Meeting will please come to order.

This is a duly advertised meeting of the Joliet Zoning Board of Appeals.

In our capacity, we hear petitions for relief from the strict provisions of our city ordinance.

In matters of this type, the decision of this board is final and respect it does not go to the mayor or the city council for any further action.

If you disagree with our decision, you do have recourse in a court of record.

We also hear petitions for variations of land use in matters of this type.

We act as an advisory committee to the mayor and city council.

Making the recommendation either for or against it.

The final decision on land use is made by the mayor and the city council.

Secretary, please call the roll.

Mr.

Bias is absent.

Mr.

Noctriebe.

He's here.

Miss Radakovich.

Here.

Miss Rohr is absent.

Miss McGrath Schmig is absent.

Mr.

Stiff here.

Chairman Hennessy.

He's here.

Um before we get started, I do want to make an announcement.

We we only have four members of the zoning board here today, which is does meet quorum.

However, if you have a case on the agenda that is for a variance or a special use permit that stops at the zoning board of appeals level and does not go on to council, um the vote would require a either all four or a three-one vote for your uh request to be approved.

And if so, if you don't like those odds for a 3-1 or a 4-0 vote in favor, um then you know we would entertain um a tabling at your request to a different uh month.

So it's up to you.

Um you can make that decision as your case is um called as well.

So with that we will move on to the agenda.

The first on the agenda is sit or excuse me, is approval of minutes.

Motion would be in order.

Second, we need it first.

We need it first, yeah.

Oh you seconded it, I first it'll third it.

Clause roll.

Mr.

Noctriebe here.

Aye.

All right, Mr.

Radokovich.

I Mr.

Stiff.

Aye, Chairman Hennessy.

Aye.

Motion carries.

All right.

Next on the agenda is citizens to be heard on agenda items.

This section is for anyone wanting to speak regarding agenda items and are allowed a maximum of four minutes.

It is not a question and answer period, and staff in the zoning board of appeals members do not generally respond to public comments.

So I want to note here that everything on the agenda today is a public hearing.

So you are welcome to talk now if you're here for a specific agenda item, but you are also welcome to talk during the public hearing during which your um speaking will be entered in as testimony.

So is there anyone who would like to speak now?

Okay.

Board.

I swear you in, sir.

Do you swear the evidence you're about to present to be the truth under penalty of law?

I do.

Your name and address.

Anthony J.

Rominiak Jr.

600 Springwood Drive, Joliet, Illinois.

You have the floor.

All right.

Um I'm here about the sign that the uh coffee shop wants to put up across the street from our subdivision.

Uh already we have the Dollar General that has their sign up and burns 24 hours.

And uh where the coffee shop wants to put up their sign.

Uh if you take note of the area, we have buildings that are on a different elevation from where they want to put that sign.

So right now, if they put a sign up and it was illuminated, it doesn't bother us because we have bushes and trees that block it.

But as you know, come winter time, that that sign's gonna glare in people's bedroom window.

So what we would like to appeal is we understand commerce is gonna have their weight.

There's no doubt about it in my mind, but we would like to regulate the amount of time that all those lights are on.

We're already we're already experiencing more truck traffic than ever in the area because of the bridge that was put in.

So we we've been a good neighbor to Joliet.

We've cut the the the uh grass for the city, and we've uh took care of the parkway for the city, cleaning it.

So all we're looking for is a time limit on all these lights so that people will be able to at least go to sleep and night and wake up in the morning rested, and that's what I have to say.

Okay, thank you.

Do you suppose the evidence you're about to present to be the truth under penalty of law?

I do your name and address Rebecca Studer, 3623 Forest View Drive, Joliet.

Okay.

I live uh in Forest View, spring springleaf is across the street from us I live on.

Uh I don't know.

Could you explain to me um exactly?

Excuse me.

The notice I got says um a variation on signage to allow a wall sign that does not face a public way located at 480 Hobolt, uh council district five.

Where exactly from what I see, is that gonna be on the corner?

Would be the southeast corner of Hobo McDonough.

Is that where this sign wall sign is going to be?

Can you tell me exactly where it's it's the existing Starbucks on Hobalt Road?

It is gonna be on the building or it's on the building.

On the building, yeah.

And I mean, is it like why why why why do they need permission to put this where exactly is going to be like above the building, a big sign, or it's gonna be on the building.

A Starbucks on the side of the building.

So what exactly do they want to our regulations for whatever reason at the year 2025 state that signs are not allowed on the side of a building that do not face a public way?

Um it, you know, we we we feel numerous variance requests like this throughout the years.

Um we're contemplating updating our sign regulations, but um as of right now, they are required to um apply for a variance if they would choose to want a sign that face that does not face a public way, uh, so that residents like yourself could evaluate and come to the meeting like this and and you know have voice your opinion about whether you think that's appropriate based on the existing conditions in that neighborhood and in the site.

