1989-10-11 - Plan Commission - Minutes REGULAR MEETING
BUFFALO GROVE PLAN COMMISSION
Mormon Church site, Port Clinton Road/Prairie Road
October 11, 1989
Chairman Sheldon called the 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. Ira Bodenstein, Attorney, Mormon Church
Mr. William John, Mormon Church
Mr. Skip Lindberg, Architect, Mormon Church
Mr. Gary Glover, Village Trustee
Mr. Robert Pfeil, Village Planner
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by Commissioner Rhodes, seconded by Commissioner Rubin, to approve the
Regular Meeting minutes of September 13, 1989. The motion passed
unanimously.
Moved by Commissioner Rhodes, seconded by Commissioner Rubin, to approve the
Regular Meeting minutes of September 27, 1989. The motion passed
unanimously.
Moved by Commissioner Rhodes, seconded by Commissioner Rubin, to approve the
Public Hearing minutes of September 27, 1989. The motion passed unanimously.
COMMITTEE & LIAISON REPORTS - None
MORMON CHURCH SITE, Port Clinton Road/Prairie Road - Workshop #2
Commissioner Krug stated that he has done business with the project's
architectural firm, FGM/C, Inc. , and he is a friend of Skip Lindberg, the
1 project architect, so he will abstain from participating in the Plan
Commission review.
Buffalo Grove Plan Commission - Regular Meeting - October 11, 1989 - Page 1
Mr. Bodenstein explained that the site is a 26.9-acre tract at the southwest
corner of Port Clinton and Prairie Roads. The Mormon Church site occupies
the northern six acres of the tract. He noted that Plan Commission's
exhibits include a floor plan of the church and Concept Plans of the church
site and the adjacent 21-acre parcel. He commented that the church will have
303 seats, so the proposed 227 parking spaces are adequate. Mr. Bodenstein
presented a letter dated September 29, 1989 from William E. Peterson, Vernon
Township Supervisor, stating that if certain conditions are met, the Mormons
may use Vernon Township's property for parking twice per year when overflow
parking is needed.
Commissioner Braiman commented that the letter from the Township should be
referenced in the annexation agreement.
Mr. Bodenstein said Mr. Peterson would probably agree to including the
parking agreement in the annexation document.
Mr. Bodenstein pointed out that the Concept Plan now shows a ball field in the
northwest corner of the church site; the field will not be lighted for night
use. He noted that an eight-foot wide sidewalk is shown along Port Clinton
Road and along Prairie Road to the southern end of the Mormon church site.
Mr. Bodenstein reviewed the sketch plans for the 21-acre parcel south of the
church site. He said the zoning petition requests R-5 zoning, which would
yield nine more single-family lots than R-4 zoning. He commented that the
R-5 zoning is reasonable based on the triangular shape of the parcel. The
nine additional lots allowed by the R-5 zoning would not have a significant
impact on traffic or utilities, but would make the property more marketable.
He noted the plans for an R-4 layout and R-5 layout both have two access
points to Prairie Road.
Mr. Bodenstein pointed out that both the R-4 and R-5 plans show stormwater
detention areas. The plans are not binding on the Village or the property
owner, and on the final residential plan it may be possible to combine the
detention areas as suggested by the Village Engineer.
Mr. Lindberg reviewed the elevation drawings of the proposed church. The
spire would be 63 feet tall; the main roof would be 37 feet in height at the
ridge. The church walls would be brick with a metal facia.
Chairman Sheldon asked if the spire would be lit at night.
Mr. Johnson said he is not sure if the spire will be lit, but the flag pole
would be illuminated.
Commissioner Rhodes inquired if the ball field on the church site would be
open for use by adjacent residents.
Mr. Johnson said the church would probably have to restrict use of the
ball field to church-sponsored activities because of possible liability.
Buffalo Grove Plan Commission - Regular Meeting - October 11, 1989 - Page 2
Commissioner Goldspiel said in the residential area it would be advisable to
combine the detention areas to provide an area large enough for at least a
tot lot.
Commissioner Braiman suggested that the residential lots adjoining the
Wisconsin Central railroad tracks should be made deeper to protect the houses
from noise and vibration from trains.
Commissioner Goldspiel said the constraint on this site is the width of the
lots; lot width is more important than lot depth on the site.
Mr. Johnson pointed out that some of the lots adjacent to the railroad tracks
have mature trees that would probably be preserved as a buffer to the homes.
Commissioner Braiman noted that some of these trees would probably be removed
when utility lines are installed.
Commissioner Goldspiel said there is not much difference in the site plan or
land use impact if the zoning is R-4 or R-5, and he asked if any
Commissioners object to having the smaller R-5 lots.
