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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPLAN COMMISSION - 03/16/2011 - PROPOSAL FOR SOCCER FIELD/DEVON AVE. Elk Grove Village Plan Commission Minutes March 16, 2011 Present: P. Ayers D. Paliganoff J. Meyers C. Henrici F. Geinosky E. Hauser Absent: J. Glass T. Thompson Staff: M. Roan, Deputy Village Manager J. Carey, Assistant to the Village Manager K. Jay, Staff Engineer S. Trudan, Deputy Director of Community Development Petitioner: E. Strzelczynska, The Soccer Place L. Garr, Attorney Devon Avenue Market P. Carlson, Central Sod Farms Inc. Secretary Geinosky called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Item 1: February 23,2011 Meeting Minutes Commissioner Henrici moved to approve the minutes. Commissioner Ayers seconded the motion. Upon voting (Hauser, Meyers, Henrici, Geinosky, Paliganoff, Ayers, AYES, Glass, Thompson, ABSENT) the motion carried. Item 2: Soccer Place— Proposal for Outdoor Soccer Fields at Devon Avenue Commissioner Ayers noted that since the last Plan Commission meeting, Commissioner Sokolowski passed away. Sokolowski was on the Commission for 12 years and would be missed dearly by his colleagues. Secretary Geinosky notes that the Chairman is absent. Commissioner Paliganoff makes a motion to make Secretary Geinosky the Acting Chairman. Commissioner Ayers seconded the motion. Upon voting (Hauser, Meyers, Henrici, Geinosky, Paliganoff, Ayers, AYES, Glass, Thompson, ABSENT) the motion carried. Commissioner Meyers makes a motion for Commissioner Ayers to be Acting Secretary. Commissioner Paliganoff seconded the motion. Upon voting (Hauser, Meyers, Henrici, Geinosky, Paliganoff, Ayers, AYES, Glass, Thompson, ABSENT) the motion carried. Acting Chairman Geinosky noted that this was an informational meeting and that there will be no swearing in by the petitioners. 2 L. Garr noted that he was representing the Mr. Terry Bolger and the shopping center. He noted that there are presently 388 parking spaces on the site, which was constructed in 1966. He noted that there are two (2)parcels with buildings, the shopping center and former Harris Bank building, and one (1) parcel without anything constructed on it. L. Garr noted that the shopping center was currently 48% vacant and that real estate taxes recently increased by $40,000. E. Strzelczynska identified herself as the petitioner and owner of an indoor soccer facility in Franklin Park. She stated that she was looking to construct outdoor fields at the Devon Market location to accommodate league play during the summer. She noted that only 1/4 to 1/3 of her current customer base has outdoor space lined up for the summer months. She is attempting to fill the demand. E. Strzelczynska further noted the current business owners have offered support for this use. Commissioner Meyers asked for clarification on the restaurant/concession stand and whether it would be open year round and what its hours of operation would be. E. Strzelczynska stated that it would be a full restaurant with year round hours of operation with some concession stand type food available. E. Strzelezynska further stated that she would likely sublease the restaurant. Commissioner Meyers asked the petitioner if they had seen the inside of the building. E. Strzelczynska stated that she had and understands the scope of work required to rehabilitate it. Commissioner Meyers asked if Bolger still owned the property and whether soccer would be seen as unattractive neighbors for potential tenants. L. Garr explained that Bolger still owns the property and that the current business tenants were attracted to the proposal. Commissioner Meyers asked the petitioner if lacrosse would be able to be played on the field. E. Strzelczynska was not sure if the dimensions of the field were the same as lacrosse, but might consider allowing lacrosse to use the space. Commissioner Meyers asked if the landscaping company had any concerns. E. Strzelczynska stated that they did not express any concerns. Acting Chairman Geinosky expressed concern over vacancy at the Devon Avenue Market and that businesses would come and go at a high rate. Acting Chairman Geinosky stated his concern that turnover is a detriment to the location. E. Strzelczynska stated that Soccer Place was a nice investment and that the increased traffic caused by Soccer Place would be beneficial. Acting Chairman Geinosky stated that Soccer Place is not a large commercial store like Walmart and that people coming to watch the games would not be interested in spending money at the nearby restaurants or stores. E. Strzelczynska noted that people at the current Soccer Place in Franklin Park watch games for hours and then discuss them at the field or neighboring establishments. Commissioner Ayers asked what percentage of players would be adults. E. Strzelczynska responded that approximately 60-70% would be adults. Commissioner Ayers noted that since a majority of the users would be adults, this use would be different than if it was primarily a youth league whom would not likely congregate at restaurants following their games. J 3 Commissioner Ayers asked if the Soccer Place would look to receive a liquor license and whether these games were a social event like softball. E. Strzelczynska responded that at some point they may apply for a liquor license for the restaurant and that some individuals may play at 9:00 p.m. and stay until midnight to talk about the game. E. Strzelczynska further stated that some individuals may go to neighboring bars or restaurants after the close of Soccer Place. Acting Chairman Geinosky expressed concern about open containers at the field and individuals loitering the parking lot until midnight. E. Strzelczynska stated that Soccer Place will close at 11:00 p.m. at which time the gate and fenced in area would be locked. E. Strzelczynska stated that open containers would not be allowed and that security would be in place in case issues arise. Commissioner Hauser asked about the sanitary facilities at the proposed location. E. Strzelczynska stated that the adjacent building would house bathrooms and that port-potty's would be used within the fenced in area. Commissioner Hauser asked how the field