Board of Zoning Appeals

CITY OF HOBART BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS MINUTES OF MAY 3, 2018 Stuart Allen called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. with the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance followed by a moment of silence. Members in attendance: Stuart Allen, Mark Kopil, Ron Jackson and Scott Gregory. Absent: Jason Spain. Also present: Phil Gralik, City Engineer, Sergio Mendoza, City Planner and Deborah Longer, Clerk-Treasurer. Approval of Minutes: The Board was advised the minutes of the April 5, 2018 meeting were not yet available. Motion by Mr. Kopil, seconded by Mr. Jackson, to table this item. All aye, motion carried. (4-0) Communications / Acceptance of Agenda: Mr. Mendoza advised the Board that Carroll Lewis had retired and acknowledged his 24 years of service with the City. He also noted that Recording Secretary Joy Respecke has returned to work after a brief medical issue but had a conflict this evening that did not allow her to attend the meeting. Clerk-Treasurer Longer is filling in for her this evening. Motion by Mr. Jackson, seconded by Mr. Gregory to accept the agenda as presented. All aye, motion carried. (4-0) New Business: 1. 18-06 Dr. Peggy Buffington (Petitioner/Owner) 52 N. Wisconsin St., Mundell Field, located along Wisconsin St. between the SW corner of Home Ave. & NW corner of Cleveland Ave. Sec. 154.359(G) Off Street Parking, zoned R-2, 12.7 acres +/-. Request: Public Hearing: Developmental Standards Variance Purpose: To reduce the number of parking spaces by 81 parking stalls from the required 227 parking stalls to 146 parking stalls for a new elementary school yet to be named. Approved __X__ Denied _____ Deferred _____ Vote 3-0 (1 Abstain: S. Allen) Dr. Buffington along with the School Trustees provided a brief overview of the request to reduce the required number of parking spaces at the site for the new elementary school to be constructed in the future at the site. She noted a variety of factors for consideration including: maintaining green space; the reduced need for daily long-term parking at an elementary school as many students will walk to school; and that the bus parking areas would be available should the need arise for events once they have left the site. Additionally, continued monitoring of parking issues would be done once the school is in use and there is noted on the site plan an optional parking area that could be constructed should the need arise. Mr. Allen opened the public hearing. After calling three times with no comments being offered from the public, he closed the public hearing. Mr. Allen noted he would abstain from deliberation. Motion by Mr. Jackson, seconded by Mr. Gregory, to approve Petition 18-06 as presented including all discussion and Findings of Fact. 3 Aye / 0 Nay / 1 Abstain (S. Allen) Motion carried. (3-0) Page 1 BZA Minutes 5/3/2018 2. 18-07 Dr. Peggy Buffington (Petitioner/Owner) 52 N. Wisconsin St., Mundell Field, located along Wisconsin St. between the SW corner of Home Ave. & NW corner of Cleveland Ave. Sec. 154.377 (E) Permitted Signs Residence District, zoned R-2, 12.7 acres +/-. Request: Public Hearing: Developmental Standards Variance Purpose: To increase the square footage of signage by 87 square feet from the required 45 square feet to 132 square feet for a new elementary school yet to be named. Approved __X__ Denied _____ Deferred _____ Vote 3-0 (1 Abstain: S. Allen) Dr. Buffington stated the proposed signage is consistent with the signage at other schools and approximately the same as the Joan Martin Elementary School signage currently in place. Mr. Allen opened the public hearing. After calling three times with no comments being offered from the public, he closed the public hearing. Mr. Allen noted he would abstain from deliberation. Mr. Kopil questioned the use of LED signage along Wisconsin Street that may cause distractions or annoyance to residents in the area. Mr. Mendoza stated the zoning ordinance limits the type and use of signage and the petitioner would be required to comply within the limits. Dr. Buffington showed the Board the two areas along Wisconsin Street where the two LED signs would be located, at the NE and SE corners of the lot, one being a monument sign and the other a pylon sign. Motion by Mr. Jackson, seconded by Mr. Kopil, to approve Petition 18-07 as presented including all discussion and Findings of Fact. 3 Aye / 0 Nay / 1 Abstain (S. Allen) Motion carried. (3-0) 3. 18-08 Randall Spurlock (Petitioner/Owner) 1001 W. 10th Pl. located at the south intersection of 10th Pl. and Virginia St., Sec. 154.358 (E), zoned R-2, 0.6 acres +/-. Request: Public Hearing: Developmental Standards Variance Purpose: A proposed 35ft wide driveway from the permitted 26ft wide driveway. Approved __X__ Denied _____ Deferred _____ Vote 3-1 Mr. Spurlock stated the attached garage was constructed in 1974 and there is no specific record of when the driveway was installed. He noted the drive up to the house never went to a garage area but facilitated the office space in the home that was used while building the subdivision. Mr. Allen opened the public hearing. After calling three times with no comments being offered from the public, he closed the public hearing. Discussion followed regarding the location of the driveway cut and the added safety factors along the angle of 10th Place. Mr. Spurlock stated the existing drive is 18 feet wide and he plans on keeping the existing E-W connection to Virginia Street. Mr. Mendoza explained the requirements of the driveway width and the allowance for additional flares at the curb under the zoning ordinance. Motion by Mr. Jackson, seconded by Mr. Gregory, to approve Petition 18-08 as presented including all discussion and Findings of Fact. 3 Aye / 1 Nay (Kopil) Motion carried. (3-1) Staff Consultation / Discussion: None. There being no further comments or discussion, Mr. Gregory made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Kopil. All ayes, motion carried. (4-0) Meeting adjourned at 6:22 p.m. Stuart Allen, Chairman Ron Jackson, Secretary Page 2 BZA Minutes 5/3/2018 Page 3 BZA Minutes 5/3/2018