Loading...
Minutes - 06/06/2017 - Zoning Board of AppealsVILLAGE OF MINUTES OF THE JUNE 6, 2017 OAK B RgR. K REGULAR MEETING OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS OF THE VILLAGE OF OAK BROOK APPROVED AS WRITTEN ON AUGUST 1, 2017 1. CALL TO ORDER: CALL TO ORDER The Meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals was called to order by Acting Chairman Alfred Savino in the Samuel E. Dean Board Room of the Butler Government Center at 7:02 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL: ROLL CALL Gail Polanek called the roll with the following persons PRESENT: Acting Chairman Alfred Savino, Members Jeffrey Bulin, Natalie Cappetta, Baker Nimry, Steven Young and Wayne Ziemer ABSENT: Chairman Champ Davis IN ATTENDANCE: Philip Cuevas, Trustee, Rebecca Von Drasek, Planner and Gail Polanek, Planning Technician 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: MINUTES REGULAR MINUTES OF THE MAY 2, 2017 MEETING MAY 2, 2017 Motion by Member Bulin, seconded by Member Ninny to approve the minutes of the May 2, 2017 Regular Zoning Board of Appeals meeting as amended. VOICE VOTE: Motion carried. 4. UNFINISHED BUSINESS UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was no unfinished business to discuss. 5. NEW BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS A. ROCK SUGAR, INC — 2022 SPRING ROAD — SPECIAL USE — OUTDOOR ROCK SUGAR - DINING ADJACENT TO A RESTAURANT eon RD - OR OUTDOOOR DINING - SU Acting Chairman Savino announced the public hearing. All witnesses providing testimony were sworn in. VILLAGE OF OAK BROOK Zoning Board of Appeals Minutes Page 1 of 5 June 6, 2017 Brian MacKellar, Senior Vice President of Development for The Cheesecake Factory provided a review of the request and noted that it fully owns the Rock Sugar restaurant. He said that they were seeking approval of a special use for an outdoor dining area adjacent to the new restaurant. Rock Sugar restaurant is a concept they developed almost 10 years ago and this will be their second location; the original location is near their founder's residence in Century City, California. It is based completely around Chef Mohan Ismail, its Executive Chef who is a distinguished chef of southern Asian cuisine. They have chosen Oak Brook as the best place to bring their second location and they are very excited about coming to Oak Brook. It is an upscale restaurant and substantially different from the Cheesecake Factory. Conceptual pictures of the proposed restaurant and outdoor dining area were shown. He reviewed the design of the patio noting that bollards have been incorporated in the design to provide protection from any errant vehicle and are spaced every four feet. Based on advice from the Plan Commission they will attempt to have the landscaping as tall as possible to protect patrons from the south facing sun. He noted that the patio would sit on an area currently occupied by 9 parking spaces. The existing Cheesecake Factory is located just north of the proposed Rock Sugar restaurant, which is an independent restaurant. A small portion of the Cheesecake Factory that was used for offices is being rebuilt as part of the new restaurant's kitchen. A service area will be jointly used by both restaurants. The restaurant entrance faces the ring road and he reviewed the interior design noting the open kitchen area. There are 64 seats in the outdoor patio area, with flexible seating and is fully handicapped accessible. All aisle ways will be maintained at all times for service and pathways. The patio area has bollards that are used as lighting supports and supports the glass railing system. The site plans shows that handicapped spaces were added to the parking area and a stop sign was added to provide a safe crossing area. They are not planning to add another valet area and it is their intention to use the existing Cheesecake Factory valet service for this restaurant as well. There will be a sign in front of the restaurant directing people to the valet and this should help with the traffic flow in the area. Planters very similar to those used in front of the Cheesecake Factory will be placed in front of the restaurant to continue the flow and will also contain bollards for additional safety support. The bollard details to be used along the patio area are spaced every four feet. He also reviewed the table, chairs heaters and finishing VILLAGE OF OAK BROOK Zoning Board of Appeals Minutes Page 2 of 5 June 6, 2017 materials being used for the building and the furniture. There will be no live entertainment but there will be speakers mounted to the cornice to provide background music. The original owner of The Cheesecake Factory was a musician, who was concerned with the quality of the background music. The landscaping material chosen for this area will be fully -grown and will be quite dense at the time of the restaurant opening. Special Use Factors 1. Is of the type described in subsection Al of this Section, is deemed necessary for the public convenience at that location; RESPONSE: This is not applicable to this request. 