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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 04/20/2006 - Planning and Zoning Commission City of McHenry Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting April 20, 2006 Chairman Howell called the April 20, 2006 regularly scheduled meeting of the City of McHenry Planning and Zoning Commission to order at 7:32 p.m. in the McHenry Municipal Center Council Chambers. In attendance were commissioners Buhrman, Ekstrom, Howell, Nadeau, Schepler. Absent: Cadotte, Thacker. Also in attendance were Planner Zeller, City Attorney Rob Fetzner, Community Development Secretary Oliver. Approval of Minutes Motion by Buhrman, seconded by Nadeau, to approve the minutes of the March 16, 2006 regularly scheduled Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting as presented. Voting Aye: Buhrman, Ekstrom, Howell, Nadeau, Schepler. Voting Nay: None Not Voting: None Abstaining: None. Absent: Cadotte, Thacker. Motion carried. Public Hearing – City of McHenry on behalf of McHenry Villa File No. Z-670 3516 West Waukegan Road Chairman Howell at 7:34 p.m. called to order the Public Hearing for File No. Z-670, a request for variance for building setbacks for the McHenry Villa as requested by the City of McHenry on behalf of Maureen Annamarie, to allow the dedication of 15 feet along Boone Creek Lagoon to the City of McHenry to be used for the McHenry Riverwalk. Chairman Howell stated notice of the Public Hearing appeared in the Northwest Herald on March 31, 2006. A Certificate of Publication is on file in the City Clerk’s Office. Certified notices were mailed to all abutting property owners. Receipt of mailing and an affidavit of posting property are on file in the Clerk's Office. Planner Zeller presented the staff report. She explained the need for the variance was due to the fact the City needed 15 feet of land adjacent to Boone Creek Lagoon to facilitate construction of the Riverwalk on the south side. The reduction of 15 feet along the McHenry Villa property creates a setback which is less than that required by the Zoning Ordinance. The City on behalf of McHenry Villa is requesting a variance so that the dedication of the 15 feet does not result in a non-conformity for the Villa. Some discussion occurred regarding liability issues regarding skateboarders, bikes and roller bladders running into McHenry Villa walls. Question was raised regarding similar variances being required in other properties adjacent to the Riverwalk. General discussion also followed regarding potential Riverwalk plans and potential use of the former Medical Arts Building property. There was no further discussion or questions by the Commission. There was no Public Comment regarding the application. Planning and Zoning Commission April 20, 2006 Page 2 Motion by Nadeau, seconded by Buhrman, to recommend to City Council with regard to File No. Z-670, to grant the request for building setback variance as follows to the McHenry Villa Property located at 3516 West Waukegan Road: Northwest corner of the building setback 2.5 feet; Northeast corner of the building setback 5 feet; and that Table 32, the Approval Criteria for Variances, pages 377-378 of the Zoning Ordinance has been met. Voting Aye: Buhrman, Ekstrom, Howell, Nadeau, Schepler. Voting Nay: None. Not Voting: None Abstaining: None Absent: Cadotte, Thacker. Motion carried. Chairman Howell closed the Public Hearing at 7:43 p.m. Public Hearing – McHenry County Federal Credit Union File No - Z-671 Use Variance - 804 North Front Street Chairman Howell at 7:44 p.m. called to order a Public Hearing regarding File No. Z-671, an application for a Use Variance to allow a financial institution in a C-5 zoning district, as submitted by McHenry County Federal Credit Union for the property located at 804 North Front Street. Chairman Howell stated notice of the Public Hearing was published in the Northwest Herald on March 31, 2006. A Certificate of Publication is on file in the City Clerk’s Office. Notices were sent via certified mail to all abutting property owners of record. Certificate of mailing and affidavit of posting the subject property as required by ordinance are on files in the City Clerk's Office. In attendance were Robert Waclawik of the Federal Credit Union and Candy Dietrich of Affinia Credit Union. Both were sworn in by Chairman Howell. Mr. Waclawik explained Affinia intends to vacate its Brake Parts facility on Industrial Drive. To that end the Affinia Credit Union is merging with the Federal Credit Union to accommodate the remaining local Affinia employees. A new site for the credit union facility was therefore needed. The proposed location is 804 North Front Street. Planner Zeller presented the staff report. She noted the subject property is zoned C-5. Due to recent Council action, financial institutions, including credit unions, are no longer a permitted used in the C-5 District. The applicant is seeking a use variance to permit their facility at this location. The Commission briefly discussed parking needs, existing sign modifications, credit union mergers, number of employees projected and number of anticipated daily customers for the facility. It was the consensus of the Commission there were no issues preventing the recommendation of the use variance to Council. Planning and Zoning Commission April 20, 2006 Page 3 There were no further questions or comments by the commissioners. There was no Public Comment regarding this matter. Motion by Nadeau, seconded by Schepler, to recommend to City Council with regard to File No. Z-671, a request for Use Variance to allow a financial institution in the C-5 Zoning District as submitted by McHenry County Federal Credit Union for the property located at 804 North Front Street be granted; and that Table 32A, The Approval Criteria for Use Variances, page 379 of the Zoning Ordinance, has been met. Voting Aye: Buhrman, Ekstrom, Howell, Nadeau, Schepler. Voting Nay: None Not Voting: None Abstaining: None Absent: Cadotte, Thacker. Motion carried 5-0. The Public Hearing was adjourned at 7:59 p.m. Other Business Commissioner Ekstrom mentioned Hancock Fabrics is opening a facility in Crystal Lake. She inquired when McHenry would have a Super Wal-Mart. Chairman Howell opined Gary Lang is blatantly disrespectful of City ordinances and continues to park vehicles on the grass and in the parkway. Commissioner Nadeau inquired if commissioners were restricted from speaking with the press. Some discussion occurred regarding recent calls received from newspaper reporters. Chairman Howell stated commissioners are appointed City officials and are free to comment if they so choose. Adjournment Motion by Nadeau, seconded by Ekstrom, to adjourn the meeting at 8:07 p.m. Voting Aye: Buhrman, Ekstrom, Howell, Nadeau, Schepler. Voting Nay: None Not Voting: None Abstaining: None Absent: Cadotte, Thacker Motion carried 5-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:07 p.m. Respectfully submitted, _________________________________ Kathleen M. Kunzer, Deputy Clerk Planning and Zoning Commission Secretary