Village of Libertyville Zoning Board of Appeals met March 20.
Here is the minutes provided by the Board:
Members present: Chairman William Cotey, Amy Flores, Matthew Krummick, Walter Oakley, and Kurt Schultz.
Members absent: Mark Moore and David Semmelman.
A quorum was established.
Village Staff present: John Spoden, Director of Community Development; David Smith, Senior Planner; and Fred Chung, Senior Project Engineer.
Board Member Oakley moved, seconded by Board Member Schultz, to approve the February 20, 2017, Zoning Board of Appeals meeting minutes.
Motion carried 5 - 0.
Old Business: None.
New Business:
ZBA 17-10 DB Developments Inc. Applicant 774 Meadow Lane
Request is for a variation to reduce the minimum required corner side yard setback from 30 feet to approximately 20 feet in order to construct a single family house in an R-6, Single Family Residential District.
Mr. David Smith, Senior Planner, introduced the requested variation. He stated that the petitioner is requesting to reduce the minimum required corner side yard setback in order to construct a new single family detached home in an R-6, Single Family Residential District located at 774 Meadow Lane. He stated that the subject lot is located at the northwest corner of Meadow Lane and Seventh Avenue. He stated that the corner side yard is adjacent to the Seventh Avenue street frontage.
Mr. Sam Valadez, DB Development, petitioner, stated that they are proposing to construct a single family home at the corner of Meadow Lane and Seventh Avenue, but in order to save a 28 inch Norway Maple, it is necessary to apply for a corner side yard setback variation.
Ms. Christine Coulombe, 770 Meadow Lane, asked for clarification regarding which property line is the front versus the corner side property line. Mr. Valadez stated that the front property line is the one that abuts the Meadow Lane r.o.w.
Board Member Oakley asked about the current condition of the tree. Mr. Valadez stated that the tree is in very good condition. He stated that the arborist that they were working with advised that any construction of the new home should not come any closer than 14 to 17 feet from the truck. He stated that they will use construction fencing to protect the tree and that they have every intention to keep the tree healthy.
Board Member Flores asked how well does the proposed building line of the subject lot line up with the exiting home at the corner of Sunnyside and Seventh. She stated that the house on Sunnyside seems to have met the setback. Mr. Valadez stated that they have looked at various alternatives and that their proposal is the best option.
Board Member Schultz stated that the petitioner should save the tree. He stated that the hardship is still self-created regardless of the tree. He stated that they could build a smaller home and not need the variation.
Mr. Valadez stated the proposed house is only 2,800 square feet in floor area.
Board Member Schultz stated that the petitioner could consider a detached garage with a smaller house.
Mr. Valadez stated that the prospective new homeowner includes a mother with two smaller children. He stated that a detached garage will force the homeowners to walk from the detached garage to the public sidewalk then to the house in order to avoid walking under the tree. He stated that the arborist advised installing a walk-way over the tree roots. He stated that a house with an attached garage cannot fit without the variation.
Board Member Schultz stated that it can be designed to fit without the need for the variation.
Mr. Valadez stated that there are other single family homes in the Village of Libertyville which have been granted corner side yard setback variations.
Board Member Schultz stated that the plan can be amended in order to make the house fit without the variation. He stated that the proposed hardship is self-created.
Mr. Valadez stated that their proposed home design is comparable to other homes in the area.
Board Member Schultz stated that the house foot print could be squared up to minimum the Tetris-shaped design and fit the building envelop.
Chairman Cotey asked the petitioner if he agreed to the Staff report review comments. Mr. Valadez stated that he agrees with the review comments.
Chairman Cotey stated that there are only 5 out of the 7 Zoning Board of Appeals board members in attendance tonight and that the petitioner might consider requesting a continuance to next month in order to receive a recommendation from all members of the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Mr. Valadez stated that he agrees to the continuation.
In the matter of ZBA 17-10, Board Member Oakley moved, seconded by Board Member Schultz, to continue this item to the April 10, 2017, Zoning Board of Appeals meeting.
Motion carried 5 - 0.
Ayes: Cotey, Flores, Krummick Oakley, Schultz
Nays: None
Absent: Moore, Semmelman
Communications and Discussion: None.
Board Member Flores moved, seconded by Board Member Schultz, to adjourn the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting.
Motion carried 5 - 0.
Meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
http://www.libertyville.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_03202017-776
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