Thank you.

Um so I'm still not clear.

Um they have it says Starbucks on the side of that building, which faces um it would it would face you know it's facing the south.

Um, but it doesn't light up.

So are they asking for something different or are they asking for permission to leave that sign there where it is so at this point this is citizens to be heard on agenda items?

Um if you I would suggest you come back up to the podium during the actual public hearing for that agenda item and during which we will have images that probably will answer your questions, but so at this time I I can't even answer your question without looking at it again.

Right, and I don't I don't want to speculate, I'd like to know exactly.

Yep, you know, I got this and this, and I I would like to know exactly where and what it it is or you know.

So thank you very much for listening to me.

Thank you for your time.

Yeah, anyone else come on.

Lower the mic, please.

Okay, good afternoon.

You swear the evidence you're about to present to be the truth under penalty of law.

Yes, your name and address.

My name is Tony Rominiac.

I live at 600 Springwood Drive, Joliet, Illinois, across from uh the Starbucks, the Springwood subdivision.

And I want to know also why not everyone got a letter in the mail.

We only know about this meeting because of our neighbor.

And why wasn't it available in the Herald so that other people could see it?

Maybe not just the homeowners, but other people, at least to make sure people see and hear about it.

Or why wasn't it in a newsletter that comes, you know, uh with the spring or the fall notice?

The signs have to be within a certain distance by law from certain locations.

If you're outside that distance, it wouldn't be necessary to put a sign there.

Do you want to explain that?

Yeah, um, so just backing up this is our monthly zoning board of appeals meeting.

There's um several other agenda items on this meeting agenda, and every month we have multiple agenda items.

We have a plan commission meeting at Ford, typically too, where we process cases.

So the city follows state law with notifying owners who live within a certain uh hundred, few hundred feet of the property.

So the city's standard requirement is notifying property owners within 600 feet of the subject property that is in question today.

So that's the notice that the previous um speaker had shown, and what that you may have received as well that outlines within that public notification boundary.

It sh visib visually shows who was notified with a letter of this meeting.

The applicant is also required to post a sign at the front of their property on a public way to notify people who may be driving by, who didn't get the letter, who also want to know more about the project.

Uh the third thing that the city does following state law and our local requirements is that we do post notice of this meeting and this particular request in the labor record, which is a uh legal notice newspaper of general circulation.

Okay, so when is this other meeting supposed to take place where we could speak again?

There's no other meeting.

Or or viewing.

I'm just making you aware that this is a standard meeting that happens once a month.

You know, cases like this are heard.

That's our we're following our standard notification procedure.

Okay, you said we could view what they're proposing, so where can we view that to see what type of sign they're looking at?

So the the city's web page has under meetings and agendas.

You can find the staff report packet that would go with the particular request, and that was posted last week again, following um our posting and posting notification requirements.

And we have no say so on what that aesthetic will look like.

Because it could be gaudy, it could be nice, we don't know.

So you're you know, you're here now, um, so you saw the notice, you came, and we when we get to that agenda item, the staff will explain the request.

Uh there will be images on the screen, and then if you would like you can engage with the topic at that point.

Okay.

Yep.

All right.

Um, can I ask a question or or or let you know if something else is back there?

Hold on.

I mean, I can answer public notice questions right now, but if you have a question about the particular request, that this is not the appropriate time to do that.

So I can't say anything else.

Well, again, the the public hearing hasn't started for that particular agenda item.

We haven't even started going through the agenda, so there will be an opportunity for you to come back up and ask a question about this particular sign, but I'm happy to answer general questions about procedure and how we notify the public.

Or or or another another another item.

I would like to ask something about something else, some other service.

Okay, well, then at the end of the meeting, we have a place on the agenda called public comments.

So if you have something to talk about that's not a an agenda item, we could you can come up and ask a question at that time.

Oh, so after this meeting I can talk to you.

It's not a meeting, it's on the agenda.

I mean, sure, at the end of the meeting, you can talk to me after the meeting, yes.

Yeah, I just want to ask you one question.

Yeah.

I will be here after the meeting, yeah.

Okay, thank you.

Okay, we're all there as a radius.

And according to this, hey, direct everything to the board, please.

I'm sorry?

Direct all your comments to the board or to Jane over there.

You're well within that radius.

Oh, why did you not get that?

Yeah, I'm I'm still in that radius, and yes, I like I said, I didn't get a letter.

Okay.

We can look into that if you would like after the meeting.

I mean, I understand why she got it.

She is closer to the street, and we are on the other side of her, but we still have the visual of lights from in between buildings.

Yeah.

Okay.

That's all.

That's off.

Is that it?

Let's proceed with the agenda.

Okay.

Everything on the agenda is a public hearing.

