Plan Commission

STAFF REPORT 2018-21P: Site Plan Approval Community Development Department Council Chambers, 7:30 PM, August 2, 2018 To: Paul Luke, Plan Commission Chairperson From: Carrie Haberstich, Planner/CDBG Administrator Re: 2018-21P: Site Plan Approval 9300, 9310, 9440 Kenton Avenue General Information Location 9300, 9310, 9440 Kenton Avenue Purpose To obtain site plan approval for 2 lots over 1 acre in size in an R1 Single-Family zoning district, as required by §118-58 of the Skokie Village Code, and any other relief discovered during the review of this request. PINs: 10-15-116-014-0000 and 10-15-116-015-0000 Petitioner Trustees of Schools Township 41 North Range 13, on behalf of School District #68 Size of Site 799,467 ft2 (18.35 acres) with frontage on Kenton Avenue, Gross Point Road, and Niles Center Road Existing Zoning & R1 Single-Family – office and administrative services, and middle Land Use and junior high school Adjacent Zoning & North B3 Business – limited service restaurant with drive- Land Use through, grocery store B4 Regional Shopping – professional services, administrative services South R3 Combined Housing – multifamily residential R4 Multifamily Housing – multifamily residential East R1 Single-Family – single family residential R4 Multifamily Housing – multifamily residential West R1 Single-Family – single family residential, grade school Comprehensive Plan The site is designated as single family detached residential. SITE INFORMATION General The subject site includes the Skokie School District 68 administration and the Old Orchard Junior High school buildings and grounds. VOSDOCS-#540677-v2-Staff_Report_-_2018-21P_-_Site_Plan_Approval_-_9300_9310_9440_Kenton 1 of 8  Complete Streets  Public sidewalks run along Kenton Avenue, Gross Point Road, and Niles Center Road  ADA-accessible ramps are available at nearby intersections; however, only 1 contrasting color tactile pad is available. Any future improvements will necessitate bringing the ramps into compliance with current ADA standards.  Bike routes run along Niles Center/Kenton Avenue and Gross Point Road.  Bike lanes are expected to be available on Church Street to the south of the site in 2019.  Currently, nearby bus routes are the 54A, 97, and 205 CTA bus routes, and the 208 and 215 Pace Bus routes. These routes may be realigned and/or eliminated in the future, potentially impacting future destinations.  The Oakton-Skokie CTA Station is 0.8-mile away.  Shops, restaurants, parks, employment, religious institutions, and other schools are within walking distance of the subject site. STAFF ANALYSIS Skokie School District 68 is requesting a new 48 ft2 ground sign with changeable copy, and the retention of other existing ground and wall signs, located on its administration and Old Orchard Junior High School campus. The new ground sign is proposed to be installed near the intersection of Kenton Avenue and Gross Point Road. Since the campus is >1 acre in area, improvements to the site necessitate a site plan approval for the sign package. Petitioners’ Submittal Skokie School District 68 agrees to comply with the Villages code to not change the message on the Electronic Message Center and to also have the Message Center dim with the outside weather conditions as to not affect the flow of traffic, civilians, and residential homes in the area. Skokie School District agrees to have messages that will not flash as to distract civilians, traffic, or residents within the signs visual area. Correct Digital Display (installing party) agrees that the sign will have no nails, tacks, wires or other projections, except illuminating devices, which may extend from the sign. Correct Digital Display agrees to comply with the Villages code to ensure that the ground sign is VOSDOCS-#540677-v2-Staff_Report_-_2018-21P_-_Site_Plan_Approval_-_9300_9310_9440_Kenton 2 of 8  securing mounted with steel beams installed three (3) below ground level to confirm public safety. Correct Digital Displays agrees to have all wiring contained within rigid conduit to keep public safe from exposure. Comments Staff Comment and Review requests were sent to all pertinent departments and were received from Forestry, Traffic Engineering, and Planning. All other departments did not submit comments regarding the subject case. Forestry Tree protection fencing will be required for several site trees near the construction of the sign at the north end of the property. Also there is one parkway tree on Gross Point Road just south of the intersection that will require tree protection fencing. Traffic Engineering Proposed signs should not be within a 10' sight distance triangle in R1, R2, R3, and R4 districts, or within a 15' sight distance triangle in all other districts, between 30" and 84" in height from grade except traffic control devices listed in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Site plan does not show exact location. Applicant to insure correct placement outside of sight distance triangle at intersections and near driveways. Planning Division The Planning Division is supportive of the petitioners’ request. This is the first formal Village of Skokie review of the school district and junior high school property since the Illinois Supreme Court decision requiring school districts to meet municipal zoning regulations. The campus includes Old Orchard Junior High School educational and Skokie School District 68 administrative activities. Although the proposed new sign is on the Skokie District 68 administration property (greater than 1 acre