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CITY COUNCIL 3-16-00 agendaTHE CITY OF LAKE FOREST COUNCIL AGENDA March 16, 2000 CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Honorable Howard J Kerr, Mayor Samuel J. Henry, Alderman First Ward Henry T. Chandler, Alderman Third Ward Robert T. E. Lansing, Alderman First Ward Lawrence Temple, Alderman Third Ward Ashley M. Maentz, Alderman Second Ward Mary Ann Pekarek, Alderman Fourth Ward Peter M. Mott, Alderman Second Ward G. Bishop Gallagher, Alderman Fourth Ward REPORTS OF CITY OFFICERS 1. Comments by Mayor 2. Comments by City Manager 3. Comments by Council Members OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL OF MINUTES A copy is attached beginning on page 5. Recommended Action: Approve the minutes as presented. ORDINANCES 1. Consideration of an Ordinance Amending Chapter 40 “Traffic”, of The City of Lake Forest , 1971, Revising Schedule XXVIII and Repealing Ordinance 98-65 (Waive First Reading, Grand Second Reading and Final Approval) PRESENTED BY ASSISTANT TO THE CITY MANAGER, CHRIS MARTIN 615-4281 As part of the parking deck construction on Bank Lane and Illinois, the parking spaces on the west side of Bank Lane in front of 580 Bank Lane were changed to 60 minute parking. This was thought to have been done by City Manager Directive, as was reported at the March 6th Council meeting. However, upon further review, this change was discovered to have been authorized by City Ordinance 98-65, therefore, this ordinance needs to be repealed. For additional information, see Ordinance starting on page 8. Recommended Action: Waive first reading and grant final approval to an ordinance revising Schedule XXVIII and repealing Ordinance 98-65. 2. Consideration of a Report and Recommendation from the Zoning Board of Appeals for a Variance from the Required Front Yard Setback for Property Located at 315 Scott Street. (Weiss Variation) (First Reading and Final Approval) PRESENTED BY SENIOR PLANNER CATHERINE CZERNIAK (615-4299) On February 28, 2000, the Zoning Board of Appeals held a public hearing to consider a request for a variance from the front yard setback to allow for renovation and an addition to the existing residence. The existing ranch house is non-conforming with respect to setbacks as are many other residences in this neighborhood. As part of the planned renovation to this house, some of the non-conforming aspects of the house will be removed. Variances are requested to allow a front porch and a second floor to be added to the house. The porch will encroach approximately 15-1/2 feet into the front yard setback, no further than the encroachment of the existing house. In addition, the second floor addition will encroach approximately 5-1/2 feet into the front yard setback. The second floor encroachment will be less that than of the existing first floor. Originally, a plan for the residence was submitted to the Building Review Board that was in conformance with all of the required setbacks. Through the evolution of the plan, in an effort to ensure that the scale of the house will be compatible with the neighborhood, the present design emerged and as a result, the variances are requested. Both the Building Review Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals commended the petitioners on the final plan brought forward. The Zoning Board of Appeals voted unanimously to recommend approval of the variance as requested. A copy of the Board’s report is attached beginning on page 9. Recommended Action: Waive first reading and grant final approval to an ordinance granting approving the variances as requested. 3. Consideration of Amendments to the Historic Preservation Ordinance (Final Approval) PRESENTED BY SENIOR PLANNER CATHERINE CZERNIAK (615-4299) At the March 7, 2000 City Council meeting, the Council approved first reading of an ordinance amending the Historic Preservation Ordinance. The Ordinance is now before the City Council for final approval. The Historic Preservation Ordinance was adopted by the Lake Forest City Council just over a year ago as a continuation of the City’s long tradition of taking proactive steps to preserve the historic character of Lake Forest. At the time the ordinance was adopted, the City Council recognized that it was a “skeleton” ordinance that would be amended and enhanced incrementally, over time, based on the City’s experiences with implementing the ordinance and in response to new or changing issues in the community. In summary, the proposed changes to the Historic Preservation Ordinance include the following. Housekeeping changes, including clarifications, corrections, and appropriate links to other City rules and regulations. A change in the Commission membership from seven members to five members with the intent of establishing the Commission as a separate body from the Building Review Board. A requirement that one member of the Historic Preservation Commission also serve as a member of the Plan Commission. The transfer of responsibility for reviewing additions and alterations within the Historic District from the Building Review Board to the Historic Preservation Commission. The transfer of the responsibility for considering requests for building scale variances for properties in the Historic District from the Building Review Board to the Historic Preservation Commission. Recognizing the role of the Historic Preservation Commission in providing input and recommendations to other Boards and Commissions. Establishing a process for local designation of additional historic districts or Landmark structures. The Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of the amendments to the City Council. The ordinance with the recommended amendments shown in strikeout and italics text is attached beginning on page 22. Recommended Action: Grant final approval of the ordinance amending the Historic Preservation Ordinance. 4. Consideration of an Ordinance Authorizing the Acquisition of Real Estate (First Reading and Final Approval) PRESENTED BY CITY MANAGER, ROBERT R. KIELY (615-4271) In 1997 the Deerpath Bridge began showing signs of deterioration that was concentrated mainly at the deck joints located on both ends of the bridge. It was decided at that time that the City would pursue federal funds to assist in funding the rehabilitation of the bridge. The City did receive a positive response that federal funds would be available to be used toward the rehabilitation of this bridge. However, since this process can be lengthy interim repairs, expected to last at least 2 years, were made to the bridge late in 1997. Since those interim repairs were made Phase I Engineering (investigation/design) has been underway and is nearing a point were it can be presented to IDOT for there review and approval. Before this can occur the City needs to provide evidence that it has rights to the property north of the bridge that will be used as the temporary detour route (run-around) for both eastbound and westbound traffic. Maintaining 2-way traffic, as opposed to alternating one-way traffic or closing down Deerpath, is essential because of the location of the Public Safety Building and it's dependence on Deerpath and to handle the large volume of traffic (19,000 ADT) that uses this road daily. Because of the lengthy turnaround times by IDOT, it is essential that the Phase I Engineering Report be submitted to IDOT this Spring in order to meet an optimal construction time-frame during the summer of 2001. Therefore, acquiring the property relatively soon will lessen the likelihood that the reconstruction of the Deerpath Bridge will be "pushed" into the year 2002. The City approached the owner of the property last August following a discussion in Executive Session with the City Council. The City obtained three (3) MAI Appraisals for the property, which were provided to the owner in October. Following a number of conversations with the owner, the City submitted an official offer for the property of $525,000 in December. The Owner countered with an offer of $650,000, or $625,000 and the City incur all closing costs, etc. On January 4, the City Attorney submitted the City’s final offer of $550,000. On March 1 the City Attorney, City engineer and City Manager met with the property owner to try and reach a settlement prior to filing condemnation. The City also proposed the option of renting the property during the construction period but the owner was not in favor of that option. The owner indicated that he would submit another offer to the City by Friday, March 10 for its consideration. If the City has not reached an agreement with the property owner by the City Council meeting, staff will recommend that the City Council approve the ordinance acquiring the one-acre, single-family property at 500 Golf Lane. Attached beginning on page 47 is a copy of a proposed ordinance authorizing the acquisition of 500 Golf Lane. Recommended Action: Waive first Reading and grant final approval of the ordinance authorizing the acquisition of real estate at 500 Golf Lane. ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION EXECUTIVE SESSION ADJOURNMENT Office of the City Manager March 10, 2000 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. March 16, 2000 Page 4