So anyone who's here to speak on an agenda item, you'll have another opportunity to do that when the actual agenda item is called.

Okay, just to clarify that.

Um, next on the agenda is old business public hearing.

We have no agenda items under that category, which brings us to new business public hearing.

And the first agenda item is petition 2025 35, which is a variation of use to allow a mixed use structure.

Is the applicant here for this request?

It's 616.

Yeah.

You're here on behalf.

You can stay seated for a moment.

Okay.

The applicant in this matter is B.

Pincharma.

He is the owner of the property.

The location is 616 Williamson Avenue.

This is Council District 4.

And again, the request is a variation of use to allow a mixed use structure.

Under purpose, the applicant is requesting a variation of use to allow a mixed use structure in the R3, which is a one and two family residential zoning district.

The existing structure, which was built around 1906 as a church, would contain one dwelling unit on the basement level and an open space, formerly used for religious assembly on the main level.

While a dwelling unit is permitted in the R3 zoning district, a mixed use structure where two principal uses would exist is not permitted.

Therefore, the property needs a variation of use to allow a mixed use structure that contains a dwelling unit in the same building as a non-residential use.

This variation of use request must be considered by the city council following the recommendation of the zoning board of appeals.

Under site specific information, the subject property is approximately 64 feet by 134 feet and contains a one-story church built around 1906.

The building was used as a church since its construction until at least 2018.

The petitioner purchased the property in November of 2023, and the property is zoned R3, 1 and 2 family residential.

The main level of the building was used for religious services and is still set up this way.

According to the petitioner, the basement level was set up as a dwelling unit with the current floor plan when they purchase the building.

The unit contains one bedroom, one bathroom, a living room, and a kitchen.

The basement level dwelling unit has its own separate entrance on the north side of the building, as well as a rear door on the south side.

The basement level does not have any interior connections to the main level.

For surrounding zoning land use and character, the property is located in the Collins Street neighborhood on the south side of Williamson Avenue.

The zoning and land use for the adjacent properties are as follows.

To the north is R3 1 and 2 family residential and it's an institutional use as a church.

To the south is R2 single family residential and it's a residence.

To the east is R3 1 and 2 family residential and it's a residence.

To the west is R2 single family residential and it's undeveloped.

For applicable regulations, we have section 47-7.1, which is the R3 1 and 2 family residential zoning district permitted uses, and section 47-17 28, which is a variation of use.

For discussion, the petitioner B Pinsharma is requesting a variation of use to allow a dwelling unit in a non-residential use within the same structure in the R3 zoning district.

The basement level of the building will contain one dwelling unit.

The main floor, which was previously used as a church and is still set up as a church, will be used for the owner's personal storage.

The petitioner states that they do not have plans to utilize the main floor as a church.

Yes, the petitioner states they currently do not have plans to utilize the main floor as church, just let me sure I said that right.

Approval of the variation of use will allow the structure to contain one dwelling unit along with a separate space that is not part of or accessory to the dwelling unit.

If the owner wishes to use the main floor for a use other than storage or a religious institution, they would need to apply for additional building permits and zoning approvals as needed.

According to the petitioner, the basement level was set up as an apartment when they purchased the property.

Since that time, the owner has performed minor upgrades to the apartment, such as painting walls and floors and tiling the bathroom.

The property does not currently contain any paved parking spaces.

The zoning ordinance requires two parking spaces for a single dwelling unit.

The owner proposes to install a paved driveway along the east side of the building to fulfill the parking requirement.

And if the variation of use is approved, the apartment will need to be enrolled in the city's rental inspection program.

The property would then be inspected for compliance with residential property codes and building codes.

The owner will be responsible for making any required updates to the property prior to the issuance of a rental inspection certificate through the rental inspection program.

For conditions, if the zoning board desires to approve this variation of use to allow a mixed use structure in the R3, which is the one and two family residential zoning district at 616 Williamson Avenue, the following conditions would be included.

One that the property shall be enrolled in and comply with the city's rental inspection program.

Two, that the required off-street parking shall be provided prior to the issuance of the rental inspection certificate.

Three, that the use of the property shall not be expanded in the future.

And four, should the property be declared as a public nuisance, the property may be subject to a rehearing impossible revocation of the variation of use.

And that concludes staff's report.

I have to swear you're on certain.

Do you swear the evidence you're about to present to be the truth under penalty of law?

Yes.

Name and address.

Dennis Carr 829 Elizabeth Street, Juliet.

Go ahead.

So I'm here on behalf of the owner.

Um I manage all his properties for him.

Um basically it blows on to what she said when we purchased a property.

There was a basically like a one-bedroom apartment set up in the basement.

We're just looking to be able to utilize that for uh rental residential.

Um the main floor we haven't done anything with except pretty much just clean it up and he's gonna use it for personal storage.

