Board of Zoning Appeals

Board of Zoning Appeals Minutes of Public Hearing November 17, 2015 The Deerfield Board of Zoning Appeals held a Public Hearing on Tuesday, November 17, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. in the Village Hall Robert Franz Council Chambers, 850 Waukegan Road, Deerfield, Illinois. Chairman Robert Speckmann called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were: Chairman Bob Speckmann Len Adams Karen Bezman Herb Kessel Ted Kuczek Karen Scott Absent was: Jeff Auerbach Also present: Clint Case, Code Enforcement Officer Ch. Speckmann confirmed the mailings were in order for the petition and the Public Hearing was properly advertised and listed. Ch. Speckmann swore in the petitioners and opened the Public Hearing to consider the request of Brian and Erin Lau for the property located at 648 Ambleside Drive, Deerfield, Illinois. The petitioners are seeking relief from Article 2.04-H, 3, a of the the Deerfield Zoning Ordinance for the property legally described as follows: Lot 45 in Wyatt and Coon’s Scatterwood Unit 2, being a Subdivision of part of the west ½ of the northwest ¼ of Section 28, Township 43 north, Range 12, East of the third principal meridian, according to the plat thereof, recorded January 23, 1959 as document number 1018531, in Lake County, Illinois Said property is commonly known as 648 Ambleside Drive, Deerfield, Illinois, 60015. The modification, if granted, would permit the construction and installation of a fence within the required front yard of 4-0 feet in height in lieu of the permitted maximum height of 3-0 feet as specified in Article 2.04-H, 3, a of the Deerfield Zoning Ordinance. Ms. Lau explained they are seeking a modification for a fence on the south side of their property, which is the Ordinance defined front yard but their home’s architectural side yard. Ms. Lau explained that because it is identified as a front yard, the Zoning Ordinance only allows a 3’ high fence. She explained they have hedges surrounding the entire yard and the proposed 4’ high fence would not be visible from the street due Board of Zoning Appeals November 17, 2015 Page 2 of 2 to the hedges. Ms. Lau reported they are requesting a higher fence for safety purposes due to the number of children and dogs in the neighborhood. Mr. Lau explained their home is a meeting place because they have the corner lot. Ch, Speckmann asked about the type of fence that is proposed. Ms. Lau explained they propose a split rail fence with green wire to keep the dogs on the inside of the fence. She noted the posts would be 4’ high and the first rail would be approximately 3” below the post. The fence would be a three rail fence. Ch. Speckmann questioned why they do not want a 7’ fence. Ms. Lau explained they do not need a privacy fence. Mr. Kessel asked about the rest of the backyard. Ms. Lau explained the rest of the yard would have a 4’ high fence as well. Ch. Speckmann closed the informational portion of the Public Hearing. Mr. Kessel moved to send a favorable recommendation to the Board of Trustees. Mr. Adams seconded the motion. The motion passed by the following vote: AYES: Adams, Bezman, Kessel, Kuczek, Scott, Speckmann (6) NAYS: None (0) Ch. Speckmann noted the BZA recommendation would be considered by the Mayor and Board of Trustees on December 21, 2015 at 7:30 pm. There being no further business or discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 7:37 pm. Respectfully submitted, Jeri Cotton Secretary