Commissioners Braiman and Rhodes indicated that the larger R-4 lots would be
more appropriate for the site.
j Chairman Sheldon pointed out that more trees would be saved if the lots were
1 larger.
Commissioner Goldspiel commented that R-5 zoning on the site would not have a
detrimental impact on adjacent residential areas such as Krisview Acres,
which is an older neighborhood. He noted that much of Buffalo Grove was
built using the R-5 zoning standards, and this has produced very attractive
neighborhoods. He suggested that R-5 zoning may give more opportunity for
first-time home purchasers.
Commissioner Braiman suggested that perhaps R-4 zoning could be used, with
variations as needed for certain lots.
Commissioner Rubin said a mix of R-4 and R-5 zoning may be an alternative.
Commissioner Goldspiel commented that a Planned Unit Development (P.U.D.)
could be used to preserve trees and provide other site amenities.
Commissioner Rosenston said he is concerned about single-family use on the
site because of its small size, irregular shape, and the proximity to the
proposed church use. He suggested that a P.U.D. for a multi-family use may
be a better use because more open space could be provided on the site.
Mr. Bodenstein said he believes the site is saleable with R-4 or R-5 zoning.
Commissioner Charlette said R-5 zoning is appropriate; an R-4 and R-5 mix
also seems like a good alternative.
Buffalo Grove Plan Commission - Regular Meeting - October 11, 1989 - Page 3
Commissioner Howard said she is sensitive to the cost of housing for
first-time homebuyers, but she is concerned about the proximity of lots to
the railroad tracks.
Commissioner Rhodes said the cost of housing is a concern, but for this site
R-4 zoning would be better than R-5; the layout would be too crowded under
R-5 zoning.
Commissioner Rubin said if the site is zoned R-4 initially, a developer could
request a rezoning to R-5 when a specific plan is ready for review.
Concerning the church site, Commissioner Braiman inquired how high the
satellite dish would be.
Mr. Pfeil said the satellite dish would be regulated as an accessory
structure, which allows a height of 15 feet.
Commissioner Braiman asked how large the church's congregation would be.
Mr. Johnson said the congregation would be approximately 300 persons.
Commissioner Goldspiel asked if the west stormwater detention area would be
useful as a ball field.
Mr. Lindberg said the detention area will be three feet deep, and it will be
drained to permit recreational use.
Commissioner Goldspiel asked if the church site detention area could provide
some storage for the residential parcel.
Mr. Lindberg said the church officials prefer to keep the church detention
separate from the residential parcel.
Chairman Sheldon said it may be to the church's advantage to have a larger
recreational area for youth programs. She said the Village would work with
the church to combine detention from the residential site to create a larger
playing field.
Mr. Johnson said the church is owned by the parent organization in Utah, and
church officials want the church site to be separate from the residential
parcel.
Commissioner Goldspiel asked if the church plan is a standard design.
Mr. Lindberg said it is a standard plan with local modifications.
Commissioner Braiman asked if the church would be similar to the church in
Glenview.
Mr. Johnson said it would be like the church in Schaumburg.
Buffalo Grove Plan Commission - Regular Meeting - October 11, 1989 - Page 4
Commissioner Rosenston asked if the ball field would be fenced along Port
Clinton Road.
Mr. Lindberg said there will be landscaping along Port Clinton Road, so
fencing wouldn't be needed.
Commissioner Charlette asked what size of softballs would be used at the
field.
Mr. Johnson said twelve-inch and sixteen-inch diameter softballs would be
used.
Chairman Sheldon asked for a polling concerning the Commission's position for
R-4 or R-5 zoning for the residential parcel.
Commissioners Braiman, Rubin, Howard, and Rhodes preferred R-4 zoning.
Commissioners Goldspiel, Rosenston, and Charlette favored R-5 zoning.
Based on the polling, Chairman Sheldon said R-4 zoning should be advertised
for the public hearing.
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT - None
FUTURE AGENDA SCHEDULE - Mr. Pfeil said the October 18, 1989 meeting would
have a public hearing on the Seigle's sign parcel at Bank Lane and Route 83.
PUBLIC COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS - None I
STAFF REPORT - None
ADJOURNMENT - Moved by Commissioner Rhodes, seconded by Commission Rubin, and
unanimously carried, to adjourn the meeting. Chairman Sheldon adjourned the
meeting at 8:50 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
/6-e-eaY E. fiPii
ROBERT E. PFEIL, VillagePlanner
APPROVED BY:
Barbara Sheldon, Chairman
Buffalo Grove Plan Commission - Regular Meeting - October 11, 1989 - Page 5