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CITY COUNCIL 11-3-1997THE CITY OF LAKE FOREST COUNCIL AGENDA November 3, 1997 CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Honorable Cornelius B. Waud, Mayor Samuel J. Henry, Alderman First Ward Gail T. Hodges, Alderman Third Ward John A. Andersen, Alderman First Ward Henry T. Chandler, Alderman Third Ward Howard J Kerr, Alderman Second Ward Mary Ann Pekarek, Alderman Fourth Ward Thomas J. Tropp, Alderman Second Ward G. Bishop Gallagher, Alderman Fourth Ward REPORTS OF CITY OFFICERS 1. Comments by Mayor A. Proclamation of Gray Ribbon for Diabetes Day Attached as page __ is a proclamation declaring November 13, 1997 as National Gray Ribbon for Diabetes Day in Lake Forest. The day is being designated so that residents learn about diabetes, make certain that they are periodically tested for diabetes, and join with others in the call for a cure for diabetes. 2. Comments by the City Manager A. Department Spotlight - Finance B. Annual Report from Public Affairs Director Harlan Dam at ComEd Mr. Dam will be giving an annual report as required by the franchise agreement. 3. Comments by Council Members PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS APPROVAL OF MINUTES Recommended Action: Approval of the minutes of the October 16, 1997 Council meeting attached beginning on page ___. RESOLUTIONS A. Approval of a Resolution Expressing Official Intent Regarding Certain Capital Expenditures to be Reimbursed From Proceeds of Debt PRESENTED BY BOB KIELY, CITY MANAGER (615-4271) At the October 16, 1997 City Council meeting, the Council authorized the purchase of the Grove School property. At that time, there was discussion regarding the method of acquisition and the ability to issue bonds at a later date to reimburse the City for the acquisition expenditure. In order for the City to be reimbursed from bond proceeds, a resolution expressing the City Council’s intent must be approved. The resolution is attached as page ___ in the packet. Recommended Action: Approval of the resolution as attached. ORDINANCES 1. Consideration of a Report and Recommendation from the Plan Commission on a Request for Approval of a 6-Unit Planned Development and the Associated Special Use Permit for Property Located at 45-51 Laurel Avenue (Laurel Avenue Duplexes) (Tentative and Final Approval) PRESENTED BY CATHERINE CZERNIAK SENIOR PLANNER (615-4299) Mary Koberstein and Arthur Slaven appeared before the Plan Commission on behalf of the petitioner, Centrum Properties. They described the project, noting that the three structures with two units each would serve as a transitional area between the multi-family development to the east and the single family homes to the west. Mr. Garrett Eakin, the project architect, described the project noting that the buildings would be centrally located on the site to preserve the mature landscaping and provide privacy for the new development as well as for the existing development. The Plan Commission reviewed the 6 unit planned development and voted unanimously to recommend approval of the development subject to the conditions which are outlined in the attached report. Recommended Action: Grant first reading and final approval to an ordinance allowing a 6-unit Plan Development as a special use subject to eight conditions as recommended by the Plan Commission. UNFINISHED BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS 1. Consideration of a Report and Recommendation from the Plan Commission on a Request for Tentative Approval of a 6-Lot Subdivision for Property Located at 1725 S. Telegraph Road, (Cobblestone Lane Estates) PRESENTED BY CATHERINE CZERNIAK SENIOR PLANNER (615-4299) Michael Adelman, the petitioner, and Don Fielding, engineer, appeared before the Plan Commission on October 8, 1997. They described the 6-lot subdivision proposed for a 10 acre parcel on the east side of Telegraph Road. They noted that in November, the Building Review Board will hear a request for demolition of the existing house on the property. Several neighboring property owners noted concerns about existing storm drainage in the area and asked for assurance that the new development would not worsen the situation. After hearing the petitioner’s presentation and public testimony, the Plan Commission discussed several issues and directed that the petitioner work with staff to resolve the storm drainage issue prior to Plan Commission final review of the subdivision. The Plan Commission voted unanimously to recommend tentative approval of the subdivision, subject to conditions, to the City Council. Recommended Action: Grant tentative approval of the subdivision subject to the conditions recommended by the Plan Commission. 2. Consideration of a Report and Recommendation from the Plan Commission on a Request for Tentative Approval of a 10-Lot Subdivision for Property Located at 1335 W. Old Mill Road, (Paddock Lane Estates -Tentative Approval) PRESENTED BY SENIOR PLANNER CATHERINE CZERNIAK (615-4299) Don Fielding, representing the petitioner Michael Adelman, appeared before the Plan Commission on October 8, 1997. He described the 10-lot subdivision proposed for a 16 acre parcel located on the south side of Old Mill Road. He noted that surrounding subdivisions are similar to the one proposed for this site. A neighboring property owner expressed concern about the location of the intersection of the new street with Old Mill Road. After hearing the petitioner’s presentation and public testimony, the Plan Commission discussed several issues including preservation of trees and the desirability of retaining the open drainage channel. The Plan Commission voted unanimously to recommend tentative approval of the subdivision, subject to conditions, to the City Council. Recommended Action: Grant tentative approval of the subdivision subject to the conditions recommended by the Plan Commission. 