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CITY COUNCIL 4-19-01 agendaTHE CITY OF LAKE FOREST COUNCIL AGENDA April 19, 2001 CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Honorable Howard J Kerr, Mayor Samuel J. Henry, Alderman First Ward Roger J. Mohr, Alderman Third Ward Robert T. E. Lansing, Alderman First Ward Timm Reynolds, Alderman Third Ward Peter M. Mott, Alderman Second Ward Mary Ann Pekarek, Alderman Fourth Ward Michael J. Burns, Alderman Second Ward James J. Cowhey, Jr., Alderman Fourth Ward REPORTS OF CITY OFFICERS 1. Comments by Mayor 2. Comments by City Manager A. Resolution for Robert K. Reidel for More Than 31 Years of Service B. Announcement of Police Department Promotions by Chief Michael Hosking C. Announcement of Fire Department Promotions by Chief Michael Beatty D. Department Spotlight – Fire Department 3. Comments by Council Members OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL CONSENT AGENDA 1. Approval of Minutes from the April 2, 2001 Meeting 2. Proclamation of April 22-28, 2001 as National Volunteer Week 3. Approval and Acceptance of Improvements and Financial Guarantee for The Commons At Conway Farms Subdivision On March 17, 1995 the City Council approved a twenty-eight lot subdivision on Conway Farms Drive three-quarters of a mile south of Route 60. At this time, fifty percent of the lots have been built upon and received certificates of occupancy. All required public improvements, as set forth in the subdivision agreement dated March 16, 1995 have been completed and approved, and all City fees have been paid. The City Staff recommends that the City Council accept the improvements and hold a Letter of Credit in the amount of $45,555.00 for the two-year infrastructure maintenance period and five year tree maintenance period for The Commons at Conway Farms Subdivision. 4. Approval and Acceptance of Improvements and Financial Guarantee for Paddock Lane Estates Subdivision On March 2, 1998 the City Council approved a ten lot subdivision on Old Mill Road one quarter mile west of Telegraph Road. At this time, fifty percent of the lots have been built upon and received certificates of occupancy. All required public improvements, as set forth in the subdivision agreement dated April 16, 1998 have been completed and approved, and all City fees have been paid. The City Staff recommends that the City Council accept the improvements and hold a Letter of Credit in the amount of $90,100.00 for the two-year infrastructure maintenance period and five year tree maintenance period for Paddock Lane Estates Subdivision. Recommended Action: Approval of the Consent Agenda items as presented. ORDINANCES 1. Consideration of a Report and Recommendation from the Zoning Board of Appeals for a Variance from the Front Yard Setback to Allow Construction of a Two Car Garage at 955 Mellody Road. (Worth Variance) (First Reading and Final Approval) PRESENTED BY SENIOR PLANNER CATHERINE CZERNIAK (615-4299) On February 26, 2001, the Zoning Board of Appeals held a public hearing to consider a request for a front yard variance for property located at 955 Mellody Road. The petitioners propose to construct a new garage, in front of the existing garage. The existing garage, which is not quite wide enough for two cars, will be converted to living space. The proposed garage will be located at least 10 feet from the north property line, and more than 40 feet from the street. In considering this request, the Board discussed the unique aspects of this site that together satisfy the criteria for a variance. A key factor is the unusually large City right-of-way that is adjacent to the front yard. As a result, the Worth residence is set back a greater than normal distance from the street. In addition, the Board noted that existing and proposed vegetation will mitigate the impact of the proposed addition on the streetscape and the neighborhood. Finally, the Board commended the petitioner for proposing a modest addition, a two car garage, that is in keeping with the character of the neighborhood and the design and materials of the original house. Several letters of support for the project were submitted by neighboring property owners. The Zoning Board of Appeals voted unanimously to recommend approval of the variance subject to conditions of approval. Those conditions have been satisfied with the Building Review Board’s recent unanimous approval of the architectural design and the materials of the garage, a building scale variance and approval of the landscape plan. The ordinance is included on page 12 of this packet. Recommended Action: Waive first reading and grant final approval of an ordinance granting a variance to allow construction of a two car garage no closer than 10 feet to the front property line. 2. Consideration of a Report and Recommendation from the Zoning Board of Appeals for a Variance