1990-07-11 - Plan Commission - Minutes SPECIAL MEETING
BUFFALO GROVE PLAN COMMISSION
July 11 , 1990
New Life Evangelical Lutheran Church
Abbott Contractors/Illinois Bell Telephone Maintenance Facility
Chairman Sheldon called the Special 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
Mr. Braiman
Mr. Rosenston
Mr. Rubin
Mr. Charlette
Commissioners Absent: Ms . Howard
Also Present : Mr. Jerome Pinderski , Jr. , Attorney for
New Life Evangelical Lutheran Church
Mr. Timothy Blatner, Ware Associates
Mr. Joseph Koenen, Engineer
Pastor Chris Cordes, New Life Evangelical
Lutheran Church
Mr. Lawrence Freedman, Attorney for Abbott
Contractors
Mr. Michael Vondra, Abbott Contractors
Mr. David Swanson, Illinois Bell Telephone
Mr. Carl Kupfer, Spaceco Inc.
Mr. Ed Weiner, The Concrete Doctor, Inc.
Mr. George Mauriles
Mr. Robert Pfeil , Village Planner
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by Commissioner Rhodes, seconded by Commissioner Charlette, to
approve the minutes of the Public Hearing of May 16 , 1990 . All
Commissioners were in favor, with Commissioner Rosenston abstaining,
and the motion carried.
Moved by Commissioner Rhodes , seconded by Commissioner Charlette , to
approve the Regular Meeting minutes of May 16 , 1990 , as amended. All
Commissioners were in favor, with Commissioner Rosenston abstaining,
and the motion carried.
Buffalo Grove Plan Commission-Special Meeting-July 11 , 1990-Page 1
COMMITTEE AND LIAISON REPORTS
Commissioner Charlette reported on the Village Board meeting of July 2 ,
1990 , at which the following items were discussed:
1 . The Riverwalk North annexation was approved.
2 . The Checker Square retail development was reconsidered, with
the Village Board voting 4 to 1 to deny approval .
3 . The public hearing for the Santucci property annexation was
opened and continued.
4. A request by a developer to build out the second phase of the
Steepleview development was not approved by the Board.
Commissioner Rubin noted that the proposed plan for Steepleview would
have retained the same footprint as the approved plan, and the units
would be upgraded to larger two-bedroom units with individual washers
and dryers. Mr. Rubin commented that the Board seemed to react to the
comments of residents from the Woodstone Townhouses and Steepleview
Condominiums who objected to the proposed plan.
NEW LIFE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
Mr. Pinderski noted that the site is a parcel of approximately four
acres at the northeast corner of Busch Road and Buffalo Grove Road. He
stated that the plan was previously reviewed by the Plan Commission in
September of 1988 , and the plan has been revised since then. He said
the church is seeking annexation with R-7 Special Use zoning. Mr.
Pinderski explained that the plan includes a parsonage, a church, and
an elementary school . He said the church would request a waiver of
Village engineering fees, and a waiver of the survey and preservation
plan requirement . Mr. Pinderski said the parsonage would be built as
soon as the plan is approved, while the church would be built within
two years . The school is not scheduled at this time. He noted that
the plan under review is dated May 10 , 1990 .
Pastor Chris Cordes said the congregation was started in 1986 with 20
members . There are now 85 members. He said the church would not
disturb the neighborhood. Mr. Cordes noted that the two heaviest uses
of the church would be at Easter and Christmas.
Commissioner Goldspiel asked if the property would have an athletic
facility.
Pastor Cordes said the church would not have any athletic facilities,
but the school might be designed with a facility.
Mr. Pinderski stated that the school would need to have a specific
approval in the future when an actual design would be available for
review.
Buffalo Grove Plan Commission-Special Meeting-July 11 , 1990-Page 2
Timothy Blatner, project architect, explained that the first phase of
the church would have 200 seats , and the second phase would add 100
seats. Parking would be provided for each phase; 67 spaces would be
required for the first phase , and 34 spaces for the second phase. The
school would require 8 spaces , based on 8 employees.
