1989-08-23 - Plan Commission - Minutes SPECIAL MEETING
BUFFALO GROVE PLAN COMMISSION
Arlington Toyota, 935 W. Dundee Road
Riverwalk, North Phase, Milwaukee Avenue at Lake Cook Road
August 23, 1989
Chairman Sheldon called the regular meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. in the
Municipal Building, 50 Raupp Boulevard, Buffalo Grove, Illinois.
Commissioners Present: Chairman Sheldon
Mr. Goldspiel
Mr. Krug
Mr. Rhodes
Ms. Howard
Mr. Braiman
Mr. Rubin
Mr. Rosenston
Mr. Charlette
Commissioners Absent: None
Also Present: Mr. R. Jostes, Project Manager, Arlington
Toyota
Mr. R. Jaydos, Architect, Arlington Toyota
Mr. R. Coppolino, Contractor, Arlington Toyota
Mr. M. Elbrecht, Arlington Toyota
Mr. T. Beechick, Hamilton Partners
Mr. D. Olsen, Wilson/Jenkins
Mr. R. Pfeil , Village Planner
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
None
COMMITTEE & LIAISON REPORTS
Commissioner Braiman attended the Village Board meeting on August 21 ,
1989 when the following items were discussed:
1 . The Boezio Property, 20311 N. Weiland Road and the Barnett
Property, 20389 N. Weiland Road were given pre-application
conferences concerning annexation and zoning. Both properties
are being used for single-family residences and contractor
storage. The Village Board indicated that the contractor uses
are not consistent with the Village' s Comprehensive Plan, and
the mixed residential/contractor uses are not allowed in any
of the Village's zoning districts . The Board indicated that
the Village is not interested in annexing these properties if
the contractor operations are to remain in use indefinitely.
2. The Mormon Church request for annexation of property at the
southwest corner of Port Clinton Road and Prairie Road was
referred to the Plan Commission. The Board, however, indicat-
ed that the entire 27-acre tract, not just the 6.7 acre church
site, should be planned and zoned as a unit so that stormwater
storage, utilities, and streets would be properly integrated.
3. The sign proposed for the west wall of the Zierk's Furniture
store on Lake/Cook Road was approved by the Board. Tim
Beechick of Hamilton Partners told the Board that lintels were
constructed in the west wall for windows if required by a
future office or service use. Mr. Beechick stated that
mechanical equipment on the roof of Zierk's will be screened.
4. A presentation was made by a Lake County Planning Department
staff member concerning the Lake County Stormwater Management
Planning Committee.
5. The Village Board will have a forum on August 31st at 7:30
P.M. in the Public Works Garage concerning the Village's
Public Works services.
6. The Village Board will have a strategic planning session on
August 28th.
ARLINGTON TOYOTAi 935 W. DUNDEE ROAD
Mr. Jostes reviewed the landscape plan dated August 2, 1989 and noted
that three planters with trees have been added to the north side of the
proposed body shop. This would screen the view of the structure from
Dundee Road. Mr. Jostes commented that the south elevation of the body
shop will not be visible to adjacent properties because the Toyota site
has landscaping along its southern boundary. He stated that the exist-
ing landscaping on the west edge of the site along Old Arlington Heights
Road provides an adequate screen for the west side of the body shop. He
reviewed photographs of the site showing the existing landscaping.
Mr. Jostes presented a rendering of the proposed body shop and a sample
of the gray fluted masonry block that would be used on the north side of
the body shop and the portion of the service addition that would be seen
from Dundee Road.
Mr. Jostes stated that there has never been an underground fuel tank on
the site; drawings showing a tank are erroneous .
Chairman Sheldon inquired about the material to be used on other sides
of the service addition and the body shop.
Buffalo Grove Plan Commission - Special Meeting - August 23, 1989 - 2
Mr. Jostes replied that a metal material similar to the existing build-
ing surface would be used.
Commissioner Braiman said that the body shop would be close to Old
Arlington Heights Road, so the west elevation should be a more attrac-
tive material than metal . He asked how tall the building addition would
be.
Mr. Jostes said the addition would be the same height as the existing
building, which is approximately 22 feet tall .
Commissioner Goldspiel noted that the plan has no landscaping along the
west side of the body shop; at a minimum grass and curbing should be
provided.
Mr. Jostes said some landscaping could be provided along the west side
of the body shop, but space has to be left for overhead doors.
Commissioner Rosenston commented that heavy screening is needed along
Old Arlington Heights Road, and plantings should include evergreens for
year around screening.