Okay.

Any questions by the board?

What do you plan to store in the main level?

So the owner has uh other properties and businesses.

Um files, um entory for some of the other buildings.

Uh we have a couple of treatment programs in town here, so it's just it's basically just gonna be utilized as his personal storage unit for like inventory some tools, um files for previous years.

Nothing, uh nothing of like any kind of like insignificant value or anything, it's just personal stuff.

Any other questions by the board?

No.

Is there anybody in the audience?

Hold on.

Is there anyone in the audience wishing to speak in favor of this petition?

Is there anyone opposed?

Somebody had their hand up on you.

Do you want to talk on this?

I didn't want to have this question.

Do you have a do you have a question on this item?

Come on forward.

I just want to ask the owner or the ma'am.

Wait till you get to the mic.

We have to record this.

All right.

You've been sworn in, so of course.

I um I just want to ask the owner or the representative of the owner if they eventually plan to run a business out of the the upstairs, the church area.

And if they do, um, is it zoned for business?

That's all.

So I mean, I I could answer the question, so it's not zoned for business.

It's it's the we've indicated a couple times in the staff report it's zoned R3, which is a residential use only.

Um, as it as stated in the staff report, the only allowed uses would be storage if approved, and a religious institution, and then a dwelling unit if approved.

Again, the property could be used in its entirety as one single family or dwelling unit, but it cannot be used for a single family dwelling and another use.

Like again, that's why it's a mixed-use structure.

So if there was any plans for a business at this location, they would have to come back just as the staff report said again through a process.

Anyone else wishing to speak in opposition?

Chair closes the petition as the board for discussion and vote.

I move we approve.

Second, we have a motion, a second to approve the petition.

Pull the board.

Mr.

Stiff.

Aye.

Mr.

Noctrieb.

Aye.

Mr.

Dokovich.

Aye.

Chairman Hennessey.

Hi.

Okay.

This will go forward to the city council with a recommendation for approval.

This will likely be heard at the second council meeting in October.

When day do we know what date that is?

I always ask this.

October 21 is the tentative date for that.

Yep.

October 21.

Sorry?

No.

We'll be we'll be in contact.

It's the city council meeting will be at 6 30 on Tuesday night.

Okay.

All right.

Next on the agenda is case number 2025 36.

The applicant is integrity signed company.

The status of the applicant is the signed contractor.

The owner, the owner is Joliet Hobolt Road LLC.

The location is 480 Hobalt Road, which is Council District 5.

The request is a variation on signage to allow a wall sign that does not face a public way.

Under purpose.

The applicant is requesting a variation on signage to allow a wall sign that does not face a public way for a new Starbucks restaurant at 480 Hobalt Road.

The zoning board of appeals makes the final decision on this variation request.

For site specific information, the property is 1.6 acres and contains a new Starbucks restaurant constructed in May of 2025.

The site includes a drive-thru and an accessory surface parking lot.

The property is zoned B1 neighborhood business.

For surrounding zoning, land use and character.

The site has an existing wall sign on the main west side of the building, a monument sign near the driveway entrance, and several directional and drive-through signs.

The total sign area for the site, including the proposed sign, would not exceed the permitted 120 square feet.

Staff finds that the request meets the following criteria for sign variations.

One, that the proposed use would not be detrimental to the use or development of other property in the area.

Two, that ownership of the property has been demonstrated.

And three approval of the variation would not be contrary to the objective of improving the overall appearance of the city.

This sign will face a detention pond and will not alter the essential character of the area.

And for conditions, we are suggesting none.

And that concludes staff's report.

Yes.

Name and address.

What's the lumens on that light?

How price is it going to be?

Is there lighting?

Yeah, it's lit.

I don't know the exact lumens on it.

I don't we didn't manufacture the sign, we just install it, but I can't intend to keep those lights on what 24 hours or we can adjust the time if needed.

I know residentials uh voice their opinion.

Uh we can have a timer on there where it turn off at whatever time feels necessary.

Or to dim them down.

Yeah, or to dim down, we could do a dimmer switch too.

Yeah.

Okay.

Any questions by the board?

Uh Jane, is that something that should be covered by the issue?

The business of the lighting on the sign and the timing that it's on.

So I mean we don't usually split city regulations would already govern what would fall to be a nuisance.

So planning staff don't evaluate the lumens of the signs, our building division does that through the electrical permit, which they would have to pull.

Um they would flag anything that would that would seem out of ordinary.

So I don't that answers your question.

Um if the zoning board of appeals wants to make as a condition of approval whatever you you have just your discussion about regarding the lighting, then you would want to make that in your motion for whether you approve or deny or so make sure that you are on par with with making that motion as a part of the the motion we made only if we doesn't if you want that.

So if you're asking how we evaluate lumens, I hopefully I answered that.

