MINUTES
TOWN OF NORMAL ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
REGULAR MEETING THURSDAY APRIL 20, 2006@ 5:00 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, NORMAL CITY HALL
100 E. PHOENIX AVENUE
NORMAL, ILLINOIS
Members Present:
Gary Blakney, Keith Palmgren, Jim Hess, Todd Anderson, Kathy Lorenz, Tony Penn
Members Absent:
Randy Schaab
Others Present:
Corporation Council Steve Mahrt, Director of Inspections Greg Troemel, and Office Associate Debbi Feid, Mercy Davison, Town Planner
Call to Order:
Vice-Chairman Blakney called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. and noted a quorum was present.
Minutes:
The minutes of the February 16, 2006 meeting were approved with
the correction in Case No. 06-02-02-V: Side yard setback, 408
Hovey, replacements of existing detached garage. The existing
slab will be removed which part of it is dirt floor.
Public Hearings:
- Case No. 06-04-02 V: Lot Frontage Variation, 904-906
W. Division (Development of Vacant Lot)
Ms. Diane Stone, 920 Summit, Bloomington, IL, was sworn in by Vice-Chairman Blakney. Ms. Stone spoke saying she had purchased this property in April 2005. She was under the impression that the adjoining lot could be sold and developed. Ms. Stone said she had several inquiries about this lot and how it could be developed.
Mr. Blakney spoke about the non-conformity of these properties and the set backs. In the staff reports the address for the lot sizes were reversed. 904 W. Division is 45’ x 165’ and 906 W. 50’x 165’.
Mr. Troemel explained that in the Zoning Code, even thought these are separate parcels, and they are under common ownership, they have the ability to make a conforming lot that has to be maintained. Mr. Troemel said if the lots long ago were each owned by separate individuals they could have gotten a permit to build. But under common ownership they must keep their conformity per code.
Mr. Palmgren asked Ms. Stone if she had knew she could build on the lot at 904. Ms. Stone said she was lead to believe from the seller that it would be a build able lot.
Ms. Lorenz asked if Ms. Stone had looked into any preliminary plans for this property. Ms. Stone said no, this was her first step towards starting the process.
Mr. Troemel added that is the property if sold, it would by code include both lots to the same individual.
Mr. Blakney asked Ms. Stone if she was going to do anything with the house at 906 Division. Ms. Stone said it is being used as a rental home.
Ms. Myrna Fournier, 902 W. Division, Normal, IL, was sworn in by Vice-Chairman Blakney. Ms. Fournier said she has lived on this block for 9 years. Ms. Fournier said she is concerned about another house being built on the lot and the traffic it would cause.
Mr. Blakney said he is concerned about the newness of the purchase and the owners wanting to sell. Also, Mr. Blakney said he would be concerned about the large trees that would have to be cut down on this lot.
Mr. Palmgren said it is unfortunate that people or realtors are misinformed about the conformity about such properties.
There was no one else to speak regarding this application.
Ms. Lorenz moved to grant this variation request. Mr. Palmgren seconded.
Ayes: None
Nays: Mr. Hess, Mr. Anderson, Mr. Penn, Mr. Palmgren, Ms. Lorenz, Mr. Blakney
Motion denied
Other Business:
Mr. Hess said he would be resigning from the commission, because he is moving out of town.
Adjournment:
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at
5:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debbi S. Feid
Zoning Board of Appeals Secretary