP KING’S BRIDGE ESTATES DUPLEXES Request: Special Use (Public Hearing) Prerliminary/Final Plat of Subdivision Location: NWC of Ki ng’s Bridge Estates Subdivision . Applicant: Madonna Development Chairman Sobkoviak stated the request was to continue the public hearing to the July 7 th Plan Commission meeting. Village Planner Garrigan asked if the motion could be modified to have the case continued to the August 4 th meeting instead. At 7:05 p.m. Commissioner O’Rourke made a motion that the Plan Commission continue the public hearing for Case: 1457 -032509.SU.PP.FP King’s Bridge Estates Duplexes to the August 4 th Plan Commission meet ing. Commissioner Kiefer seconded the motion.
Village of Plainfield Plan Commission Minutes June 2, 2009 Page 2 of 5 Chairman Sobkoviak called for a vote by roll call. Aye: O’Rourke, Sanders, Kiefer, Kachel, Renzi, Chairman Sobkoviak Nay: 0 The motion is carried 6:0 Commissioner Sanders asked if this continuance was at the request of the Planning Department or the developer. Village Planner Garrigan stated it was at the request of the Planning Department. CASE: 1461 -041609.SU ALL AMERICAN ACADEMY OF MARTIAL ARTS Request: Special Use (Public Hearing) Location: 24 108 W. Lockport St. Applicant: Robert C. Schirmer TIME: 7:06 p.m. Planner Javoronok stated this is a public hearing and all notices have been published and posted. A Health Club requires a special use permit in the B -5 Zoning District. There will be cl asses of judo, jiu -jitsu, kickboxing, mauy Thai, and mixed martial arts. These classes would be mostly on the week -ends and in the evenings. Since the building is located within the downtown parking zone, it is exempt from the off -street parking requirem ents. Planner Javoronok went through the various parking options in this area. She stated the two findings of fact for a special use permit, and stated 2 of the 2 findings a re favorable to the applicant. Staff recommends approval of the special use. Ch airman Sobkoviak swore in the petitioner. Robert C. Schirmer spoke. He gave his credentials. He stated they are a family -orientated school. They develop children and adults in mind, body, and spirit. They use a scientific application of diet and exerc ise. They are all about trying to build a strong society, besides great athletes. Commissioner Heinen asked if there would need to be any permits required either inside or outside the building. Planner Javoronok stated she has not seen the plans for wha t the applicant is proposing. Some building permits might be needed. A sign permit would be needed as well. Commissioner Heinen asked the applicant if he anticipated doing any improvements outside. Applicant Schirmer stated outside it is pretty much th e way it is. Inside they will have to do some modifications. He also stated he believed there was a fire in the building so they anticipate some fire damage. Commissioner Sanders asked Planner Javoronok if this building had any historic significance. Planner Javoronok stated the recent survey that was completed in 2006 of the properties in the core area included this property, and she believed it was noted to be recommended for landmark status. So, in the eyes of the person doing the survey, it was r ecommended to be designated as a landmark if the owner chose to proceed. Right now, it is not designated as any type of historic building. Commissioner Sanders asked if there is a single vacant lot immediately to the east and what was the size of that lo t. Planner Javoronok stated that there is a single lot to the east. Chairman Sobkoviak stated he believed it would be about 60’ or 70’. It is a parking lot. Commissioner Kachel asked if that parking lot belonged to this building. Planner Javoronok sta ted it is the parking lot for the building next door to this building. Commissioner Kachel asked the applicant if they will not be parking on that lot since it belongs to the building next door. The Applicant stated that was correct. He stated they wi ll park where they are allowed to park. Commissioner O’Rourke asked the applicant if they have an existing location in Plainfield. Applicant Schirmer stated it is i n unincorporated Will County. It is by Industrial Drive. Commissioner O’Rourke asked if that location would remain open. Applicant Schirmer stated they will be moving to the location on Lockport Street. Commissioner Renzi stated he believed the plat of survey showed the side lot to be 25’. He also asked staff if the building code, renov ations, and signage could be handled through staff with no need to come back to the Commission. Planner Javoronok stated she did not believe the applicant is making any exterior changes to the building. The interior changes would be reviewed by the Build ing Department.
