City of Crystal Lake Planning and Zoning Commission met June 1.
Here are the minutes provided by the commission:
The meeting was called to order by Mr. Greenman at 7:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Greenman called the meeting to order. On roll call, members Atkinson, Greenman, Gronow, Jouron, Repholz, Skluzacek and Teetsov were present.
Elizabeth Maxwell, City Planner was present from Staff.
Mr. Gronow said this meeting is being recorded for broadcast and future playback on the City’s cable channel. He led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVE MINUTES OF THE MAY 18, 2022 PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING
Ms. Teetsov noted two corrections to the minutes; she suggested local artists for the 95 Crystal Lake Avenue project and Ms. Repholz suggested black trim around the windows. Staff will make the corrections. Mr. Skluzacek moved to approve the minutes from the May 18, 2022 regular Planning and Zoning Commission meeting as presented with corrections. Mr. Atkinson seconded the motion. On roll call, members Atkinson, Gronow, Jouron, Repholz, Skluzacek, Teetsov, and Greenman voted aye. Motion passed.
2022-81 – 230 VIRGINIA STREET – SPECIAL USE PERMIT
Special Use Permit to allow a drinking establishment.
The petitioners were not present. Mr. Greenman moved this item to after Agenda Item 6.
2022-119 – 200 CONGRESS PARKWAY, NORTHWESTERN MEDICINE – SPECIAL USE AMENDMENT AND VARIATIONS
A Special Use Permit Amendment to allow changes to the free-standing signs with variations from height and square footage.
Abigail Brueggeman, Construction Project Manager, was present to present the request. She thanked the commission members on behalf of Northwestern Medicine. She noted Northwestern has acquired several other health systems. They discovered that the signage and brand recognition was not up to par and the CEO provided a directive to conduct a signage study. They looked at all the facilities and studied appropriate sign packages from other health care providers to airports and schools. This request is in line with their approach to streamline and provide clear and concise signage. They are requesting a few variations for the quantity and size of signs.
Mr. Greenman opened the public hearing. There being no one in the public wishing to speak Mr. Greenman closed the public hearing portion and turned it over to staff for a summary of the request.
Ms. Maxwell provided a summary of the request and noted due to the large size of the site and the remote entrances it makes sense to have two free-standing monument signs. Also, for visitors the way-finding signage for pedestrians and vehicles is critical.
Mr. Skluzacek is in favor of the request. They need better directional signage, as he visited the site recently and was unsure where to go. These signs will help people navigate the site.
Ms. Repholz asked about lighting of the signs. Ms. Brueggeman said these are clear letters with internal lighting of the sign. This is better for readability and there are no ground-mounted lights that cause light pollution. Ms. Repholz stated that since this is a medical facility there are a lot of first time visitors and they need additional signage to know where to go so she is okay with the request.
Ms. Teetsov appreciated the sign package they put together and noted it was very helpful in understanding the size and appearance of the proposed signs. She is in support of the request.
Mr. Gronow supports the request. He asked about any landscape that would be disturbed. Ms. Brueggeman showed in the landscape plan and what new landscape would be planted when they disturb the site to remove the existing signs.
Mr. Jouron said this is very nice. He finds it very hard to find the existing directional signage especially if it is up against the building or on the building.
Mr. Atkinson echoed the support of his fellow commissioners.
Mr. Greenman stated he sees how this request meets the Finding of Fact including the hardship standards. He asked for a motion.
Ms. Teetsov made a motion to approve the Special Use Permit Amendment and Variations with the following conditions:
1. Approved plans, to reflect staff and advisory board comments, as approved by the City Council: A. Application (Dylan DeGraw, received 05/17/22).
B. Sign Plan Package (Kiku Obata, dated 05/10/22, received 05/17/22)
2. Changes to the signs which meet the UDO or the heights and sizes in this amendment are not required to amend the SUP in the future.
3. The petitioner shall comply with all of the requirements of the Community Development Department
Ms. Jouron seconded the motion. On roll call Members Atkinson, Gronow, Jouron, Repholz, Skluzacek, Teetsov, and Greenman voted aye. Motion passed 7-0.
