North Cook News

Village of Northbrook Plan Commission met Oct. 1

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

1) Roll Call

Attendee Name Title Status Arrived

Steven Elisco Chairman Present

Mark DeBartolo Commissioner Absent

Keri Halperin Commissioner Present 7:35pm

Jeremy Melnick Commissioner Present

Allen Morgen Commissioner Present

Ken Walden Commissioner Present

Jeff Sandler Commissioner Absent

Swati Pandey Senior Planner Present

Michaela Kohlstedt Deputy Director Present

Amy McEwan Interim Director Present

2) Minutes Approval

2.A) Minutes for Approval - September 17, 2024

Commissioner Morgen moved, Commissioner Walden seconded the motion to approve the regular meeting minutes for September 17, 2024, as presented. On voice vote, all were in favor. Chairman Elisco noted a change to the minutes.

3) Community Planning Report

Michaela Kohlstedt, Deputy Director, reported the Village Board approved a voluntary annexation, and the Village hired a new Interim Director named Amy McEwan, with the Development of Planning Services Department. Furthermore, she clarified the software migration to Office 365 and requested the Commission finish the emailed IT training, or determine whether or not to eliminate Village email addresses for the Commissioners and the Village issued devices. The Commission decided to eliminate the Village issued email addresses and devices.

Amy McEwan, Interim Director, introduced herself to the Plan Commission. She expressed great interest in growing her professional career with the Village.

4) Public Comment Time

5) Discussion Topics

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

Article 5 - Office District Standards DRAFT

Article 6 - Commercial District Standards DRAFT

Article 7 - Industrial District Standards DRAFT

Article 8 - Institutional and Open Space District Standards DRAFT

Article 9 - Overlay District Standards DRAFT

Michaela Kohlstedt, Deputy Director, discussed draft non-residential articles in the new Zoning Code. She provided a brief overview of the Office District Standards. The changes include the addition of modern/indoor agricultural uses. She confirmed principal structures require special permits. The Village is willing to consider daycare uses in the O-1 District.

Chairman Elisco spoke in support of adding daycare uses in the O-1 District. He suggested creating consistency with car washes and dealerships.

Ms. Kohlstedt clarified the telecommunications setback. The Village will allow drive-throughs by right in the draft Zoning Code. The public must apply annually for outdoor displays, and EV charging stations is a new building code requirement. She clarified the difference between primary and temporary uses in a tenant space. Furthermore, she discussed changes to the Commercial District Standards. The Village will not be modifying the C-4 District, due to a  governing ordinance.

Commissioner Walden suggested the special use be considered as a permitted use for daycare uses. Furthermore, daycare nursery should be considered a special use.

Ms. Kohlstedt clarified the purpose of a special use for daycare uses. She discussed changes to the Industrial District Standards and confirmed I-2 is a heavy industrial use, compared to agricultural uses. She provided a brief overview of the draft Institutional and Open District Standards. She explained how the Village is working on creating consistency in the Zoning Code.

Furthermore, she will verify why the zoning standard is 2,500 square feet for some conditional uses.

Chairman Elisco noted several grammar errors in the draft document.

Ms. Kohlstedt clarified accessory structures allowed by right with Commissioner Walden. She discussed changes to the Overlay District Standards. To note, the Village will maintain the SIC document for the Techny Overlay District. She confirmed the Techny Overlay District requires a special permit for drive-ins. The Village will be scheduling a joint meeting to consider two draft articles.

6) Remarks for the Good of the Order

Chairman Elisco read an email he received from Village Board President Ciesla regarding the participating in the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus Missing Middle Housing meetings. He asked if a Member of the Plan Commission would like to volunteer to represent the Commission.

Michaela Kohlstedt, Deputy Director, requested Commissioner Halperin email the Village Manager’s Office regarding recruitment for Plan Commission vacancies. The next meeting is scheduled for October 15, 2024, and the meeting scheduled for November 5, 2024, was cancelled. Furthermore, she confirmed the large vacant warehouse located at 4000 Commercial Avenue was built by right, with Commissioner Walden.

7) Adjourn

Commissioner Halperin made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Melnick to adjourn. On voice vote, a motion to adjourn passed unanimously. Adjourned at 8:41 p.m.

https://northbrook-il.granicus.com/DocumentViewer.php?file=northbrook-il_3b946013c90af56a9f1afbcf51b24009.pdf&view=1