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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2015-01-20 PC minutes VILLAGE OF PLAINFIELD January 20, 2015 Pro Tem Chairman Kiefer called the Plan Commission meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. and led the pledge to the flag. ROLL CALL Commissioners Seggebruch, O’Rourke, Renzi, Kiefer, Heinen, Green and the Fire District were present. Chairman Sobkoviak was absent. The Park, School, and Library Districts were absent. The minutes dated January 6, 2015 were accepted as amended. PUBLIC COMMENTS: There was no response. DEVELOPMENT REPORT Mr. Garrigan stated there was no development report. NEW BUSINESS Case No. 1676-010915.SPR Trolley Barn – 24216 W Lockport Street Mr. Garrigan stated this is a site plan review for exterior modifications to the property commonly known as the Trolley Barn or Railoc Building; this building is approximately 19,230 square feet located in the Downtown Historic District and National Register District. The applicant has applied for a Certificate of Appropriateness which was supported by the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC.) The HPC looked at the architecture. The Trolley Barn was constructed 1903-1904 and is located east of the DuPage River. The applicant proposes to renovate the existing building and restore all four elevations after demolition of the west wing of the structure. Mr. Garrigan described the existing access points; explained Main Street (Route 126) is under the jurisdiction of IDOT and the applicant is working with IDOT regarding the proposed access points; the applicant proposes one access point on the west side to provide for waste removal and deliveries and another access on the east side of the building into the parking lot. Mr. Garrigan reviewed the parking requirements; stated the applicant is entitled to credit for every parking space within 150 feet from their front entrance. Mr. Garrigan reviewed the elevations; stated the applicant is working with IDOT to address the encroachment into the IDOT right-of-way and the future proposed accessibility ramp and signage; described the landscape plan; asked the applicant to provide a listing of proposed plants; and indicated the plan is consistent with Village ordinance. Commissioner Renzi asked about signage; photometric plan; the proposed shrubs; the access points and the encroachment on IDOT’s ROW. Mr. Garrigan indicated all signage would be handled separately; the applicant proposed the illumination of the parking lot would be handled with lighting fixtures on the building; stated they need to provide the 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 January 20, 2015 Page 2 of 5 photometric plan and identify the proposed plantings to create the hedge around the parking lot. Mr. Garrigan stated a stipulation could be added to address the encroachment and the Village Engineer will be working with the applicant on the access points. Pro Tem Chairman Kiefer swore in David Schmidt, the architect; Paul Wojcieszak, the owner; and Cliff Pixler, the civil engineer. Mr. Schmidt further described the existing 4 curb cuts and the proposed access points; indicated a possible tenant for the Trolley Barn could be a restaurant in the future; stated IDOT recommended they reduce the curb cuts from 4 to 2 curb cuts. Commissioner O’Rourke asked if they were going to access the dock door through the parking lot; asked how trucks would get in and out on the west side. Mr. Schmidt stated they thought they could enlarge the curb cut to the east to provide access to both the parking lot and the dock door/garage and improve with a median. Commissioner Green asked if a stipulation should be added to limit the truck loads and limit night time deliveries so as to not tie up traffic on Main Street during the day. Mr. Garrigan said this could be added. Mr. Schmidt described how truck traffic could be accomplished. Mr. Pixler stated IDOT was concerned with the access points and did not express concern with the internal workings. Commissioner O’Rourke expressed concern that IDOT would defer to the city; indicated he would prefer access to the garage be accomplished through the parking lot; expressed concern for the location of the dumpster. Commissioner Heinen felt IDOT would look at the access points and the sight triangles; agreed the size of trucks coming into the site may be limited to the site. Mr. Pixler stated they will have to satisfy the Village Staff that trucks can get in and out to use the loading area. Commissioner Seggebruch asked about the western access with the adjacent property. Mr. Garrigan indicated the adjacent property belongs to the Village and this access could be consolidated. Mr. Pixler stated IDOT indicated they wanted 1 access point instead of 2 on the east but agreed that the existing access to the parking lot could be made wider to access both the loading dock/garage and the parking lot and would allow an access point on the west. Commissioner Renzi asked how many cars could be parked in the garage. Mr. Wojcieszak indicated they might use the garage for a box truck down the road and if there would be enough turning radius to get in the garage; 3 cars could fit in the garage during the day to keep the 22 spaces open in the parking lot; and they may hold OSHA training in the warehouse in the future. Mr. Schmidt stated the handicap parking space is included in the 22 spaces. Commissioner Renzi asked about the OSHA training classes and the possible number of vehicles for the attendees of the classes. Mr. Wojcieszak replied the class is designed for no more than 24 people and there could be 24 cars; the classes generally run from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; they anticipate the end user would have more evening and weekend hours. Pro Tem Chairman Kiefer swore in Randy Lambert. Plan Commission Minutes January 20, 2015 Page 3 of 5 