HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-11-2007 Minutesr:
CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS
• PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Call to Order:
Chair Liljegren called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present: Commissioners LeRoux,
Powell, Runk and Wasescha; City Administrator Johnson, City Planner Richards and
Commission Liaison Abrahamson.
Agenda Approval:
Commissioner Runk, seconded by Commissioner Powell, moved to approve the agenda as
presented. Carried 5 — 0.
Approve Minutes of September 13, 2007:
Commissioner Runk, seconded by Commissioner Powell, moved to approve the Minutes as
presented. Carried 5 — 0.
Department /Commission Liaison & Other Reports: Commissioner Liaison Abrahamson
provided a brief report.
Visitors /Public Comment: None.
Public Hearings:
A. B -3, Highway Business and Warehousing District - Consider proposed amendment to B -3
Zoning District
City Planner Richards discussed City Council direction to staff for amending the B -3, Highway
Business and Warehousing District to incorporate restaurants and retail /commercial uses with
fewer limitations that currently exiting within the zoning district. Richards briefly noted that the
direction stems from the zoning district amendment request of the Denny Hecker group as part of
their recent application and City Council consideration of that request and the Planning
Commissions recommendation on the same, following their July 12, 2007 public hearing.
Richards reviewed and discussed each proposed text with the Commission.
Chair Liljegren opened the public hearing and invited public comment.
Kevin LaCasse of Greystone Real Estate Group introduced himself as representing the Denny
Hecker organization. Mr. LaCasse noted that the property has been on the market for a number
of years and that as part of the Hecker development application, they had looked at the zoning for
the area and within the community and sought an amendment to B -2, General Business District.
Mr. LaCasse stated that while most of the amended B -3 language works for the dealership
project, he feels that restaurant, including fast food restaurants should be permitted as part of the
zoning district. He stated that they bring traffic to the area that helps support the retail businesses
and that they are a very important part of the tenant mix and overall success of the retail uses.
Planning Commission Minutes
October 11, 2007
Page 2 of 2
Mr. LaCasse also addressed the issue of auto related uses in the amended language, noting that
his concern that uses currently permitted under the B -3 would be excluded from the amended B -3
as proposed.
Mr. LaCasse participated in discussion as to fast foot restaurant cluster trends, tenant mix and
answered questions as to the same related to his concerns.
Mike Hoefler of HAF Architects introduced himself as representing Jay Andrews, owner of
TireProz and discussed the current permitted auto uses within the B -3 zoning language. He
stated that TireProz is a local business, owned by Mr. Andrews who is a long time local business
person, who would like to relocate his business to the Kern Center area. Mr. Hoefler described
the business as a hybrid customization business that sells high -end tires and accessories with an
emphasis on service and not the typical automobile repair shop with retail sales. He described
the building concept they wished to use along with extensive landscaping to bring the outside
side into the building structure, provided the Commission with a drawing of the concept and
asked for their consideration to allow auto use within the amended B -3 Zoning District language.
Commissioner Runk, seconded by Commissioner Powell, moved to close the public hearing.
Carried 5 — 0.
Discussion ensued as to automotive uses, restaurant and fast food restaurants and the amended B-
3 Zoning District language. The Commission indicated that they felt limited auto repair fit with
the area and that did not favor fast food restaurants but restaurant and cafes were acceptable.
Carried 5 — 0.
New Business: None.
Old Business: None.
Informational:
A. Upcoming Meetings November 8, 2007 - 7:30 p.m. - Regular Planning Commission
Meeting - (Council Chambers)
B. Council Representative October — Commissioner Runk
November — Commissioner LeRoux
Adjournment:
Commissioner Powell, seconded by Chair Liljegren, moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:16 p.m.
Carried 5 — 0.
Respectfully submitted,
Jule A. Hultman
Planning & Code Enforcement
Approved by the Planning Commission: November 8, 2007. 3 -0