Commissioner Goldspiel inquired if R-3 zoning would be acceptable
instead of R-7 , and suggested that if the parsonage was platted on a
separate lot , a side yard variation would not be needed. He asked what
entity owned the property.
Pastor Cordes said the property is owned by the local congregation of
the New Life Church.
Mr. Pfeil commented that R-3 zoning would require a 30-foot front yard
building setback.
Joseph Koenen reviewed engineering for the project. He explained that
stormwater detention would be provided y expanding the Westchester
Estates pond approximately five feet onto the church site.
Commissioner Goldspiel asked if the Village Engineer has reviewed the
stormwater detention plan.
Mr. Pinderski stated that the Village Engineer has been informed of the
plan to expand the Westchester Estates pond, and he has said the plan
is acceptable in concept .
Commissioner Goldspiel inquired about the elevation of the site after
completion of the development, and how water and sewer service would be
provided relative to the elevation.
Mr. Koenen said the site will need to be excavated to get adequate
stability for the parking lot. Water has been stubbed to the site
across Buffalo Grove Road, and a sanitary sewer has been extended to
the north end of the site. A lift station will be used for the sewer.
Mr. Koenen said the Village Engineer has said the lift station
alternative is acceptable.
Commissioner Rubin asked if the future parking area would be seeded to
grass until paving is required. Mr. Blatner said the area would be
seeded.
Commissioner Goldspiel inquired about the height of the church. Mr.
Blatner said the church has not been designed, but it is planned as a
single story building with a maximum height of 35 feet.
Chairman Sheldon asked if the proposed driveway locations on Busch Road
and Buffalo Grove Road are acceptable.
Mr. Pfeil said the Village Engineer indicates that the proposed right-
in, right-out driveway for Busch Road is acceptable. Mr. Carmignani ,
Buffalo Grove Plan Commission-Special Meeting-July 11 , 1990-Page 3
the Village' s traffic consultant , has not yet commented on the plan.
Commissioner Goldspiel said the site should be linked to the bike path
to the north in the Westchester Estates development . He commented that
the driveway to Buffalo Grove Road would probably have to be moved
farther north.
Chairman Sheldon agreed that good pedestrian access is needed to the
site , especially for the safety of children. Chairman Sheldon inquired
about the size and appearance of the proposed parsonage.
Mr. Blatner said the parsonage will have an area of 3 ,000 sq. ft. , it
will be residential in appearance, and it will have a two-car garage.
Commissioner Rhodes asked for more details about the functional areas
of the church building, and about the type of school on the site.
Mr. Blatner said the church would have a fellowship area, an education
area, and an office.
Pastor Cordes said the school may include a nursery school and a pre-
school , but plans are very preliminary. An outdoor playground without
exterior lighting would be provided.
Commissioner Krug inquired about proposed lighting for the parking lot
areas and the church. He asked if a pylon sign is planned.
Commissioner Rubin said the Appearance Commission would want to
carefully review all lighting to make sure it will not have an impact
on adjacent residential areas .
Pastor Cordes said a pylon sign is planned.
Commissioner Rubin said the church should determine if variations would
be needed for the proposed signage.
Commissioner Rosenston said he favors R-3 zoning rather than R-7 , and
the building setback from Busch Road should be more than the 25 ft .
required in the R-7 District .
Commissioner Sheldon asked for a polling on the requested R-7 zoning.
The Commission members indicated unanimously that they do not support
the request for R-7 zoning.
Commissioner Sheldon directed the Church planners to review all of the
Commission' s comments and return for another workshop.
ABBOTT CONTRACTORS/ILLINOIS BELL TELEPHONE MAINTENANCE FACILITY (IBT)
Mr. Lawrence Freedman stated that Abbott Contractors is the beneficial
owner of the site , which is a 16-acre tract on the east side of Weiland
Buffalo Grove Plan Commission-Special Meeting-July 11 , 1990-Page 4
Road north of Aptakisic Junior High School . The proposed development
would have five or six lots for planned industrial use. The IBT
maintenance facility is the only specific use known at this time . He
noted that the site plan under review is dated July 5 , 1990.