But um if you want to still make a motion regarding doing something further, then that's your call.

I don't think we need to do anything further.

I just didn't know how involved the city would be if this is in a inner residential neighborhood, and if the sign faces residences, presumably the city would have something to say with the brightness or so um okay, then maybe I'll answer further.

Our valuation is that it doesn't face residential locations per se because it's facing directly into the detention pond.

Now, could you catch a glimmer of that from the backyards of those?

I mean, yes.

So I think that was why we landed with the our finding as in the staff report.

But certainly those two those two residential properties would be able to see it, yes.

Anybody in the audience wish to speak in favor?

Anyone oppose you've been sworn in already?

Yes, sir.

Uh I also forgot to mention that I'm uh director on the HOA at Springwood Candeminium Board.

Uh when I was up here last I'm one of the directors.

We would not be adverse to that sign if it was shut off at the end of the day of business.

They can put their I mean, we understand commerce.

I know, but at the end of the day of business, people need you know, they they stay open till nine.

That's their that's their time.

If their sign was off at nine, we we don't you know we we're more than glad to be a good neighbor with them.

Well within the conditions stage it all by law the requirement.

Even if this is passed with no conditions, if it becomes a public nuisance, you could bring it up again at a later date.

That's all I have to say about it.

But could the uh is it is it you your board to make the the restriction on the time of illumination?

If we think it's required, yes.

Yeah.

Okay.

Maybe a discussion with the uh we can discuss that later.

Yeah, there it goes that way.

Thank you.

I I just I guess I want to clarify for the zoning board.

I'm not saying you can't make a condition.

I I was just pointing out that how we go about doing our evaluation at the staff level.

If if the zoning you as a zoning board members feel that this is something that you want to impose as a condition, you know, and if you want my response about how is that is it feasible to I mean the sign contract just said they can work with you, so uh I I did not invoke state law.

Just want to clarify.

That's okay.

Okay.

And if anyone else wishing to speak in opposition.

Do you swear the evidence you're about to present to be the truth under penalty of law?

I do.

Name and address.

Mary Adams 553, Silverleaf Drive, Joliet, Illinois.

My question is, is this sign gonna be even with the building or taller than the building?

Because I it's on the building.

It's on the building, so it's not gonna be above it.

I wasn't quite clear about that.

But if that's the case, then it won't affect me because I'm I'm on the other side of the Social Security Building, which is north south of that.

So that was my question.

Okay.

That's it.

Chair closes petition, ask the board for discussion and a motion.

Move we approve.

I seconded Clause Board, calls the rule.

Mr.

Noctrieb.

Aye.

Mr.

Radarkovich.

I Mr.

Stiff.

Aye.

Chairman Hennessy.

Aye.

Motion carries.

Okay.

That request was approved.

All right.

Next on the agenda is petition 2025 37.

The applicant is Martio Fence Company.

The owner is the Roman Catholic Diocese and it's the Queen of Apostles Parish.

The location is 18 Woodlawn Avenue.

The request is a variation to increase a maximum fence height in a residential zoning district from six feet to seven feet as well as from six feet to eight feet.

Under purpose.

The applicant is requesting a variation to increase the maximum fence height from six feet to seven feet and eight feet for a proposed fence along the east and south sides of its property at 18 Woodlawn Avenue.

Per section 47-17.6 of the city's zoning ordinance.

Fences constructed within a side or rear yard shall not be higher than six feet.

The zoning board of appeals will make the final decision on this variation request.

Under site specific information.

The subject property is seven 7.24 acres in size, and its location is the Queen of Apostles Parish and School.

The property is mostly zoned R2 single-family residential with a very small portion zoned B1 neighborhood business at its southeast corner.

The applicant wishes to construct fencing as shown in the attached aerial exhibit along the south and east sides of the property.

Fencing along most of the east side of the property would consist of a seven-foot-tall black chain link fence.

Fencing along the south side of the property and southern portion of the east side of the property would consist of an eight-foot tall black chain link fence with slats for added privacy.

The applicant has stated that the fencing is desired to prevent trespassing onto the property and to keep students and parishioners safe.

For surrounding zoning, land use and character.

To the north we have R2 single family residential and its single family residences.

To the south is B1 neighborhood business, and it's a commercial use, it's the McDonald's.

Debris from the trash enclosure often blows into the subject property.

The property owner has cited concerns with trespassing along this area as well.

The proposed fencing would provide a clear demarcation in the boundary between the McDonald's property and the subject property.

The subject variation request is necessary since the zoning ordinance restricts fence height to six feet within side and rear yards where the proposed fencing would be located.

While it is less common in residential zones, it is not uncommon for security fences within commercial or industrial areas to be eight feet tall.

It is also not unusual for properties with residential zoning that abut commercial zones to have a fencing or landscaping buffer.

