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Minutes - 01/19/2015 - Plan CommissionMINUTES OF THE JANUARY 19, 2015 REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLAN COMMISSION OF THE VILLAGE OF OAK BROOK APPROVED AS WRITTEN ON MARCH 16, 2015 CALL TO ORDER: CALL TO ORDER The Regular Meeting of the Plan Commission was called to order by Chairwoman Tropinski in the Samuel E. Dean Board Room of the Butler Government Center at 7:05 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL: ROLL CALL Gail Polanek called the roll with the following persons PRESENT: Chairwoman Marcia Tropinski, Members Raju Iyer (arrived 7:20 p.m.), Raj Lal, Simon Sheers and Kenneth Wilczak ABSENT: Members Thomas Doyle and Naveen Jain, IN ATTENDANCE: Trustee Gerald Wolin, Director of Community Development Robert Kallien Jr., Village Engineer Michael Hullihan and Planning Technician Gail Polanek Chairwoman Tropinski announced that the order of the agenda would be changed so that the second agenda item would be heard first. No objections were raised. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: MINUTES There were no minutes for approval. 4. UNFINISHED BUSINESS UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was no unfinished business to discuss. 5. NEW BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS A. 1220 and 1300 KENSINGTON RESUBDIVISION — ZFO PROPERTIES E AND Isoo KENSINGTON LLC — 1220 AND 1300 KENSINGTON ROAD — TWO LOT SUBDIVISION RESUB - ZFO PROP - I o -LOT SUB - - FINAL PLAT FINAL PLAT Chairwoman Tropinski reviewed the request stating that the purpose of the subdivision was to better allocate the existing parking spaces between the buildings. Director of Community Development Kallien said that there are two lots with a building on each parcels and no intent to build anything more. They may ultimately want to sell the properties, but need to better allocate the parking. VILLAGE OF OAK BROOK Regular Plan Commission Minutes Page 1 of 6 January 19, 2015 George Weems, Attorney and representative of ZFO Properties, LLC and Charles Frank, Manager of ZFO Properties were present. Mr. Weems reviewed an aerial of the property showing the existing interior lot lines between the parcels. They are moving the lot line approximately in the middle of the parcels and moving it to include 8 parking spaces over to the 1300 building in order to make it compliant with the Ace Hardware lease. It would also position the properties for potential sale at some point in the future. Member Wilczak commented that the request appears to be pretty straightforward and Member Sheers agreed. There were not any comments from the audience. Motion by Member Wilczak, seconded by Member Sheers to recommend approval of the final plat, subject to the following conditions: 1. The Reciprocal Easements, Covenants and Restrictions Declaration to be recorded prior to the recording of the approved Final Plat. 2. Certificates to be revised prior to submittal to the Village Board. 3. Final Village Engineer approval. ROLL CALL VOTE: Ayes: 4 — Members Lal, Sheers, Wilczak and Chairwoman Tropinski Absent: 3 — Member Doyle, Iyer and Jain Nays: 0 — Motion Carried. 5. B. DUCHOSSOIS GROUP RESUBDIVISION — 1818 SWIFT DRIVE AND 300- GROUP OS GR SUB - 1818 306 -310 WINDSOR DRIVE — CONSOLIDATE TWO PARCELS INTO ONE SWIFT DR AND 300 - -310 WINDSOR — FINAL PLAT - FINAL PLAT Chairwoman Tropinski reviewed the request stating that the purpose of the subdivision was to consolidate two parcels into one. Director of Community Development Kallien provided an overview of the request saying that that there were no changes being sought to the exterior property boundaries. In this case, they are seeking to consolidate two lots into one lot. It is the intent of the owner to take down the existing buildings on the properties in order to build a new structure. The process of redevelopment in Oak Brook is something that we look forward to as part of our Revitalization Plan. In the Plan, a number of properties were identified with the goal that over time they would be redeveloped. This is one of those areas and it is an exciting project. At this point, the request is just for a resubdivision of the property. Bill Huffman, Duchossois Group, Vice President of Real Estate, the applicant, introduced Chris Meigel, SGJJR, Architect, Project Manager. VILLAGE OF OAK BROOK Regular Plan Commission Minutes Page 2 of 6 January 19, 2015 Mr. Huffman said that they are seeking a simple consolidation of two lots located at 1818 Swift Drive and 300 - 306 -310 Windsor Drive into one parcel in order to developing a corporate office building and headquarters facilities. They are consistent with Code and the Zoning Ordinance. They are not seeking any deviations or waivers. They are looking forward to become a good civic member of the community and developing this project. Chairwoman Tropinski noted that the request appears to be pretty straightforward. Member Lal said that the proposed plat complies with all rules and regulations as outlined in the Subdivision Regulations and he did not have any objections. Member Wilczak questioned whether the feedback from the residents abutting the property had been positive. Mr. Huffman responded that they had had minimal feedback to date and it had been positive. They were hoping to have demolition completed at the 1818 Swift building by the end of the week. They had not received any complaints from the neighbors. Their plan would be to begin demolition of the other property in the Spring. Member Wilczak questioned whether the new building would be located in a similar position on the property. Mr. Huffman reviewed a board showing a conceptual picture of the site when developed. The building would actually sit further away from the residential properties than the previous Follett building. He noted that one of the most engaging pieces of the property was the woods. They want to be good neighbors to the community. They will be adding additional trees to the residential setback line and actually have a walking path through the woods. They are looking to provide a wonderful community environment to their employees at this building. It will be an office building for the Duchossois Group and its entities. Chairwoman Tropinski said that the request was simple and straightforward and would be a plus to the community. Terry O'Rourke, 8 Woodridge Drive said that if there was any input requested of the residents, they were never contacted. He also questioned how tall the building would be. Mr. Huffman responded that in response to the request for communication, they followed the village ordinance, and notices of demolition were sent out in accordance with the Code to all residents in the area. They are not through with the development, however the concepts of the project, but they are envisioning a 5 -story building, which is consistent with the zoning ordinance and code. VILLAGE OF OAK BROOK Regular Plan Commission Minutes Page 3 of 6 January 19, 2015 laAc Mr. O'Rourke asked how the drawing pertains to the residential neighbors. Mr. Huffman reviewed the conceptual drawing of the development with the neighbors present in the audience. He noted that the Follett building was located more into the woods, and the new building would be placed further back than the Follett building. He noted the water retention would be along the southwest side of the property. They will be adding many more trees and plantings and a walking path through the woods. There will be a fountain in the back. It will be a full amenity building with a cafeteria for the employees. They are still in the planning stages for the building so they do not have the exact square footage; however, it will be a 5 -story building. They are looking to be good neighbors and to that end, they are looking to adding woods. They inventoried all of the existing trees on the site, will remove the bad trees, and looking at a reforestation plan for the area. There will be a service drive entrance on Swift Drive. They are trying not to have any vehicular movement on the backside of the building. The entrance to the building will be off Windsor Drive. What they have shown is a schematic design. They are pulling the new building away from the residential area and they believe one of the biggest values of the property is the residential feel of the neighborhood and the trees. They are looking to respect the neighbors, protect the trees and to use the green area as a campus setting for the employees and future businesses. Ralph Maxson, 6 Woodridge Drive questioned whether there would be a parking garage or surface parking. Mr. Huffman responded that they considered a parking garage, but in this phase, the parking will be on grade to meet the zoning requirements. The property is 20.6 acres and they is room to add buildings to the front of the property and should they do that they would probably add a parking structure, which would be years away. Ian Shankey, 7 Woodridge Drive, whose property abuts the site, raised concerns regarding the plantings and driveway on his property. Mr. Huffman responded that they are not planning to do anything and reviewed the existing easements on the property. He noted that they intended to be very respectful of the area and would be adding trees around the residential area and the woods. If work were required in the easement for utilities, they would put it back in place on their property and if coordination were required, he would know about it ahead of time. Their intention is to make the residential barrier along their property all green and add a lot of landscape. Jan O'Rourke, 8 Woodridge Drive questioned lighting in the parking lot and from the structure. Mr. Huffman said that they would deal with lighting consistent with Code. They would be shading the residential areas so that direct lights would not go into the VILLAGE OF OAK BROOK Regular Plan Commission Minutes Page 4 of 6 January 19, 2015 area. They were concerned about traffic lights from the parking lot. However, they are an office building and would probably be occupying it from approximately 7 am to 7 pm, so winter would be the only time of year when there will be vehicular lights and when the time of year changes there would not be lights. They have not yet designed the parking lot lights and given what neighbors at this meeting have said, they can consider those. The Village will review the lighting plan, with lighting studies and they will be consistent with code and sensitive with their neighbors. Part of the values of the Duchossois family is to be very community sensitive and they are looking to make it a wonderful experience. Director of Community Development Kallien said that relative to the issue of lighting, many of the properties that exist in the business park were built many years ago. Over the past few years, the Village has enacted a number of new regulations that actually has very specific lighting requirements. The new development would be held to that standard. As part of their building permit, a photometric plan would be submitted and the light levels will be reviewed at the property line. Mr. Huffman responded that they plan to address all of the comments when they get to the submission of plans to the building department. They believe the value on the site is the woods and their neighbors. Having residential neighbors is extremely valuable to them. Mr. Shankey questioned possible drainage issues and whether there would be any changes affecting that due to construction. Mr. Huffman responded that the existing water detention area on the site will remain and they will be providing more to the front. They believe the green area will be a very picturesque area. Water would not be added to the site and their engineers were working on appropriate drainage that would be provided from the parking lot. Member Lal noted that Village Engineer Hullihan indicated in his report that the plat complies with all of the regulations and requirements. Chairwoman Tropinski noted that the applicant was before the Plan Commission for approval of the plat to consolidate two lots into one, not for the building permit. The plan is a schematic design so many details need to be worked out. Village Engineer Hullihan said overall the storm water management on the site works very well. In the preliminary plans, the detention basin seems to be in the right place and works, so it does not make sense to move it. Their engineers will see the obvious that you do not break something that is working right. Member Lal commented that he appreciated the sensitivity of Duchossois to keep the community in mind and ultimately it is the social value, which trumps the economic value. VILLAGE OF OAK BROOK Regular Plan Commission Minutes Page 5 of 6 January 19, 2015 Motion by Chairwoman Tropinski, seconded by Member Wilczak to recommend approval of the final plat of subdivision to consolidate the two parcels located at 1818 Swift Drive and 300 - 306 -310 Windsor into one parcel, subject to final approval by the Village Engineer. ROLL CALL VOTE: Ayes: 5 — Members Iyer, Lal, Sheers, Wilczak and Chairwoman Tropinski Absent: 2 — Member Doyle and Jain Nays: 0 — Motion Carried. 6. OTHER BUSINESS OTHER BUSINESS Director of Community Development Kallien reviewed possible upcoming cases. There was no other business to discuss. 7. ADJOURNMENT: ADJOURNMENT Motion by Member Sheers, seconded by Member Lal to adjourn the meeting at 7:32 p.m. VOICE VOTE: Motion carried. ATTEST: /s/ Robert L. Kallien Jr. Robert Kallien, Director of Community Development Secretary VILLAGE OF OAK BROOK Regular Plan Commission Minutes Page 6 of 6 Vk- January 19, 2015