Village of Northbrook Plan Commission met May 1.
Here is the minutes provided by the Commission:
1. Call To Order
Attendee Name; Title; Status; Arrived:
Steven Elisco; Commissioner; Present;
Norm Jacobs; Commissioner; Present;
Jeff Sandler; Commissioner; Present;
Dan Pepoon; Commissioner; Present;
Jeremy Melnick; Commissioner; Present;
Mark DeBartolo; Commissioner; Absent;
Johannah Hebl; Commissioner; Present;
Jennifer Lawrence; Commissioner; Absent;
Marcia Franklin; Chairman; Late;
2. Minutes Approval - April 17, 2018
Commissioner Pepoon moved and Commissioner Sandler seconded a motion to approve the minutes for April 17, 2018. On a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.
3. Community Planning Report
Mr. Poupard stated that at the April 24th Board of Trustee's Meeting, the Board reviewed two new preliminary applications. One involved the renewal of a cell tower antenna on the top of 500 Skokie Blvd, which the special permit for this has expired so it will need to come back to the Plan Commission for a public hearing. The Board did not have any concerns about this. The second application the Board reviewed was for a dental office at 105 Revere Drive, which is zoned I-1 Restricted Industrial and will require a special permit and a variation to reduce parking by one space. The Board seemed fine with this but asks that the Plan Commission pay attention to parking.
4. Hear From The Audience
None.
5. Review Of New Applications
A. PCD-18-05: 255 Anthony Trail - Wilson Lawn And Landscape (First Public Hearing.) An application filed by Wilson Lawn & Landscape, LLC as owner of 255 Anthony Trail, for the purpose of authorizing the following zoning relief: A. Special Permit Approval to Allow Landscape and Horticultural Services Including Outdoor Storage (SIC No. 780.02) in the I-1 Restricted Industrial District; B. Site Plan Approval; and C. Approval of such other zoning relief as may be necessary.
Michaela Kohlstedt reported the subject property is located at 255 Anthony Trail on the east side of Anthony Trail and is Zoned I-1 Restricted Industrial. The property is surrounded on all sides by Restricted Industrial. The Comprehensive Plan designates it as appropriate for general warehouse and office uses. The property is approximately one acre in size and is not located within the one- hundred-year flood plain. The subject property consists of an existing 6,048 sq. ft. single-story structure and currently has parking in the rear along with one access drive in and out of the property located on the south side of the building. The application underwent preliminary review by the Board of Trustees in September of 2017, where upon the applicant was proposing to move their existing landscape, lawn and service business from their location in Northbrook to the subject property with the inclusion of material being stored outdoors, which is what requires the requested special permit in the I-1 District.
Ms. Kohlstedt further explained that during the preliminary review, the Board of Trustees found it to be generally appropriate as proposed. The one concern raised is the screening of the outdoor storage and that it be specified in terms of height and material screening. The Board wanted to make sure all outdoor storage would be adequately screened. The applicant is proposing to add twenty-one parking stalls with a new parking field in front of the building on the west side of the subject property. They are also proposing to extend the existing access drive on the south side, so it will wrap around to the north side of the building to create a full loop around the property. The applicant is proposing to occupy the existing building for the landscape and lawn service business for warehouse and office space. There will be approximately eighteen employees. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday 6:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. with extended seasonal hours as necessary, with occasional Saturdays. The applicant is proposing to add additions to the existing 8 ft. wood fence which is located on the rear east property line. The applicant will include installation of a wood 8 ft. fence on the north and south sides of the property line to fully enclose the rear of the subject property. This will provide security for their materials, as well as the necessary screening. The applicant is also proposing to install a detention basin on the west side of the property adjacent to the property line, along Anthony Trail. Also proposed is additional landscaping throughout the front of the property, which will screen the new parking lot that is going in, as well as landscaping around the detention basin and the foundation of the existing building. The applicant is proposing six-foot block wall material bins in the south-east corner of the subject property these are designed to hold mulch, soil, gravel, landscape waste and salt.
Kathy and John DiTomasso, the Applicants spoke. The DiTomasso's have a landscaping business currently in Northbrook at the corner of Highland and Pfingsten. They are looking to move to an industrial area so they can separate their home from their business. The building will store off season equipment i.e., Jeeps with plows as well as other necessary material and equipment for the landscaping business. The business hours as stated are correct, with seasonal hours fluctuating based upon weather demands and services provided.
When questioned by Commissioner Hebl about the number of proposed parking stalls following the expansion of the parking lot, the applicant responded that majority of employees carpool and they expect there to be more than enough parking with the added parking lot in front of the building.
In response to a question raised by Commissioner Hebl, the applicant stated that they hope to install security cameras on the exterior of the property in the future; however, they have not had any problems with vehicle or material theft with their current operational procedures in Northbrook that they plan on continuing to maintain at this location.
Commissioner Pepoon asked what the landscape waste would be on site, to which the applicant responded that it is moved off-site frequently, a practice they will continue to maintain.
When asked how they keep material from blowing around on the site, Kathy DiTomasso replied that they do not store enough material on site for that to happen.
Commissioner Melnick questioned how mulch is delivered. The applicant, Kathy DiTomasso replied, that it is ordered in small batches similar to salt in the winter and delivered in small amounts by a six wheeler.
Commissioner Pepoon moved and Commissioner Jacobs seconded to close the public hearing. On a voice vote, all were in favor.
All of the Commissioners stated that the use was appropriate as presented and were supportive of the proposed plan and operations with an eight-foot wooden fence for screening.
Motion made by Commissioner Pepoon to have staff prepare a positive Resolution for PCD-18- 05, 255 Anthony Trail - Wilson Lawn and Landscaping and was seconded by Commissioner Melnick. Motion approved on a Roll Call Vote.
6. Old Business
None.
7. New Business
None.
8. Adjourn
On voice vote, a motion to adjourn passed unanimously.
Adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
http://northbrookil.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=15&ID=1371&Inline=True
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