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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPLAN COMMISSION - 10/01/2003 - BETHLEHEM TEMPLE BAPTIST CHURCH Elk Grove Village Plan Commission Minutes October 1, 2003 Present: J. Glass F. Geinosky P. Ayers E. Hauser C. Henrici D. Sokolowski T. Thompson Absent: J. Meyers D. Paliganoff Staff: M. Roan, Assistant to the Village Manager S. Trudan, Assistant Director, Community Development Petitioner: J.C. Smith, Pastor Bethlehem Temple Baptist Church Chairman Glass called the meeting to order at 8:05 p.m. Item 1: September 10 Meeting Minutes Commissioner Ayers moved to recommend approval of the meeting minutes as written, and Commissioner Thompson seconded the motion. Upon voting(Glass, Geinosky, Ayers, Hauser, Henrici, Sokolowski, Thompson, AYES, Meyers,Paliganoff Absent)the motion carried. Item 2: September 17 Meeting Minutes Commissioner Henrici moved to recommend approval of the meeting minutes as written, and Commissioner Thompson seconded the motion. Upon voting(Glass,Ayers, Henrici, Sokolowski, Thompson, AYES, Geinosky, Hauser, Abstain, Meyers, Paliganoff Absent)the motion carried. Item 3: PC Docket 03-8: Bethlehem Temple Baptist Church Chairman Glass read the petition into the record. Secretary Geinosky swore in the petitioners. Pastor J.C. Smith began by showing a short video that provided a brief summarization of the history of the parish. He then explained that there is a movement towards the suburbs. As a result, they were looking in the area when Nancy Carlson directed them towards the location at 1030 Nerge Road. Commissioner Thompson then asked the Pastor about the projected growth of his church. The Pastor Smith stated that he could not predict how much it will grow, but he did feel it would grow. Commissioner Thompson then inquired about the parking availability on neighboring property. Pastor Smith explained that they had received notification allowing them to use parking from the property to the - 1 - - 1 - west. In addition, they were seeking additional permission for parking from the properties to the east and south. Commissioner Sokolowski then asked the petitioner if he was the owner of the property. Pastor Smith stated that yes he was the owner. Commissioner Sokolowski then asked the petitioner if he had any plans for remodeling the building. Pastor Smith stated that with the exception of the bathrooms which were designed for children, there were not any plans at this time to remodel the building. Commissioner Sokolowski then asked if the buildings use was going to primarily be for Sunday services. Pastor Smith stated that 99%of the time the usage would be for services, but that during weekday evenings there would also be Bible class. Commissioner Sokolowski stated that he was concerned about the parking and the size of the congregation. Pastor Smith understood his concern and noted that they were working on an agreement with the property owners to the east. As part of the agreement, they were going to assist the property owners with a drainage problem that they currently have. In addition,Pastor Smith stated that getting a parking agreement with Belvedere Plaza was one of their top priorities, since it is an extremely large lot that is very accessible. Commissioner Ayers question the petitioner as to whether or not they've closed on the property. Pastor Smith stated that they had closed on the property back in January, but were still waiting for zoning approval. Commissioner Ayers noted that some churches hold service on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Then asked if the petitioner had similar plans. Pastor Smith stated that for the time being they were only planning on having Sunday services with Bible classes during the weekdays. Commissioner Ayers asked if they would be having any special events with two to three hundred people,to which Pastor Smith stated none that he knew of. Commissioner Ayers asked how many Associate Pastors that Pastor Smith had on hand. Pastor Smith stated that there were nine. Commissioner Ayers asked if a detailed seating arrangement was available. Pastor Smith stated that they did not have any detailed seating arrangements as they were awaiting final approve before any decisions were made. Commissioner Ayers asked if there was a basement in the building, to which Pastor Smith stated that was correct. Commissioner Ayers noted that the petitioner needed something stronger regarding the parking agreement with the neighboring property. He was concerned that if a new owner took over the property, the church might lose their ability to park on the property. Pastor Smith agreed and stated that they would talk to the property owners to get something stronger in writing. Commissioner Hauser asked the petitioner how many members they felt they could accommodate on the property. Pastor Smith felt they could accommodate a couple hundred. Commissioner Henrici asked if parking became an issue would the church look into holding multiple services. Pastor Smith stated that they would; possibly an eight, ten and twelve o'clock services. Secretary Geinosky asked why Elk Grove Village? Pastor Smith stated that Elk Grove chose them. He noted that while looking in the Northwest Suburbs the property became available, and that Nancy