Solid fencing can be found throughout the West Jefferson Street corridor in these areas where residential and commercial zones meet.

Therefore, staff does not believe that the requested variation will alter the essential character of the locality if granted.

For suggested conditions, staff as identified, none.

Do you swear the evidence you're about to present to be the truth under G of Law?

My name is Michael J.

Martio.

Do you swear to the truth?

Yes or no?

I didn't hear you answer yes or no.

Yes.

Okay, now your address.

I did my hearing's a little bad.

Go ahead.

Um in the back by McDonald's.

It's uh a lot of traffic goes there through there.

Um people have to pull in there while they're going to McDonald's and get out and go to the car and leave all their papers and snacks in the drive.

Sir, could you put the microphone up to your face, please?

Good.

Thank you.

Oh, sorry.

And uh one other things are going on there.

Uh you have people living in the back part of that uh empty lot, just on the back side of the uh where it's covered up there.

Uh that would be the uh strip mall.

There's a piece of grassy knoll there and there and some trees.

Uh drinking beer and leaving a big mess.

And we just like to be able to close that one area off all the way up past the strip mall and stop right there with an eight foot high fence and put slats in it that way they can't climb it.

And then it's take off and just put the rest of it from the uh mall, that little strip mall all the way back to we can see it on the map there, right by the water there, and we'll stop right there and take a piece of wrought iron and tie it right back to that fence.

And uh when you uh put a black vinyl fence, you can't see it.

It turns almost invisible because everything in the in that foreground is spots of plaque, it's real hard to see.

If you're driving by and looked at a white fence, that's all you can see in the whole yard is white.

Where you look at a black vinyl, you can hardly see it.

So it's not a bad uh fence at all.

It's a one that will last the church for a long time.

Any questions by the board?

Yeah, is the the fence that's on the McDonald's side?

Yes, is that gonna be behind that wall, that cement wall, or in front of it?

I was gonna put it behind it.

Okay, and the reason for that is that the property is right there behind it.

And uh and you actually have to step up to get on the other side there.

That wall is probably it was a couple feet, right?

Yeah, a couple feet.

Yeah, I don't know how people to sit there and drink and carry on.

And uh a lot of traffic goes through there, and our kids in the playgrounds are we just don't want a whole bunch of people to that back end where we don't have no control over the uh cars on the outside or the inside either because they'll pull right back in, they don't care.

And uh we used to want nobody grabbing one of the kids, you know.

You don't know what's gonna happen.

But so far it's holding up, but I seen fist fights and uh two girls fighting on the ground there.

I never seen anything like that in my entire life.

You know, so any further questions by the board.

Is there anybody in the audience wish to speak in favor?

Is there anyone opposed?

We had somebody split over.

Thank you.

Yeah, okay.

Yep.

Lower the mic.

Good afternoon, everybody.

Yes.

Name and address.

Mary Brown, uh 136, Andrew Terrace Court.

I am the president for the association of St.

Paul Estate.

So I just want to want to know exactly what kind of fence he's gonna put up there if it's gonna be like the one we already have.

We have a fence halfway in there.

Um, I agree with him.

We should put that entire back needs to be fenced out, but I just want to ensure that it doesn't um for the people that's living on that side of the street, it's not messing up the integrity of the property uh would you know putting up an enclosed fence?

I just want to verify exactly is he going to continue with the fencing that we have there, or if he's gonna use a different kind of fence, is what I want to know.

We're putting up a black black vinyl fence.

It's almost transparent.

You look at it, you want to hardly know it's there, but it keeps a lot of traffic from running back and forth between the streets.

And in that, like I say, in that back corner, we were having all the problems with vagrancy.

That fence will match the fence that's by their retention pond, correct?

Yes.

You go all the way back to the retention?

Yeah.

Oh, be down there by the houses.

That the seven-foot fence is where those trees are on the right side there, and run straight back all the way non-stop to their existing fence.

Well, I just to clarify, so the fence that is you're proposing, Mr.

Martio, is a black chain link fence, so it's not the same fence that they have.

Yeah, something like they lost it.

Yeah, it's it's it's a it's black Marino.

Yeah, it's it's not the wrought iron style.

It's not wrought iron, but it it is different.

Yeah.

All the way down.

No, that's that's uh not out to say uh wrought iron fence.

Right, that's not happening here.

Can you could you please come up to the Mr.

Martial?

I would I just want to know can you just use the tiny black fence that we have and just have that all the way down?

It just won't hold up.

I mean, what's going on down here?

It's not gonna hold up for the chain leaf will hold up for long a good long time.

Okay.

Mr.

Marshall, does the church have an existing black chain link fence?

I don't know if it's by the it's on looks like it's on the north by the parking lot.

Yes, we just put one in around the playground area.

That's kind of the same thing you're planning on doing.