Village of Plainfield Plan Commission Minutes June 2, 2009 Page 3 of 5 Commissioner Kachel asked if people would be dropped off to the back of the building or if they would be dropped off strictly to the front of the building. Applicant Schirmer stated people will probably drop off people wherever it is e asier for them. Commissioner Kachel stated he asked because the alleyway has two -way traffic on it and a lot of people make use of the alleyway. He felt it would be a good idea for either the applicant or the Village to install some mirrors in the alleyw ay so people can see who is coming in and out of the alley. It is a tight alleyway. Commissioner O’Rourke asked if there would be a public access door on the rear. Applicant Schirmer stated no. They will be using the front door. Chairman Sobkoviak ask ed if there was anyone in the audience who cared to ask a question or make a comment. Jean Brannon spoke. She owns the lot next door and the Wine and Cheese Building. She was not there to protest, but simply because she was curious as to what is going i nto this building. She is not against the business. She is concerned about the parking. The parking lot has an entrance that goes back to the alley. Commissioner Kachel stated the applicant could put a sign up on the side of his building stating “no parking”. Planner Javoronok stated she can work with the applicant in that regard. Chairman Sobkoviak stated the owner of the parking lot could post signs indicating there is parking for their customers only. A discussion ensued between the Commissione rs regarding parking and the alleyway traffic. Commissioner Kiefer asked if the applicant would be comfortable mentioning in an enrollment package that parking is not allowed for their students in the parking lot next door. Commissioner Sanders suggest ed a sign stating “stop before entering alley” would be appropriate. Commissioner Kachel reiterated he would like to see mirrors especially on the entrance way to the alley across from the fire station as people ju st walk by there and really don’t look to see if cars are leaving the alleyway. At 7:28 p.m. Commissioner O’Rourke made a motion that the Plan Commission recommend approval of the special use for the All American Academy of Martial Arts subject to the following stipulations: 1. Compliance with t he requirements of the Village Engineer, 2. Compliance with the requirements of the Plainfield Fire Protection District; 3. Compliance with the Village of Plainfield Building Codes. Commissioner Sanders seconded the motion. Chairman Sobkoviak called for a vote by roll call. Aye: Sanders, Kiefer, Kachel, Renzi, O’Rourke, Chairman Sobkoviak Nay: 0 The motion is carried 6:0 DEVELOPMENT REPORT: Village Planner Garrigan summarized the outcome of the Village Board meeting on Monday, June 1 st . DISCUSSION: Ch airman Sobkoviak had a few topics he wanted to talk about. 1. Open Meetings Act – He stated all deliberations should be done in the public forum. If more than 2 Commissioners talk about a case in private, there could be a problem. Each individual Commiss ioner is responsible for his own behavior. You need to avoid the appearance of impropriety. 2. Exparte (one -side d ) Communications or Conversation s – Any testimony or evidence has to be given to the entire Plan Commission in a public forum which is subject to argument and cross -examination. If a Commissioner has questions regarding his actions or actions of other people , he is free to call staff. If necessary, he could be directed to speak with the Village Attorney. There was a discussion about conflict of interests and what the Commissioners could do in that situation.
