McHenry Times

Village of Fox River Grove President and Board of Trustees met July 16

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL 

Village President McLaughlin called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. in the Municipal Center. Present at roll call were Trustees Curtiss, Knar, Hester, Migdal, and Wall. Trustees Schladt was absent. Also, present were Administrator Soderholm, Assistant Administrator Bechler, Operations Manager Reese, Operations Manager Zintl, Chief Waitrovich, and Clerk Caesar. 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 

PUBLIC COMMENT 

Ron Hameetman, 435 Woodbine Ln. - Mr. Hameetman stated he was present to voice his concerns against the 415 Ski Hill Zoning Case 2024-04. Mr. Hameetman is opposed to the variance stating personal concerns that the additional height request will restrict his view of the horizon, the sun, and fresh air. Mr. Hameetman stated that a 6-ft. privacy fence was previously installed which has also restricted his sunlight. Mr. Hameetman stated his concern for property values if additional structures continue to be added in the area and noted that he does not feel a hardship on the petitioner was present to justify the additional height request. 

Gerry Blohm, on behalf of FRG Scout Troop 166 stated that his troop was approached to sell hot dogs and burgers at the fireworks. To his surprise it was very successful and with the money raised they were able to purchase additional tents and other needs for the troop. As a thank you, the troop wanted to give back to the Fireworks event with a monetary donation. The donation was received by Clerk Caesar. 

VILLAGE PRESIDENT AND TRUSTEE REPORTS 

Village President - None. 

Trustee Curtiss stated the fireworks event had a large turn-out, the weather was perfect, the show itself was great, and that she received many compliments. 

Trustee Migdal reported on the Planning & Zoning meeting held Tuesday, July 9th. There were four zoning cases heard and most of the discussion points revolved around whether the petitioners actually had a unique circumstance / hardship that would warrant the variances being requested. Case 2024-04, 415 Ski Hill Rd. particularly ended in a split vote with no recommendation being made to the Village Board. 

1. APPROVAL: CONSENT AGENDA - APPROVAL VIA ONE VOTE FOR ALL 

A. Village Board Meeting Minutes - July 2, 2024 

B. Accounts Payable - July 16, 2024

Trustee Hester made a motion to approve consent agenda items A & B. Trustee Knar seconded. Roll Call: Trustee Curtiss, Knar, Hester, Migdal, and Wall -all "yes." MOTION PASSED. 

2. DISCUSSION: ZONING CASE 2024-03, 100 SKI HILL ROAD — VARIANCE — ACCESSORY STRUCTURE Assistant Administrator Bechler stated that Norge Ski Club received an accessory structure donated from Cary-Grove Youth Baseball to be used on their property to store snow making machinery and other equipment in, that is currently stored unprotected on the property. A variance is being sought to allow the installation of a 16' tall (greater than the 12' allowed), 1,200 square foot garage (greater than 576 sqft area limitation) located in a side yard adjoining a street (only permitted in rear yards). 

President McLaughlin clarified the variance was for three things, height, size, and location. 

A discussion was held. 

Trustee Curtiss made a motion to place Zoning Case 2024-03, 100 Ski Hill Rd. — Variance — Accessory Structure on an upcoming Village Board agenda for ordinance approval. Trustee Hester seconded. A voice vote was taken - Trustee Curtiss, Knar, Hester, Migdal, and Wall-all "yes". MOTION PASSED. 

3. DISCUSSION: ZONING CASE 2024-04, 415 SKI HILL ROAD — VARIANCE — ACCESSORY STRUCTURE Assistant Administrator Bechler stated that petitioner Gintaras Andriusis is seeking a variation to allow the construction of a 16.5' tall garage (greater than the 12' allowed). The Planning & Zoning Board motion to deny the variance request ended in a split vote, resulting in no recommendation being made to the Village Board. Petitioner Gintaras Andrisusis was present to answer Board members questions. 

Trustee Hester asked why the change in plans after already securing a permit for a standard 12' garage and pouring the foundation. Petitioner Gintaras stated the original permit was pulled in 2021. After Covid the cost of concrete soared and the expense of the foundation delayed the project. During that time, both he and his wife were working remote and with kids at home, it became apparent additional space to accommodate an office for him to work away from the kids seemed more essential. Mr. Gintaras also added that he is a car enthusiast and having additional space for his hobby also played into his request for the additional garage. 