Chairman Sheldon pointed out that heavy screening may invite vandalism,
and the Police Department should comment on the type of screening that
is appropriate for adequate view into the site.
Mr. Jostes said a landscaping plan would be designed that would provide
a screen for motorists traveling at average speed, but with enough
openess to allow monitoring by the Police.
Commissioner Rhodes asked what material would be used on the building
above the fluted block.
Mr. Jostes said there would be metal banding above the masonry block.
Commissioner Krug suggested that some type of traffic controls be used
for vehicles leaving the site and crossing Old Arlington Heights Road to
reach McDonald' s restaurant.
Mr. Jostes said a stop sign could be placed at the driveway exiting the
Old Arlington Heights Road.
Commissioner Braiman said a better drawing is needed to show what the
l J body shop would look like from Dundee Road.
Mr. Jaydos said the drawing would not show much of the body shop because
it is relatively small and is setback from Dundee Road. Also, the trees
along Dundee Road would screen the view of the body shop.
Commissioner Rosenston suggested that the existing rendering could be
enlarged or a view toward the southeast could be developed.
Buffalo Grove Plan Commission - Special Meeting - August 23 , 1989 - 3
Mr. Jaydos said he would develop a drawing showing the body shop as
viewed from Dundee Road.
Commissioner Braiman emphasized that a drawing is needed that depicts
the view that would be seen looking from Dundee Road south through the
center of the site.
Commissioner Charlette asked about the location of signs and doors for
the body shop.
Mr. Jaydos said the body shop would not have any signs. The main doors
would be in the south wall , only service doors would be in the west
wall . A man door would be in the north wall . The south doors would be
insulated to reduce noise, but even when the doors are open, the dis-
tance to the closest residential area is 500 feet, so no noise from the
body shop would be audible on the residential properties.
Commissioner Howard asked what view would be seen from the R-9 area at
Miller Lane.
Mr. Jaydos said because the body shop is 500 feet from the residential
area, and the shop will only be 22 feet high, the residents would see
very little of the body shop. Also, a dark gray block would be used to
make the body shop as unobtrusive as possible.
Commissioner Rhodes inquired if the staff has determined that the B-4
District allows a body shop use.
Mr. Pfeil stated that he discussed the matter with Frank Hruby, Director
of Building and zoning, and Mr. Hruby ' s interpretation is that major
automobile repair, including body shops, painting, and rebuilding is a
permitted use in the 6-4 District.
Commissioner Krug asked where discarded parts would be started.
Mr. Jaydos said a dumpster would be used.
Chairman Sheldon inquired about the average length of stay and the
number of cars that would be on the site waiting to be serviced. She
commented that the vehicle storage yard should be fenced so that it
wouldn' t be an attractive nuisance for kids.
Mr. Elbrecht indicated that cars needing body work could be on the site
from one day to three weeks, but the average time per car is about two
weeks. At any one time there are 20 to 30 cars on the site moving in
and out of the repair operation. He said that the number of cars on
site would not increase above what is being handled now.
Mr. Jostes stated that the storage area would be fenced.
Mr. Elbrecht asked if fluted-black is needed on the west side of the
body shop since the area is landscaped and screened from Old Arlington
Heights Road.
Buffalo Grove Plan Commission - Special Meeting - August 23, 1989 - 4
Commissioner Goldspiel commented that the west wall will be seen from
the street and it is important for the building to have an attractive
appearance and landscaping.
Commissioner Braiman asked if wrecked vehicles are stored on the site.
Mr. Elbrecht said wrecked vehicles are not kept on the site; they are
shipped out.
L/ Mr. Jostes summarized the major items the Plan Commission wants ad-
dressed on the revised plan. These items include adding fluted block on
the west side of the body shop, adding landscaping to the west side of
the building, providing more landscape screening along Old Arlington
Heights Road, adding a stop sign to the driveway at Old Arlington
Heights Road, and developing a drawing to show how the body shop will
look from Dundee Road.
Chairman Sheldon said the staff will schedule a public hearing for the
project.
RIVERWALK-NORTH PHASE: MILWAUKEE AVENUE NORTH OF LAKE-COOK ROAD
Mr. Beechick explained that the concept plan has been revised since the
first workshop on April 5, 1989. The previous plan included a
four-story office building, a one-story office building, and a one-story
office/service use. The service use included a truck dock area that the
Plan Commission believed would be inappropriate for the Riverwalk site.