from the Front Yard Setback to Allow Construction of a Roof Over an Existing Front Stoop at 555 Spruce. (Jacobson Variance) (First Reading and Final Approval) PRESENTED BY SENIOR PLANNER CATHERINE CZERNIAK (615-4299) On February 26, 2001, the Zoning Board of Appeals held a public hearing to consider a request for a variance to allow the construction of a roof over an existing front porch. Prior to the Zoning Board of Appeals’ consideration of this request, the Building Review Board considered this petition because the covered porch also required a variance from the Building Scale Ordinance. Both Boards unanimously supported the request for variances based on the fact that the proposed porch element will help to “soften” the front of the house and reduce the appearance of mass from the street. Both the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Building Review Board acknowledged that this property has been a subject of concern in the neighborhood for sometime. The Boards also recognized and expressed appreciation to the new owners for moving forward with the long awaited landscaping on the property. As requested by the Zoning Board of Appeals, the City Forester has visited the property and confirmed that the portions of the landscape plan relating to the streetscape have been planted consistent with the approved plan. There were no public comments submitted to the Board. The Zoning Board of Appeals voted unanimously to recommend approval of a front yard variance to allow construction of a roof over the existing front stoop within the setback, a distance not to exceed the encroachment of the existing house, as reflected on the attached site plan. A copy of the ordinance is included in this packet beginning on page 29. Recommended Action: Waive first reading and grant final approval of an ordinance for a variance to allow construction of a roof over the existing front stoop within the front yard setback subject to the condition that the porch remain as an open structure. 3. Consideration of Minor Amendments to the Historic Preservation Ordinance and Building Code to Increase the Membership of the Historic Preservation Commission and the Building Review Board from Five to Seven Members (First Reading and Final Approval) PRESENTED BY SENIOR PLANNER CATHERINE CZERNIAK (615-4329) A year ago, the City Council established the Historic Preservation Commission and the Building Review Board as two separate bodies. Prior to that time, during the first two years after the Historic Preservation Ordinance was adopted by the City Council, a single body of seven people served as both the Historic Preservation Commission and the Building Review Board. The dual role of that body as both the Commission and Board, was intended as an interim measure to allow the Historic Preservation Commission to get established. Last year, when two separate bodies were created, the City Council amended both the Historic Preservation Ordinance and the applicable sections of the Building Code to create two, five member bodies, rather than two, seven member bodies. The reduction in members was discussed as an experiment to determine whether a five member Board and Commission would be workable. It was agreed that we would evaluate the success of the experiment in a year and return to City Council if a return to seven members was found to be necessary. Over the past month, both the Historic Preservation Commission and the Building Review Board voted unanimously to recommend to the City Council the necessary amendments to return the membership of both bodies to seven. Although the five member composition has provided to be efficient and successful when all members are present, there is an inevitability that at any meeting one or more members may be absent. At those times, the Board and Commission have found it problematic to conduct meetings with only four or even three members. The members expressed concern about delaying petitions in the event that a quorum could not be present. Recommended Action: A) Waive First Reading and Grant Final Approval of an Ordinance Amending the Historic Preservation Ordinance to Change the Commission Membership from Five to Seven Members. B) Waive First Reading and Grant Final Approval of an Ordinance Amending Chapter 9, “Buildings” of the City Code Relating to the Building Review Board to Change the Membership from Five to Seven Members. NEW BUSINESS 1. Report on Water Plant Ad Hoc Oversight Committee Action A presentation will be made on Water Treatment Plant improvements proposed to meet increasingly stringent federal water quality regulations and anticipated water demands over the next 10 to 15 years. ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION EXECUTIVE SESSION ADJOURNMENT Office of the City Manager April 13, 2001 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. April 19, 2001 Agenda Page 4