Exactly.

Do you know where the playground area is?

Have you ever seen that fence?

Yeah.

I wouldn't be like a weight.

Speaking of the microphone, please.

Um I would I'm what I'm saying is that fence, I just feel like aesthetically it just won't look right.

So um, especially how he's gonna put it in the middle.

If you want to put that like after the houses, that lot is for sale right now, so when he sell it, um I'll be okay with that, but I just feel like aesthetically it just won't look right, which just having half the half the houses with the iron fence and then just putting that kind of fence next to it.

There's a big difference in cost.

Father Michael's just getting rolling.

He's got so much to do there.

So that would be the most effective.

And it'll last it in a fall apart.

Reuse nothing but the top grade material.

So you can lean on it, you can do anything, it's gonna stand up.

Uh write iron, you can hit it with a baseball bag and break the uh aluminum pickets off it, or not really strong and grab it and pull it apart.

You will not be able to pull that uh climb over it, really?

We we put an extra foot on it so they wouldn't be able to climb over it.

We have that foot, and then as it goes towards the back from the back of that um strip mall from where the trees are that first tree begins, it'll be eight foot from there all the way to the back across the back, it ties into the building.

Uh you see the building right there at number three to the right of that.

It'll tie into that next where we stop right there.

Next keeps all the traffic, bikes, cars, cars come right to them uh over there on uh uh what street is that?

That's Campbell.

They drive right through that lot, kids in the lot.

It's crazy.

So we'll slow all that down.

I'll be okay with that.

All right, thank you.

Thank you.

Okay, if there's no one else and objection, the chair is gonna close the petition to the floor and ask the board for discussion.

And a motion.

Motion to approve.

Second.

We have a motion, a second to approve the petition.

Pull the board.

Mr.

Rodokovich.

Aye.

Mr.

Stiff.

Aye.

Mr.

Noctrieb.

Aye.

Chairman Hennessy.

Aye.

Motion carries.

Great.

This request was approved.

So you can proceed with a building permit for the fence.

Okay.

All right.

Next on the agenda is petition number 2025 38.

The applicant does Frain Maldonado.

The status of the applicant is owner, and the location is 501 Stockton Drive, Council District 5.

The request is a variation to reduce the corner side yard setback to allow installation of a shed.

Under purpose.

The applicant is requesting the following variation to allow the installation of a shed on their property at 501 Stockton Drive.

The variation is to reduce the required corner side yard setback from 20 feet to six feet.

The zoning board of appeals makes the final decision on this variation request.

Under site specific information, the subject site is a corner lot that is 90 feet by 130 feet and contains a two-story residence built in 2007.

The lot coverage for the existing house is around 18%.

The property is zoned R1B, which is single family residential, and is located at the northeast corner of Stockton Drive and Holland Drive for surrounding zoning, land use and character.

The property is located in the estates at Cedar Creek Residential Subdivision and is surrounded by residential lots with R1B single family residential zoning.

For applicable regulations, we have section 47-5B 4, which is R1B district yard and lot requirements.

We have section 47-17, which is yards required for corner lots.

And then section 47-19.8 findings of facts supporting a variation.

For discussion, the approval of the requested variation would allow the owner to install a shed with a setback of six feet from the corner side yard property line.

The required corner side yard setback in the R1B district is 20 feet.

The shed would be located at the northwest corner of the property and would be 10 feet off the rear property line in order to stay out of the rear yard public utility and drainage easement.

The proposed shed is 10 feet wide and is 12 feet long with a roof peak height of 8 feet 3 inches.

The owner wishes to place the shed in the proposed location due to the location of existing trees in their backyard.

A plat of survey, site plan, and a shed illustration are included in the staff report packet.

Staff does not find an exceptional hardship for this request, but does find that it the combination of the existing trees and the 10-foot rear yard utility easement limits the possible locations for the shed on the site.

Staff also finds that the granting of the variation will not alter the essential character of the area.

The proposed shed has a low profile and is designed for use in residential areas.

The location of the proposed shed will also not impact the front yard of the property at 500 Holland Drive as the house and front yard face north.

For conditions, suggested conditions of approval, staff has suggested none.

That concludes staff's report.

Yes.

Name and address.

Any questions by the board?

So the sheds currently existing, correct?

Yes.

As stated by the secretary, it meets all the requirements except hardship.

Except hardship is not required if there's a practical difficulty, which has been established by the trees and the easement.

So even though the book it was constructed without proper petitions or anything else.

It does it does meet all the requirements.

This is for the record.

Any questions by the board?

Anyone in the audience wishes to speak in favor?

Do you swear the evidence you're about to present to be the truth under penalty of law?

Yes.

My name is Sonida Bradley.

I live at 414 Stockton.

Um he's our corner lot neighbor.

He always takes care of his yard in his house really well.

