HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 11/10/1999 - Community Development Committee COMMUIVITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
� MINUTES
November 10, 1999
Commit.tee Members Present: Bolger, Glab, McClatchey
Others [n Attendance: City Clerk Althoff, City Administrator Lobaito,
Director of Community Development Napolitano
Community Development Chairperson Alderman McClatchey opened the
meeting at 6:30 p.m. He stated the meeting agenda included considerations
of new residential driveway regulations, adult use ordinance revisions and
cell tower regulations.
DRIVEWAY $PECIFICATIONB
Community Development Director Napolitano informed the committee, as
per council direction, the Community Development Department evaluated
the existing City of McHenry ordinances relating to driveway specifications.
Three spec�c concerns were identified:
Residential Driveway Widths.
The maximum width presently allowed is 20'from the sidewalk. Council
granted a variance to the Pine Drive Timber Trail Townhouses for three and
four car garages. An additional five feet of driveway width for each garage
� stall over 2 was permitted.
Driveway Expansion Surfaces.
In response to complaints the Community Development Department
investigated current City permit pra.ctice and ordinance requirements for
driveway extensions. Staff discovered the depart�nent has issued permits for
driveway extensions constructed with different material other than the
material of the original driveway. The City's zoning ordinance requires
parking area expansions must be constructed of the same surface material
as the original parking area.
Paver Bricks.
The City's Municipal Code requires residential driveways be constructed of
asphalt or concrete only. Paver bricks are not a spe�ed alternative. As
paver bricks are now a viable modern alternative requiring a variance for
this specific material seems inappropriate.
Some discussion fnllowed. Citing cost and an on-goin� streets improvement
program, City Administrator Lobaito stipulated the use of paver bricks
would not be permitted in driveway approach areas. In city areas with curb
and cutter aprons must be constructed with concrete.
Community Development Director Napolitano noted as the current driveway
ordinance was silent regarding the permissible number of driveway access
L. points a new ordinance section was recommended, (c) (5) stating
Community Development Meeting
� November 10, 1999
Page'I�vo
no mor�� than two driveways shall be permitted to any one property owner
for any one piece of property on any one street for each 100 feet of
continuous frontage and where two or more driveways are provided for the
same property a 50 foot separation at the outer or street side of the sidevwalk
must be provided.
Some discussian followed regarcling establishing a maximum percentage for
total residential lot coverage by other structures and/or construction
materials. It was also noted no permit will be issued for a driveway access
on Stat�� Routes and/or McHenry County maintained roads unless approval
from the appropriate agency is obtained.
Alderman Glab addressed the issue of driveway widths. City Administrator
Lobaito noted most property owners taper three and four car driveways from
the garage apron down to meet the specif'ied driveway width at the street.
Director Napolitano suggested multifamily developments be permitted wider
driveways as long as open green space was required between each property
lot. Alderman Glab cautioned against permitting a commercial flavor as
opposed to a residential feel. It was the consensus of the committee to
permit wider driveways as per the Tirnber Trails variance, five additional feet
of driveway width for each garage stall over two requiring a specified set-
� back from the property line.
The committee also concurred the inclusion of paver bricks, as a driveway
construction material, should be inserted in the revised ordinance. Some
discussion followed regarding decorative pedestrian walkways. City
Administrator Lobaito noted many communities permit a 12" to 18"
driveway border constructed of unlike material. �.trther discussion
occurred.
Motion by Glab, seconded by Bolger to recommend the followang
amendments to Article III, Section 21 of the Municipal Code regarding
Driveways:
- new definitions of Approach/Driveway/Easement/Flare/Parkway
and Right-of-way
- permitting five additional feet of driveway width for each garage
stall over two with a maximum of 30 feet and permitting additional
driveway width only on lots that exceed the *nyn�muin
requirements of the zoning district in which they are loca.ted ta a
maximum of 30 feet.
- requiring all driveway expansion to be constructed of the same
material as the original driveway
- restricting driveway access to no more than two on any one street
for each 100'of continuous frontage with a specified setback from
the property lines
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Community Development Meeting
� November 10, 1999
Page Three
- pernutting a 12" to 18" decorative pedestrian walkway along the
driveway of different construction material
Voting.Aye: Bolger, Glab, McCla.tchey
Voting Nay: None
Absent: None
Motion carried.
ADULT USEB
Attorney McArdle informed the committee an ordinance draft would be sent
to each committee member for review. Citing graphic terminology Attorney
McArdle suggested the ordinance only be referenced in the Municipal Code
and be published separately in pamphlet form.
Community Development Director Napolitano reported currently adult use
regulations are found in both the Municipal Code and the Zoning
Ordinance. Section 14, Article II of the Municipal Code deals with public
indecency, massage parlors and obscene literature, pictures and
� performances. Adult uses are allowed as a conditional use in only C-5
Districts.
Some discussion followed. It was the consensus of the committee to meet
later and review the proposed draft ordinance. Attorney McArdle was asked
to attend this meeting.
COMMUNICATION/CELLULAR PHONE TOWERS
Community Development Director Napolitano noted the issue of regulating
cellular towers was initiated in response to the proposed location of a
cellular tower at Route 31 and Miller Road just outside the corporate limits
of the City of McHenry. Community Development 17irector Napolitano
referenced the Telecommunications Act of 1996 noting local municipalities
cannot unreasonably prohibit personal wireless services or discriminate
between providers of functionally equivalent services. Requests for siting
permits must be acted upon within a reasonable time period. Denials must
be in writin� and contain substantiating evidence, which must be
maintained in written record.
Current City of McHenry ordinances do not specifically address antennas
and tvwers for wireless communication. Some discussion followed.
Community Development Director suggested the following areas be
addres.sed in any proposed ordinance:
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Commuruty Development Meeting
� November 10, 1999
Page Four
. define wireless communications
. permirted site locations in specif'ied zoning
. bulk and height criteria
. permi yted number of structures on a lot
. aesthf�tic criteria
. co-location design
. safety requirements
. permi:s
. aband onment
Alderm.�n Glab requested staff investigate the tower height request by Sprint
Com PC;S for 200 feet against the industry standard tower height of 150 feet.
It was the consensus of the committee to permit and encourage the use of
existin� structures for tower sites, but to retain tower construction and site
location as a c;onditional use requirement.
The committee directed staff to develop and present a draft ordinance
regulating communication/cellular antennas and towers for full council
consideration prior to submission to the Zoning Board of Appeals.
� Motion by Glab, seconded by Bolger to adjourn the meeting at 7:25 p.m.
Voting Aye: Bolger, Glab, McClatchey
Votin� Nay: None
Absent: None
The mee ' djourned at 7:25 p.m.
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Frank McClatchey, Chaupers
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