PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS - MINUTES -

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1 PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS - MINUTES - Public Hearing Held June 8, 2016 Village of Lansing TO: Mayor Abbott Village Board of Trustees Village Clerk Village Attorney Director of Planning & Development Village Engineer RE: The request of Lansing Holdings LLC, dba Planet Fitness, for a Special Use Permit for Membership Sports & Recreational Club, Special Use Permit for pole sign and sign variances at Torrence Avenue, Lansing, Illinois. A public hearing was scheduled for Wednesday, June 8, 2016 at the Municipal Courtroom, th Street to receive testimony and take whatever action was deemed to be appropriate on the above request pursuant to the legal notice published in The Daily Southtown newspaper on May 24, Present were board members Kasper, Hardy, Hallow, Caballero, Abbasy, Venem, Chairman Oberman and Secretary Payne. Also present was Economic Development Director Travis Bandstra, Building Commissioner T.J. Grossi and Attorney Angelo Vitiritti. The meeting was called to order at 6:35 p.m. by Chairman Oberman. Present for the petitioner was Attorney David Yontz, representing the owners. Mr. Yontz stated that the applicants were running late and should arrive shortly. Mr. Yontz began by explaining to the Board that the petitioner would like two Special Use Permits and five variances. Petitioners are requesting a Special Use Permit to allow for the operation of a fitness facility and Special Use Permit allowing the height of a pole sign to be placed on the property. The five variances are as follows: Variance allowing two pole signs Variance allowing two monument signs Variance allowing pole signs to be used in conjunction with monument signs Variance allowing two additional wall signs on the north and south of building Variance allowing the total sign area for signs on the property to exceed maximum permitted Mr. Yontz went on to explain that the applicants are very successful franchisees and currently operate 23 locations in the Chicago area and have created over 500 new jobs in the region. Chairman Oberman asked if there were any questions from the audience and Mr. Jeff Zupan, nd Street, addressed Mr. Yontz. Will this location be a corporate store or franchise? Franchise Are applicants seeking Class 8 incentive for TIF incentive? Class 8 only If the Class 8 were granted, would owners agree to hire certain percentage of Lansing residents? Owners typically hire approximately 50% of staff locally. Travis Bandstra stated that the Class 8 incentive is granted from Cook County, therefore the Village of Lansing would not be able to enforce such an agreement. 1

2 Would the general contractors for the build-out be from the area? Mr. Yontz was not sure, but said most likely not. Will the general contractor pay prevailing wages? Most likely not. Mrs. Hallow asked why the petitioners are asking for so many signs, because the Schererville location does not have that much signage. Mr. Yontz explained that they typically like to ask for as much signage as they can get because visibility is very important to their business. Mr. Abbasy asked about the electronic type of pole sign at the Planet Fitness along the Bishop Ford and 111 th Street and Mr. Yontz went on to explain that there is a possibility the applicants would ask for an additional Special Use Permit at a later date to convert pole sign #1 to and electronic billboard type of sign. The applicants, Mr. Brian Rishforth and Brian Rook, both of Pennsylvania, arrived at approximately 6:50 p.m. and were able to address several of Mr. Zupan s questions. They stated that the contractor would be local, however they are a non-union company. Mr. Zupan asked is they were granted a Class 8, would they commit to hiring a pre-determined amount of Lansing residents. Mr. Rishforth stated that they could not accept that as a constraint, but they do typically hire local residents. With no additional questions from the audience, the public portion of the hearing was closed. Mr. Oberman asked the applicants why 2 monument signs are needed and Mr. Rishforth stated they would like a very clear demarcation of their location because of the heavy landscaping. Mr. Kasper asked if the location would be open 24 hours and what type of security was in place. Mr. Rishforth stated they are a 24 hour facility and have 24 hour video surveillance; however they do not staff a security guard for nighttime hours. Mr. Kasper made a motion to recommend to the Village Board that a Special Use Permit be granted for a Planet Fitness at Torrence Avenue, Lansing, Illinois. Motion seconded by Mrs. Hallow. FINDING OF FACTS: Unanimous to recommend granting a Special Use Permit for Planet Fitness at Torrence Avenue. Mr. Kasper made a motion to recommend to the Village Board that a Special Use Permit be granted for a pole sign at a height of 80 feet (pole sign #2) for Planet Fitness at Torrence Avenue, Lansing, Illinois. Motion seconded by Mr. Abbasy. ROLL CALL ON MOTION: AYES Kasper, Abbasy, Venem, Hallow, Caballero, Hardy, Oberman. FINDING OF FACTS: Unanimous decision to recommend granting a Special Use Permit for a pole sign denoted #2 for Planet Fitness at Torrence Avenue. Mr. Kasper made a motion to recommend granting a variance for a second pole sign on the property at Torrence Avenue, Lansing, Illinois. Mr. Abbasy asked if the variance was specifically for a second pole sign and Chairman Oberman stated that that is correct. Motion seconded by Mr. Venem. ROLL CALL ON MOTION: AYES Kasper, Venem, Abbasy, Caballero, Hardy, Oberman. NAYS Hallow FINDING OF FACTS: Majority decision to recommend granting a variance for a second pole sign on the property at Torrence Avenue. 2