would be maintained. E. Strzelczynska stated that they would have a maintenance shed for mowers and other equipment. Commissioner Hauser asked if players came dressed to play or required a changing area. E. Strzelczynska responded that most all come dressed to play. Commissioner Hauser asked if there would be an entrance fee into Soccer Place. E. Strzelczynska responded that there would be no charge for children and a nominal fee for adults. The fee for adults at the Franklin Park Soccer Place is $3. Commissioner Hauser asked if professional players played at The Soccer Place. E. Strzelczynska explained that they were not, but some teams did have coaches and support staff. Commissioner Paliganoff asked what the address to the Franklin Park Soccer Place location was. E. Strzelczynska stated that the address is 10800 West Belmont. Commissioner Paliganoff asked what type of seating arrangement would be provided for players and spectators and commented on the fencing and whether soccer balls may go over them. E. Strzelczynska responded that approximately five (5) bleachers would be installed for spectators and that each bleacher would fit between 12 to 15 people. There would not be any benches set up for the players. In regards to fencing, a taller fence would be placed by the goals, but there would still be a small chance the balls could go over. Commissioner Hauser asked where the office workers would work. E. Strzelczynska responded that while she has an office located at the Franklin Park location, she does not utilize an office and works through her phone and calendar. Commissioner Meyers asked about the location of the seating and the size of the bleachers. E. Strzelczynska responded that the bleachers would have three (3) rows and would be along the east side of the fields. Further review of the site plans created some confusion of the correct location of the bleachers. Commissioner Meyers asked what the building use at the west end of the shopping center would be as shown on the site plan and how this would impact the parking lot. E. Strzelczynska stated that in the 4 future the use might contain a gym with lockers, a shower, and other amenities, but that was not currently being proposed. Acting Chairman Geinosky stated that the issues before the Plan Commission were ones that would need to be addressed in the final proposal. S. Trudan commented that the parking configuration is based on a required four(4) square feet of parking for one (1) square foot of building, not the number of spaces or type of use in those spaces. There is currently 50,000 square feet of parking that is in excess of what the Devon Avenue Market needs. S. Trudan stated that there are 127 spaces available just for the proposed Soccer Place site. Acting Chairman Geinosky asked about landscape issues and whether trees could be planted on the site. P. Carlson stated that trees would not be conducive to being near or on a soccer field but that plume grass might be a possibility. P. Carlson further commented that the plan design calls for a heavy sand base and a pitched field of 1-2% grade. The current idea for grading would be to create a depression between the fields. Paul stated that the neighboring landscape company could do mowing and other maintenance work. Commissioner Hauser asked if the storm water runoff would drain under the bleachers. E. Strzelczynska responded that they would, but the swale would not be very deep. Acting Chairman Geinosky asked why they were proposing to use natural grass and not artificial turf. E. Strzelczynska responded that they would like to use artificial grass at some point, but they have concerns over MWRD restrictions. M. Roan commented that artificial grass is considered an impermeable surface under MWRD guidelines. K. Jay commented that it depends on the surface. Schaumburg's artificial grass has a concrete base. Acting Chairman Geinosky asked what the timeline was for starting the soccer season and when the building and field would be completed. E. Strzelczynska responded that the field would take priority and that league play would begin the second week of May and end at the very beginning of November. Acting Chairman Geinosky asked if the Police Department had any concerns. M. Kirkpatrick responded that the Police spoke with E. Strzelczynska and their concerns related to crowd, security, and parking were answered sufficiently. M. Kirkpatrick stated that there was some concern related to noise late at night or individuals migrating to the parking lot, but otherwise felt comfortable with the plan. Commissioner Paliganoff asked if there would be a drive thru window at the restaurant and whether cars could travel through. E. Strzelczynska responded that there would be outdoor seating. M. Roan commented that cars would not be able to drive through that side of the building. M. Roan further noted that Special Use approval was only needed on the soccer field, not the restaurant. K. Jay stated that there is no storm sewer on the property and the closest storm sewer was on Devon. K. Jay further stated that Soccer Place could potentially tie 100 feet into Devon Avenue storm sewer, but that that would require Cook County approval. Photos of the current field were presented showing standing water that was a code violation. 5 Acting Chairman Geinosky stated that these issues need to be discussed with staff and the areas of concern be addressed before they can move forward. M. Roan stated that they were shooting for an April 6 public hearing. There being no further questions or comments, Commissioner Henrici entertained a motion to adjourn. Item 3: Adjournment Acting Secretary Ayers motioned to adjourn the meeting and Commissioner Meyers seconded the motion. Upon voting (Hauser, Meyers, Henrici, Geinosky, Paliganoff, Ayers, AYES, Glass, Thompson, ABSENT) the motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Joseph Carey Assistant to the Village Manager C: Chairman and Members of the Plan Cbmmission, Mayor and Board of Trustees, Village Clerk, Village Manager, Deputy Village Manager, Dire r..of Public Works, Actinoirector of Engineerin Community Development, Polic�hief, Fire Chief,,Deputy jre-Chief, Inspectional Services Supervisor, Villag�ttomey