MINUTES
TOWN OF NORMAL ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
REGULAR MEETING THURSDAY OCTOBER 19. 2006@ 5:00 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, NORMAL CITY HALL
100 E. PHOENIX AVENUE
NORMAL, ILLINOIS
Members Present:
Gary Blakney, Keith Palmgren, Randy Schaab, Todd Anderson, Kathleen Lorenz, Tony Penn, Corrine Brand
Members Absent:
None
Others Present:
Corporation Council Steve Mahrt, Director of Inspections Greg Troemel, and Office Associate Debbi Feid, Mercy Davison, Town Planner, Gene Brown, Town Engineer, Mark Peterson, City Manager, Mayor Koos
Call to Order:
Chairman Schaab called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. and noted a quorum was present.
Minutes:
The minutes of the September 21, 2006 meeting were approved as submitted.
Public Hearings:
- Case No. 06-10-10-V: Variations for Driveway widening
into front yard at 110 Eastview.
Mr. Craig Pickett, 110 Eastview Drive, Normal, IL, was sworn in by Chairman Schaab. Mr. Pickett explained that he has a single car garage and would like to extend his driveway 2 feet inside the house line. Mr. Pickett said there is no parking on one side of his street and that he has teenage children now that drive and needs the space to park the vehicles.
Mr. Troemel, Director of Inspections explained to Mr. Pickett that it would be to his benefit to get a curb cut for the extension of the driveway.
Ms. Lorenz asked staff when the zoning code changes would be in place. Ms. Davison, Town Planner, said they will be working on the zoning changes in a few months.
There was no one else to speak regarding this application.
Mr. Blakney moved to approve this variation request with the addition of the applicant getting a curb cut for a double car drive. Mr. Palmgren seconded.
Ayes: Mr. Palmgren, Mr. Blakney, Ms. Lorenz, Mr. Penn, Mr. Anderson, Ms. Brand, Mr. Schaab.
Nays: None
Motion declared carried.
- 06-10-11-SU: Special Use Permit for Stacked Parking
at 917 Franklin
Mr. Paul Young, 211 S. Prospect, Bloomington, IL, representing BHS, Inc, was sworn in by Chairman Schaab. Mr. Young explained that the owners would like to construct a multiple family residence at the 917 Franklin address. Mr. Young explained because 917 Franklin is in the parking impact zone, the developer must provide one parking space per bedroom. The proposed plan meets this requirement by incorporating 6 stacked parking spaces (spaces 15-20), which are permitted as a Special Use by Sec. 15.7-4(K)(3) of the Zoning Code as long as not more than half of the required parking is stacked. Only 6 of the 20 spaces are stacked.
Mr. Troemel added that the applicant is not asking for any waivers and this application meets code standards.
Mr. Young added that he is an associate with Mr. Penn, and it would be Mr. Penn’s judgment if he would like to abstain from this variation request.
Ms. Laura Meade, 1003 Franklin Ave, Normal, IL was sworn in by Chairman Schaab. Ms. Meade said she has concerns about Church Street being in bad condition and if this development would create more traffic on this road. Mr. Brown, Town Engineer said Church Street is in the 5 year plan to be resurfaced and is expected to be completed in the year 2010.
Mr. Francis Walsh, 1006 Franklin Avenue, Normal, IL, was sworn in by Chairman Schaab. Mr. Walsh had some concerns about sewage and flooding that already occurs on Franklin Ave. Mr. Brown said with the new construction there should be less run off and that by code it will require storm sewer.
There was no one else to speak regarding this variation request.
Mr. Blakney moved to approve this Special Use Permit. Mr. Anderson seconded.
Ayes: Mr. Blakney, Mr. Anderson, Mr. Penn, Mr. Palmgren, Ms. Brand, Ms. Lorenz, Mr. Schaab
Nays: None
Motion declared carried.
- Case No. 06-10-12-V: Variation at the Southwest
Corner of Main Street and
Osage for the following:
1) Front Yard and Corner Side Yard Setbacks
2) 20% Greenspace Requirement and Planting Minimum
3) Greenspace along Osage
4) Parking
Ms. Davison presented this application to the commissioners. The Tartan Realty Group has purchased this property in order to develop this site. It would consist of the first floor being commercial with residential units above for student apartments. Ms. Davison said staff is supportive of this development. Ms. Davison spoke of the 6 variations that are being asked for.
Tartan Realty Group representative Doug Riechl, 30 W. Monroe Street, was sworn in by Chairman Schaab. Mr.Reichl spoke about the proposed development. Mr. Reichl said the site plan shows commercial businesses on the main floor and residential apartments on remaining stories. Mr. Reichl said the 4 to 5 story building would house 8 apartments (32 bedrooms), which would likely be rented to college students. Mr. Reichl said the plan is to have the 63 parking spaces shown on the site plan available to be used for the commercial purposes. Mr. Reichl said the tenants that live in the apartments have two parking options at this time. First, ISU has offered to allow the residents who are ISU students to participate in the university’s parking program. Second, Mr. Riechl is in negotiations with the Baptist Association to develop parking on their lot, which is located directly west of Mr. Riechl’s property.
Ms. Lorenz asked Mr. Reichl when this project would begin. Mr. Reichl said it would probably be the summer of 2007.
There was much discussion amongst the commissioners about parking issues associated with this new development. Mr. Blakney said of the 6 variations, the parking was the focal point.
Mr. Peterson, City Manager for the Town of Normal, was sworn in by Chairman Schaab. Mr. Peterson said he wanted to comment on this application. Mr. Peterson said this development would be a great addition the Main Street Corridor. Mr. Peterson said Tartan Development is a quality developer with a quality design and that this overall project would be in the best interest of the Town.
Mr. Reichl commented on the landscaping plan submitted and said there could be changes made in the final plan.
There was no one else to speak regarding this application.
Chairman Schaab asked Mr. Mahrt how to proceed on the 6 variations, specifically if they should be voted on separately or as one. Mr. Mahrt said they could be voted on as one.
Chairman Schaab read the 6 variation requests to the commissioners and asked for their comments and concerns on each of the requests.
Mr. Penn moved to approve all variations as requested on the condition that any development that occurs on the site must be substantially similar to Tartan Development plan.
Ayes: Ms. Lorenz, Mr. Blakney, Mr. Palmgren, Mr. Penn, Mr. Anderson
Nays: Ms. Brand, Mr. Schaab
Motion declared carried.
Other Business:
None
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debbi S. Feid, Zoning Board of Appeals Secretary