AGENDA MEMO

CITY COUNCIL

MEETING DATE:  Mary 2, 2011

 

 

Issue Statement

 

PZC 2011-03:                         1224 Plainfield Road:  Petitioner requests to rezone the property from R-2 Single-Family Residence to B-2 Community Shopping Center Business District, a zoning map amendment.

                                                ORDINANCE        BACKUP         SURVEY

 

Discussion/Overview

 

Both the Planning and Zoning commission and the Municipal Services Committee considered this item at their respective meetings, with the public hearing held on April 20, 2011.  Both bodies recommend approval of the petition.

 

The full staff agenda memo follows as “Additional Information.”

 

The draft ordinance is attached.

 

 

Decision Mode

 

The Planning and Zoning Commission considered this item at its meeting on April 20, 2011.

The Municipal Services Committee considered this item at its meeting on April 25, 2011.

The City Council will consider this item at its meeting on May 2, 2011.

 


 

Additional Information

 

 

PZC 2011-03:                         1224 Plainfield Road:  Petitioner requests to rezone the property from R-2 Single-Family Residence to B-2 Community Shopping Center Business District, a zoning map amendment.

 

Applicable Regulations:             Zoning Ordinance:  Section 5A-2-2-5:  Amendments

                                                Zoning Ordinance:  Section 5A-7-2:  R-2 Single-Family Residence District

                                                Zoning Ordinance:  Section 5A-8-3:  B-2 Community Shopping Center District

 

 

General Information

 

Property Owner/                       Erika Zimmerman

Petitioner:                                 8456 Charles Court

                                                Downers Grove, IL 60516

 

Property Location:                  1224 Plainfield Road

 

PIN:                                        09-28-402-019

 

Existing Zoning:                        R-2 Single-Family Residential

                                               

Existing Land Use:                    Beauty shop, with special use approval

 

Surrounding Zoning and Land Use:

 

North:        R-2 Single-Family Residential:  single-family residential

South:        R-2 Single-Family Residential:  vacant building, former dental clinic

East:          R-2 Single-Family Residential:  municipal water tower

West:         O Office:  professional offices

 

Comprehensive Plan Update: Commercial

 

History:                                   Ordinance O-13-80, adopted March 17, 1980, granted a special use for a beauty shop within the R-2 zoning district.

 

Size of Property:                     35,317.5 square feet (0.81 acres)

 

Floodplain:                              Floodplain map does not show floodplain on this lot.

 

Natural Features:                     None.

 

Transportation:                        Property has frontage on Plainfield Road.

 

 

Documents Submitted

 

This report is based on the following information submitted to the Community Development Department by the petitioner:

 

1.         Plat of Survey, 1 sheet, prepared by Schlaf-Sedig & Associates, April 16, 1976.

 

 

Planning Overview/ Discussion

 

The subject property is located on the north side of Plainfield Road, west of the Brookhaven Plaza Shopping Center and the City’s water tower.

 

Currently, the property is zoned R-2 Single-Family Residence.  The petitioner is requesting to rezone the property from R-2 to the B-2 Community Shopping Center Business District.  Rezoning property changes the official Zoning Map, impacting the uses and signage permitted on the property.

 

The Darien Comprehensive Plan Update designates this property as Commercial.  However, a specific zoning classification is not provided.

 

The City has granted the following zoning approvals:

 

Ordinance No. O-13-80:  Special use for a beauty parlor, through conversion of the single-family home.  Signage restricted to 8 square feet, placed on wall of structure.

Ordinance No. O-02-01:  Variation granted to allow a monument sign in addition to the permitted wall sign.

Ordinance No. O-03-07:  Special use granted in 1980 amended to allow parking lot expansion.

Ordinance No. O-02-08:  Variation granted to allow a free-standing sign, 60 square feet in area, not to exceed 12 feet in height, and to allow wall signage of 2 square feet per linear foot of building frontage.

