Sangamon Sun

Village of La Grange Village Board met Sept. 28.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

The Board of Trustees of the Village of La Grange meeting was called to order at 7:31 p.m. by Village President, Mark Kuchler. On roll call, as read by Village Clerk John Burns, the following were:

PRESENT:

Trustees Augustine, Gale, Holder, Kotynek, McCarty and McGee with President Kuchler presiding.

ABSENT:

None

OTHERS:

Village Manager Andrianna Peterson 

Village Attorney Mark Burkland 

Public Works Director Ryan Gillingham 

Community Development Director Charity Jones 

Finance Director Lou Cipparrone 

Police Chief Kurt Bluder 

Fire Chief Terrence Vavra

President Kuchler welcomed the Village Board and thanked Trustees for attending the meeting which has been modified to adjust for social distancing and the wearing of face coverings. He reminded everyone to stay six feet apart and wear a mask at all times while in the Village Hall. The video of the meeting was broadcasted on cable television, YouTube, and will also be available on Facebook and posted to the Village website. Residents were encouraged to submit public comments on the agenda via email or telephone prior to the meeting.

2. PRESIDENT'S REPORT

President Kuchler announced that Governor Pritzker signed a new Gubernatorial Disaster

Proclamation extending the statewide declaration for COVID-19 through Saturday, October 17. Additionally, he signed Executive Order 2020-55 to extend all Phase 4 orders. The Village continues to remind residents to be vigilant about wearing face coverings, social distancing and handwashing. In response to a request for blood donations from the La Grange Hospital, a blood drive was held on September 4 at the Village Hall which resulted in donations which helped save the lives of area patients including AMITA La Grange Hospital and 70 other local hospitals.

President Kuchler noted that Chamber Week was September 14 - 18 and he thanked the West Suburban Chamber of Commerce and the La Grange Business Association for all they do to promote La Grange and its businesses. Our restaurants have been employing, and will continue to employ, the highest standards of cleanliness and adherence to the IDPH and CDC guidance. He asked the public to please remember to Shop Local during the holiday season which includes our wide variety of dine in, carry out and curbside pickup options.

President Kuchler announced that the Village is still awaiting guidelines from the State of Illinois regarding trick-or-treating. The CDC released a number of alternative ways to participate in Halloween activities to help protect communities from COVID-19. One option for residents to consider is to provide individually wrapped treats on a folding table so that they can be picked up by families at a safe distance, near the edge of a driveway or yard. More information and additional guidance is forthcoming.

President Kuchler reminded residents that we need everyone to be counted in the Census this year. The Village's response rate is 77.7% and lower than many of our neighboring communities. Residents who have not responded are encouraged to visit www.2020Census.gov. The Secretary of Commerce has announced a target date of October 5 to conclude Census operations. Census Field staff are also continuing their operations of visiting households to ensure a complete count. Census workers will have an identification badge with their photograph, a U.S. Department of Commerce watermark and expiration date. Census workers have also completed COVID-19 training.

President Kuchler thanked the Robert Coulter American Legion, City of Countryside, and Mayor Sean McDermott for hosting a moving ceremony to honor the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

President Kuchler thanked Marian Honel-Wilson, Linda Eastman, and many others for the successful virtual Race Unity Rally on September 13. As always, the CommUNITY Diversity Group provided thought-provoking community conversations and positive messages of inclusion and empathy for all residents. For more information, please visit the CommUNITY Diversity website at www.communitydiversity.org or the Village website at www.lagrangeil.gov.

President Kuchler announced that earlier in September one of our residents was a victim of a ruse burglary where an individual came to the front door of the home and claimed to be conducting work on the neighbor's water line. While the resident went into the basement with the individual under the guise of checking on the water line, another individual went upstairs to rummage through dresser drawers. When the resident confronted the individuals, they fled the home. He stated that residents should never allow any inspectors or workers access to your home unless you have confirmed their identity. Public utilities will not typically show up at a home to conduct an inspection that was not requested. If someone claiming to be a contractor or public utility requests that you accompany them to inspect something in or around your home, call the La Grange Police Department by dialing 9-1-1.

