McHenry Times

City of Crystal Lake Planning and Zoning Commission met Sept. 16.

Here is the minutes provided by the Commission:

The meeting was called to order by Chair Greenman at 7:00 p.m.

Mr. Greenman called the meeting to order. On roll call, members Esposito, Gronow, Jouron, McGinnis, Repholz, Skluzacek, and Greenman were present.

Elizabeth Maxwell, City Planner, and Katie Cowlin, Assistant City Planner, were present from Staff.

Mr. Greenman said this meeting is being recorded for broadcast and future playback on the City’s cable channel.

APPROVE MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 2, 2020 PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING

Mr. Jouron moved to approve the minutes from the September 2, 2020 regular Planning and Zoning Commission meeting as presented. Mr. Esposito seconded the motion. On roll call, members Esposito, Greenman, Jouron, Skluzacek, Gronow, McGinnis, and Repholz vote aye. Motion passed.

2020-154 1410 GARDINA VISTA – VARIATION FENCE – PUBLIC HEARING

The petitioner is requesting a continuation to the October 7th Planning and Zoning Commission hearing for their fence variation.

Mr. Esposito made a motion to continue the request to the October 7th Planning and Zoning Commission hearing for the fence variation. Mr. Gronow seconded the motion. On roll call, all members voted aye. Motion passed 7-0.

2020-111 110 W. WOODSTOCK STREET – REZONING – PUBLIC HEARING

A request to rezone the subject property from M-L Manufacturing Limited to M-L PUD Manufacturing Limited with the Planned Unit Development Overlay to allow two principal buildings on a zoning lot.

Mr. Greenman stated the sign has been posted. He said the surrounding property owners were notified and the Certificate of Publication was in the file. Mr. Greenman waived the reading of the legal notice without objection.

Ms. Maxwell gave a summary of the request. The Planned Unit Development would allow for the accessory structure to be used as a second principal structure.

Mr. Craig Krandel, attorney representing the property owner, stated that a physical fitness user was looking to locate in the second structure and in order to operate in the space a Planned Unit Development was required. He noted that about a year and a half ago they rezoned the property from R-3B to M-L to allow a dog obedience user into the space.

The Chairman opened the public hearing and there was no one in the public wishing to speak on the agenda item. The public hearing was closed.

Mr. Skluzacek asked if the building had utilities. Mr. Krandel confirmed a new service would be run to the second building, it currently does not have water or sewer. The physical fitness user was previously in the main building and relocated when the property was being sold. The space that in the main building is occupied by other tenants.

Mr. Esposito stated the request met the findings of fact.

Mr. Esposito made a motion to approve the rezoning of the property from M-L Manufacturing Limited to M- L PUD Manufacturing Limited with the Planned Unit Development Overlay to allow two principal buildings on a zoning lot.

Mr. Skluzacek seconded the motion. On roll call, all members voted aye. Motion passed 7-0.

2018-168 UDO TEXT AMENDMENTS – VARIOUS SECTIONS – PUBLIC HEARING CONTINUED FROM SEPTEMBER 2, 2020 MEETING

Amendments to Articles 2, 4, 5, 9 and 10 and Appendix Sections A-400, A-600 and A-1600.

Ms. Maxwell reviewed the proposed changes to Article 2. Staff amended the proposed changes to the commercial recreation section so the uses would require a special use permit per the discussion from the previous meeting. The Commission thanked staff for making the change. Ms. Repholz asked for a review of the light and heavy industrial uses. Ms. Maxwell explained that the noxious uses would still be listed individually, but that the new definitions for light and heavy industry would simplify the land use table. The definitions will provide a clear direction for staff when reviewing proposed uses in the Manufacturing and Manufacturing Limited zoning districts.

Ms. Maxwell review the limited use permit criteria for family care. Mr. Esposito stated that the perceived issue has been parking. Ms. Maxwell clarified that the city has not received parking complaints for the existing family care uses and that there is a required parking standard for the use.

There was a discussion on the gas station canopy lighting and striping in regards to signage. Ms. Maxwell explained this item had been referred to the Planning & Zoning Commission by the City Council. The Council was looking for direction on whether the canopy striping and/or should be considered signage. The general consensus was that it would be okay to not consider the canopy striping and/or lighting as signage. Ms. Maxwell clarified that striping or lighting on the main building would be considered a wall sign and that the gas station pump toppers would not be considered a sign. Mr. McGinnis asked if there could be a maximum allowance for the canopy band height so gas stations do not increase the size since the striping would not be signage. The Commission agreed that most canopies are three to four feet in height and that should be the standard.

Ms. Maxwell finished up the discussion on Article 2 by reviewing the minor changes to the outdoor seating requirements. Mr. Greenman thanked staff for making the changes and helping to make the process easier for businesses.

Ms. Maxwell reviewed the proposed changes to Article 9. The majority of the changes were to clean up the article and move language from the UDO to the City Code. The language regarding the Planning & Zoning Commission’s motion was also simplified so it would be consistent for all request types. Lastly, there was an additional allowance for covered front porches to be processed as an administrative variation.

There was a discussion on preliminary and final Planned Unit Developments and having them come through the process twice. The Commission appreciated having two reviews of the proposed projects. Ms. Maxwell stated that staff only allows for the preliminary and final PUD to come through the process as one request if the site is straight forward and engineering does not have any concerns.

Mr. Esposito made a motion to approve all the changes as discussed for the UDO Text Amendments. Mr. Jouron seconded the motion. On voice vote, all members voted aye. Motion passed 7-0.

REPORT FROM PLANNING

Ms. Maxwell reviewed the items that on the previous City Council meeting agenda and the items that are scheduled for the October 7, 2020 PZC meeting.

COMMENTS FROM THE COMMISSION

None.

Mr. Esposito moved to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Gronow seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 8:06 p.m.

https://ecode360.com/documents/CR2206/public/568097756.pdf