in area by itself), the Old Orchard Junior High School signage is included in the package to minimize the need to return for future sign-only improvements for the campus. Per §82-26 of the Signs chapter of the Village Code, government signs are allowed in residential districts, subject to the regulations of §82-7. In this instance, the signs were deemed by the Village Manager’s designee as noncommercial (not-for-profit VOSDOCS-#540677-v2-Staff_Report_-_2018-21P_-_Site_Plan_Approval_-_9300_9310_9440_Kenton 3 of 8  entity) signage requiring Appearance Commission approval prior to the Site Plan Approval process. The proposed changeable copy sign at Gross Point Road and Kenton Avenue, and the existing Old Orchard Junior High sign, are the primary ground signs for their respective buildings. Some of the existing signs do not comply with the sign regulations of the Village Code. Should any of them be damaged or replaced in the future, they must be brought into compliance with the Village Code. Any changes in sign design must be approved by the Appearance Commission and the Village Board via a modified review process. APPEARANCE COMMISSION At its June 13, 2018, meeting, the Appearance Commission approved the proposed sign package and landscaping (case 2018-037A) as presented. STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS Staff recommends that the petitioner’s request for site plan approval for a school district administration property at 9440 Kenton Avenue and a junior high school property at 9300-9310 Kenton Avenue in an R1 Single-Family zoning district be APPROVED, based upon the Proposed Positive Findings of Fact and subject to the recommended site plan approval conditions below. RECOMMENDED SITE PLAN APPROVAL CONDITIONS 1. Prior to the hearing of this case before the Board of Trustees, the petitioners must submit to the Planning Division: a. A current Plat of Survey. b. A site plan with the exact location of the proposed ground sign, ensuring the location meets Village Code requirements. Site and Use 2. The petitioner shall develop the Subject Property in substantial conformance with the final Village approved site plans dated <insert date of final approved plan>, landscape plan dated <insert date of final approved plan>, and sign package dated <insert date of final approved plan>. 3. Any new or replacement exterior signs shall first be reviewed and approved by the Appearance Commission, and sign permits shall first be issued, prior to their VOSDOCS-#540677-v2-Staff_Report_-_2018-21P_-_Site_Plan_Approval_-_9300_9310_9440_Kenton 4 of 8  manufacture and installation. 4. Any new parking lot and exterior lighting shall meet Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IES) standards, be full cut-off design, and be directed away from adjacent properties, subject to the approval of the Engineering Division. 5. Any outdoor sound systems shall at all times maintain audio levels that are compliant with the Skokie Village Code. (Standard) 6. All existing damaged public sidewalks or public sidewalks damaged due to the implementation of this plan shall be replaced. (Standard) 7. No objects are allowed within a 10' sight distance triangle in R1, R2, R3, and R4 districts, or within a 15' sight distance triangle in all other districts, between 30" and 84" in height from grade except traffic control devices listed in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. (Standard) 8. Prior to the issuance of building permits, the petitioner shall submit a temporary pedestrian and bicycle circulation plan, including routing, signage, and barriers, to be in place prior to the commencement of construction, subject to the approval of the Engineering Division. (Standard) Maintenance 9. All fencing, walls, sidewalks, driveways, curbs, wheel stops, parking areas, signage, landscaping, structures, and any other facilities or infrastructure on the Subject Property shall be maintained in a good state of repair, and when needed, be repaired or replaced in a timely manner. (Standard) 10. All private and public sidewalks shall be maintained free of snow, ice, sleet, or other objects that may impede travel. (Standard) 11. Trash shall only be allowed within a designated trash enclosure and shall be screened from public view in an enclosure approved by the Appearance Commission. All trash shall be contained in such a way as to remain out of sight at all times. (Standard) Parking 12. All off-street parking spaces shall be legibly striped and maintained. (Standard) 13. Any plan to modify parking lot striping must be approved by the Director of Engineering. (Standard) 14. The handicapped parking spaces shall be installed and maintained in compliance with State of Illinois Accessibility Standards and the Skokie Village Code, including required signage. (Standard) 15. Vehicles shall not be allowed to be parked in or otherwise block common driveways, sidewalks, aisles, or other points of access at any time, shall only be parked in VOSDOCS-#540677-v2-Staff_Report_-_2018-21P_-_Site_Plan_Approval_-_9300_9310_9440_Kenton 5 of 8  designated parking spaces, and shall not overlap the striped lines of designated parking spaces. (Standard) 16. The owner of the Subject Property shall ensure that employees park on the Subject Property. (Standard) Utilities 17. All utility replacements shall be located underground. Landscaping 18. The petitioner shall sign an "Agreement for Installation and Maintenance of Landscaping" to assure that the Subject Property and parkway landscaping is completed and maintained, including trimming, watering, and replacing of dead plant materials in a timely manner in accordance with the final approved landscape plan. A copy of said Agreement is attached hereto, marked Exhibit “A” and hereby made part of this Ordinance. This “Agreement for Installation and Maintenance of Landscaping" shall be recorded at the petitioner’s expense. (Standard) 19. Tree protection fencing shall be installed as part of any building or site improvement activities. Governance 20. All new and future construction, alterations, and remodeling shall meet current International Building and NFPA Life Safety Codes as amended. 