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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2016-08-16 ZBA minutes Zoning Board of Appeals August 16, 2016 Chairman Kiefer called the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and led the pledge to the flag. ROLL CALL Commissioners Seggebruch, Renzi, Minnis, Heinen, Womack, Green, and Chairman Kiefer were present. The Library District was present. The Fire, Park, and School Districts were absent. The Zoning Board of Appeals minutes dated September 15, 2015 were accepted as amended. PUBLIC COMMENTS: There was no response. DEVELOPMENT REPORT Mr. Melrose stated the Village Board had directed the Village Attorney to prepare the ordinance for rezoning the property at 14125 S Van Dyke Road. OLD BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS Case No.1730-071816.V St. Mary Immaculate Parish’s Sign Variance Commissioner Heinen stated he is a parishioner of St. Mary’s; is vice-president of the men’s club; and his children attend St. Mary’s. Commissioner Green is an alumnus of St. Mary’s; is also a parishioner of St. Mary’s; and his son will be starting at St. Mary’s. Mr. Melrose stated this is a public hearing for a sign variance for a ground monument sign; the appropriate notices have been published in accordance with state statute and local ordinance. The proposed sign exceeds the maximum height and maximum sign area for the electronic board. Mr. Melrose reviewed the permitted size for signage provided by code versus the size as requested. The previous monument sign was removed when IDOT widened Route 59. Mr. Melrose described the location of the sign to be just south of the south entrance; further indicating that a new curb would be installed in order to keep the sign out of the required 5 foot setback. Mr. Melrose reviewed the findings of fact as noted in the staff report dated August 12, 2016. Staff suggested a favorable recommendation. Chairman Kiefer swore in Eddie Hartsell, representative. Mr. Hartsell stated they are requesting the larger sign as it will sit back a bit farther than most of the signs along Route 59; and stated the sign has a dimming system that dims down to 40% at night. Chairman Kiefer asked for public comments. Zoning Board of Appeals Minutes August 16, 2016 Page 2 of 3 Chairman Kiefer swore in Patricia Child, neighboring resident. Ms. Child asked if the applicant considered locating the sign to the north end of the property as this location is very close to her property. Mr. Hartsell indicated the church property line is narrower along the north property line. There were no other public comments. Commissioner Renzi asked for clarification of the property line. Mr. Hartsell indicated IDOT owns more right of way along the north property line and there are utilities located there which would push the sign into the parking lot. Mr. Hartsell indicated IDOT was contacted and they would not allow the sign to be located on their right of way property. Chairman Kiefer asked if the sight lines would be affected. Mr. Hartsell said no, you will still have the 25 foot sight triangle. Commissioner Heinen asked if the sign would be in the parking lot. Mr. Hartsell indicated they will make a new curb and landscape area around the sign; indicated there are no marked parking spaces in this area. Mr. Melrose stated they walked the entire frontage, the first choice was to center the sign but the right of way did not permit this location; this location will encroach a little into the excess drive aisle. Commissioner Seggebruch suggested adding directional signage markings on the pavement. Commissioner Green asked if this request would change or create drainage issues. Mr. Melrose indicated this would not create or change any drainage on the property. Commissioner Renzi asked if this was a single faced sign. Mr. Hartsell indicated it will be a two-face sign viewable from both north and south. Commissioner Heinen expressed concern for visibility of the sign and asked if there was any way to get the sign closer to Route 59. Chairman Kiefer indicated the church is more of a destination. Commissioner Seggebruch asked the location of the property line and the sign. Mr. Hartsell indicated it is about 9 feet from the sidewalk. Commissioner Seggebruch asked if this sign would be able to accommodate all necessary signage by the Church so there would no longer be a need for the portable signs. Mr. Hartsell agreed this sign would be able to accommodate all necessary signage. Commissioner Renzi indicated he was OK with the height; liked that the sign dims down at night; expressed concern with the size of the LED portion of the sign. Commissioner Seggebruch asked if a portion of the sign could show hours or permanent information. Mr. Hartsell stated the hours change; indicated this sign is capable of having a stagnant section. Commissioner Heinen asked if they had contacted IDOT about relocating the sign to the north. Mr. Melrose indicated he spoke with IDOT and the sign could not be located in the right of way; further Zoning Board of Appeals Minutes August 16, 2016 Page 3 of 3 indicating the landscaping in the proposed area was placed by IDOT and the church was willing to relocate or change the plantings in the area of the sign. Commissioner Green made a motion to adopt the findings of fact of staff as the findings of fact of the Zoning Board of Appeals and recommend approval of a variance to permit a ground monument sign of up to sixteen feet four inches (16’ 4”) in height with an electronic/animated sign face of up to 60 square feet in sign area for St. Mary’s Immaculate Parish at 15629 S. Route 59. Commissioner Renzi seconded the motion. Vote by roll call: Minnis, yes; Heinen, yes; Womack, yes; Seggebruch, yes; Renzi, no; Green, yes; Kiefer, yes. Motion carried 6-1. DISCUSSION Commissioner Renzi stated he voted no due to the size of the electronic/animated portion of the sign. Commissioner Renzi asked if the cover letter/report for the Village Board addressing the concerns of the Plan Commission had been drafted. Chairman Kiefer mentioned that sometimes minutes have not been approved prior to a case being presented to the Village Board. Meeting Adjourned at 7:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted by Merrilee Trotz Merrilee Trotz Recording Secretary