Will County Gazette

Village of Homer Glen Plan Commission met March 7.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

1. Call to Order

The Meeting was called to Order at 7:00 PM

2. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was led by Commissioner Foley.

3. Roll Call

Members present: Commissioner Foley, Commissioner Bugos-Komperda, Commissioner Bradarich and Chairman Hand. Also present were Planning and Zoning Director King, Assistant Planner Udarbe and Plan Commission Secretary Pesavento.

Not present: Commissioner Stanly and Vice-Chair McGary.

4. Minutes.

Chairman Hand said, the minutes from our last meeting will be on the next agenda for the March 21st meeting. There are no minutes to approve.

5. Public Comment.

None.

The Plan Commission Secretary swore in all wishing to speak. Chairman Hand provided a statement as to the order and operation of business for the Plan Commission process.

6. New Business and Possible Action or a Recommendation.

a) Case No. HG-2403-V, 15830 S. Bell Road, Homer Glen, Illinois (Public Hearing): Consideration of a request for approval of a Variance to increase the permitted number of wall signs on the east elevation from one to eight (8) for certain real property located in the C-3 General Business at 15830 S. Bell Road, Homer Glen, Illinois. [HG-2403-V]

Assistant Planer Udarbe presented the facts of this case. This is a consideration of a request for approval of a variance to increase the permitted number of wall signs on the east elevation from one to eight (8) for certain real property located in the C-3 General Business District at 15830 S. Bell Road, Homer Glen, Illinois. [HG-2403-V]. The applicant, Running Supply, Inc., has moved into the property located at 15830 S. Bell Road. They are proposing to install eight (8) wall signs on the east elevation, facing Bell Road. The proposed wall signage consists of one large primary "Runnings" sign on the red architectural feature and then seven (7) smaller accessory signs that state: Clothing; Farm; Home; Tools; Animal Care; Automotive; and Sporting Goods. These signs are consistent with other Runnings locations. Per Village Code, only one wall sign is allowed per business elevation facing a public street or private circulation road. The applicant is requesting a variance to allow all eight (8) signs to be installed on the east elevation. In 2014, Big R was granted a variance to allow the seven (7) wall signs on the east elevation of the subject property. The applicant was permitted to install the permitted seven (7) signs per OR14- 063, but will need to be granted a variance to allow the final sign to be installed. They have held off. They haven't installed this tool sign yet and we've not received any public comment on this case.

These are the proposed signs. If you've driven past, you'll see that most of these are up, except for the tool sign. The Running's big large sign is on that red architectural feature. Then they have seven (7) smaller descriptive signs on the building facade. They have already installed their allowed seven (7) signs and they're waiting for the tools sign to be installed after this variance goes through. These are just some pictures that I found on Google Maps of other Runnings locations. These were the best that I could find on Google Maps. I did find a few more. I think South Dakota is also included in this. You can see all of these have the same seven (7) smaller ones. Most of these also have an eighth (8th) additional sign. That little steep steel sign is not being proposed in this case, but you can see that it is consistent through other locations. One wall sign is allowed per business elevation or tenant facing a public street or private circulation road in our commercial districts. The applicant is proposing the eight (8) wall signs on the eastern elevation and must obtain a variance to allow them all to be installed. Aside from this request or for the quantity of the signs, the proposed wall signs meet size and design requirements for wall signs in our sign code.

As far as findings, the previous tenant at the subject property had already been granted this variance to allow seven (7) signs as it is a very large building. Large tenant space with around four hundred fifty (450) linear feet of building along Bell Road. If granted, the variance will not alter or be detrimental to the surrounding area. As I said this, the previous tenant was already granted a variance to allow seven (7) signs. Larger businesses may have more signage needs and the building does not have any windows where they could potentially utilize window signage allowances. That's not the case here. There are no windows. The proposed signage is consistent with other store locations. These are just pictures of the proposed signs and this is the motion. That concludes my presentation.

A motion was made to open the public hearing by Commissioner Bradarich, seconded by Commissioner Foley all in favor, zero (0) opposed. Motion carried.

The petitioner said, it's basically a branding thing. All across the country they have forty (40) plus locations and all the locations have those symbols. When people approach the building, they know it's like a big Farm & Fleet, but it's Runnings. It's more of a branding issue. They're trying to get the tools put up there. We have to get the approval so we can get it installed. Chairman Hand asked, are any of the signs on the building back lit? The petitioner said, no. There is no electric or nothing. It is just pin mount.

A motion was made to close the public hearing by Commissioner Foley, seconded by Commissioner Bugos-Komperda all in favor, zero (0) opposed. Motion carried.

There were no questions from the Plan Commissioners.

Chairman Hand asked for a motion. Commissioner Foley made a motion to recommend approval of a Variance to increase the permitted number of wall signs on the east elevation from one to eight (8) for certain real property located in the C-3 General Business at 15830 S. Bell Road, Homer Glen, Illinois [HG-2403-V]. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Bugos-Komperda. A roll call vote was taken with Commissioners Bradarich, Foley, Bugos-Komperda and Chairman Hand voting in favor four (4) to zero (0). The motion passed and will go before the Village Board on March 27, 2024.

Chairman Hand asked for a motion. Commissioner Bradarich made a motion to adopt staff's findings as the findings of the Plan Commission. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Foley. A roll call vote was taken with Commissioners Foley, Bradarich, Bugos-Komperda and Chairman Hand voting in favor four (4) to zero (0). The motion passed and will go before the Village Board on March 27, 2024.