Mr. Michael Vondra, Abbott Contractors, reviewed some of his firm' s
previous projects, including industrial buildings in the Techny area of
Northbrook and Wise Road in Schaumburg. He stated that wetlands on the
site are under review by the Army Corps , and a permit has been obtained
to fill a lake on the site. The wetlands in the southwest corner of
j the site would be used as part of the stormwater management plan. Mr.
1 Vondra said buildings on the site other than the IBT building would
probably be multi-tenant buildings. The plan is to do "build-to-suit"
rather than speculative buildings.
Commissoner Goldspiel asked what Abbott would do with the project if
IBT decides to award the maintenance facility bid to a different
developer.
Mr. Vondra said Abbott would pursue annexation and zoning for
industrial use even if IBT is not part of the project .
Mr. David Swanson of IBT reviewed the proposed maintenance facility,
explaining that the building is a garage housing equipment and a
maintenance area for vehicles . Heavy maintenance would not be done at
this facility. The outdoor storage area would be used for cables,
poles , pedestals, gravel , and shoring. The facility would replace
facilities in Mundelein, Mt. Prospect and Wheeling. The building would
have an area of approximately 38 , 500 sq. ft. and would have 70
employees . Sixty vehicles would be housed at the site. Trips in and
out of the site would typically be between 6: 30 a.m. and 5 :00 p.m.
Chairman Sheldon asked if service vehicles would be parked in the
outdoor yard area.
Mr. Swanson said vehicles would be outside sometimes, and trailers for
cable and other materials would be outside. Materials stored outside
would be six feet or less in height.
Commissioner Rubin asked how close the storage area would be to
Aptakisic school .
Mr. Vondra said the storage area would be 600 feet from the school .
Commissioner Rosenston inquired about the type of fence to be used
around the storage area.
Mr. Swanson said a chain link fence would probably be used.
Commissioner Goldspiel asked if the storage area would be paved.
Buffalo Grove Plan Commission-Special Meeting-July 11 , 1990-Page 5
Mr. Vondra said a macadam surface is proposed since support is needed
for cable reels, poles, and other materials .
Chairman Sheldon asked about security for the facility and timing for
construction.
Mr. Swanson said theft and vandalism are not usually a problem for IBT.
The construction would take about six months.
Commissioner Goldspiel asked how far the storage area would be from the
Windbrooke Apartments.
Mr. Vondra said the distance would be approximately 250 feet.
Commissioner Rhodes asked if this would be IBT' s closest facility to a
school .
Mr. Swanson said IBT has a facility in Northbrook that school children
walk by.
Chairman Sheldon directed the developer to inform School District 102
of the IBT development .
Mr. Swanson commented that the IBT facility would not have much traffic
at the site during school hour.
Commissioner Rosenston said he is concerned about the planned cul-de-
sac street , and he would like to see a more unified development with
the area north of Abbott ' s site .
Commissioner Goldspiel said the Plan Commission thinks it is essential
to have a "U-shaped" street connecting to Weiland Road at Thompson
Boulevard, and extending south through Abbott ' s 16 acres.
Mr. Freedman stated that Abbott will try to accommodate adjacent
parcels concerning road planning, but other landowners have to bear a
fair share of street costs .
Mr. Vondra said Abbott doesn't need to have a road go any farther into
its site than the cul-de-sac shown on the present plan.
Commissioner Goldspiel replied that most developments could make the
same argument, which would mean the Village would have cul-de-sacs on
many developments . He said the Village has to plan for the overall
coordination of land uses and developments, including an efficient
street plan.
Commissioner Rosenston asked how long-term ownership of the Abbott site
would be handled.
Mr. Vondra replied that if the buildings would be "build-to-suit" , the
user would own up to 50 percent of the building . Abbott intends to
Buffalo Grove Plan Commission-Special Meeting-July 11 , 1990-Page 6
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retain an ownership interest in the site.
Commissioner Krug said he would like to see how IBT' s other outdoor
storage areas are maintained. He commented that the maintenance
facility is an acceptable use for the site, but he is concerned with
the outdoor storage .
