Village of Shorewood Planning and Zoning Commission Met Nov. 4.
Here is the minutes provided by the commission:
I. Call to Order
Chairman Brockman called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
Economic Development Director Kelley Chrisse explained that the meeting was being recorded. As part of the COVID 19 Phase 4 Reopening Plan with mitigations, Village Hall was now open and gatherings of up to 25 people were permitted. As was posted on the Agenda, pursuant to Public Act 101-0640, the meeting was also available for virtual participation and members of the PZC, staff, and public were attending virtually. Ms. Chrisse provided an overview of the Webex Platform. Public comments are able to be provided during the General Public Comments item on the agenda, with each agenda item or could have been emailed in advance of the meeting.
A. Pledge to the Flag – skipped due to most Commissioners attending virtually B. Roll Call
Present: Chairman Stevan Brockman, Vice Chairman Dan Warren,
Brad Brooks, David Goodale, Mike Kaminsky, Ellen Kijowski, Deb Olson,
Jim Relyea, Cheri Susner
Absent: Bruce Durham
Staff: Kelley Chrisse, Economic Development Director
Natalie Engel, Village Planner
Jim Culotta, Village Administrator
Aaron Klima, Police Chief
Jim Parthun, Public Works Foreman
Others: Brian Kilday
William Palmer, Guiding Light Academy
II. Public Comments
None
III. Business Items
A. Approval of Minutes dated October 7, 2020.
Motion by Commissioner Kijowski, seconded by Commissioner Goodale to approve the minutes dated October 7, 2020. Upon roll call vote, the motion carried by a roll call vote (7- 0)
Ayes: Kaminsky, Brooks, Goodale, Kijowski, Olson, Relyea, Susner
Nays: None
B. Public Hearing
i. Petition #20-407
Guiding Light Academy has requested an amendment to the Conditional Use for a Planned Unit Development for Brook Forest Plaza
Chairman Brockman opened the public hearing.
Village Planner Natalie Engel presented the Community Development Memo. She explained that Guiding Light Academy is an ISBE-approved therapeutic day school that has been operating at 247 Brook Forest Avenue in the Brook Forest Plaza since 2018. Guiding Light Academy provides intensive academic and therapeutic services to students ages 5 to 21. The school owns their building as well as adjacent land that is planned for commercial uses.
The Amendment to the Conditional Use for the Planned Unit Development would accomplish the following.
1. Expressly list Guiding Light Academy’s use as permitted under the category of “School, K-12”.
2. Approve a site plan for an 8,987 SF addition to the existing school building. 3. Waive the requirement to bring future building additions through the Site Plan Review process if they meet Village Code and the PUD requirements.
4. Allow a total of three (3) wall signs for the school.
The PZC asked about the signs and whether one should be located on the east façade. William Palmer, representing Guiding Light Academy, indicated that he would consider different sign locations and agreed that a sign on the east façade may be a good idea. The proposed amendment is written so that it increases the number of signs allowed for Guiding Light. It does not specify locations.
William Palmer described Guiding Light Academy. They have two locations – one in Woodridge and one in Shorewood. They serve approximately 140 scholars from 45 school districts and have a staff of 120. They primarily serve students with autism.
Guiding Light Academy has been successful in their Shorewood location and has 60 employees on site. Due to Covid 19, approximately 60% of their students attend in person and 40% are remote.
They expect to start construction on the addition in the spring.
Guiding Light owns their building as well as the vacant land east and west of their building. They intend to sell the land east of their building.
Commissioner Kaminsky asked about whether the future addition would affect parking. Mr. Palmer described the parking lot configuration and the cross-access easements over the lot.
Commissioner Kijowski asked about bus service. Mr. Palmer replied that smaller busses and vans service the school. The students will be dropped off at the back door. The school operates on a normal schedule with students arriving between 8:30 am and 8:45 am and departing at 2:45pm.
Commissioner Goodale asked about the regulations pertaining to locating the school near the vape shop. Economic Development Director Kelley Chrisse explained that the distance limits apply to the sale of liquor as opposed to tobacco. Existing businesses with liquor licenses, such as Jewel, are not impacted by the distance limitations since they predate the school. If a new liquor store wanted to move to the center, the distance requirements would be triggered.
Mr. Palmer asked about signage if commercial tenants moved into the expanded building. Ms. Engel explained that they would follow the multi-tenant sign regulations in the Zoning Ordinance.
Motion by Commissioner Kaminsky, seconded by Commissioner Olson to close the public hearing. The motion carried by roll call vote (7-0).
