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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPLAN COMMISSION - 04/16/1997 - FIRE DEPT WARNING SIREN/JOINT PC & ZBA ELK GROVE VILLAGE Joint Plan Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting Council Chambers April 16, 1997 7:00 p.m. Plan Commission Present: F. Geinosky, Chairman C. Prochno, Secretary P. Ayers R. Guzzardi C. Henrici J. Meyers D. Sokolowski K. Zizzo Plan Commission Absent: D. Paliganoff ZBA Present: R. Phillips, Chairman P. Kaplan M. Coffman R. Herrick C. McClelland J. Oliveto T. Rodgers ZBA Absent: None Staff: S. Niehaus, Assistant to the Village Manager P. Vadopalas, Administrative Intern Petitioners: J. Petri, Judiciary, Planning &Zoning Committee J. MacArthur, Fire Chief G. Riddle, Deputy Fire Chief Item A: Fire Department Outdoor Warning Siren Chairman Geinosky opened the public hearing at 7:00 p.m. and read the legal notice for the audience. Secretary Prochno swore in the petitioners Chairman Geinosky stated that the Fire Department and the JPZ Committee were co- petitioning the Village for a special use permit to allow the installation and operation of a 50 foot pole and siren for outdoor warning purposes in a residentially zoned district located at 200 Biesterfield Road. Municipal uses are not permitted in residential areas, therefore, a special use permit is required. Chief MacArthur stated that the Fire Department had appeared before the Plan Commission for the same purpose in March and April of 1992. At that time, it was suggested by the Plan Commission that the outdoor warning siren be located in the Municipal Complex parking lot due to concerns raised by residents. Upon review of that suggestion, it was determined that the parking lot was an acceptable location and the siren was subsequently installed there. However, due to the pending redevelopment of the Grove Mall property, it was necessary to move the siren so that it would not be located in the central plaza area of the new Elk Grove Town Center. Chief MacArthur stated that the siren was necessary to provide their outdoor warning system with complete coverage of the Village. The unit would consist of a 50 foot pole and circular rotating siren. The siren would be tested on the first Tuesday of each month at 10:00 a.m. The test would consist of two full minutes of operation interrupted by a minute service break in between. The tests are necessary to ensure that the siren is operational when needed for a weather or nuclear related emergency. The siren will not be used to activate volunteer personnel as is done in other communities. Chief MacArthur stated that the location of the siren near the intersection of Biesterfield and Wellington was critical to the integrity of the system. Each siren's location was dependent upon the other sirens in the system. (A hand out on siren locations was distributed.) MacArthur also stated that the subject siren is the center point of the outdoor warning system, and under no circumstances could it be eliminated from the general area. Chief MacArthur explained that there were actually two locations in the proximity of the Municipal Complex which would work into the system, the proposed location of Well Site#3 (200 Biesterfield Road) and the detention pond in between the Library and the retail shopping center. MacArthur stated that the preferred location was Well Site#3 due to existing utility availability, and cost factors. Chief MacArthur stated that either location would impact residential properties with a minimal amount of additional noise. Chief MacArthur stated that 3 of the 5 sirens in the Village are currently posted in residential areas at Gibson, West Glenn Trail, and Oakton Street. MacArthur further stated that to his knowledge, the Village had not received any complaints regarding the noise levels from Village residents. Chairman Geinosky opened the public hearing to comments from the Plan Commission. Commissioner Zizzo questioned if the detention pond location was provided with utility access. Chief MacArthur stated that utility access did not exist and would have to be provided at the Village's expense. Commissioner Zizzo questioned if the detention pond location would impact the integrity of the system. Chief MacArthur stated that the system would continue to have full coverage of the Village if the sign were located at the detention pond. Commissioner Zizzo questioned what the cost difference between each location would be. Chief MacArthur stated that he did not know what the exact costs would be, but that Well Site 43 was definitely the least expensive to the Village due to the existence of utilities at the well house. Commissioner Meyers questioned why the Village could not install another siren similar to the one in the industrial park which has a greater circumference of usage. Chief MacArthur stated that the pole at Greenleaf and Busse (Station 49)was much larger in size than the proposed 50 foot pole and that it would be an aesthetic issue. Chief MacArthur also stated that it would be a significant cost to purchase a new pole and more powerful siren when the Village already owned equipment which was adequate for their needs. Commissioner Meyers questioned as to why the siren could not be located adjacent to the Village's antenna on Biesterfield Road or on top of the Municipal Complex. Chief MacArthur stated that the siren's proximity to the antenna might interfere with its operations and cause it to malfunction when activated. Deputy Chief Riddle provided further technical explanation of the difficulties which may be experienced. Commissioner Meyers questioned as to the possibility of shielding the siren to avoid antenna interference. Deputy Chief Riddle stated that shielding options would incur substantial costs and may still not provide 100 percent guarantees that the siren would function properly. Commissioner Meyers questioned whether moving the siren a relatively short distance from the antenna to Well Site 43 would make a difference in the operation of the siren. Deputy Chief Riddle stated that the Fire Department consultant and past experience gave them assurances that the siren would function properly if located at Well Site 43. Commissioner Henrici questioned as to why the siren could