 

The character of this property, as well as the adjacent properties on Plainfield Road, is commercial, rather than residential.  The size of the property limits the type and intensity of any future development on this site, such as building footprint and parking, for example.  Of course, multiple parcels could be assembled to create a larger development site.

 

At the end of this memo is a table showing the permitted and special uses for the R-2 and B-2 zoning districts.

 

When considering a rezoning, the following shall be considered:

1.         Existing conditions.

2.         The conservation of property values.

3.         The direction of building development to the best advantage of the entire community.

4.         The uses to which property is devoted at the time the petition is considered.

 

 

Staff Findings/Recommendations

 

Staff supports the rezoning petition.  The rezoning request is in line with the adopted Comprehensive Plan Update, adopted in 2002. 

 

Therefore, staff recommends the Planning and Zoning Commission made the following recommendation to grant the rezoning petition:

 

Based upon the submitted petition and the information presented, the request associated with PZC 2011-03 is in conformance with the standards of the Darien City Code and, therefore, I move the Planning and Zoning Commission recommend approval of the petition as presented.

 

 

Planning and Zoning Commission Review – April 20, 2011

 

The Planning and Zoning Commission considered this matter at its meeting on April 20, 2011.  The following members were present:  Beverly Meyer – Chairperson, Donald Hickok, Gloria Jiskra, Ronald Kiefer, John Lind, Raymond Meilkus Susan Vonder Heide, Michael Griffith – Senior Planner, Elizabeth Lahey – Secretary.

 

Members absent:  Kenneth Ritzert

 

Michael Griffith, Senior Planner, reviewed the staff agenda memo.  He noted briefly previous zoning approvals granted to the property.  He noted that rezoning the property changes the Zoning Map and brings the property under different regulations within the Zoning Ordinance, namely the uses permitted on the property.  He stated the Comprehensive Plan supports the rezoning petition, calling for the property to be commercial.

 

Mr. Griffith stated there is a table in the memo listing the permitted uses within the B-2 zoning district.  He noted that some uses will trigger a public hearing for approval, the uses listed as special uses.

 

Mr. Griffith stated that two residents adjacent to the north came into City Hall with concerns over the rezoning, believing it was going to become a shopping center.  He stated attempted to address their concerns, explaining the possible changes to the property.  He stated those residents are not at the meeting.

 

Chairperson Meyer asked if more signage would be allowed.

 

Mr. Griffith stated that within the B-2 zoning district, one ground sign is permitted, 60 square feet in area for each face of a double sided sign, not greater than 12 feet in height, and wall signage could not exceed 2 square feet per linear foot of building frontage.  He stated that the signage currently on the property likely falls into this allowance, that he did not think there could suddenly be a large increase in signage on the property.

 

Erika Zimmerman, the petitioner, stated they intend to keep the property as is.  She stated that over the years, offices were built to her west, there was a dentist office across the street, and there is a shopping center to her east.  She stated that she believes her property should be zoned for commercial.

 

Commissioner Lind asked about the required building setback along the northeast lot line, allowable building height, and floor area ratio.

 

Mr. Griffith stated if rezoned, a 40-foot building setback would be required along the north lot line.  He stated the Zoning Ordinance would allow a 3-story building not exceeding 40 feet in height, with a maximum floor area ratio of 0.6.  He also stated that total lot coverage could not exceed 75% of the lot area.

 

Commissioner Jiskra asked if they hoped the property value would increase if the property is rezoned.

 

Mrs. Zimmerman stated she thought the property value would increase, but that was not her motivation.

 

Chairperson Meyer asked if a 3-story building could be built, given parking requirements.

 

Mr. Griffith stated that parking requirements typically bring the size of a building down.  He explained that as the building increases in size, in square footage, the amount of parking required increases.  He stated typically the building is reduced in size to accommodate parking.  He stated the size of the property will limit the intensity of any redevelopment of the site.

 

Commissioner Lind stated his concern with how the rezoning will impact the adjacent residents to the north.