2022-101 – 5050 RICKERT ROAD – FINAL PUD AMENDMENT AND VARIATION Final Planned Unit Development Amendment to allow a building addition with a variation for maximum height to allow 49 feet.
Mr. Paul Musschoot, CEO and Owner of General Kinematics, his son Tom Musschoot, President of General Kinematics, and Mike Herron, Herron Construction were present to represent the petition. Mr. Musschoot stated they have been here for quite some time. They now have about 200 employees and the building is around 200,000 square feet. They have been blessed with a lot of work. They have customers in 40 countries and they own 4 other companies including an Engineering Design Firm, Foundry and Recycling Equipment Company. They can build things locally here that are too big to ship as one piece.
This request is to create an addition as they need large overhead crane ability. The last addition was done in 1990. The narrowness of the lot reduces the ability for a larger addition. The height is due to the clearance needed for the crane operation.
Mr. Greenman opened the public hearing. There being no one who wanted to speak, he closed the public hearing and turned it over to staff for a summary of the request.
Ms. Maxwell provided a summary of the petitioner’s request and stated staff’s support for their expansion and investment in Crystal Lake.
Mr. Skluzacek asked about the height variation and how tall is the other portion of the building. Mr. Musschoot stated there are four double hook cranes that will need to light and load large equipment. The trucks back down the cul-de-sac through the building for loading. The other portion of the building is around 38 feet in height. Mr. Skluzacek was okay with all the requests.
Ms. Repholz fully supports the request and thinks this is very exciting local success story. Ms. Teetsov echoed those sentiments and was glad they are expanding their facility here. Mr. Gronow supports this and is happy they are staying here and doing well.
Mr. Jouron has lived here 30 years and knows they have been a good business in the City for a long time.
Mr. Atkinson saw some of their equipment in operation when he worked in mining. He likes the design of the project and fully supports what they are doing.
Mr. Greenman said the variation makes sense for operation and they meet all the Findings of Fact. He asked for a motion.
Mr. Skluzacek made a motion to approve the Final Planned Unit Development Amendment with the following conditions:
1. Approved plans, reflecting staff and advisory board recommendations, as approved by the City Council:
| A. Application (General Kinematics, date signed 05/10/2022, received 05/10/2022) | |
| B. Site Plan (Schmitt Engineering, dated 05/10/2022, received 05/10/2022)
C. Floor Plans (Ollmann Ernest Martin Architects and Engineers, received 05/10/2022) D. Building Elevations (Ollmann Ernest Martin Architects and Engineers, received 05/10/2022) E. Turning Templates (Received 05/10/2022) | |
3. The Petitioner shall address all of the review comments and requirements of the Community Development, Engineering, and Fire Rescue Departments as well as the City’s Stormwater Consultant, Christopher B. Burke Engineering.
Mr. Jouron seconded the motion. On roll call Members Atkinson, Gronow, Jouron, Repholz, Skluzacek, Teetsov, and Greenman voted aye. Motion passed 7-0.
2022-81 – 230 VIRGINIA STREET – SPECIAL USE PERMIT
Special Use Permit to allow a drinking establishment.
The petitioners were not present so Mr. Greenman asked for a motion to continue the item to the June 15th hearing date.
Mr. Gronow made a motion to continue the item to the June 15th Regular Planning and Zoning Commission meeting. Mr. Skluzacek seconded the motion. On roll call Members Atkinson, Gronow, Jouron, Repholz, Skluzacek, Teetsov, and Greenman voted aye. Motion passed.
REPORT FROM PLANNING
Staff summarized the items scheduled for the next PZC meeting, June 15, 2022. Mr. Greenman stated he will not be at the next meeting so Mr. Jouron will run the meeting.
COMMENTS FROM THE COMMISSION
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Skluzacek made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Gronow seconded the motion. On voice vote, all members voted aye. The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
https://ecode360.com/documents/CR2206/public/665797245.pdf
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