The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutPLAN COMMISSION - 12/11/2002 - DUSTY HOLLINGER LLC/LIVELY Elk Grove Village Plan Commission Minutes December 11, 2002 Present: J. Glass P. Ayers E.Hauser D. Paliganoff D. Sokolowski T.Thompson Absent: F. Geinosky C. Henrici J. Meyers Staff: P.Vadopalas,Assistant to the Village Manager S. Trudan,Assistant Dir.,Community Development Petitioner: T. Kivlehan, Attorney at Law T. Hollinger, Owner of Record Chairman Glass called the meeting to order at 8:00 p.m. Item 1: December 4,2002 Meeting Minutes Because the December 4 minutes were distributed at this hearing,Chairman Glass deferred approval until the next meeting. In the absence of Secretary Geinosky, Chairman Glass appointed Commissioner as Acting Secretary. Item 2: Dusty Hollinger,LLC Special Use Petition—220 Lively Chairman Glass read the petition into the record, and asked the petitioner to introduce himself. T.Kivlehan introduced himself as the attorney representing Tom Hollinger, the petitioner and building owner. Acting Secretary Hauser swore in the petitioners. T. Kivlehan stated he represents Tom Hollinger,owner of the subject property at 220 Lively, and sole owner of Hollinger Services,a commercial insurance office. Kivlehan stated that Hollinger Services currently operates in the village at 1221 E. Higgins Road. Hollinger Services recently acquired the building at 220 Lively, and is petitioning the Village for a Special Use permit to operated a commercial insurance office in an I-1 industrial district. Kivlehan stated the subject property currently has 12 parking spaces available in the parking lot at the rear of the building. In addition, the petitioner is finalizing an agreement to lease an 80' X 20' area on the adjacent ComEd easement for additional parking. The lease area will accommodate an additional 12 parking spaces. Kivlehan stated that Hollinger Services will employ 4 full-time employees and 2 part-time employees. As a commercial insurance provider,customer traffic will be minimal. Kivlehan stated a second tenant is being contemplated for this building. Hollinger Services is working with a graphic design/printing company to occupy a portion of this building.The company considering this building would employ two full-time employees, and utilize - 1 - two step vans for deliveries. Kivlehan stated the company receives sign making orders via fax and e-mail, and experiences minimal customer traffic. Kivlehan stated that the total of 24 parking spaces will adequately serve the needs of this building. Chairman Glass asked if the attorney had reviewed staff comments on this petition. Kivlehan stated he had not, and was provided with a copy of staff comments. The two questions raised by staff addressed parking availability, and compliance with Village building codes associated with multiple tenants within the building. Kivlehan stated the petitioner has hired an architectural firm to work with the Village and address any building code issues. Kivlehan stated the parking concerns were discussed in his presentation, and the number of parking spaces is adequate. Chairman Glass asked for the total square footage of this building. T. Hollinger stated the building totals 4,500 square feet without including the loading dock area. The insurance office will occupy 1,800 square feet, a 200 square foot common area will be constructed for shared bathrooms and lunchroom, and the second tenant will occupy the balance of 2,500 square feet. Commissioner Sokolowski questioned where refuse containers would be stored on the property. T. Hollinger stated refuse containers will be stored inside the building, and rolled out for collection. Commissioner Thompson questioned whether the proposed sign-making company would manufacture neon signage. Kivlehan responded the contemplated business is generally a graphic design company that only produces vinyl signs. The business designs signage on a computer and a plotter then prints the images. No electrical signs would be produced by this business. Commissioner Ayers stated he had no objections to this petition and further questions. T.Hollinger stated that two on-street parking spaces are also available in front of the building,in addition to the 24 spaces in the parking lot. Hollinger stated that in his experience,no more than 2 customers at a time visit his office. He stated 4 to 5 visits per week is normal traffic for his office. Commissioner Paliganoff questioned the total number of clients his business currently serves. Hollinger estimated that he has 3,000 active policies with approximately 1,000 customers. Commissioner Paliganoff questioned if a conference room would be constructed,and questioned the arrangement of workstations for employees. Hollinger responded a conference room would be constructed, and the office the building would include an open floor plan. Hollinger noted most of his clients are commercial interests such as business owners and condominium associations,which do not normally visit his office. Commissioner Paliganoff asked if the petitioner plans to specifically designate the parking spaces for the two prospective tenants. Hollinger responded he does not anticipate any need to do so, since there will be more parking spaces available than will be needed for employee parking. Commissioner Paliganoff questioned if the requested Special Use permit would permit other commercial activities in this building,and if it could restrict what company could share this building. Chairman Glass stated the Special Use permit would only address Hollinger Services' intent to operate an insurance office in this building. The second tenant would be restricted by the Zoning Ordinance, and not by the Special Use permit. Furthermore, the Special Use permit would not be transferable to future building owners should Hollinger Services relocate. Commissioner Hauser referenced the assessed valuation totals on the petition form and questioned the significant drop in last year's figure. T.Kivlehan stated that the prior owner contested the valuation because the building was vacant last year, but has no further information on the matter. - 2 - Commissioner Hauser questioned if the petitioner had any intentions to modify the loading dock area. Hollinger responded he intends to fill in the loading driveway to grade level. Hollinger stated he intends to cut windows into the south wall, which is currently solid brick. In addition, his architect will redesign the fascia, generally improve the condition and appearance of the building, and plant landscaping on the south and north sides of the property. Commissioner Hauser questioned if a copy of the lease agreement with Com Ed had been submitted to staff. Kivlehan responded no, and stated a copy will be submitted. Commissioner Hauser questioned why this building is preferable to the petitioner's current location on Higgins Road. Hollinger responded the traffic speed on Higgins Road prohibits motorists from noticing his office. The building at 220 Lively is highly visible from the intersection of Lively and Oakton. Chairman Glass stated for the record that Mr.Hollinger was a former client of his as a landscape architect. In addition Chairman Glass stated the petitioner is currently his insurance agent. Chairman Glass asked for additional information on proposed landscaping improvements. Hollinger responded he plans to design landscaping to match the Village's median and boulevard landscaping, and he will work with neighboring property owners to generally improve the appearance of the buildings along Lively Boulevard. Chairman Glass asked if anyone in the audience had any questions,and none were voiced. Chairman Glass asked if staff had any remaining concerns about parking. S.Trudan stated that a total of 9 parking spaces are required, and 24 will be provided. There being no further questions or comments, Chairman Glass asked for a motion on the petition. Commissioner Ayers moved to recommend approval for a Special Use permit for Hollinger Services Inc. to operate an insurance office in an I-1 Industrial District at 220 Lively Boulevard. Commissioner Thompson seconded the motion. Upon voting(Glass,Ayers,Hauser,Paliganoff, Sokolowski,Thompson,AYES, Gemosky,Henrici, Meyers,Absent)the motion carried. Item 3: Adjournment Chairman Glass asked for a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Paliganoff moved to adjourn and Commissioner Sokolowski seconded the motion. Upon voting(Glass,Ayers,Hauser,Paliganoff, Sokolowski,Thompson,AYES, Gemosky,Henrici,Meyers,Absent)the motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m. RespAt lly submitted, Peter J.Vadopallas Assistant to the Village Manager C: Chairman and Members of the Plan Commission,Mayor and Board of Trustees, Village Clerk, Village Manager, Assistant Village Manager,Assistant to the Village Manager, Administrative Intern, Director of Engineering/Community Development,Director of Public Works,Fire Chief,Deputy Fire Chief(2), Assistant Fire Chief, Village Attorney. - 3 -