 

Chairperson Meyer asked if there were plans to enlarge the building in 10-15 years.

 

Mrs. Zimmerman stated there are no plans to enlarge the building.

 

Commissioner Hickok stated the rezoning request falls inline with the Comprehensive Plan.  He stated that when they worked on the Plan, they wanted that section of Plainfield Road to be commercial.

 

There was not anyone from the public to offer comments.

 

Without further discussion, Commissioner Jiskra made the following motion, seconded by Commissioner Kiefer:

 

Based upon the submitted petition and the information presented, the request associated with PZC 2011-03 is in conformance with the standards of the Darien City Code and, therefore, I move the Planning and Zoning Commission recommend approval of the petition as presented.

 

Upon a roll call vote, THE MOTION CARRIED by a vote of 7-0.

(Commissioner Ritzert was absent.)

 

 

Municipal Services Committee Review – April 25, 2011

 

The Municipal Services Committee considered this matter at its meeting on April 25, 2011.  The following members were present:  Alderman Joe Marchese – Chairman, Alderman John Galan, Alderman Ted Schauer, Dan Gombac – Director, Michael Griffith – Senior Planner and Elizabeth Lahey – Secretary.

 

Michael Griffith, Senior Planner, reviewed the staff agenda memo.  He noted the Planning and Zoning Commission held the public hearing and recommended approval of the petition.  He stated that there was not anyone from the public at the public hearing.

 

Mr. Griffith stated that a couple of residents to the north came into City Hall with questions, concerns, and that he answered their questions.  He stated he hoped their concerns were addressed as they were not at the public hearing.

 

Mr. Griffith stated the Comprehensive Plan supports the rezoning request.

 

Dan Gombac, Director, stated the size of the property limits what size of building could be built on the property in the future.

 

Both Alderman Schauer and Galan stated they did not have any objections to the petition.

 

Erika Zimmerman, the petitioner, was present.

 

There was not anyone from the public to offer comments.

 

Without further discussion, Alderman Galan made a motion to recommend approval of the petition, seconded by Alderman Schauer.

 

Upon a voice vote, THE MOTION CARRIED by a vote of 3-0.


 

R-2 Single-Family Residence

 

B-2 Community Shopping Center

 

 

 

Permitted Uses:

 

Permitted Uses:

 

 

 

Single-family detached dwellings

 

Animal hospitals

Public, denominational or private schools, limited to elementary, junior or high schools, without boarding

 

Antique shops

Parks, playgrounds and forest preserves when publicly owned and operated

 

Art shops or galleries, but not including auction rooms

Accessory uses and buildings to the above permitted uses

 

Automobile parts and accessories stores

Home occupations

 

Bakeries

 

 

Banks and financial institutions

 

 

Barbershops

 

 

Beauty shops

 

 

Bicycle sales, rental and repair stores

 

 

Blueprinting and copying establishments

 

 

Book and stationery stores

 

 

Business and office machine stores, sales and service

 

 

Camera and photographic supply stores

 

 

Candy and ice cream stores

 

 

Carpet and rug stores, retail sales only

 

 

Catering establishments

 

 

China and glassware stores

 

 

Clinics, medical and dental

 

 

Clothing and costume rental stores

 

 

Coin and stamp stores

 

 

Custom dressmaking establishments

 

 

Dairy product establishments

 

 

Department stores

 

 

Drugstores

 

 

Dry goods stores

 

 

Dry-cleaning establishments, not including industrial dry-cleaning plants

 

 

Electrical, light fixtures and household appliance stores including radio and television sales and repair

 

 

Employment agencies

 

 

Equipment rental stores

 

 

B-2 Community Shopping Center

 

 

Permitted Uses:

 

 

Frozen food stores, including locker rental in conjunction therewith

 

 

Furniture stores, including upholstering when conducted as part of the retail operations and secondary to the principal use

 

 

Furrier shops, including the incidental storage and conditioning of furs

 