Trustee Knar acknowledge the presence of resident Ron Hameetman, stating that when a resident takes time to attend meetings and voice concerns for or against a case, it is important those comments be taken into consideration. 

Trustee Migdal stated that at the P&Z meeting, Mr. Hameetman was asked by a board member if he could see 415 Ski Hill from his property, to which Mr. Hameetman replied he could not. 

Petitioner Gintaras stated that he made sure to secure signatures in person from the two neighbors that would be most affected by the variance height, if granted, and both Jeff Petersdorff, 430 Woodbine Ln., and Marvin Kuhl 419 Ski Hill Rd. signed without reservation. 

Trustee Hester made a motion to place Zoning Case 2024-04, 415 Ski Hill Rd. - Variance - Accessory Structure on an upcoming Village Board agenda for ordinance approval. Trustee Migdal seconded. Roll Call: Curtiss, Hester, Migdal, and Wall - all "yes." Trustee Knar "no." MOTION PASSED. 

4. DISCUSSION: ZONING CASE 2024-06, 220 GLADYS AVENUE – VARIANCE – ACCESSORY STRUCTURE 

Assistant Administrator Bechler stated petitioners Ryan & Debra Budyak are requesting a variance to construct a 680 square foot garage (576 sqft limit) on the property at 220 Gladys Avenue, that would otherwise not be permitted. Assistant Administrator Bechler stated the extra depth in the garage is to allow space for Mr. Budyak, whom is a musician, to unload and store his equipment any time of the day or night without disrupting his entire family when returning home after a music event. Currently the Budyaks do not have a garage at all. 

A discussion was held. 

Trustee Migdal stated that there is a bit of a hardship on the petitioners given they older do not have a garage at all. 

President McLaughlin stated if the garage were attached to the home, the area and size wouldn't be an issue, only the setbacks would matter. 

Trustee Curtiss supports the variance, stating she feels the extra depth is making the best use of the space in the yard. 

Assistant Administrator Bechler informed the Board that for the petitioners to attach the garage to the home they would have to remove part of their existing deck which, wouldn't be necessary if the variance request is granted for the extra depth. 

Petitioner Ryan Budyak stated the additional storage will allow them to open up their basement providing more productive use of the inside of the home as an office for his wife who works from home and a music studio for him. 

Mr. Budyak was asked about a letter of concern that was submitted to the Planning & Zoning Board from a nearby resident, on whether music lessons or band practice would take place inside the garage, to which he replied no the garage would not be used for band practices or his music lesson business. 

Trustee Hester made a motion to place Zoning Case 2024-06, 220 Gladys Ave. — Variance — Accessory Structure on an upcoming Village Board agenda for ordinance approval. Trustee Wall seconded. A voice vote was taken - Trustee Curtiss, Knar, Hester, Migdal, and Wall-all "yes". MOTION PASSED. 

5. DISCUSSION: 

ORDINANCE 

ZONING CASE 2024-05, TEXT AMENDMENTS TO FOX RIVER GROVE ZONING 

Assistant Administrator Bechler explained that Norge Ski Club is looking to add an additional shipping container to its property for the purpose of selling novelties out of. Given the uniqueness of the property, the Board previously agreed that a shipping container could be accommodated on the Norge property as a special use given the ability to tailor conditions for such an item. Per the direction of the Board, Staff is recommending the text amendment as proposed in the draft ordinance for approval. 

Trustee Knar made a motion to place Zoning Case 2024-05, Text Amendments to Fox River Grove Zoning Ordinance on an upcoming Village Board agenda for approval. Trustee Migdal seconded. A voice vote was taken - Trustee Curtiss, Knar, Hester, Migdal, and Wall-all "yes". MOTION PASSED. 

6. OTHER BUSINESS 

None. 

ADJOURNMENT 

Trustee Knar made a motion to adjourn the Village Board meeting at 7:12 p.m. Seconded by Trustee Hester. A voice vote was taken. Trustee Curtiss, Knar, Hester, Migdal, and Wall-all "yes". MOTION PASSED 

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