President Kuchler reminded residents that door-to-door solicitors are required to receive a permit or inform the Police Department of their plans to solicit. If a solicitor is unable to provide credentials or proof that the Village is aware of the solicitor, please call the Police Department by dialing 9-1-1 to confirm their validity. Solicitors approved to solicit are posted to the Village's website. Residents that do not want door-to-door solicitation can submit their address to the Village's "No Solicitation" list located on the Village website or by calling the Village at 708-579-2313 ext. 501.

President Kuchler announced that due to the ongoing pandemic, the Fire Department will not be able to host its annual Fire Prevention Open House. However, the Fire Department reminds residents that Fire Prevention Week is October 4-10 and this year they are teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association to promote this year's campaign – “Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen”. According to the National Fire Protection Association, cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries in the United States. Almost half of reported home fires start in the kitchen and two thirds of home cooking fires start with the ignition of food or other cooking materials. He reminded residents to never leave cooking food unattended and check it regularly or use a timer. Always keep an oven mitt and pan lid nearby and have a kid free zone of at least 3 feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried. More information regarding the campaign is available on the Village website.

3. MANAGER'S REPORT

Village Manager Andrianna Peterson announced that the Village's Fall Leaf Pick up Program will begin on Monday, October 5, and continue through November 25. Leaves will generally be collected every other week by the Public Works Department from each Village street. Leaves should be raked to the curb and street gutters, no bags or yard waste stickers are required for this service. For more information please visit the Village's website or contact the Department of Public Works.

4. PUBLIC COMMENT REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS

None,

5. CONSENT AGENDA AND VOTE 

A. Agreement – WSMTD – Metra – Miscellaneous Grant Funding

B. Purchase – Solar Powered Pedestrian Crossing Signs

C. Minutes of the Village of La Grange Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting, Monday, August 24, 2020

D. Consolidated Voucher 200914

E. Consolidated Voucher 200928

Trustee Augustine stated that in consideration of her relationship with the Village Prosecutor, she recused herself from each item on the voucher related to the Village Prosecutor.

Trustee Holder inquired why constructing a bathroom in the Stone Avenue Train station would take up to two years to complete. Public Works Director Gillingham responded that the approval and bid process is much more involved, given oversight and requirements from Metra and BNSF.

Trustee Kotynek thanked citizen volunteer Curtis Linder for his assistance and partnership over the years as a member of the West Suburban Mass Transit District Board. President Kuchler echoed Trustee Kotynek in thanking Mr. Linder.

Trustee Augustine expressed appreciation for the addition of the solar powered pedestrian signs in additional locations. She inquired as to where the two additional signs would be located and how residents can go about requesting additional signs. Mr. Gillingham responded that the solar powered signs are typically placed mid-block near pedestrian crossings. He advised that requests for this signage can be submitted to the Village for condsideration during the budget process. He noted that residents continue to advocate for these signs and the awareness they bring, but noted that the signs are not appropriate in all places. He explained that the educational campaign the Police Department implements is helpful in raising awareness of pedestrians to drivers.

Trustee Holder inquired if the Brainard Road crosswalk was completed. Mr. Gillingham advised the project was completed and the cross walk buttons are pedestrian activated.

A motion was made by Trustee Holder to approve the Consent Agenda as presented, seconded by Trustee McGee.

Approved by a roll call vote:

Ayes: Trustees Augustine, Gale, Holder, Kotynek, McCarty and McGee 

Nays: None 

Absent: None

6. CURRENT BUSINESS

A. Ordinance - Variation - Maximum Building Coverage / Catherine and Tim Murphy, 317 South Stone Avenue

President Kuchler asked Trustee Augustine to introduce the item. Trustee Augustine advised that the petitioners, Catherine and Tim Murphy, owners of 317 S. Stone Avenue have applied for a variation to allow the replacement of a one and a half car detached garage with a 22 ft. by 22 ft. two car detached garage. The subject property is located in the R-4 District, which allows a maximum building coverage of 30%. The proposed two car garage would result in a building coverage of 32.5% or 169.35 square feet more than permitted by the Zoning Code.

On August 20, 2020, the Zoning Board of Appeals held a public hearing on this matter. At the hearing, the petitioners testified that the requested variation will allow them construct a garage for modern family sized vehicles. The petitioners further testified that detached two car garages were common structures on their block of S. Stone Avenue and throughout the Village.

