VILLAGE OF TOWER LAKES BOARD MEETING

 

Date:   June 16, 2008

Time:  7:27

Location:  Village Hall

 

1.)        Roll Call, Pledge and Sign In:  Attendance; President Leitner; Trustees Parro,  Bolger, Baggett, Building Inspector Cantieri, Village Clerk Peterson, Treasurer Rolfs, Chief Sinacore, Absent; Tr. Merkle, deVries, Fitzgibbons.

 

2.)        Public Comments:   None

                                                            

3.)        Approval of Minutes:  A motion to approve May minutes w/ no changes by Tr. Parro seconded by Tr.  Bolger, and followed by a unanimous voice vote.

 

4.)               Building and Zoning:  (i)  ZBA Chairman Gold presented a zoning variance request by the petitioner, David and Mary Burnidge, 26841 N. Lake Shore Drive, who are seeking to construct an addition to their existing home to provide separate space for children, visiting parents and guest, and more garage parking.  The variances requested are 10-3-1 relating to minimum lot size of 20,000 Sq. Ft in A-2 zoning district.  The property is 16,490 sq. ft.  Section 10-6-3 relating to maximum lot coverage ratio.  The requirement is 12.5% in A-2 zoning district, or 2,061 sq. ft. on a lot size of 16,490 sq. ft.  The existing home is 2,610 sq. ft with existing decks, or 15.8%.  The proposed addition of 1,997 sq. ft. or 12.1% would create a combined existing plus addition of 4,607 sq. ft, or 27.9%.  Section 10-6-3(B) relating to the front yard setback.  With an average depth of 107.85 ft and 20% requirement for front yard setback, setback requirement is 21.57 ft.  The existing home plus deck and pavers is at the property line, and the encroachment with the proposed plan with replacement entrance walkway is 21.57 ft, the same as the setback requirement (the home is 5 ft from the property line.  The existing home was built prior to 1957 and contains 3 bedroom and 3 baths with about 2,800 sq ft (including a 2-car garage) on the main level, and about 500 sq ft in the lower level.  The proposed addition will add a master bedroom with ¾ bath on a new 2nd floor, room below dining room with storage and ½ bath, sun room, 3 car garage with mud room and ½ bath, providing total area of about 3,825 sq. ft. (including a 3-car garage).  The petitioners architect pointed out that a considerable amount of the current structure is being removed. Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt of 719 North Lake Shore Drive spoke to the board in favor of the request.  Tr. Baggett is concerned where they should draw the line.  A motion was made by Tr.  Bolger to accept the zoning board recommendation seconded by Tr. Parro followed by roll call vote:  Yeas Tr. Parro, Baggett, Bolger President Leitner.  A motion was made by Tr. Parro and seconded by Tr. Bolger to pass the ordinance with the strong desire that the petitioners use porous brick pavers on the drive way. Yeas: Tr. Bolger, Baggett, Parro, Pres. Leitner.  Nays: None.  (ii)    Dan Spiess spoke on behalf of the Plan Commission regarding the Public Hearing held on June 12th.  The biggest concerns were the drive ways missing from the calculation and the criteria for hardship.  Mr. Spiess referenced Lake County’s hardship criteria as a good model.  The Plan Commission would like to re-work the proposed hardship criteria.  Tr. Parro indicated the boards clear priority is air space and secondly storm water management.  Tr. Parro suggested addressing driveways in a separate ordinance so as not to hold up the proposed lot coverage ratio ordinance (including decks).  (iii) Building Inspector’s report is on file. 

 

5.)        Budget & Finance Treasurer’s Report:   A motion by Tr. Parro, seconded by Tr. Bolger, to approve the monthly expenditures as presented with the addition of $2,157.25 to the Village of Island Lake for Dispatch Services.  A motion was made by Tr. Bolger to approve payment of bills as presented seconded by Tr. Baggett.  Yeas: Tr. Baggett, Bolger Parro, President Leitner.  Nays:  None; Absent:  Tr. Merkle, deVries, Fitzgibbons.  Tr. Rolfs stated she is adding $10,000 the first month of each fiscal year to the general fund for depreciation based on the recommendation of the auditors.  (ii)  A motion was made by Tr.  Baggett and seconded  by Tr. Bolger to approve the appropriation ordinance  as amended.  Yeah:  Tr. Parro, Baggett, Bolger, President Leitner.  (iv) Tr. Parro made a motion to approve the  Prevailing Wage resolution seconded by Tr. Baggett, Yeas:  Tr. Bolger Parr, Baggett, President Leitner.

 

 

6.)        Police and Public Safety:  (i)  Monthly report on file.  (ii) Extended hours    will begin on June 20th.  Residents are encouraged to report any                         suspicious activity including the beach and islands to the Tower Lakes            Police Department.  (iii)  A police officer has resigned.  For the time being the hours will covered internally. 

 

7.)        Utilities Management:  (i)  See Report on File.

 

8.)        Road & Right of Way:  (i)The patching program for 2008 has been completed.  Paving project estimates are still pending.  Safety pruning will            be done on over 100 locations on several high traffic streets.     

 

9.)         Grounds:  There will be a one time clean up on several areas that are not routinely maintained.  (ii) Tr. Merkle has talked to Tom Spicer about           landscaping the roadway island at East Lake Shore Drive and Terrace. for   approximately $1200. The second proposal is for the Warwick roadway       island is approximately $6000.  The board recommends a cap amount for             both projects noting to make sure vision will not be obstructed when fully        grown.  A motion to cap expenses at $ 2000 for Island 1 at Essex and         Warwick island and $ 1000 for the East Lake Shore / Terrace / Melrose    roadway island.  The board would like a proposal for all the monument      entrances.   The board is would multiple bids for planting and annual        maintenance for all the monument entrances.  If anyone has some extra            annuals for the monument entrances will be appreciated until the formal   plan has been approved and executed.

 

 

10.)     Stormwater Management: Three projects are underway and will be             completed within the next 30 days.  Two additional projects are being           quoted by Cuba Township. 

 

11.)             Health & Sanitation:  Tr. Bolger presented an informational article he prepared for the Tower Lakes newsletter regarding mosquito abatement.  The green mosquito abatement has been considered, however, it is about 2 years away from FDA approval. 

 

12.)             Urban Forestry:  The BACOG GIS committee is going to purchase software for tree inventory. 

 

13.)             Administration/Legal/Outside: No Report

 

 

14.)             Old Business:  No Report

 

15.)             New Business:  No Report

 

 

Motion to adjourn the meeting was made at 10:05 pm by Tr. Bolger, seconded by Tr.  Baggett and followed by a unanimous voice vote.  

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Gale Peterson

Village Clerk