21. The petitioner shall obtain all required permits and approvals for improvements to County, State, or Federal rights-of-way from the governing jurisdiction. (Standard) 22. The Subject Property must conform to the Village's storm water control requirements as contained in the Skokie Village Code, including the disconnection of any downspouts. (Standard) 23. All signage shall conform to the Skokie Village Code, except as provided in this ordinance. Any legal nonconforming sign on the Subject Property that shall conform with the Village Code when it is damaged >50%, modified, or replaced in the future. 24. All modifications to building elevations, signage, and landscaping shall be subject to the review and approval of the Skokie Appearance Commission. (Standard) 25. The petitioner shall submit to the Planning Division electronic files of the plat of survey, site plan, and landscape plan in their approved and finalized form. The files shall be scaled 2-dimensional drawing files on non-compressed, non-read only CD- ROM *.dwg AutoCAD format. (Standard) 26. Prior to the issuance of building permits, the petitioner shall submit to the Planning VOSDOCS-#540677-v2-Staff_Report_-_2018-21P_-_Site_Plan_Approval_-_9300_9310_9440_Kenton 6 of 8  Division of the Community Development Department the name, property address, email address, and telephone number of the company and contact person responsible for site maintenance in compliance with this site plan approval. (Standard) 27. If work is to be performed on public property or if public property is utilized or impacted during construction and/or development, the owner shall provide, or shall cause the developer and/or contractor to provide, the Village of Skokie with a certificate of insurance naming the Village of Skokie as additionally insured for any and all claims related to any and all work. The owner shall hold, and shall cause the developer and/or contractor to hold, the Village of Skokie harmless and indemnify the Village for any and all claims for property damage or personal injury related to work on or use of public property. (Standard) 28. The petitioner shall comply with all Federal and State statutes, laws, rules and regulations and all Village codes, ordinances, rules, and regulations. (Standard) 29. Failure to abide by any and all terms of this Ordinance shall be cause for the Village to initiate hearings to determine whether the subject Ordinance, as well as any applicable business licenses, should be revised or revoked. The petitioner shall pay all costs related to any hearings conducted as a result of non-compliance with any of the provisions of the enabling ordinance. The costs shall include but not be limited to court reporter fees, attorney fees, and staff time required researching and conducting said hearing. (Standard) ATTACHMENTS 1. Proposed Positive Findings of Fact 2. Detailed Site Plan and Overall Campus Site Plan, dated July 3, 2018 3. School District 68 Resubdivision, dated Revised July 8, 2013 4. Ground sign and landscape plan rendering, system dated July 3, 2018 5. Skokie School District Roadway Sign Plant Species List, system dated July 3, 2018 6. Ground Sign, Version 2, system dated July 3, 2018 7. Existing signs, system dated June 25, 2018 (attached to case 2018-037A) 8. Zoning Map VOSDOCS-#540677-v2-Staff_Report_-_2018-21P_-_Site_Plan_Approval_-_9300_9310_9440_Kenton 7 of 8 Proposed Positive Findings of Fact 2018-21P: Site Plan Approval Community Development Department Council Chambers, 7:30 PM, August 2, 2018 Consideration Finding The request is harmonious with and does The request will not adversely affect not adversely affect adjacent properties. adjacent properties. The request can demonstrate that Adequate public facilities, including roads, adequate public facilities, including roads, drainage, utilities, and police and fire drainage, utilities, and police and fire protection exist or will exist to serve this protection exist or will exist to serve the request. requested use at the time such facilities are needed. The request demonstrates adequate The request demonstrates adequate provision for maintenance of the associated provision for maintenance of the structures. associated structures. The request has considered and, to the No adverse effects of the natural degree possible, addressed the adverse environment are expected. effects on the natural environment. The request will not create undue traffic The request will not create undue traffic congestion. congestion. The request will not adversely affect public The public health, safety, morals and health, safety, and welfare. general welfare will not be unduly burdened by this request. The request conforms to all applicable The request conforms to all applicable provisions of this code, except where relief provisions of this code. is granted with the request. VOSDOCS-#540677-v2-Staff_Report_-_2018-21P_-_Site_Plan_Approval_-_9300_9310_9440_Kenton 8 of 8