Ayes: Kaminsky, Brooks, Goodale, Kijowski, Olson, Relyea, Susner Nays: None
Motion by Commissioner Kaminsky, seconded by Commissioner Kijowski as follows.
I move that we (1) adopt the findings of fact in the staff memo dated October 30, 2020 verifying that the standards set forth in Sections 10-11-7 and 10-12-4(B) of the Village Code have been met and (2) recommend approval of the requested amendment to the conditional use permit for a planned unit development for Brook Forest Plaza with the condition that the property be developed, utilized, and all businesses operated in conformance with the Zoning Ordinance and all other applicable ordinances and regulations of the Village.
The motion carried by roll call vote (7-0).
Ayes: Kaminsky, Brooks, Goodale, Kijowski, Olson, Relyea, Susner Nays: None
ii. Petition #20-413
Brian Kilday has requested a Zoning Map Amendment to rezone his property located at 102 Summer Street to B-1, Neighborhood Convenience Shopping Center District Chairman Brockman opened the public hearing.
Village Planner Natalie Engel presented the Community Development Memo.
Brian Kilday purchased the property located at the southeast corner of Summer and Jefferson, 102 Summer Street. He has petitioned the Village for a map amendment to rezone his property to B-1 so that he can operate his marketing firm from the existing structure.
The property measures approximately 16,000 SF and is part of the Shorewood Beach Subdivision. It is zoned R-1 and shares boundaries with B-1 and B-3 zoning districts.
If the B-1 zone was expanded to add this site, it would meet the Zoning Ordinance size requirements. The property would meet the B-1 Zoning District requirement except with regard to the front yard setback and the garage setback. The parking lot would also be non-conforming with respect to layout.
The TIF Core Area Plan calls for flex-mixed use development in the area.
Commissioner Olson asked about updates to the building and lot. Brian Kilday, the property owner, said that the previous owner had replaced the roof and siding. He will be focusing on yard improvements.
Mr. Kilday said that he would like to install a sign on the property, similar to the sign at the law firm on the adjacent property. He explained that he owns a boutique marketing firm that focuses on websites, content creation, and e-commerce for small to mid-sized businesses.
Commissioner Kijowski said that she was excited about the improvements to the area and to see the project take off. Commissioner Olson also expressed excitement and said that the large trees should be saved. Mr. Kilday agreed about saving the trees.
Motion by Commissioner Goodale, seconded by Commissioner Olson to close the public hearing. The motion carried by roll call vote (7-0).
Ayes: Goodale, Kijowski, Olson, Relyea, Susner, Kaminsky, Brooks
Nays: None
Motion by Commissioner Kijowski, seconded by Commissioner Susner as follows:
I move that we (1) enter findings of fact that the standards set forth in Section 10-12- 3(B) of the Village Code have been met and (2) recommend approval of the request to rezone the subject property from R-1 to B-1 subject to the property being developed and utilized in conformance with the Zoning Ordinance and all other applicable ordinances and regulations of the Village.
The motion carried by roll call vote (7-0).
Ayes: Kijowski, Olson, Relyea, Susner, Kaminsky, Brooks, Goodale
Nays: None
C. Petitions - None
IV. Reports and Communications
A. Staff Updates
i. Development Update
Chairman Brockman noted that, with the expansion of Guiding Light Academy, the multi-family residential shown on the TIF redevelopment plan would be eliminated. Ms. Chrisse explained the site challenges and the transitional nature of the residential and educational uses. She also noted that if the property were to redevelop in the future, the plan for multi-family could still be pursued.
Several new businesses have recently opened or are opening soon in the Village including Cookie Jar, Rhino Baseball, GPS Training, Aldi (November 12th), Learning Express, and Westside Children’s Therapy.
Local businesses are struggling due to COVID 19 and can use our help. The Village is sharing business information with the community on its website. Please help support the businesses through purchasing, reviews or referrals.
ii. Other - None
B. Commissioner Feedback
The PZC discussed the Village’s social media accounts. Ms. Chrisse gave an overview of the offerings including Facebook, Instagram and Linked-In. She will share the links with the Planning and Zoning Commission.
V. Adjournment
A motion was made by Commissioner Goodale to adjourn the meeting, which was seconded by Commissioner Susner. The motion carried (7-0) by roll call vote:
Ayes: Kijowski, Olson, Relyea, Susner, Kaminsky, Brooks, Goodale
Nays: None
The meeting was adjourned at 7:56 pm.
https://vil.shorewood.il.us/Documents/View.aspx?ID=9235
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