North Cook News

Village of Northbrook Plan Commission met Sept. 3

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

1) Roll Call

Attendee Name Title Status

Steven Elisco Chairman Present

Mark DeBartolo Commissioner Present

Keri Halperin Commissioner Present

Jeremy Melnick Commissioner Present

Allen Morgen Commissioner Present

Ken Walden Commissioner Present

Jeff Sandler Commissioner Present

Swati Pandey Senior Planner Present

Michaela Kohlstedt Deputy Director Present

2) Minutes Approval

2.A) Minutes for Approval - May 21, 2024

Commissioner Melnick moved, Commissioner DeBartolo seconded the motion to approve the regular meeting minutes for May 21, 2024, as presented. On voice vote, all were in favor.

Commissioner Halperin abstained.

2.B) Minutes for Approval - August 13, 2024

The Commission tabled minutes to the next meeting on September 17, 2024.

3) Community Planning Report

Michaela Kohlstedt, Deputy Director, reported the Commission will review two applications at the next meeting scheduled for September 17, 2024. The Village Board conducted four preliminary reviews on August 27, and staff is reviewing an application which is expected to be ready for a public hearing end of October. Furthermore, she provided a brief overview of several projects.

4) Public Comment Time

5) Discussion Topics

5.A) Discussion and Review of Draft Articles in the New Zoning Code

Supplemental Information - Article 3 - Single-Family District Standards DRAFT

Supplemental Information - Article 4 - Multi-Family and Mixed Use District Standards DRAFT

Supplemental Information - Zoning-Practice_Practice Gentle Density

Michaela Kohlstedt, Deputy Director, discussed draft residential articles in the new Zoning Code. She provided a brief overview of the following: Single-Family Residential Article, use table, side yard setbacks, and encroachments. She confirmed bonus rooms (FAR) and minimum dwelling unit size will be eliminated with Chairman Elisco. Furthermore, the Village will maintain an administrative zoning process and reduce the minimum required lot area in the R4/R-5 zoning districts. She clarified the industry standards added to the article with Chairman Elisco.

Chairman Elisco stated the public will not be able to maximize square footage, limiting architectural style due to overhang limited to two feet in required yard.

Commissioner DeBartolo commented does not have any problem with the recommended two feet encroachment for an overhang in the required yard.

Ms. Kohlstedt stated the Village is limiting the number of encroachments allowed in interior  yards, to reduce the amount of impervious located in interior yards. She clarified the pool requirements with Chairman Elisco. Furthermore, consolidations are only reviewed by the Village Board, and the Village has no restrictions on the number of lots an individual can own. In Northbrook, it’s very common for individuals to buy the adjacent lot to expand their home or lot for extra yard space. She explained the different circumstances under which a consolidation of lots may be required such as installing a sport court on adjacent lot under common ownership.

Commissioner DeBartolo left the meeting at 8:08pm.

Commissioner Walden identified information missing and inconsistencies in the Zoning Code on different pages for the various use types.

Ms. Kohlstedt stated the R-5 district allows cottage court uses. The reduction of lot area width in the R-4/R-5 districts will create conformity in the Zoning Code. The goal is to bring undersized lots into compliance.

Commissioner Walden favors an occasional duplex if the building is consistent with the other single family homes.

Ms. Kohlstedt noted cottage courts are smaller dwelling units.

Chairman Elisco requested the Village modify the employee section for home occupations to be consistent with the existing Zoning Code.

Ms. Kohlstedt provided a brief overview of the Multi-Family and Mixed-Use Article. The R-6 District acts as a buffer between single-family and dense residential. The R-8 District is considered a dense multi-family area, and building setbacks were eliminated from the article. Furthermore, she clarified the differences between the districts and driveways. The existing multi-family districts will be maintained in the Zoning Code to prevent non-conformities.

Chairman Elisco suggested allowing more than one cottage court per development site.

Ms. Kohlstedt clarified the minimum number of buildings per site and minimum size of a cottage court building. The districts are located sporadically around the community to act as buffers between single-family residential and other uses. She confirmed a through lot is consider two fronts with Chairman Elisco.

6) Remarks for the Good of the Order

7) Adjourn

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