He noted that part of the second parking deck on the original Riverwalk
site would be located on the Riverwalk North parcel .
Mr. Beechick said the revised plan proposes two three-story office
buildings, with a total of 157,570 square feet, which is the same square
footage as the previous plan. The buildings have been placed as close
as possible to the forest preserve area along the Des Plaines River, and
a stormwater retention lake has been added to the plan. He indicated
that a more detailed site plan, with all required setbacks and other
dimensions would be submitted for the next workshop. Mr. Beechick said
he wanted to discuss the land use concept with the Plan Commission
before preparing a complete site plan. He noted that the overall floor
area ratio (F.A.R. ) for the entire Riverwalk site would be 0.415.
Chairman Sheldon inquired about the types of tenants that would be in
the Riverwalk North buildings, and she asked for more information about
the hotel use noted on the concept plan.
Mr. Beechick replied that typical tenants would be sales offices and a
variety of other office users needing space in this area. He said he
would like the flexibility to amend the plan to include a hotel if the
market demand would support it.
Commissioner Rhodes commented that a hotel at the site would have
limited visibility from Milwaukee Avenue.
Buffalo Grove Plan Commission - Special Meeting - August 23, 1989 - 5
Commissioner Goldspiel noted that there are a number of existing build-
ings strung out along Milwaukee Avenue that affect the visibility of the
Riverwalk North site.
Mr. Beechick said visibility is a concern, but one concept he is looking
into is an extended-stay type of hotel . The Marriott Residence Inn in
Deerfield is an extended-stay facility that is not in a visible lo-
cation .
Chairman Sheldon commented that Buffalo Grove does not have any facil -
ities for conferences or banquets, and the Riverwalk site might be a
good location for this type of use.
Commissioner Braiman concurred that the Riverwalk site would be a good
location for a banquet facility.
Mr. Beechick noted that the CrestHil Hotel in the Buffalo Grove Business
Park has a great demand for its meeting rooms, but it is not designed
for major meetings that would draw more than 75 to 80 persons.
Chairman Sheldon asked if the location of the pedestrian bridge over the
Des Plaines River has been determined by Hamilton Partners and the Lake
County Forest Preserve District.
Mr. Beechick said he is waiting for the Forest Preserve District to give
him assurance that the trail system planned for the area will be built
and connected to the bridge.
Chairman Sheldon said the Commission needs comments from the Forest
Preserve District regarding plans for the trail system and bridge.
Commissioner Goldspiel said that the Riverwalk site should be tied into
the Village bikepath system and the County trail system, and he asked
for information showing how these connections could be made.
Chairman Sheldon asked how the possible hotel use should be handled in
the approval process.
Mr. Pfeil said the developer would have to provide enough information to
show that parking, traffic circulation, and other site development
details would be properly planned for a hotel .
Mr . Beechick suggested that another possibility is that a major hotel
may want to be in the second 10 or 12-story building on the original
Riverwalk site.
../ Commissioner Braiman commented that if a hotel is to be located in the
second 10 or 12-story building, it should be a full -service facility.
Commissioner Goldspiel said a 10-story hotel on the original Riverwalk
site would be acceptable, but he is not favorable to the residential
hotel for the Riverwalk North site. The revised concept plan showing
two 3-story buildings is better than the previous plan for the Riverwalk
Buffalo Grove Plan Commission - Special Meeting - August 23, 1989 - 6
North site. He asked what access from Milwaukee Avenue or the property
to the north of the Riverwalk North site is being planned.
Mr. Beechick said the right-of-way at Hans Bavarian House has been
vacated, so a connection to Milwaukee Avenue at this location is not
available unless it could be worked out with Hans. Mr. Beechick said he
doesn't think there is any platted right-of-way north of the Riverwalk
site.
Commissioner Goldspiel said without a second street to Milwaukee Avenue,
the buildings on the Riverwalk North site may need to be re-oriented.
Chairman Sheldon said the Commission would need a traffic study by the
Village' s consultant. She said another workshop would be scheduled when
a revised concept plan is submitted.
FUTURE AGENDA
The next meeting will be the regular meeting on September 6, 1989.
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Commissioner Rhodes, seconded by Commissioner Howard, and
unanimously carried to adjourn the meeting. Chairman Sheldon adjourned
the meeting at 9:00 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert E Pfeil
Village Planner
Acting Recording Secretary
APPROVED BY:
Barbara Sheldon
Chairman
V
Buffalo Grove Plan Commission - Special Meeting - August 23, 1989 - 7