Village of Plainfield Plan Commission Minutes June 2, 2009 Page 4 of 5 Commissioner Renzi stated sometimes you get approached by someone and you really just can’t politely say I can’t talk about this. In that case , the material could be share d with the Co mmission and made part of the record. Chairman Sobkoviak stated many times on a very contentious case you will be barraged with mailings from concerned citizens. It is preferred that citizens send this information to the Village Hall and staff could di sseminate , but often times people will take the initiative and look up the addresses of the Commissioners and send the information directly to the Commissioners. Chairman Sobkoviak stated he usually give s his copy to the Recording Secretary for the Plan C ommission to be entered into the record. Commissioner Heinen asked if as an ex officio Commissioner is it acceptable to consult with two other Commissioners in a non -public forum. Chairman Sobkoviak stated as long as the conversation is not about a part icular case. He further stated if Commissioner Heinen is just seeking guidance on procedure, etc. it is not a problem. He stated the Commissioners can talk about previous cases, zoning in general, etc. Village Planner Garrigan requested the attendance o f the Commissioners at a Joint Meeting of the Village Board and the Plan Commission on Monday, June 8 th . He stated it is a panel discussion with a number of developers, leading development consultants, and potentially some bankers who will summarize to th e Village Board and the Plan Commission the current challenges in today’s world or economy as it relates to development. They will outline some of the challenges that are occurring in commercial, retail, and residential development. There will be a very frank and educational discussion. There will be another joint meeting where the Plan Commission is requested to attend on June 22 nd , which is the next COW Workshop . S ome developers, architects, planners will outline where they believe communities will be with regard to the future and what different type of product will be seen when this market comes back. There is a growing consensus, at least from a residential perspective, it is going to be a quite different market than what was seen in the previous 5 to 10 years. Both sessions will be educational and informative. Commissioner Kachel asked if anything was happening with the Riverwalk at the present time. Village Planner Garrigan stated there continues to be discussion and the potential for some don ations for temporary, preliminary parking which will provide some opportunities to visit the site. Nothing has been defined yet. Commissioner Sanders asked if the Workshop discussion will specifically be about Plainfield. Village Planner Garrigan stated the discussion, especially at the second workshop, will be about where the Region will be going and Plainfield is in that Region. What is happening to the Region will impact Plainfield. Plainfield is not an island. Commissioner Renzi stated that at the last Commission meeting there was talk about the platted lots, in terms of development and non -development and extensions of annexation agreements. He felt it would be helpful to know how many lots are platted, and how many of those subdivisions are in s tages of development. Village Planner Garrigan stated right now there are 3,000 final pl atted lots and 9,000 entitled. Village Planner Garrigan stated that will be included in the discussions as far as if there will be “infill” versus “leap frog” develop ment and whether “leap frog” development will be possible in the future. Commissioner Sanders stated planning for the essential infrastructure from east to west should be a part of the overall plan. He asked Commissioner Renzi if he meant to integrate into the discussion some of the developments where maybe just one or two homes were built. Commissioner Renzi mentioned the different roads that are supposed to be built. He felt maybe these things should be re -prioritized to figure out what things are e ssential. Village Planner Garrigan stated the goal of the workshop is to have developers and bankers, not staff, give a very realistic portrayal of exactly where we are right now and where they think we are going to be in the future. He felt the Commis sioners will find this as being quite dramatic. It is going to be a different world than what it was 2, 3, or 4 years ago. The goal of this workshop is to give the Village Board and the Planning Commission a realistic perspective of what the future entai ls. It is going to be quite different. That provides a context to start planning and having that discussion of the Comp Plan, Transportation Plans, etc. The overall context is going to be quite different. Village Planner Garrigan stated Plain field is not immuned to the general trends in regards to future product, banking, financing, etc. Commissioner Kachel asked what the Village’s stance is going to be in regard to vacant buildings, roads just sitting there, vacant land, etc. Village Planner Garri gan stated he is working on a foreclosure ordinance, which is now being reviewed by the Village Attorney. There is a proposal to bring a text amendment to the Municipal Code which would basically mandate or require banks or lenders to have certain respons ibilities as it relates to registering properties. It would basically mandate certain requirements in regards to maintenance, securing the properties, etc.
Village of Plainfield Plan Commission Minutes June 2, 2009 Page 5 of 5 Commissioner Kachel asked if a part of Indian Boundary that is in bad shape is going to be clo sed off before winter or if the Village will fix the road so it is not a dangerous road. Village Planner Garrigan stated he would check with the Public Works Director, Allen Persons. Chairman Sobkoviak encouraged everyone to attend the joint meeting on J une 8 th and June 22 nd if possible. Since there was no further business before the Commission, Chairman Sobkoviak adjourned the meeting at 7:59 p.m. Re spectfully Submitted Carol Millan Planning Secretary Vill age of Plainfield