3. Authorization to Enter into an Agreement with the Village of Lake Bluff for the Purchase and Operation of a Fire Truck PRESENTED BY FIRE CHIEF MIKE BEATTY (615-4240) During the budget for FY98 the Fire Chief presented a proposal to the City Council concerning the joint purchase and operation of a fire truck between the Village of Lake Bluff and The City of Lake Forest. The vehicle would replace Lake Forest Engine 212, which was taken out of service earlier this year, and a proposed engine for Lake Bluff to be purchased in 1998. This vehicle would have a 65 foot ladder and also pumping and water carrying capabilities. At that time the Lake Forest City Council agreed to enter into the purchase with Lake Bluff and we waited for Lake Bluff to address the issue at one of its future Board meetings. On October 27, 1997 the Lake Bluff Village Board agreed to the joint purchase and signed an agreement document that the two municipality’s attorneys had drafted. Recommended Action: Authorize the Mayor to sign the agreement for the joint purchase and operation of a fire truck with the Village of Lake Bluff. 4. Consideration of approval of the revised Building Scale and Environment Ordinance. (Section 9-87, of the Building Code) PRESENTED BY PLANNER PUJA K. BHUTANI (615-4587) The revised Building Scale and Environment Ordinance was unanimously approved by the Building Review Board on October 22, 1997. Revisions have been made to the following items in the ordinance, and are italicized in the attached text for your information: - non tableland calculations - basement provision - maximum height - demolition process Recommended Action: Approve the revised Building Scale and Environment Ordinance. 5. Consideration of an Appeal of a Building Review Board Denial of an Addition to a Residence Located at 999 E. Deerpath PRESENTED BY DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CHARLES E. CROOK (615-4207) Mr. and Mrs. George McLaughlin are the owners of the existing home located at the southwest corner of Deerpath and Lake Road. They are proposing to remodel the existing home. The proposed remodeling represents a radical change to the existing home which while not technically constituting a tear down, could be considered as one. Because of the extent and nature of the changes, this matter was referred to the Building Review Board for their consideration. The McLaughlin’s appeared before the Building Review Board at their meetings on May 28, 1997 and June 25, 1997. At the conclusion of the Building Review Board’s June 25, 1997 meeting, the Board by a vote of 3 to 2 denied the McLaughlin’s request for approval of the proposed changes to their home. The McLaughlin’s appealed the action of the Building Review Board to the City Council. That appeal was filed with the Council and appeared on the City Council agenda the same night that the Council took action to defer consideration of Building Review Board matters for ninety days while the City studies changes to the Building Review Board ordinance. Thus, no action was taken on the McLaughlin’s appeal. As of November 3rd, these ninety days are up, so the Council needs to take action on this matter. The Building Review Board’s denial of the McLaughlin’s proposal was based primarily on the Board’s concern regarding the eastern elevation of the home and its compatibility with the neighborhood. Since the filing of the McLaughlin appeal, the staff has been working with the petitioners regarding possible revisions to the eastern elevation and on securing some additional landscaping in front of the house. Staff is of the opinion that we have reached agreement on a conceptual design of a modified east elevation which would affect significant changes around the front entrance of the home in order to simplify that part of the elevation. The McLaughlin’s have also agreed to additional landscaping that will work to effectively breakup the visual appearance of the front of the house from Lake Road. The staff has had an independent architect review the old and new elevations and he concurs that the plan, as amended, presents a better architectural facade for the house. Recommended Action: Based on the above noted changes to the plans, the staff would recommend that the City Council vote to overturn the action of the Building Review Board and to approve the McLaughlin house plans with the modified east elevation, as attached. In addition, an amended landscape plan must be furnished to provide additional landscaping on the southern part of the property, generally in the area around the cluster of three pine trees. 