1983-06-21 - Zoning Board of Appeals - Minutes ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
VILLAGE OF BUFFALO GROVE, IL
Tuesday , June 21 , 1983
I . CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Richard Heinrich called the meeting to order at 8 :20 P.M. on
Tuesday, June 21 , 1983 at the Village Hall.
II . ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present: H . Hefler, M. Kearns , J . Quick and R. Heinrich . QUORUM
Commissioners Absent: D. Stolman , M. Perlman and F. Manzo.
Building Dept. Liaison : Mr. Ray Henning , Housing and Zoning Inspector
Village Attorney: Mr. William Raysa
Village Board Liaison : Mr. John Marienthal , Trustee
III . APPROVAL OF MINUTES
May 17, 1983 - Minutes were deferred.
IV. BUSINESS
A. Lexington Development Corp. - Ville Verde Apartments
Section 15. 36.040 of Municipal Code pertaining to Fences
Section 14.20.010 of Municipal Code pertaining to Signs
Entrance Monuments at Ville Verde on Arlington Heights Road.
Mr. Jim Freiberg , Operations Manager of Lexington Development Corp.
The Public Hearing Notice was read and Mr. Freiberg was sworn in .
Mr. Freiberg presented the proposed entrance monument plans and said
that without that type of signage , it would be very difficult to identify
the project. The monuments will be permanent and will serve for market-
ing purposes as well as for identification of the property when the owners
have guests .
Ch. Heinrich questioned the need for permanent signage , since when the
project was apartments there was only a temporary type sign . The proposed
monuments are very close to the intersection of Ville Verde Drive and
Arlington Heights Road.
A report from Engineering Technician Keith L. Mac Intyre was reviewed
and it was noted that Mr. Mac Intyre felt that the 10 foot setback was
to be considered an absolute minimum and bushes should be kept to a maxi -
mum height of 36 inches with trees trimmed to a height of 5 feet from
the ground to the lowest limbs. Mr. Mac Intyre ' s report is attached.
It was determined that the 10 foot measurement was on an angle and the
closest point would be approximately 2-1 /2 feet from the roadway.
Mr. Henning reported that he had checked the line-of-sight and found the
distance to the North was the most difficult because of the transformer
and the bus stop shelter. Landscaping will have to be kept trimmed.
Ch. Heinrich repeated his opinion that since Ville Verde is now Condo,
there is less need for such identification because there will be less
turnover of tenants.
The sight plan was reviewed and the Commissioners agreed that the 10 foot
minimum was too close to the intersection. In response to the suggestion
to move them back, Mr. Freiberg said this would be difficult because of
the location of the pond. Also they did not want to have to move any of
the landscaping. He felt that people would not have a problem with line-
of-sight because they would be pulling out slowly onto Arlington Heights
Road. There is no sidewalk and Mr. Freiberg said there is little foot traffic.
The Zoning District was reviewed. It is R-9 but it reverts to R-6 which
requires a 25 foot setback. Variations of both the Fence and Sign Codes
are required. Both structures will need variances. This is different from
Chatham whose monuments only required a variation for one because of dis-
tance. C's monument is actually 15 feet on a direct line from the closest
point to Dundee Road. Need for a variation of the Zoning Ord. was discussed.
Mr. Raysa said he felt that the request is for four variations of the
size and setback requirements. The Sign Code specifies that signage is
to be flat against building, or not project into any setback;
Com. Hefler felt that the location was a problem and he also felt that the
ZBA should know what the signage will be. He added for the record that
Sonnenschein represented his company. It will not affect his opinion.
The Commissioners agreed that the location would be dangerous and would
create a hazard in the winter when the roads are icy.
Com. Kearns commented that there would be sufficient room along the drive-
way to put a permanent sign. There is now .a marketing sign on Arlington
Heights Road. He noted the speed limit of 35 MPH and on icy roads, it
would take 2% car lengths to stop. Cars could very possibly miss the
turn and hit the monument which would only be 2% feet from Ville Verde Dr.
Com. Quick agreed that if there was an accident, the bus stop would break
away but the monuments would not give. It could definitely be a hazard.
Com. Kearns added that the ZBA does not consider marketing a factor, for
hardship, and it must take into consideration Health, Safety and Welfare.
The variations were outlined by Mr. Raysa:
1 . Sign Code - #14.20.010 B - Size exceeds 32 sq. ft.
2. Two signs would need a variation.
3. Sub-section E requires that signs are to be flat
against building, or not project into setback.
4. Fence Code - #15.36.040 - Required set back.
Ch. Heinrich asked about any signage being put up from the Plaza. Verde
Shopping Center entrance to the project? Mr. Freiberg said that to his
knowledge none are to be proposed. He felt that Arlington Heights Road
is primarily the "front door" and only residents will be using the other
entrance.
Trustee Marienthal commented that he shares the views of the Commissioners.
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
June 21 , 1983 - Page Two
The discussion continued, and it was decided that the best solution
was to Table the request until a further study can be made. Mr. Freiberg
agreed to review the site and bring in photographs. Since there is a
temporary sign, time would not be a factor. A "topo" is needed also.
Com. Kearns made a motion to Table the request of Lexington Development
Corp. for entrance monuments at Villa Verde Condominiums until July 19, 1983.
Com. Hefler seconded the motion. Voice Vote: Aye Unanimously.
A distance of at least 12' from the corner to the curb line was advised.
Measurement to be perpendicular to curb.
