McHenry Times

City of Harvard Planning & Zoning Commission met Dec. 1.

Here is the minutes provided by the commission:

Chairman Carbonetti called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. City Clerk Moller called roll to establish a quorum. Commission members present: Mike Grieshop, Jim Hutchinson and Ian McCafferty. Commissioner Tom Condon was absent. Also present were Alderwoman Lisa Haderlein, Alderman Gorman, Community Development Director Santeler, Code Enforcement Officer Anne Nutley and members of the audience.

Public Comment

Chairman Carbonetti opened the floor to public comment. There was none.

Planning and Zoning Commission Minutes of November 3, 2020 – Approved

A motion was made by Commissioner McCafferty, seconded by Commissioner Hutchinson to accept the minutes of the Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting of November 3, 2020. All ayes. Motion carried.

Osbely/Debbie Mata Side Yard Variation Petition – 906 Garfield St.

Chairman Carbonetti opened the hearing in the petition of Osbely and Debbie Mata. The petitioners are requesting relief of 5’ from the side yard setback requirements pursuant to Table 5-1, General Use Regulations of the Unified Development Ordinance, resulting in a setback of 20’ to build a house on an existing empty lot. Subject property is located in Chemung Township and commonly known as 906 Garfield St. Harvard, IL 60033. PIN 01-35-237-005

The parties of interest in the petition were present. The Notice of Hearing was published per statutory requirements in the Northwest Herald. The Certificate of Publication, completed petition and staff report were entered into the record. Certified notices were sent to property owners within 250’ of the subject property relative to the requested variation.

Chairman Carbonetti noted this is where a house burned down 5 or 6 years ago and has remained a vacant lot since then.

Presentation of Evidence by Petitioners

Upon being sworn in, Osbely Mata presented their petition seeking relief of 5’ from the 25’ side yard setback requirement in order to build a house on an existing empty lot. A variation would allow them to slide the house over 5’ to the Roosevelt St. side which would still leave almost 40’ clearance between the road and house with no obstruction to traffic or the view. This also allows the house to sit better on the lot and not be so close to the side neighbors.

Questions/Discussion by Planning and Zoning Commissioners to Petitioners

Chairman Carbonetti opened the floor to questions or comments from the Commissioners.

• Commissioner Grieshop commented that the site plan already has a 6’ sideyard setback. An additional 5’ would put them approximately 11’ from the neighbor to the south. Commissioner Grieshop further noted that it looks like the neighbor’s fence is encroaching a little bit anyway. The petitioner confirmed that according to the survey, the fence encroaches about 21⁄2’. Commissioner Grieshop did not see any issues with the petitioner’s request and noted that it looks like it fits the lot well.

• Commissioner Carbonetti noted that the proposed plans are pretty close to the former footprint. The petitioner noted that they found some old pictures and tried to follow a similar layout.

Alderwoman Haderlein noted she lives on the corner of Jefferson and Roosevelt St. and thought it would be a nice addition to the neighborhood.

Identification of Objectors/Supporters/Witnesses/Audience Participation There were no objectors in attendance.

Vote on Petition

A motion was made by Commissioner Grieshop, seconded by Commissioner Hutchinson to recommend to the City Council to approve the petitioner’s request for a side yard variation as presented. It would be a benefit to the neighborhood to put a dwelling back on the lot and it looks like it would fit better than the house did before. Roll call vote: Grieshop, aye; Hutchinson, aye; McCafferty, aye and Carbonetti, aye. Motion approved four to zero.

The Planning and Zoning Commission’s recommendation will come before the City Council at their next regular meeting on Tuesday, December 8, 2020, at 7 pm to be held via Go To Meeting.

At 7:10 pm, a motion was made by Commissioner Grieshop, seconded by Commissioner Hutchinson to close the hearing. All ayes. Motion carried.

John and Katherine Killeen Front Yard and Principal Use Standards Variation Petition – 902 North Jefferson St.

Chairman Carbonetti opened the hearing in the petition of John and Katherine Killeen. The petitioners are seeking relief of 7’ from the front yard setback requirement of 25’ pursuant to the Unified Development Ordinance, Table 5-1, Residential Districts Dimensional Standards to accommodate a garage extension. The petitioners are further seeking relief from the Unified Development Ordinance, Section 8.3H-5, Principal Use Standards, which requires the attached garage to be placed 5’ back from the house.

The parties of interest in the petition were present. The Notice of Hearing was published per statutory requirements in the Northwest Herald. The Certificate of Publication, completed petition and staff report were entered into the record. Certified notices were sent to property owners within 250’ of the subject property relative to the requested variations.

Presentation of Evidence by Petitioners

Upon being sworn in, John Killeen presented their petition seeking relief to accommodate a garage extension. The petitioners would like to have the laundry room in the front of the garage instead of the basement which would give them a setback of 18’ instead of 25’.

Questions/Discussion by Planning and Zoning Commissioners to Petitioners

Chairman Carbonetti opened the floor to questions or comments from the Commissioners.

• Commissioner Grieshop inquired if the 18’ would hit the house edge of the sidewalk or the street edge of the sidewalk. John related that the 18’ would measure from the house to the inside of the sidewalk. Commissioner Grieshop indicated he measured his truck which is 18’ which would probably be the same as John’s truck and didn’t think there would be any trouble with a sidewalk infringement.

Alderwoman Haderlein noted she is John’s next-door neighbor and agrees with about 95% of the request. She noted another issue that hasn’t been mentioned yet is there are two variations being requested. The other variance issue is having the garage 7’ in front of the front face of the house where the actual entrance is. The Unified Development Ordinance requires the garage to be placed 5’ back from the house in that neighborhood which is in the older part of town. John didn’t think that that the extension would be bad for that neighborhood for that style of house. He further noted that it is a very diverse neighborhood with home styles. John requested relief from that requirement as well.

Identification of Objectors/Supporters/Witnesses/Audience Participation 

There were no objectors in attendance.

Vote on Petition

A motion was made by Commissioner McCafferty, seconded by Commissioner Grieshop to recommend to the City Council to approve the petitioner’s request as presented for a side yard variation and a variation from the requirement that the attached garage be placed 5’ back from the house. Roll call vote: Hutchinson, aye; McCafferty, aye; Carbonetti, aye and Grieshop, aye. Motion approved four to zero.

The Planning and Zoning Commission’s recommendation will come before the City Council at their next regular meeting on Tuesday, December 8, 2020, at 7 pm to be held via Go To Meeting.

At 7:19 pm, a motion was made by Commissioner Hutchinson, seconded by Commissioner Grieshop to close the hearing. All ayes. Motion carried.

Clerk’s Report 

No report.

Chairman’s Report 

No report

At 7:20 pm, a motion was made by Commissioner Grieshop, seconded by Commissioner Hutchinson adjourn the meeting. All ayes. Motion carried.

https://www.cityofharvard.org/sites/default/files/fileattachments/planning_and_zoning_commission/meeting/13981/planningzoningminutes2020-12-01.pdf