 

Garden supply, tool and seed stores

 

 

General retail

 

 

Gift shops

 

 

Hardware stores

 

 

Hearing aid stores

 

 

Hobby shops, for retail of items to be assembled or used away from the premises

 

 

Household appliance stores

 

 

Interior decorating shops, including upholstering and making of draperies, slipcovers and other similar articles, when conducted as part of the retail operations and secondary to the principal use

 

 

Jewelry stores, including watch repair

 

 

Leather goods and luggage stores

 

 

Locksmith shops

 

 

Mail order, catalog store

 

 

Millinery shops

 

 

Musical instrument sales and repair

 

 

Nursery schools, preschools and daycare centers

 

 

Offices, professional and business

 

 

Optician, retail sales

 

 

Orthopedic and medical appliance stores

 

 

Package liquor stores

 

 

Paint, glass and wallpaper stores

 

 

Pet shops

 

 

Phonograph record and sheet music stores

 

 

Picture framing, when conducted for retail trade on the premises only

 

 

 

 

B-2 Community Shopping Center

 

 

Permitted Uses:

 

 

Secondhand stores and rummage shops

 

 

Sewing machine sales and service

 

 

Shoe and clothing repair stores

 

 

Shoe stores

 

 

Sporting goods stores

 

 

Tailor shops

 

 

Ticket agencies

 

 

Tobacco shops

 

 

Toy shops

 

 

Travel bureaus and transportation ticket offices

 

 

Undertaking establishments

 

 

Variety stores

 

 

Wearing apparel shops

 

 

 

R-2 Single-Family Residence

 

B-2 Community Shopping Center

Special Uses:

 

Special Uses:

 

 

 

Civic buildings and government uses

 

Amusement establishments, including, but not limited to bowling alleys, sports complexes, pool halls, dance halls and skating rinks, and establishments utilizing more than 4 automatic amusement devices as either: a) an accessory use to a restaurant offering complete meals, or b) an accessory use to an approved amusement establishment

Golf courses, not including commercially operated driving ranges or miniature golf courses

 

Automobile service stations, repair facilities, and car washes used in conjunction with an automobile service station

Nursery schools, preschools and daycare centers

 

Bus stations

Privately owned parks and playgrounds

 

Civic buildings and governmental uses

Public and private utility facilities

 

Drinking establishments

Planned Unit Developments (PUD)

 

Drive-in and drive-thru establishments

Religious institutions, including, but not limited to churches, rectories, seminaries, convents and monasteries, including dormitories and other accessory uses required for operation

 

Eating establishments

Swimming, tennis, racquet and other athletic club facilities

 

Eating establishments, not including entertainment or dancing

 

R-2 Single-Family Residence

 

B-2 Community Shopping Center

Special Uses:

 

Special Uses:

Single-family homes may be converted to the following business uses: medical, dental, real estate, insurance, attorney, architect, engineer, optometrist or accountant offices, beauty parlors, barbershops, animal clinics where animals are housed only during treatment.

 

The following conditions apply:  The lot must front onto Cass Avenue, Plainfield Road or Route 83, and 1. is adjacent to a lot zoned B-1;

2. is adjacent to a lot with a legal commercial non-conforming use or

3. is adjacent to a lot granted a special use under the conditions noted above.

 

Garages for storage, repair and servicing of motor vehicles, including body repair, painting and engine rebuilding

 

 

Hotels and motels

 

 

Motor vehicle sales

 

 

Public and private utility facilities

 

 

Public owned and operated parks, playgrounds and forest preserves

 

 

Planned Unit Developments (PUD)

 

 

Radio and television stations and studios

 

 

Swimming, tennis, racquet and other athletic club facilities

 

 

Theaters

 

 

Wholesale establishments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Permitted uses are those uses allowed by right.

 

Special uses require approval by the City Council via a public hearing process, with consideration by the Planning and Zoning Commission and the City Council’s Municipal Services Committee.