HomeMy WebLinkAboutPLAN COMMISSION - 11/02/1972 - DEVON - 53 PROJECT MINUTES
REGULAR PLAN COMMISSION MEETING
November 2, 1972
Members Present: Chairman William Shannon; Messrs . Thomas Hamilton, Mead Killion,
Al Krasnow, Richard Pottker, Charles Siewert; Secretary Leah Cummins.
Others Present: Mr. Thomas Rettenbacher, representing Administration and Mile..
Michelle.
1A. New Business. At 8:32 p.m. Chairman Shannon opened a public hearing on
Docket 72-10 and the Plan Commission, officiating as a Zoning Board, heard
a petition regarding the development of a one-acre tract of land located
between Elmhurst and Old Higgins Roads and Touhy Avenue for a restaurant.
A complete transcript of these proceedings is on file in the Village Clerk's
office.
At 8:55 p.m. the group reconvened upstairs as the Plan Commission.
1B.. Chairman Shannon appointed Messrs . Pottker and Krasnow as a committee of two
to plan for the Planner' s forthcoming Christmas Dinner. The committee will
select a time and place and arrange for appropriate entertainment for their
second annual bacchanalia!
3A. Devon - 53 Project. Mrs. Cummins was called upon to give the recommendation
she had requested about the Kracower firm, which was favorable. A discussion
ensued on hoar best the Plan Commission could utilize the services of a profes-
sional planner such as Mr. Kracower. It was then moved by Krasnow, seconded
by Hamilton that Mr. Kracower be used as a consultant to the Plan Commission
when and as needed, in the very near future, to critique our own deliberations
as well as to conduct some much needed research for us regarding newly proposed
developments.
1C. New Business. It was moved by Killipn, seconded by Hamilton that some educational
booklets be ordered for the Plan Commission's mobile library.
1D. Mr. George Long introduced his Attorney, Mr. Richard Ungaretti who proceeded
to describe his client's dilemma in developing his property. The crux of the
problem as expressed by him, seems to be the fact that he is caught in between
compliance with the existing ordinance and the proposed ordinance, which is
tantamount to being caught between a hard spot and a rock!
In his typically warm and friendly manner, Commissioner Hamilton remarked,
"Aesthetics and safety are two considerations which are entirely obliterated
by this site plan. Mr. Long is trying to get rich off his piece of land by
filling up the whole acreage with building. He is using up too much space!"
To which outburst Mr. Ungaretti replied , "That ' s what zoning laws are for.
You (the Plan Commission) , can' t legislate; you can only follow the existing
zoning law, and my client' s proposed development complies with the existing
law!" Mr. Pottker grimaced.
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1D. (continued)
Mr. Shannon said we will need time to digest the letter and proposal submitted
by Mr. Ungaretti on Mr. Long' s request. He added that he wanted to find out
from our Village Attorney whether the Long Proposal could be considered a unit.
Some suggestion was made as to the availability of Mr. Rettenbacher to consult
with the developer to help clear up some questions he has. Mr. Hamilton
commented that we have the best Building Commissioner in tom. Mr. Ungaretti
packed up his briefcase and he and Mr. Long exited. Mr. Long was smiling;
Mr. Ungaretti was not.
IE. Now there came before the Commission consideration of Mr. McLennan's Oakton
Industrial Park - Unit 1 . Since Mr. Ciaglia couldn' t approve subdivising the
tier of lots on Oakton Street, this matter was not acted upon.
At this point in the meeting, Mr. Pottker, who is always so deep in thought and so
laconic at the same time, - made a motion to send a certain notification to the
Village Board. The motion was seconded by Hamilton and an extremely heated and
exciting discussion ensued. A complete record of this highly emotional transaction
was made by the Secretary, but, it must be noted here, that that record has been
censored by our Chairman , Mr. Spiro Shannon, who also refused to allow a roll call
vote on the motion. Power has gone to his head . We deeply wonder if this increasingly
autocratic behavior indicates a secret desire on his part to be Village President
or maybe Superintendent of Schools. At any rate, he bears watching. He also needs
to be reassured, as does Mr. Rettenbacher, that Richard the Lion Hearted Pottker,
Tom, the Tiger, Hamilton and Leah, the Cougar, Cummins like to growl at the Trustees
sometimes . . . It enlivens the planning and zoning process. But deep down inside,
they' re all pussycats who. wouldn't ever do anything beyond inflicting a small
scratch, in fact, treated properly, they all purr -- as Trustee Kenna found out
one week later.
It was 11 :25 p.m. , Mr. Rettenbacher had consumed 45 precious minutes defending
and protecting the Trustees during which time we might have accomplished all the
items 3B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I , and J under unfinished business. However, the
storm of debate had subsided, and Mr. Shannon quickly and nervously asked for a
motion to adjourn. Mr. Rettenbacher made the motion and seconded it. Everyone
else silently went home.
Respectfully submitted,
Leah Cummins
Secretary
LC :ms
Plan Commission Minutes
2 - November 2, 1972