6. Consideration of an Appeal of a Building Review Board Denial of a New Residence Proposed for Property Located at 1030 E. Illinois Road PRESENTED BY DIR. OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CHUCK CROOK (615-4207) Mr. Skip Braver is proposing to build a house on a vacant lot located at 1030 E. Illinois Road. While the lot is 1.84 acres in size, the building area on the site is rather limited because a significant amount of the property is located in parts of the two adjacent ravines, one to the north, the other to the east. Development of the site is further complicated due to its heavily wooded nature and because there is a restriction on the plat requiring access from a private drive running along the west side of the lot. Mr. Braver appeared before the Building Review Board at their March 26, 1997 meeting at which time the Board voted to unanimously approve the proposed house. The review of the driveway location was referred to the Plan Commission due to the covenant on the property. The petitioner subsequently realized that the engineering data that had been used was not accurate and that the proposed house was actually encroaching into the ravine setback areas. Mr. Braver then amended the plans, proposing a different house that did not encroach in the setback areas. However, that house was found to be inappropriate for several reasons. The revised design was considered by the Building Review Board on July 23, 1997. After considerable deliberation, the Board eventually denied Mr. Braver’s second proposal by a vote of 5-2. Mr. Braver appealed the action of the Building Review Board to the City Council. The matter was on the Council’s agenda on the same night that the Council voted to hold consideration of Building Review Board petitions for 90 days while the City studied possible revisions to the relevant ordinances. Thus, no action was taken on his appeal. The 90 day period ends as of Monday, and Mr. Braver has asked for consideration of his appeal from the Building Review Board action. Mr. Braver has also filed a Complaint in the Lake County Circuit Court, challenging the right of the City to deny his petition. The staff and City Attorney have been working with Mr. Braver and his representatives to reach a resolution of the issues involved in this matter. After detail review of both proposed houses, the staff is of the opinion that the original house is actually better for the site even though it does contain more encroachment into the ravine setback areas. These encroachments can be dealt with following certain engineering practices and will not result in any adverse impact on the ravine. We also believe that access to this lot should be from Illinois Road, not from the private drive. The primary reason for this petition is that a driveway from Illinois Road can be accomplished with the least amount of removal of significant trees and impact (filling) to the ravine on the west. Recommended Action: Based on the above, the staff recommends approval of the original house per plans approved by the Building Review Board on March 26, 1997, with the following conditions: 1) The City Council approve relief from the covenant conditions requiring access from the private road and allow access direct from Illinois Road. Said driveway is to be designed so as to now allow for regular parking (thus the main portion of the drive is limited to 14’ in width) and only a small portion near the front door may be widened for the purpose of accommodating up to two guest parking areas, said areas to be screened with landscaping, per the landscape plan. Please refer to attached plans for the suggested modifications. 2) Engineering analysis and documentation must be submitted to and approved by the City Engineer showing that construction of the house will not adversely affect the stability of the ravine. Such engineering documentation would also be required for any patio or deck that may be proposed for construction along the rear (north side) of the house. 3) A landscape plan must be submitted to and approved by the City Arborist prior to the issuance of a building permit providing screening of the portion of the driveway located in the required front yard setback area and along the west side of the house to break up the appearance of the garage door and paved area from the private road. OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL OF AUTHORIZED INVOICES AND PAYROLLS General Fund, IMRF, and Capital Improvement Water Totals Invoices $776,350.60 $181,148.91 $957,499.51 Payroll 733,878.44 90,513.02 824,391.46 TOTALS $1,510,229.04 $271,661.93 $1,781,890.97 AUTHORIZATION OF TREASURER’S WARRANTS TO MEET EXPENSES OF NOVEMBER, 1997 The motion to authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign such warrants as may be necessary to meet the November 1997 audited accounts. ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION EXECUTIVE SESSION ADJOURNMENT Office of the City Manager October 31, 1997 The City of Lake Forest is subject to the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Individuals with disabilities who plan to attend this meeting and who require certain accommodations in order to allow them to observe and/or participate in this meeting, or who have questions regarding the accessibility of the meeting or the facilities, are required to contact City Manager Robert R. Kiely, Jr., at (847) 234-2600 promptly to allow the City to make reasonable accommodations for those persons. Agenda Memorandum - 10/31/97 Page 6