not be placed in the west end of the parking lot. Chief MacArthur stated that there would be additional cost considerations and that the siren/pole may not be aesthetically acceptable in the Town Center area. Commissioner Henrici questioned as to what area of the detention pond the siren could be located in. Chief MacArthur stated that he was uncertain of the specific area permitted under the reciprocal easement agreement(REA)with Hamilton Partners. Commissioner Prochno questioned if the detention pond location posed any other problems besides cost. Chief MacArthur stated that it would definitely impact residents of the Village Grove Apartments but that he did not know the number of residents that resided there. Commissioner Sokolowski questioned if a temporary siren would be needed during the relocation. Chief MacArthur stated that temporary coverage would be needed while moving the siren. Commissioner Sokolowski stated that his residence is adjacent to the former siren location at Brantwood and J.F. Kennedy and that he did not feel that it posed any negative impact on his quality of life. Commissioner Sokolowski also expressed his feeling that the siren was necessary for public safety and that he did not object to the proposed location at Well Site 43. Commissioner Ayers concurred with Commissioner Sokolowski regarding the proposed location of the siren. Chairman Geinosky stated that he felt that the siren location was an issue of cost and feasibility. He recognized the fact that it was necessary and also expressed a concern that the Plan Commission should not provide a recommendation until they had more information on cost and feasibility of other locations. Commissioner Henrici questioned whether the power for the current siren came from Biesterfield Road and if it would cost more to extend it to the detention pond. Chief MacArthur confirmed that electrical power came from Biesterfield Road and that additional costs to extend the line would be incurred.. Commissioner Prochno questioned whether or not the cost of relocating the siren could be covered with TIF funds. Chief MacArthur stated that he did not know if that was feasible but that he would research the matter. Chairman Geinosky opened the meeting up to comments from the audience at 7:50 p.m. Jack Coffman, 710 Parkview Circle, introduced himself as the property manager for Village on the Lake and the townhomes adjacent to the proposed siren location at Well Site#3. Coffman expressed concern that the presence of the siren and pole would have negative impact on the residential property and surrounding area and encouraged the Village to consider an alternate location. (A copy of Mr. Coffman's comments are attached as part of the minutes.) Chairman Geinosky closed the Plan Commission public hearing at 8:00 p.m. Following the Zoning Board of Appeals hearing on the siren height, Chairman Geinosky reconvened the Plan Commission public meeting at 8:06 p.m. Commissioner Meyers moved, and Commissioner Guzzardi seconded a motion, to delay Plan Commission recommendation on the special use permit for the outdoor warning siren until more information could be provided on the feasibility and cost of locating the siren in the detention pond or the west side of the parking lot. Upon voting (F. Geinosky, C. Prochno, P. Ayers, R. Guzzardi, C. Henrici, J. Meyers, D. Sokolowski, K. Zizzo, AYES),the motion carred unanimously. Chairman Geinosky closed the meeting at 8:25 p.m. Respect lly submitted, g. I ehcav Scott R. Niehaus Assistant to the Village Manager SRN/el C: Chairman and Members of the Plan Commission, President and Board of Trustees Village Clerk, Village Manager, Assistant Village Manager, Assistant to the Village Manager, Administrative Inter, Director of Engineering/Community Development, Director of Public Works, Fire Chief, Deputy Fire Chief(2), Assistant Fire Chief, Village Attorney, Chairman and Members of Zoning Board of Appeals. My Name Is- JC 4116197 I'm PM of the Plan Unit Development, EGEHA, the TOWNHOUSES, almost 150 units, VOLHA and its almost 500 condominiums and President of the Custom Lot Estates Assoc. 125 homes, wherein I'm also a resident. 4/5 years ago, the Village attempted to install this very siren at the Biesterfield/Wellington pumping station. At that time Fire Dept said the pumping station was the only site that met all the requirements of sound penetration, available electric and electronic signal accessibility, After further review an alternate site was easily located and it has worked well. Now we are notified that the pumping station has once again been selected for the installation of the pole and siren. NO OTHER SITE IS AVAILABLE ?. We SUGGEST placing an arm on the Village Communications tower, hard wire the electronics so there will be no signal interference, thus keeping the siren out of a RESIDENTIAL area and in the MUNICIPAL area. or- on top of the Municipal building or on top of the Biesterfield Engine house etc. or have Hamilton Partners design a site in the new commercial property. The developers working are working with the Village at this time to create a NEW VILLAGE CENTER. Please don't damage our area to create the new complex. I'm sure with a very little effort, the Developers and Village together could find a new site, even mask the siren while keeping it in an area more suitable. 80 feet from a building just north, or 240 feet from the VOL complex and this is not acceptable. The last I heard, this was an EXCEPTIONAL COMMUNITY, comprised of EXCEPTIONAL PEOPLE. We have received notoriety of being one of the 50 BEST IN the COUNTRY. We've gotten this far with great planning and solid execution. Examine alternate sites. Don't dump the siren on us. The POST AND SIREN SIMPLY RUIN the ENRICHMENT that is now under way at Biesterfield, Chelmsford and Leicester where they intersect with Wellington. These Associations are spending a great deal of money trying to beautify these 3 areas. There are at least as many seniors in this 2 block area as any where in the Village. People count. Both seniors and everyone else. We are the Village, the EXCEPTIONAL COMMUNITY. Please consider our request. HOW MANY OF YOU WOULD LIKE THAT SIREN RIGHT NEXT TO YOUR HOME.???? [ I DIDN'T THINK SO �. Thank you for allowing me this time.