Grundy Reporter

Village of Coal City Planning and Zoning Board met Sept. 20.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

At 7 p.m. on Monday, August 20, 2018, chairman Georgette Vota called to order the regular meeting of the Coal City Planning and Zoning Board in the boardroom of the Village Hall. Roll call-Members Maria Lewis, Jill Breneman, Richard Crotteau, John Hawkinson, Irving DeWald and Amanda Burns. Also in attendance was Matt Fritz, village administrator.

The minutes of the July 30, 2018 meeting were presented for approval. With corrections noted, Lewis moved to approve the minutes with the corrections, second by Burns. Roll call-Ayes; Lewis, Breneman, Vota, Hawkinson, DeWald and Burns. Nays; none. Abstain; Crotteau. Motion carried.

The minutes of the August 8, 2018 meeting were presented. With one correction noted, Lewis moved to approve the minutes with the correction, second by Hawkinson. Roll call-Ayes; Lewis, Breneman, Crotteau, Vota, Hawkinson and DeWald. Nays; none. Abstain; Burns, Motion carried.

ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

A variance request was presented for the construction of a garage at 75 E. Park Street by the petitioner, Robert Davis, who was present at the meeting. Mr. Fritz explained that the garage would be 34' x 34'. The property square footage is 5484 sq. ft. The petitioner is requesting a "0" rear yard set-back and will require a lot coverage variance, also. Discussion included:

• Temporary shed on south side of alley is gone

• 5.5 ft. side yard is adequate with no variance required

• Table 15 and Table 4 specs were presented

• Entrance will be off Park Street; doors will face north-Park Street; not off the alley

• Fire wall to be installed; a sprinkler system should not be required

• Garage to store business vehicles

• If the house existing is demolished, the property will be rezoned

The Board determined that five variance points are to be considered:

• Rear yard setback

• Exceeds Rear yard coverage

• Exceeds Lot coverage

• Height requirement exceeded

• Exceeding maximum square footage of accessory building

(Maria Lewis left the meeting at 7:17 p.m.) The Public Hearing is scheduled for Monday, September 17, 2018.

Discussion was held regarding open hearings pending on the Village's books, Mr. Fritz opened discussion on the following:

1. 130 Blackstone

The property owner is Bernie D'Orazio. In addition to purchasing the "Anderson" building on Blackstone, he has acquired other surrounding properties. Mr. D'Orazio has plans of developing the area by constructing housing apartments with the Anderson property to be the main building of the complex. Discussion and points being resolved are:

• Construction of three 4-story buildings

• A portion of Kankakee Street is located on the D'Orazio property

• Parking-may need on-street parking to resolve the required parking places

• Entrance to the X-Caliber Gymnastic Studio may be blocked

• Property is zoned Industrial 

Mr. D'Orazio is working on these issues and once resolved, will re-approach the Board for variance approval and re-zoning. He will present the revised plat plans and the development will have to be by way of a Planned Unit Development.

2. 67 S. Broadway

Mr. Fritz stated that the original plans for the business were previously presented, a public hearing was held, then the prospective business pulled out of the deal and the property has remained vacant since. Discussion included:

• No plans for the property

• Re-start from the beginning when a new business comes into the building

• Kill the present zoning/variance #ZA-268

Due to the length of time and the different variables attached to this property the Board recommended that when a new business comes into the building or the original business owner regenerates interest in the initial ZA-268, the process will begin new and that ZA-268 is null and void.

3. 95 W. Elm Street

Mr. Fritz stated that the original home and garage located at this address had been damaged in the 2015 tornado. The home was demolished, but the garage was damaged and salvaged. The property owner was given a specific length of time in order to rectify the issue and the owner repaired the garage and took out a building permit to re-construct a home on the property. Due to the one-year deadline of beginning construction, the owner, Eric Powell, has since begun construction of that home with the footings now in place.

4. 1225 E, North Street

This home was cited for several code violations, but was sold. The property was scheduled for demolition. After a considerable length of time, the new owner proceeded to rehab the home, but has since not completed the project. The Board discussed:

• Village has been mowing and billing the owner

• Exterior has been updated, however the interior is uninhabitable

• Have the taxes been paid

• Is it presently in an abandoned state 

• Can the demolition proceed

Mr. Fritz stated that he will investigate the questions with legal and the Building and Zoning Official and inform the Board of the outcome.

The Board has decided to discuss building permit extensions at their next meeting. The next meeting date is scheduled for Tuesday following Labor Day, the first Monday of the month, but no meeting will be held if there isn't an agenda. The Clerk will inform the Board members of the status of the meeting.

Crotteau moved to adjourn the meeting, second by Burns. Roll call-Ayes; Breneman, Crotteau, Vota, Hawkinson, DeWald and Burns. Nays; none. Absent; Lewis, Motion carried and the meeting was adjourned at 7:54 p.m.

https://coalcity-il.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/PZ-Minutes-08-20-18.pdf