Zoning Board of Appeals Minutes 2011 08-03-11
APPROVED 11/02/11
UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
Wednesday, August 3, 2011 7pm
Library Historic Wing
Board Members in Attendance
Jeff Baker, Chairman Corey Johnson
Charlie Walker Don Hirsch
Ryan Woods
Absent: Mike Skinner
Other City Officials In Attendance
Krysti Barksdale-Noble, Community Development Director
Other Guests
Tom Grant, Attorney
Dave Konop, Katydidit Flowers
Meeting Called to Order
Chairman Jeff Baker called the meeting to order at 7:00pm.
Roll Call
Roll call was taken and a quorum established.
Previous Meeting Minutes
July 7, 2010
The 2010 minutes were approved on a motion by Walker and second by Hirsch.
Unanimous voice vote approval.
Chairman Baker swore in those who would speak at the Public Hearing.
Public Hearing:
ZBA 2011-01 Kathleen Herron, Petitioner filed an application with the United City of
Yorkville requesting variations to (a) Section 8-11-9-A-1 to permit the construction of an
advertising sign in the business district with dimensions of 6 feet 6 inches by 6 feet 6
inches on each side to a height not to exceed 13 feet 6 inches from ground level; (b)
section 8-11-9-B to allow a temporary sign, not to exceed the permitted dimensions
throughout the entire period of the reconstruction of U.S. Route 34 (Veterans’ Parkway)
following the removal of the current sign by the Illinois Department of transportation;
and (c) Section 10-7-D-4-E-1 to vary the requirements regarding parking lot setback in
the B-3 Service Business District from 20 feet from property line to 0 feet from property
line. The real property consists of approximately 0.24 acres and is located immediately
north of Route 34 and just east of Route 47 (Bridge Street), Yorkville, Illinois.
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Motion: A motion was made by Johnson and seconded by Hirsch to open the Public
Hearing. Unanimous voice vote approval.
Attorney Tom Grant thanked Ms. Barksdale-Noble for her assistance with the
applications and memo. Mr. Grant represented the Petitioner, Kathy Herron, property
owner of the strip mall at 9675 Route 34 (near Rte. 47) who rents space to Katydidit
Flowers, Kendall Printing and Ugly’s Hot Dogs.
The current sign is located on the south edge of the property that will become part of the
highway when road improvements are made. Attorney Grant said a variation would be
needed to eliminate the 20-foot setback for parking since parking spots will be lost. He
reviewed the standards for granting a variance. He said the ability to make a left turn
from the parking lot would also be lost.
Sign Discussion:
The sign will utilize one parking spot. The size and height variations are being requested
due to other signs in the area being taller and also for safety and visibility. Attorney
Grant also reviewed the standards for granting a variance for the placement of the sign
and asked for a positive recommendation to grant these variations.
Mr. Grant also noted that a temporary sign would be needed when the present one is
removed in the Spring and a sign permit will be needed. When the roadwork is
complete, one sign will represent all businesses there.
Motion: A motion was then made by Corey Johnson and seconded by Ryan Woods to
close the Public Hearing. Unanimous voice vote.
Discussion
The Zoning Board then considered each of these points:
1.Setbacks
2.Size of sign
3.Height of sign
Setbacks
: Baker stated he was OK with the zero setback since the State was taking the
land and the action was not caused by the property owner.
Motion: The Board agreed and a motion was made by Johnson to accept the zero
setback along with the adoption of the finding of facts in the Hearing. Wood seconded
the motion.
Roll call: Hirsch-yes, Johnson-yes, Woods-yes, Walker-yes, Baker-yes. Unanimous.
Size
: Baker asked about the square footage of the present sign and it was noted that the
sign already exceeds the height and size rules by 3 square feet.
Motion: Corey Johnson moved to recommend the variation of the size as well as the
adoption of the related Finding of Facts increasing the size from 32 to 40 square feet.
Mr. Hirsch seconded this motion.
Roll call: Johnson-yes, Woods-yes, Walker-yes, Hirsch-yes, Baker-yes. Unanimous
vote.
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Height:
Hirsch and Walker said they felt the petitioner’s request was acceptable.
Johnson said he would recommend the variation with some reservation since he would
like to see all signs move towards compliance with the 8-foot requirement. Woods
agreed and said he would like the same color backing for uniformity, in the event of any
tenant changes. It was noted that a particular sign company may not be in business when
a tenant change occurs. The present sign is 12-13 feet tall and Baker said he had no
issues with allowing at least that height. The Board members agreed on a 13 feet height
and the new sign must be similar to the present one.
Motion: Walker made a motion to approve a 13-foot height along with the adoption of
the Finding of Fact from the Public Hearing. Hirsch seconded the motion.
Roll call: Woods-yes, Walker-yes, Hirsch-yes, Johnson-yes, Baker-yes. Unanimous
vote.
:
Temporary Sign DiscussionThe temporary sign will be the same size as the new one
when installed. A 40 square feet sign was approved and the sign will later be put into a
fixed spot.
Motion: Johnson moved to approve the 10-square foot variance for the temporary sign
and Hirsch seconded the motion.
Roll call: Woods-yes, Johnson-yes, Hirsch-yes, Walker-yes, Baker-yes. Unanimous.
There was no further business and Johnson moved and Woods seconded to adjourn the
meeting. Unanimous voice vote approval. Adjourned at 7:50.
Minutes respectfully submitted by
Marlys Young
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