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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2014-05-06 ZBA minutes VILLAGE OF PLAINFIELD ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS RECORD OF MINUTES DATE: May 6, 2014 Chairman Sobkoviak called the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting to order at 9:15 p.m. ROLL CALL: Commissioners Seggebruch, O’Rourke, Renzi, Kiefer, Green, and Chairman Sobkoviak and the Fire District were present. Commissioner Heinen was absent; the Park, School and Library Districts were absent. Also present were Michael Garrigan, Village Planner, and Merrilee Trotz, Recording Secretary Approval of Minutes: The ZBA minutes from July 16, 2013 were accepted as presented. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Chairman Sobkoviak asked for public comments. There was no response. NEW BUSINESS: Case No. 1649-041414.V Plainfield Historic Society Mr. Garrigan stated this is a public hearing for a variance being heard pursuant to public notice being published and posted in accordance with state statute and all applicable village ordinances. The applicant is requesting a variance based on height in the B-5 District on property owned by the Plainfield Historic Society known as the Depot property. The applicant is asking to relocate an air mail beacon that is currently located on the Will County Forest Preserve on Book Road south of 119th Street. This height of the beacon is 53 feet while the height limit in B-5 is 35 feet. Mr. Garrigan reviewed the findings of fact. With regard to a) the beacon would be located behind the existing depot north of Lockport Street. Staff has concerns based on the height and the visibility from Lockport Street and Wood Farm Road. With regard to b) the relocation requires a variance; the only way to preserve the beacon is to relocate it to property owned by the Plainfield Historic Society and there is a strict time line prior to the end of this month according to their agreement with the Will County Forest Preserve. With regard to c) approval or non-approval of the subject variance will have no impact on the Plainfield’s Historical Society and their ability to continue to use the subject property for preservation purposes. The long term plan of the historical society is to relocate their museum to the subject site. With regard to d) Staff has some concerns about the context of the proposed beacon as it relates to the Downtown location; the beacon could be moved back further to mitigate the visible impacts from Lockport and Wood Farm Road. Staff continues to be concerned about the precedent of moving Michael P. Collins VILLAGE PRESIDENT Michelle Gibas VILLAGE CLERK TRUSTEES Margie Bonuchi Paul Fay Bill Lamb Garrett M. Peck James Racich Dan Rippy Plan Commission Minutes May 6, 2014 Page 2 of 4 historical structures to new sites outside the original context. This relocation may afford the applicant the only opportunity based on the time line to preserve this historical structure. Staff is looking for input of the Plan Commission on this variance. Chairman Sobkoviak swore in Sue Hasenyager, Museum Operations Chairman of the Plainfield Historic Society; Michael Lambert, Collections Committee Member of the Plainfield Historic Society; and Rose Boughton, former resident. Ms. Hasenyager indicated the Historic Society has been work with the Will County Forest Preserve; this beacon represents a very important part of the history of the air mail service; stated she would like Rose Boughton to verify the significance of the beacon as an artifact. Ms. Boughton indicated the Boughton family settled in this area in about 1840 and the homestead was on Book Road between 119th and 127th where the beacon was located. Ms. Boughton’s grandparents purchased the farm in 1910; stated the beacon was originally located on 127th Street where and was moved and placed on top of the well to protect the well; there were lots of flying farmers in the area; Donald Day told her mother about the mail route from Chicago to St. Louis; stated that Lindbergh flew this route and used this beacon for direction. Mr. Lambert’s relatives lived near 119th Street. Mr. Lambert presented a diagram showing the proposed location of the beacon; stated the grade level of the depot property is much lower than the Town Square across Wood Farm Road; stating the impact of the beacon would be less noticeable with Town Square and Village Hall across the street; described the structure of the beacon; this beacon would be located in context reminiscent of one that was located along Normantown Road near the railroad tracks and it will be an interpreted context similar to another beacon in an attempt to create historic settings. The railroad sitting was relocated; the Sennett barns were once located along a dirt and later gravel road; stated this entire side of town was once country. Mr. Lambert explained the purpose of the Historic Society