3 Mr. Kasper made a motion to recommend granting a variance for Planet Fitness at Torrence Avenue, Lansing, Illinois for two (2) monument signs on the property as noted. NO SECOND ON THE MOTION, THERFORE THE MOTION DIES. Mr. Kasper made a motion to recommend granting a variance for a pole sign to be used in conjunction with a monument sign for Planet Fitness at Torrence Avenue. Motion seconded by Mr. Abbasy. ROLL CALL ON MOTION: AYES Kasper, Abbasy, Venem, Caballero, Hardy, Oberman. NAYS Hallow FINDING OF FACTS: Majority decision to recommend granting a variance for a pole sign to be used in conjunction with a monument sign for Planet Fitness at Torrence Avenue. Mr. Kasper made a motion to recommend granting a variance for 2 additional wall signs for Planet Fitness, one on the north side and one on the south side of the property at Torrence Avenue. Mrs. Hallow asked if the motion could be split. Mr. Oberman asked is this variance was for square footage or just the number of wall signs. Commissioner Grossi stated that this was just for the number of wall signs and clarified that the variance was needed because neither the north or south walls are street-facing. Mr. Abbasy also asked if the motion could be split; one for the north wall and one for the south wall. Chairman Oberman stated that the variance request as presented was specifically for two additional wall signs. NO SECOND ON THE MOTION, THEREFORE THE MOTION DIES. Mr. Kasper made a motion to recommend granting a variance for the total sign area to exceed the maximum square footage permitted sign area for Planet Fitness at Torrence Avenue, Lansing, Illinois. Chairman Oberman asked Commissioner Grossi for a specific number of overage on the variance. Commissioner Grossi calculated the variance to be approximately 200 SF over allowable. Mr. Yontz asked the Board for a moment to review their calculations. Chairman Oberman asked Mr. Kasper to re-read his motion. Mr. Kasper made a motion to recommend granting a variance for the total sign area to exceed the maximum permitted by 400 square feet, at Planet Fitness, Torrence Avenue, Lansing, Illiniois. Mr. Yontz again asked the Board for a moment before the vote in order to review their calculations. Mr. Yontz asked that before the formal signage calculation be addressed, that the Board go back to the previous motion asking for two wall signs be amended to request only one (1) additional wall sign, either the north or south depending on final layout of Planet Fitness. Chairman Oberman deferred to Attorney Vitiritti on how to proceed, because there was already a motion on the floor. Mr. Vitiritti stated that the variance on an additional wall sign must be decided before the square footage variance be voted on. Mr. Kasper rescinded his previous motion to recommend granting a variance for the total sign area to exceed the maximum permitted by 400 SF. Mr. Kasper made a motion to recommend granting a variance for one (1) additional wall sign, on either the north or south of the building depending on the final layout, for Planet Fitness at Torrence Avenue. Motion seconded by Mrs. Hallow. FINDING OF FACTS: Unanimous decision to recommend granting a variance for one (1) additional wall sign for Planet Fitness at Torrence Avenue. 3

