Board of Zoning Appeals

Board of Zoning Appeals Minutes of Public Hearing April 5, 2016 The Deerfield Board of Zoning Appeals held a Public Hearing on Tuesday, April 5, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. at the Village Hall Conference Room, 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 Absent was: Jeff Auerbach Ted Kuczek Karen Scott Also present: Clint Case, Code Enforcement Officer Jeff Hansen, Assistant Code Enforcement Supervisor 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 Brooke Jacobs for the property located at 705 Indian Hill Road, Deerfield, Illinois. The petitioners are seeking relief from Article 2.04-H, 3, b of the Deerfield Zoning Ordinance for the property legally described as follows: Lot 3 in Deerfield Park unit number 5, being a subdivision of part of the northwest quarter of Section 32, Township 43 north, Range 12, east of the Third Principal Meridian, according to the Plat thereof recorded August 28, 1956 as document number 921076, in Book 33 of Plats, page 118, in Lake County, Illinois. Said property is commonly known as 705 Indian Hill Road, Deerfield, Illinois, 60015. The modification, if granted, would permit the construction and installation of a fence within the required rear yard of 10-0 feet in height in lieu of the permitted maximum height of 7-0 feet as specified in Article 2.04-H, 3, b of the Deerfield Zoning Ordinance. Mr. Jacobs explained they are requesting the ball containment netting surrounding their sports court to remain. They installed the netting to keep the balls and pucks out of their neighbor’s yards and provide safety to their children. Ch. Speckmann believes the submitted documents do not match what is installed, as it is 90° from what is shown on the drawings. He noted the drawings suggest the netting should be on the east Board of Zoning Appeals April 5, 2016 Page 2 of 2 property line. Mr. Kessel believes the drawings are correct, after discussion Ch. Speckmann concurred. There is a 10’ backstop for the basket. Ms. Bezman indicated the netting is completely see-through. Mr. Kessel noted the netting has been installed. Mr. Jacobs indicated aside from basketball, their children also play hockey. Mr. Kessel questioned if the neighbors have complained due to noise. Ms. Jacobs explained the neighbors have stated they are happy the children are playing. Mr. Jacobs noted their children are very young. Mr. Kessel does not believe the netting appears to be a fence, as it is barely visible and is only 27’ of the backyard. The rest of the backyard is unobstructed. Mr. Kessel believes the netting is visually inconsequential. Mr. Case explained the current Ordinance includes barriers for tennis balls and golf balls. There is no clear definition for a sports court. Mr. Case indicated they are looking to change the Zoning Ordinance. Ms. Hoffman, 1401 Bayberry Lane, lives north of the property. She is supportive of the sport court and netting. Ms. Hoffman questioned whether a 10’ regular fence would be allowed if the Zoning Ordinance were amended. Ch. Speckmann explained the allowed fence height would still be 7’ high. Ch. Speckmann closed the information gathering portion of the Public Hearing. Mr. Kessel moved to send a favorable recommendation to the Mayor and Board of Trustees. Mr. Adams seconded the motion. The motion passed by the following vote: AYES: Adams, Bezman, Kessel, Speckmann (4) NAYS: None (0) Ch. Speckmann noted the BZA recommendation would be considered by the Mayor and Board of Trustees on May 2, 2016 at 7:30 pm. There being no further business or discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 7:37 pm. Respectfully submitted, Jeri Cotton Secretary