Facade Committee Minutes 2008 01-16-08
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UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE
FAÇADE COMMITTEE
City Conference Room
Wednesday, January 16, 2008, 7pm
Present:
Richard Scheffrahn, Chairman
Tom Smith
Johanna Byram
Robert Ament
Absent: Lynn Burks
Others Present
Bill Dettmer, City of Yorkville, Building and Zoning
Dean Tomich, DTD Investments/Crestlake Holdings
Joseph Serena, Crestlake Holdings
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Scheffrahn at 7:09pm. Roll call was taken
and a quorum was established.
1. Approval/Correction of Minutes: October 17, 2007
A motion was made by Smith and seconded by Byram to approve the minutes as
presented. Motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.
2. 1901-1965 S. Bridge Street – Dean Tomich, Crestlake Holdings
The Chairman said that a year ago the Façade/Appearance Ordinance was finalized and
this committee was asked to review any issues as part of the appeals process. He said
Dean Tomich and Joseph Serena of Crestlake Holdings were present for this appeal.
Mr. Dettmer stated that he and Mr. Tomich had discussed the screening of the mechanical
units on the roof since the roof was inadvertently put on before any screening was
completed. This case presents a hardship to the owner since the roof would need to be
cut to install the screening. Dettmer explained that he did not have the authority to waive
these rules and this case has now come before this committee.
Mr. Tomich said this is the first building he has built in Yorkville and it is located at
Fountain Village on Rt. 71 and 47 just north of Walgreen’s. He described the property
they own in this area and across Rt. 47 (the former Jerry Hanson property). He noted the
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plans were submitted and permits issued. In other projects their company has built, roofs
have been screened by constructing a higher back wall.
The main challenge for this building is the number of penetrations (over 130) to the roof.
This would void the 15-year warranty that came with the roof and this would be a
problem when Mr. Tomich chooses to divest the asset. The cost to screen the units would
be $80,000. His company is adding additional trees and landscaping between his
building and the residential area—more than is required by the code. They also installed
a fountain. He added that the units are not actually visible even from the second story of
nearby homes. He added that before they even built the building they talked to the
neighbors behind them to establish a relationship.
Since the discovery of this oversight, Tomich and Dettmer have discussed ways to rectify
the problem. Tomich said more landscape will be added and an alternate plan with
additional landscaping will be submitted to Travis Miller.
Another solution would be to build a screen around the units, however, Tomich said it is
cumbersome to work on the units when they need repair. He favors the higher walls
rather than the boxed in units.
Smith, Scheffrahn and Ament commented that they agreed that the units are not really
visible now. Ms. Byram asked if the units are colored in such a way as to hide them.
The units are currently gray and she asked if they could be painted to match the building
color. Mr. Tomich said the units were set in the center of the building to make them less
visible.
Chairman Scheffrahn then asked for a recommendation and Smith moved to accept
omittance of screening with approval of an acceptable landscape plan. Byram seconded
the motion. Tomich said the plan will be submitted to Travis Miller no later than the end
of next week so that it can be brought before the City Council in February.
Roll call vote: Ament-aye, Byram-aye, Smith-aye, Scheffrahn-aye. Unanimous approval
of motion was given.
3. Additional Business
Mr. Dettmer stated that another member for this committee is needed, preferably an
architect.
In a reference to the original issue above, Dettmer added that he has had no complaints
regarding this structure and Byram stated she would rather see trees than a roof box.
It was noted that no further matters are coming before the Facade Committee as of this
st
time. It was discussed that more funding might be available as of May 1—budget time.
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A motion was made by Byram to authorize Dettmer and Scheffrahn to draft a proposal
for additional funding and present it to the Council and Mayor. The motion was
seconded by Smith and it was approved unanimously by voice vote.
There was no further business and the meeting was adjourned at 7:50pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted by
Marlys Young, Minute Taker