buying this property was to build a museum at this location and move artifacts to this site. The Historic Society has attempted to preserve as many historic sites on the original sites as possible. Mr. Lambert stated Staff was concerned that the tower could topple; stated the proposed location would not topple onto the Canadian National Railroad due to the location of the train cars; explained the location would be convenient for electrical service. Commissioner Sobkoviak asked for public comments. Chairman Sobkoviak swore in Larry Kachel. Mr. Kachel stated nothing could look worse than the high tension wires in the area; this is unique as it is the only remaining beacon in the state; stated this is a logical place to locate the beacon. Chairman Sobkoviak swore in Lyn Kur. Ms. Kur felted this beacon compliments the area; asked if there was a picture. Mr. Lambert presented a picture of how it would look at this location. Chairman Sobkoviak swore in Michael Van Wyk, representative of Lifespring Church. Plan Commission Minutes May 6, 2014 Page 3 of 4 Mr. Van Wyk stated the Church donated to the Society the parcel that included the barns; appreciates the work that the Society has done to the site, and the clean-up of the barns; liked the fact that he could see a picture; concerned with the look that the beacon was just stuck there as a left over; expressed concern of how it was going to look with the different heights; felt some of his concerns had been addressed; and agreed the high tension lines was a good point. Commissioner O’Rourke asked if the beacon would be operational; express concern with the light; asked if it was possible to reduce the height of the beacon; asked about the issue with the Forest Preserve to remove the beacon from their property. Mr. Lambert replied not at this time; if it were operational it would be part of a museum display; the idea is to preserve the tower; if the beacon were operational it would not be to the full extent and that would be an FAA question; indicated the artifact would lose its historic significance if the height were altered. Mr. Lambert stated the property has been cleared of all buildings to return the property back to natural; explained the Forest Preserve has acquired 3 farm parcels between 119th and 127th as part of their expansion to establish the DuPage River Greenway; the contractor for the Forest Preserve has a deadline of May 31st for the property to be cleared. Chairman Sobkoviak mentioned that the depot was moved to this location; there seems to be a movement in the Village to relocate several monuments to Settler’s Park; felt it makes sense to place the beacon in a place that is relatively high traffic. Commissioner Kiefer asked if Mr. Lambert could point out the proposed location on the aerial shown in the presentation. Mr. Lambert stated the building department was concerned with the four foot footing; stated it weathered over 45 years at the current site and was buried only 2-1/2 feet in pure dirt with no gravel and no concrete. Commissioner Green asked about the lack of historic context and if Lewis Airport or another location would want to have the beacon – would the Historic Society be amenable to moving the beacon to a better context if one were to arise. Mr. Lambert stated would depend on how the site would forward the museum plans as that would be a different context altogether and be part of an interpreted exhibit; stated the Society has a process; indicated there is a significant investment involved in the relocation of the beacon but yes it could be considered. Commissioner Seggebruch asked if the Society built a building in the future what would be the concept and location of this beacon. Mr. Lambert stated the discussion of a museum has not been brought before the board so he would not want to discuss this in public. Commissioner Seggebruch felt a precedent has been set and supports the relocation. Ms. Hasenyager stated the Historic Society’s plan enhances the plan to move artifacts to the west; stated there is an increase of interest in the history of Plainfield. Commissioner Renzi discussed the findings of fact; regarding a) understands the interpretation and movement of artifacts; regarding d) after considering the height differences across the street and the tension wires he could go along with a second. Commissioner Kiefer made a motion to recommend approval of the height variance request to accommodate the placement of this beacon. Commissioner Seggebruch seconded the motion. Vote by roll call: Green, yes; Renzi, yes; O’Rourke, yes; Seggebruch, yes; Kiefer, yes; Sobkoviak, yes. Motion carried 6-0. Plan Commission Minutes May 6, 2014 Page 4 of 4 Discussion: Commissioner Renzi asked if the signs could be removed at 135th Street at the doctor’s site west of Route 30. Adjourned at 10:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted by _________________________ Merrilee Trotz Recording Secretary