Carlson recommended it to them. Secretary Geinosky asked if three services on Sunday were likely. Pastor Smith stated that it would be possible,but only if necessary. Secretary Geinosky questioned what they would do if they were planning - 2 - - 2 - on hosting a wedding, or if it snowed and parking at Belvedere Plaza was not an option on the weekends. Pastor Smith noted that if they have to, they could always move the location to Harvey. Secretary Geinosky asked if someone would be around to check the property on an daily basis. Gloria Jackson of 625 Elk Grove Boulevard stood up and noted that she lives in the area and would check the property. Additionally, Dexter Allison of Bartlett noted that he would serve as the custodian on the property. Brenda Szendroi of Itasca also noted that she lives nearby and would also check on the property if need be. Secretary Geinosky then questioned if handicapped parking would be an issue. S. Trudan noted that per the Village Ordinance, the required number of stalls is based upon the parking spaces and that one would be sufficient. Secretary Geinosky asked if they were seeking any other variances. Pastor Smith stated no,just the special use. Secretary Geinosky noted that the concrete company is there today but may move in the future. He then asked the petitioner if he was aware of this contingency. Pastor Smith stated that he was aware,but that they were working with them and the neighbor to the east. He also noted that they were planning on talking with individuals from Belvedere Plaza. Chairman Glass noted that there were 25 spaces on the site, another 75-100 at the concrete facility to the west,but still no written agreement at this time. Pastor Smith noted that they will seek definite specifics. Chairman Glass also noted that the number of members would be restricted due to occupancy codes. S. Trudan noted that the occupancy depends upon how they remodel the building. He also noted that as it sits currently, the Fire Department would only allow for 137 people. In addition, the ordinance calls for one parking space per every four seats. As a result, they would need just under 35 spaces. Based upon the usage of the property to the west,there would be no problem. The main issue comes with the question of success and the need for more parking. Chairman Glass noted that any special use should require a written shared parking agreement with Litgen, and that if they lose that, then they would lose occupancy. D. Allison noted that the property would allow for future growth based on the square footage available. Chairman Glass replied that that wasn't necessarily true. If they got too big,Fire or Police could shut them down. Commissioner Henrici also noted that Building Codes limit how many individuals can be in the building at any time. Furthermore,he noted that parking could be controlled if shared and that any agreement should be documented. S. Trudan noted that the chain across the entrance at Litgen needs to be made accessible to the petitioner. He additionally noted that it would be a naturally tendency to park directly to the east in the adjoining parking lot, as a result the petitioner should have a good, solid written agreement in place. Regarding the text amendment, Secretary Geinosky questioned whether or not the Village should allow churches special use in all districts, most notably the Industrial Park. S. Trudan stated that other communities are doing the same based upon the Village Attorney's discussion with other neighboring attorney. Chairman Glass noted that even though the text amendment would allow churches in all districts, the petitioner would still have to have the special use reviewed on a case by case circumstance. As a result, Chairman Glass did not have any issues with the change since they would still have control. - 3 - - 3 - Commissioner Ayers noted that by allowing the special use it would make it harder on the Plan Commission to deny the petition. He felt it would send the wrong signal. He also noted that he did not feel it was appropriate to sandwich a church in between two manufacturing facilities. Commissioner Henrici moved to recommend the addition of churches to special use for all districts. Commissioner Hauser seconded the motion. Upon voting(Glass, Geinosky, Hauser, Henrici, Sokolowski, Thompson, AYES, Ayers, NAYES, Meyers, Paliganoff Absent) the motion carried. Secretary Geinosky moved to recommend approval and amend the special use petition for the Bethlehem Temple Baptist Church at 1030 Nerge Road,with the condition that a shared parking agreement be executed prior to occupancy and that the Special Use permit will expire should the shared parking plan be terminated. The Special Use permit is only as good as the shared parking agreement is in effect. Commissioner Henrici seconded the motion. Upon voting(Glass, Geinosky, Ayers, Hauser, Henrici, Sokolowski,Thompson, AYES,Meyers, Paliganoff Absent)the motion carried. Item 4: Adjournment Commissioner Sokolowski moved to adjourn and Commissioner Thompson seconded the motion. Upon voting(Glass, Geinosky, Ayers, Hauser, Henrici, Sokolowski,Thompson, AYES,Meyers, Paliganoff Absent)the motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, atthew J. Roan 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. - 4 - - 4 -