B. Michael T. and Gail R. Hundley
1200 Lockwood Drive
Section 14.36.040 of Municipal Code pertaining to Fences
The Public Hearing notice was read. Mr. and Mrs. Hundley were sworn
in. Mr. Hundley submitted a copy of the letter they were given by the
Village of Buffalo Grove when they purchased their home. It does not
specify dog runs are required to have a permit, therefore they constructed
an 8' by 16' cedar stockade fence at the side of their house. Since they
are on a corner (Lockwood and Larraway) they felt the best location for
the benefit of their neighbors would be on the Larraway side. The Hundleys
are among the first buyers at Suffield Place and not all the homes are
occupied. They do not want to be a nuisance to any future neighbors.
Com. Quick said that a better location would be at the rear of the lot
where there are trees to screen the structure. The person building
on Larraway across the street would definitely be affected. Com. Quick
said he would object if he lived there. He commented that to put the
enclosure in the rear yard would detract from the Hundleys view of the
park and the pond.
The Hundleys dog is large and stays outside all the time. It does bark,
as do other dogs in the area, and they felt that the location they chose
was the best for all concerned.
Com. Quick and the other Commissioners agreed that there could be future
problems because other people would want to put dog runs in side yards.
Mr. Hundley repeated that he did not realize the need for a permit when
he built the structure and that to relocate it would be quite expensive.
He said they used Cedar and it is an attractive enclosure.
•
Com. Kearns felt there is a problem because it is already up. He recalled
other instances on Rt. 83 where fences were allowed that go out to the
street and up to the front of house. He doesn't have a problem with it.
Ch.. Heinrich said these were different situations and the people needed
privacy when using their yard.
Com. Hefler said in general he doesn't take a hard line in matters like
this; but this is really the wrong thing to do because as the area develops
others could request similiar variations. This is something that should
not have been allowed to happen.
Mr. Hundley expressed his feeling that the letter from the Village did
not specifically state "dog runs" needed permits. He visualized a fence
as a yard enclosure.
Ch. Heinrich agreed that dog runs should be included in the reference to
fences, but that "ignorance of the law is no excuse. "
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
June 21 , 1983 - Page Three
(Mr. Hundley said he had been to law school . )
Com. Quick agreed with Mr. Hundley's comments, that he has chosen the best
location for a dog run. He suggested in back near the sump pump would be
another possible location. A smaller one would necessary, unless they
wanted to put it in the back. He cannot approve it in the side yard.
Com. Kearns suggested a screen of shrubs from the street might satisfy
the problem of visual location. Only the gate entrance would be seen.
The Hundleys view across the back yard would not be broken up and the
neighbors view would be improved. This has been done in other situations.
The question of use is involved, not unlike situations where fences are
allowed and dogs are enclosed within the yard.
Mr. Hundley said he is not finished with his yard and did plan to land-
scape around the enclosure.
A straw poll indicated that Commissioners Quick and Hefler are opposed.
Ch. Heinrich said that if a vote is taken at this time with only four
Commissioners present, since four votes are necessary to obtain a varia-
tion, the petition would be denied.
It was noted that the noise of a barking dog would be heard no matter where
the dog run is located. Mr. Hundley repeated that there are other large
dogs in the area that bark. There was concern that other similiar re-
quests would be made if this was allowed.
Com. Quick made the following motion:
I move we DENY the request of Michael T. Hundley
and Gail R. Hundley, 1200 Lockwood Drive for a
variation for the purpose of constructing a dog
run in the side yard of their house; under
Sec. 15.36.040 of the Municipal Code pertaining
to Fences.
Com. Hefler seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Aye - Hefler
Quick
Heinrich
Nay - Kearns
Motion to DENY request passed by vote: 3 to 1 . Findings of Fact attached.
Ch. Heinrich informed the petitioners of the procedure to follow
should they wish to appeal the decision to the Village Board.
C. 1108 Greenridge Road - Ronald and Mary Hawes
Article X, Section 6.4-A pertaining to Rear Yard Requirements
The Public hearing Notice was read. Mr. and Mrs. Hawes were sworn in.
Mr. Hawes explained their need for a room addition in order to better
accomodate their family when they have overnight visitors. They now
have a patio, and wish to enclose this area with a screened porch.
Only one neighbor would be affected visually and that neighbor was
present to give approval . She was Mrs. Kacsh at 1124 Greenridge Rd.
The variation requested is for 2 ft. 6 inches.
The Commissioners had no questions or comments.
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
June 21 , 1983 - Page Four
Com. Quick made the following motion:
I move we approve the request for a variation
of Article X, Section 6.4-A made by Mr. and
Mrs. Ronald Hawes, 1108 Greenridge Road for
the purpose of constructing a patio cover at
the rear of their home that will extend 22'
into the rear yard requirement.
Hardship having been demonstrated.
Com. Kearns seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Aye - Hefler
Kearns
Quick
Heinrich
Nay - None
Motion Passed - 4 to O. Findings of Fact Attached.
Ch. Heinrich told the Hawes' that they could pick up the permit in
15 days.
V. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Com. Hefler made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss
personel . Com. Kearns seconded the motion. All Commissioners voted
Aye upon Roll Call .
VI. EXECUTIVE SESSION
In Executive Session, the Zoning Board Commissioners discussed
attendance policies.
Com. Kearns made a motion to teminate the Executive Session.
Com. Quick seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Aye - Hefler
Kearns
Quick
Heinrich
Motion Passed - 4 to O. Nay - None
VII. ADJOURNMENT
Com. Hefler made a motion to adjourn. Com. Kearns seconded the motion.
The meeting adjourned at 9:45 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Ag221Z-
Shirley Bates ecretary
Zoning Board of Appeals
sb ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
June 2!, 1983 - Page Five