I think the shed looks great where it's at.

I don't think it's in any way or the aesthetics to their the trees and their everything else they did that they do in their yard.

I mean, they just put a roof and siding.

He's been there since 2009.

We've been there since 2011.

So I hope that there's not a problem with that shed.

It looks really nice.

So that's all.

Thank you.

Anyone else?

Chair closed petition to the board for discussion and a motion.

Move we approve.

Second.

Close the board.

Mr.

Stiff.

Aye.

Mr.

Noctriebe.

Aye.

Mr.

Dokovich.

Aye.

Chairman Hennessy.

Aye.

Motion carries.

All right.

That request was approved.

Um, so proceed with your building permit.

Okay.

Thanks.

All right.

Next on the agenda is petition number 2025 39.

The applicant is Drury.

Drury.

Development Corporation.

The owner is Cullen and Juliet LLC.

Location is the northeast corner of Gateway Boulevard and Sandstone Drive.

The request is a variation to allow 9 feet by 18 feet parking spaces.

The applicant is requesting a variation to allow 9 feet by 18 feet parking spaces for a future hotel that would be located at the northeast corner of Gateway Boulevard and Sandstone Drive within the Rock Run Collection Planned Unit Development.

Per section 47-15H11 of the city's zoning ordinance.

Parking stalls are to be a minimum of nine feet wide and 180 square feet in size.

Proposed stalls would be only 162 square feet in size.

The zoning board of appeals will make the final decision on this variation request.

For site specific information, the subject property is approximately three acres in size and located adjacent to the new Hollywood Casino and Event Center.

The rock run collection planned unit development guidelines will require the developer to provide one parking space for each room in the proposed hotel.

The applicant's concept plan shows 180 parking spaces.

The subject property contains a 20-foot landscape buffer along the gateway boulevard frontage, a 25-foot utility and drainage easement at the property's southwest corner, a 15-foot utility easement along the eastern property line, and a 10-foot landscape buffer along the northern property line, thereby restricting the developable area of the subject property.

For surrounding zoning, land use and character.

Land to the properties north, south, and west is currently vacant and undeveloped.

Land to the east or land to the properties east contains the Hollywood Casino and Event Center.

For applicable regulations, we have section 47-15 H 11, which is parking stall requirements.

Then we have section 47-198.

Findings of facts supporting a variation.

For discussion, the applicant seeks a variation to construct 180 by seek.

Sorry, the applicant receives a variation to construct 180 9 foot by 18 foot parking stalls for a future hotel.

The rock run collection planned unit development guidelines allow 9 foot by 18 foot parking stalls for parking decks, such as those found in the nearby casino parking deck.

Surface surface parking lots, such as the lot proposed by the applicant, must meet the city's standards for off-street parking spaces, which require a minimum of 180 square feet and nine feet of width.

While the city has recently upgraded its standards to require additional room for parking spaces, the proposed stall dimensions are common in commercial locations.

Given that there is precedent for the requested parking stall size, staff does not believe the requested variation will alter the essential character of the neighborhood.

Suggested conditions staff is recommending none.

And that concludes staff's report.

I do.

Name is Jack Shelton with jury.

Um our location is at the intersection of Sandstone and Gateway.

Our headquarters is in St.

Louis, Missouri.

Nothing really further to add to the staff report.

We come to seek the variation for the parking space sizes.

If you're not familiar with jury hotels, we are family owned and operated hotel company.

We have 150 locations in over 27 states.

Any questions by the board?

At the end of the day, you can get a SUV or a minivan in these spaces pretty easily, right?

So to note, so our entire portfolio, we have 24,000 spaces.

They are all 9 by 18, and we have no issues in other locations.

Any other questions?

Anyone in the audience wishes to speak in favor?

Anyone opposed?

Say something.

Don't raise your hand.

Motion to approve.

Sorry, go ahead.

Slow move.

He moved.

Do we have a second?

For the record?

Sure.

We need a second.

We have a motion.

A second to approve.

Uh Mr.

Nochtroom.

Mr.

Dokovich.

Aye.

Mr.

Stiff.

Aye.

Chairman Hennessy.

I motion.

Thank you for talking.

All right.

Next on the agenda is old new business, not for final action or recommendation.

We have none listed.

Then next on the agenda is public comment.

We have no one here.

Okay, no one here to speak under public comment.

You guys make a comment, wouldn't you?

Um before we adjourn, I would like to introduce we have another city planner.

So Francisco Jimenez is joining Helen and Ray as our planning division city planning staff.

So he started on Monday and will be work, he'll be at our zoning board meetings and writing staff reports as well.

Excellent.

Welcome aboard.

You have my sympathy.

Yeah.

All right, with that we have adjournment.

Motion to adjourn.

All in favor signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Opposed?

No.

Meeting adjourned.