2. Is so designed, located and proposed to be operated that the public health, safety and welfare will be protected; RESPONSE: Public safety is of their utmost importance and the design of the new restaurant will ensure the barriers surrounding the outdoor patio will remove as much risk as possible. The patio location is away from the ring road limiting any chance of danger from the guests that choose to sit outside. 3. Would not cause substantial injury to the value of other property in the neighborhood in which it is located. RESPONSE: Rock Sugar will be located next to the Cheesecake Factory and other nearby established restaurants that will also have outdoor dining areas. It is being built with the highest quality materials and the design and construction will work fervently to ensure a well - designed building and will encourage property value and economic growth in the Village of Oak Brook. Member Young questioned the queuing of the guests at the restaurant. Mr. MacKellar responded that they will be using a pager system. However, Rock Sugar will also be taking reservations, so it will not have as much of a queue with the reservation system, anticipating that the majority of people will have a reservation. Member Ziemer questioned how the parking is being accommodated with the addition of a 7600 square foot restaurant that will have a lot of patrons. Mr. MacKeller responded that Oakbrook Center has an extensive parking program. Currently that with the addition of Rock Sugar, legally they have enough parking, but they are working on more measures to improve parking. VILLAGE OF OAK BROOK Zoning Board of Appeals Minutes Page 3 of 5 June 6, 2017 Member Bulin questioned the plant list and asked about adding a shade tree. Mr. MacKeller responded that they felt the landscaping matched what they liked from the inside looking out, as well as what is typically done in a small environment. They try to adapt to each environment. There were no additional questions by the Zoning Board and no one in the audience commented in support or in opposition to the request. Motion by Member Young, seconded by Member Ziemer to recommend approval of the requested special use for outdoor dining at 2022 Spring Road, subject to the following conditions: 1. The development of the outdoor dining area shall be in substantial conformance with the plans as submitted and approved. 2. The restaurant will be responsible for maintaining and cleaning the outdoor area and shall comply with all applicable requirements of the DuPage County Health Department. 3. The outdoor dining area will be operated in accordance with the following rules of operation: a. A maximum seating capacity for 64 patrons may be provided in the outdoor dining area. b. There will be no live entertainment in the outdoor dining area. 4. Comply with all other applicable rules and ordinances of the Village of Oak Brook, including maintaining required aisle width at all times. 5. Add the provision "Notwithstanding the attached exhibits, the applicant shall meet all Village Ordinance requirements at the time of building permit application except as specifically varied or waived." ROLL CALL: Ayes: 6 — Members Bulin, Cappetta, Nimry, Young, Ziemer and Acting Chairman Savino Nays: 0 — Absent: 1 — Chairman Davis. Motion Carried. 6. OTHER BUSINESS There was no other business to discuss. VILLAGE OF OAK BROOK Zoning Board of Appeals Minutes Page 4 of 5 June 6, 2017 OTHER BUSINESS PUBLIC COMMENT There were no additional comments from the public. ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Member Young, seconded by Member Nimry to adjourn the meeting at 7:28 p.m. VOICE VOTE: Motion carried. ATTEST: /s/ Robert L. Kallien Jr. Robert Kallien, Jr. Director of Community Development Secretary VILLAGE OF OAK BROOK Zoning Board of Appeals Minutes Page 5 of 5 June 6, 2017 PUBLIC COMMENT ADJOURNMENT