Mr. Lambert, owner of 24210 W Lockport, asked regarding the west access if there was still going to be a connection from James Street to Main Street; this connection could give an easier turning radius. Mr. Garrigan indicated the long term the plan is still to realign James Street and remove the Village owned building. Mr. Lambert asked about pedestrian access along Main Street and from the parking lot to the entrance on Lockport Street. Mr. Garrigan indicated there was no plan for a sidewalk on Main Street. Commissioner Green asked if the 3’6” to the curb would be sufficient for a walkway. Mr. Lambert said the pedestrian access on the east side of the building would be lost when the work begins on the property. Mr. Wojcieszak indicated they have access from the parking lot to the door on the east side of the building. There were no other public comments. Commissioner Heinen felt the biggest issue was the building encroachment. Mr. Wojcieszak said IDOT suggested they remove all encroachments; stated IDOT would talk with their land acquisition real estate branch and see if they own the dirt or just the rights to easements on the property; maybe IDOT would sell back the portion needed to add the improvements on the land or the state legislator could pass a bill to release the right of way. Mr. Wojcieszak said this is a historic building and to remove the load bearing wall and reconstruct the building the way HPC would want with the original materials would be too costly. Commissioner Green asked if safety fences could be placed along Main Street at the back of the curb to make it safer. Mr. Garrigan stated there might be some type of bollards that could be placed here to address the pedestrian safety zone. Pro Tem Chairman Kiefer suggested signage could direct the foot traffic from the parking lot to the front of the building. Commissioner Seggebruch suggested an interior connection could be created as an after-hours entrance off the driveway and the ramp could be built inside the warehouse. Commissioner Renzi suggested a stipulation to conditionally approve the project upon IDOT’s approval and if there are any changes to the north elevation the applicant would be required to return to Plan Commission for approval; that way they could begin work on the east, south and west elevations and the parking lot. Mr. Wojcieszak stated they could tuck point the north elevation and leave it as is; this would not affect the usage of the building. Mr. Garrigan stated Staff discussed doing this project in phases which would allow the applicant to focus on the three elevations. Commissioner O’Rourke stated he was good with the parking and with the HPC recommendations on the elevation upgrades; expressed concern with the stairs coming down on the north elevation leading to the right of way; and expressed concern with the dumpster and the access points. Commissioner Green stated this site is currently an eyesore that is not producing any revenues; felt this is a good plan and the fine details can be worked out with the village staff; felt this is a great opportunity to improve the Village. Plan Commission Minutes January 20, 2015 Page 4 of 5 Commissioner Seggebruch asked about the easement on the east side of the building for a sidewalk. Mr. Wojcieszak stated there is an easement for a 3 foot sidewalk. Mr. Lambert read the terms of the easement indicating that the easement is terminated upon modification of the footprint of the building. Mr. Wojcieszak indicated the access to the building from the parking lot to the door on the east side. Commissioner Renzi was not sure the footprint was being altered as the footprint is the foundation of the property. Commissioner Seggebruch indicated he liked the project but felt the north elevation would change. Commissioner Heinen felt the encroachment was an issue that needed to be left up to the applicant, IDOT and the village but hoped the project would move forward. Commissioner O’Rourke indicated he would like to see more of the details finalized before approving. Mr. Garrigan stated the curb cuts will be subject to the village engineer’s review and IDOT approval; civil engineering has not been completed for the access points. Commissioner Renzi made a motion to recommend approval of the Site Plan for the Trolley Barn subject to the following stipulations: 1. Compliance with the requirements of the Village Engineer. 2. Compliance with the requirements of the Plainfield Fire Protection District. 3. That the applicant submits a trash enclosure plan. 4. That the applicant submits a photometric lighting plan. Seconded by Commissioner Heinen. This motion was withdrawn. Commissioner Renzi made an amended motion to recommend approval of the Site Plan for the Trolley Barn subject to the following stipulations: 1. Compliance with the requirements of the Village Engineer. 2. Compliance with the requirements of the Plainfield Fire Protection District. 3. That the applicant submits a trash enclosure plan. 4. That the applicant submits a photometric plan. 5. Approval of the north site work and north building elevation is conditional upon IDOT’s approval and any changes to the proposal would require this case be returned to the Plan Commission. Seconded by Commissioner Green. Vote by roll call: Seggebruch, yes; O’Rourke, no; Heinen, yes; Green, yes; Renzi, yes; Kiefer, yes. Motion carried 5-1. Case No: 1676-123014.TA Test Amendment There is a request to continue this case to the next scheduled meeting. Commissioner O’Rourke made a motion to continue Case No. 1676-123014.TA to February 3, 2015. Seconded by Commissioner Renzi. Vote by roll call: Seggebruch, yes; Green, yes; Heinen, yes; Renzi, yes; O’Rourke, yes; Kiefer, yes. Motion carried 6-0. Plan Commission Minutes January 20, 2015 Page 5 of 5 DISCUSSION - None Meeting Adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted by _________________________ Merrilee Trotz Recording Secretary