4 Following a brief discussion and review of calculations between staff and the petitioners, Commissioner Grossi stated that the petitioner is allowed 415 SF of signage, and they are seeking 1,231 SF of signage for a variance of 816 SF. Mr. Kasper made a motion to recommend granting a variance for total sign area to exceed the maximum permitted by 816 square feet for Planet Fitness at Torrence Avenue, Lansing, Illinois. Motion seconded by Mrs. Hallow. FINDING OF FACTS: Unanimous decision to recommend granting a variance for 816 SF of additional signage for Planet Fitness at Torrence Avenue. Chairman Oberman clarified that several times he referred to the property as Torrence Avenue, however it should have been Torrence. Next on the agenda was Jeff Kiester for Jack s Pub. Present for was petitioner Jeff Kiester, owner of Jack s. Mr. Kiester stated that he would like to restore the old sign that was uncovered when a portion of his existing façade was removed. He stated the old sign was originally a neon sign and that he would like it converted to all LED bulbs, similar to what Beggar s Pizza has on their old sign. Mr. Kiester would also like the lighting on his restored sign to travel the same way Beggar s signage moves. With no questions from the audience, the public portion of the hearing was closed. Mr. Kiester is in the process of doing a façade renovation as part of the Village s grant program. He will be keeping the stone and windows, and replacing the doors. As part of the renovation, it is his intention to keep the vintage sign that he believes was installed pre WWII. Commissioner Grossi stated that with the new sign ordinance coming before the Board of Trustees soon, he has spoken to the owners of Beggar s Pizza to let them know that their moving lights on their sign will no longer be allowed once they complete renovations of their façade. Chairman Oberman clarified with Mr. Kiester that he would like the lighting on his sign to walk and Mr. Keister confirmed. Mr. Kiester stated he sees no difference between his lights moving than some of the electronic signs that businesses along Ridge Road currently have. Commissioner Grossi expressed his concern for allowing the moving lights, considering he has already informed Beggar s Pizza owners that it will not be allowed any longer for their sign and they are currently designing their renovation around the fact that their sign will no longer be allowed to move. Chairman Oberman stated that he likes the look of the vintage sign and believes it would be a great idea to have it restored, but shared concern for how the timing of the lights can be regulated. Commissioner Grossi stated that by allowing these lights to travel, it will open up the door to everyone that has rope lighting, giving them the option to have their lights move also, something that the Village has been trying to regulate and stop. Following much discussion about the movement of the lights on the sign, Chairman Oberman asked Commissioner Grossi what he would recommend. Mr. Grossi stated that from an enforcement standpoint, he would prefer that the light on the sign not move, as it will simply give other business owners the opportunity to do the same. There was a lot of discussion regarding classifying the sign as historical or giving it a classic sign designation, making it a legal sign because it meets all of the requirements for the Village ordinance on classic signs. 4

5 Mr. Kasper made a motion to approve granting a sign variance of ninety (90) square feet for Jack s Pub at 3325 Ridge Road, Lansing, Illinois. In addition, it should be noted that the vintage sign to be restored meets the criteria under Section for classic sign designation. Motion seconded by Mrs. Hallow. FINDING OF FACTS: Unanimous decision to recommend granting a variance for signage at Jack s Pub, 3325 Ridge Road with classic sign designation. Next item on the agenda was continued discussion on revisions to the Village Sign Ordinance Building Commissioner T.J. Grossi presents revisions from last discussion. See Exhibit A for all inclusive revisions. The Planning & Zoning Board commissioners reviewed all of the proposed revisions, and agreed that no further revisions are necessary at this time. Chairman Oberman thanked Commissioner Grossi for all of his hard work in preparing necessary revisions. Mr. Kasper made a motion to forward all revisions of the existing sign ordinance to the Village Board of Trustees for approval. Motion seconded by Mrs. Hardy. ROLL CALL ON MOTION: AYES Kasper, Hardy, Venem, Abbasy, Caballero, Hallow, Oberman. FINDING OF FACTS: Unanimous decision to recommend approval of the sign ordinance amendments by the Village Board. Chairman Oberman took the opportunity to announce that Paul Nowicki has retired from the Planning & Zoning Board. Mr. Oberman also expressed to the Commissioners and staff that he would like to see all petitioners before the Planning & Zoning Board prior to making any type of presentations to the Village Board of Trustees. Motion was made by Mr. Abbasy at 8:25 p.m. to adjourn. The public hearing was adjourned. Respectfully Submitted, Russ Oberman, Chairman Planning & Zoning Board of Appeals 5