7. Old Business

8. Reports of Plan Commissioners and Staff

Director King said, I did circulate Trantina to the Plan Commission as well, correct? It went out to you guys as well as the Board. It's a little preemptive because we still are waiting on some application materials from the applicant and their engineer. I think that within the next couple of months we'll be seeing this coming forward to the Plan Commission. If you have any questions on that you can contact me directly. I haven't heard anything directly on Dunn Farm, but I do know that it has not gone away. They're working on it, I'm sure. I'm sure that will come in at some point. We will have a variance request for one of those lots in Hidden Cove over in that weird subdivision with the private lot near DeBoer Woods. Assistant Planner Udarbe said, it is the same one with the turnaround on that property. Director King said, the one that had the hammerhead. We granted a variance on that lot before, but that homeowner did not move forward. It was purchased by someone else and the variance had lapsed. The request is a little different with the dimension. That's going to come forward. We have a drainage study on this neighborhood that was completed by HR Green and we have some next steps. We're moving forward to deal with some of the drainage issues that are known in this area. It's a very sensitive topic because DeBoer Woods and the HOA doesn't like us granting variances. They have been to the meetings and told us. We have been trying to work with them and with the HOA of Hidden Cove. Then also work with a slew of people to help as this process moves forward so people know that we are still working on the drainage issues in the development. Chairman Hand asked, we had two (2) different lots we looked at, right? Director King said, we did. Two (2) properties have been built on just in the last year. Mr. Vetter's didn't have to come here for his lots, did he? Assistant Planner Udarbe said, he did. Director King said, he got he got variances. Then we had the one on the east side that's in Cook County. That one also got built on. Assistant Planner Udarbe said, I think they started the process and then we realized that they didn't need a variance. Director King said, they may not have been here, but there was another house built out there. I do know that they purchased the land. I don't think they were the original developer. I think he passed away and the son took over. I know he's been doing some marketing in our outreach. I think that may be why some of these lots have been moving forward potentially, but we have seen a lot of activity out there.

Commissioner Bradarich asked, what's on the agenda for March 21st? Director King said, that's going to be the Town Center. Janie Patch will be here. She's the lead staff liaison on the project with Lakota Group. We will have representatives from Lakota Group and Janie will likely do kind of an initial explanation of where we are in the project. Then Lakota will do a presentation and they'll just present all the findings and everything to date. Commissioner Bugos-Komperda asked, what will we be deciding on that night? Director King said, I don't know if there is anything officially that will be voted on. I think it's just for discussion and feedback from the Plan Commission at this stage. That's what I understand. It is just a public meeting. Chairman Hand said, the feedback from the survey, which was after their presentation. Director King said, that will be in there. They will present that. Chairman Hand said, that's technically the next step. Where does it go after? They will be looking at a plan that might be a combination of the other ones. For us, that is pretty important to look at. Director King said, I do know that Janie is pretty close to getting a lot of it together. If you've not familiarized yourself with the framework stuff, there's a lot of information on our website that's already been put out there. If you can go ahead and take a look at all that. She gave me her supplement sheet draft today so we have it. I'm just not sure she's ready to release that portion yet. I do think that if you can take a chance to look at those framework plans, there are boards in the in the Village Hall in the front. There is also information still on our website. If you have questions about that or need any additional information or want to talk to Janie, please do so. In the supplement sheet she has a laundry list of comments that came out of CED, her committee. I think what we'll do is based on your questions and comments that come from this, we'll compile all of that to send to the Board. I think that's a really important job for every plan commissioner here to be prepared to answer some hard questions or provide whatever comments that you'd like to provide. That's why Lakota is here for that to answer all those. Commissioner Bugos-Komperda asked, nothing is staked out on the property, is it? Director King said, no. This is a visioning process. We are way early. We took a big step back mostly because of the nature of our community. Commissioner Foley said, I hope it goes for the community. Chairman Hand asked Laura, did you look at the frameworks? Commissioner Bugos-Komperda said, yes. It got a little confusing because it was like what was that one? Then they put this here and moved this there and I'm trying to see where everything got moved. There were some things I liked better than others. I think I'll go in and look at the big boards. It would be nice to see it all together because you're voting on one and then you're like okay what was that first one again? Director King said, I can understand that. Please feel free to contact myself or Janie if you have any specific questions, need any additional information or if you need to see something. We can help you with that. Other than that, I don't have anything else.

Chairman Hand said, I just want Melissa to maybe bring us up to speed on the selection process for our next commissioner. Director King said, we have five (5) or maybe six (6) applicants. Commissioner Bugos-Komperda asked, what happened? Director King said, you weren't here when we made the announcement He resigned. Commissioner Bugos-Komperda said, got it. Director King said, we published and noticed for the position. It has been open for quite a while, actually. I think we're going on three (3) weeks, John. This Friday is when I told the applicants that we would close that. I haven't seen any more this week, so I will compile all of that and circulate it to all of you like we did last time. If you would just give us back your top three (3) of the people that you would prefer and if you have any comments to go with that, that would be helpful. For example, reasons as to why the top person is who your pick is. I think we brought it to a meeting for discussion. Did we? Chairman Hand said, no we didn't. Director King said, I think we just did it via email and each one of you replied back to us with your opinions. We will then take all that, compile it, and give that to the mayor and the trustees for a selection. Commissioner Bugos-Komperda asked, out of curiosity do we have some of the same ones from last time? Director King said, we do. I think there were two (2) new ones and then the other four (4) were old. I did reach out directly to them. I sent out a mass email to them saying that we had reposted if they were interested in reapplying.

9. Adjournment

A motion was made to adjourn by Commissioner Bugos-Komperda, seconded by Commissioner Foley. All in favor, zero (0) opposed and the meeting was adjourned at 7:20 PM.

http://www.homerglenil.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_03072024-2691