Commissioner Goldspiel inquired how stormwater flow from the former
pond would be handled, and whether the detention area shown on the plan
would serve the entire 16-acre tract.
Mr. Kupfer said the site will connect into a 36-inch diameter storm
sewer that goes under Weiland Road. The detention area in the
southeast corner of the site is sized to handle the entire Abbott
tract . He explained that any floodway or floodplain areas along the
Aptakisic Creek on the site would not be touched.
Commissioner Goldspiel said he is concerned with how stormwater is
supposed to go under the adjaent Wisconsin Central Railroad tracks .
Commissioner Goldspiel asked if any variations to Village ordinance
will be needed for the plan.
Mr. Freedman said no variations have been identified, and the developer
thinks variations will not be needed.
Commissioner Braiman said he supports the concept of a street
connection at Thompson Boulevard, and he asked if the Abbott
development will be required to install streetlights along Weiland
Road.
Mr. Pfeil said the property would have to comply with the Development
Ordinance concerning streetlights .
Commissioner Rhodes asked if the IBT building would have roof-top
mechanical vents and small stacks.
Mr. Ed Weiner, President of The Concrete Doctor, Inc. , said his
property now has access to Depot Place, but he owns a five-acre parcel
adjoining the Abbott site that needs access through the Abbott property
to Weiland Road. The Abbott plan for the IBT facility would provide no
access to Weiland Road for his parcel . Mr. Weiner commented that the
north eight-acre tract of the former Weiland Road Greenhouse property
could be served by a road from Weiland Road; a loop road from Thompson
through the eight-acre parcel and through the sixteen-acre Abbott tract
is not necessary and would use too much land. Mr. Weiner said he would
like to have an access easement to use the Abbott road and Weiland
Road.
Mr. Weiner also expressed concern about IBT' s outdoor storage area
because his parcel is ten feet higher, so the storage area would be
Buffalo Grove Plan Commission-Special Meeting-July 11 , 1990-Page 7
very visible to future users of his parcel . He suggested that the IBT
storage area be screened and bermed adjacent to his parcel .
Mr. Vondra asked if Mr. Weiner would ever pursue annexation of the
Concrete Doctor property to Buffalo Grove. He said the Concrete Doctor
property should be coordinated with the Village ' s planning goals .
Mr. Weiner said he will probably not request annexation of the Concrete
Doctor property because he already has access to Depot Place , and the
outdoor storage on the property may not be consistent with the
Village ' s zoning regulations .
Commissioner Goldspiel said the Village has a great opportunity to
coordinate development of the entire Weiland Road Greenhouse area, and
he urged property owners to cooperate in the planning effort.
Mr. Freedman said Abbott needs economic protection concerning the
dedication of land and the cos of constructing roads . He said Abbott
will try to show a plan that allows access to Mr. Weiner' s parcel to
the east , but Mr. Weiner will have to share in the costs of the street.
Chairman Sheldon asked Mr. Pfeil to consult with the Village 's traffic
consultant concerning a street plan for the Abbott and Weiner parcels
as well as a plan for the overall area east of Weiland Road. Abbott
Contractors were directed to cooperate with this planning and return to
the Commission for a second workshop.
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT - None
FUTURE AGENDA SCHEDULE
Mr. Pfeil said the July 18 , 1990 agenda would have a public hearing
concerning the Park District ' s proposal to install lights at the Old
Farm Village II tennis courts, and a workshop concerning Hoffman Homes '
plan for the Mormon R-4 parcel on Prairie Road.
PUBLIC COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS - None
STAFF REPORT - None
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Commissioner Braiman, seconded by Commissioner Charlette, and
unanimously carried, to adjourn. Chairman Sheldon adjourned the
meeting at 11 : 00 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
/pa
ROBERT PFEIL, Village Planner
Buffalo Grove Plan Commission-Special Meeting-July 11 , 1990-Page 8
APPROVED BY:
BARBARA SHELDON, Chairman
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Buffalo Grove Plan Commission-Special Meeting-July 11 , 1990-Page 9