The existing lot coverage on the subject property is near the R-4 District maximum of 45%. During the hearing, the applicants presented a plan showing how some portions of the driveway and walks can be removed and replaced with permeable pavers as part of the proposed garage project to result in a 43% lot coverage. During their deliberations, the ZBA noted that the homeowners had more than one way to reduce lot coverage while still maintaining a functional driveway width. Although the petitioner presented a plan that would reduce the lot coverage to 43%, the ZBA did not recommend requiring a lesser lot coverage than the maximum of 45% and therefore did not condition their approval on a specific lot coverage reduction plan. Accordingly, no variation for lot coverage is proposed.

At the hearing, no members of the public spoke for or against the application. The Zoning Board of Appeals found that detached two car garages located in the rear of a property are common on the 300 block of St. Stone Avenue and throughout the Village. The Zoning Board of Appeals also found that the house and exiting garage were constructed prior to the current Zoning Code requirement for building coverage. After hearing testimony and deliberating, the Zoning Board of Appeals voted 4-0 to recommend approval of the requested variation.

Trustee Holder inquired as to why a requirement regarding lot coverage was not required by the Zoning Board of Appeals as it would reduce the impact of the variance requested. Community Development Director Jones responded that the ZBA was primarily focused on a 22x22 garage as a common feature of a modern home. The property would be required to meet the maximum lot coverage of 45%. She advised that the ZBA decided not to require the applicants to reduce lot coverage beyond the requirement for the R-4 district.

Trustee McCarty expressed his understanding that the ZBA believed that the 43% presented by the applicants would be reached and that it was explicit in their approval. He suggested that the Village Board specify that the 43% reduction in lot coverage is required in the motion.

Mr. Murphy explained that their lot is currently at 46% coverage and advised that it is a challenge to engage contractors for a small job and get quotes. He is not intending to meet 43%. He advised that they were willing to meet 45% coverage but they do not currently have the cost as construction costs have risen.

Trustee Holder asked if they preferred pavers over sod. Mr. Murphy responded that they did prefer utilizing pavers over sod as the driveway could then be utilized by both their household and their neighbors.

Trustee McCarty expressed the importance of the 43% coverage as a target even if there are additional challenges.

President Kuchler asked Village Attorney Burkland about voting options.

Attorney Burkland advised that the Board could be polled to determine which motions were appropriate, or the Board could vote on the Ordinance as it was presented and if it fails, an alternative motion and second can be made. He noted that the prepared ordinance would need to be modified if there were additional caveats.

President Kuchler asked Mr. Murphy what would need to occur to get to 43% lot coverage versus 45%.

Mr. Murphy advised that they were willing to remove and replace 160 square feet of pavement to meet 45% and replace it with permeable pavers.

Trustee McCarty noted that other options besides adding pavers were available to him. He reiterated that he believed the ZBA intended the reduced lot coverage to 43% to be a quid pro quo.

President Kuchler polled the Board. Trustees Augustine, Kotynek, Holder, Gale and McGee all supported the Ordinance at the proposed 45% lot coverage, whereas Trustee McCarty requested that the Ordinance be reduced to 43% lot coverage.

President Kuchler thanked the Trustees for their input. Mark Burkland recommended an additional sentence be added to the Ordinance to clarify the discussion which is: “The approved plans must include placement of permeable pavers or other method of keeping the lot coverage at a maximum of 45%”.

It was moved by Trustee Augustine to amend the motion to approve the Ordinance authorizing the variation but including that the approved plans must include placement of permeable pavers or other method of keeping the lot coverage at a maximum of 45% for

Catherine and Tim Murphy at 317 S. Stone Avenue, seconded by Trustee Kotynek.

Approved by a roll call vote:

Ayes: Trustees Augustine, Gale, Holder, Kotynek and McGee

Nays: McCarty

Absent: None

7. PUBLIC COMMENT

None.

8. TRUSTEE COMMENTS

Trustee Kotynek expressed thanks to Public Works and Lindahl Brothers for their good work on resurfacing streets this year. He also asked that the Village take every opportunity for trick or treating to continue in a safe manner with all necessary precautions,

Trustee Augustine thanked all those who worked hard to give kids, including her son, the opportunity to enjoy summer sports, such as baseball, safely amidst the pandemic. She gave special thanks to former Trustee Jeff Nowak for running La Grange Little League.

9. CLOSED SESSION

At 8:35 p.m. a motion was made by Trustee McCarty and seconded by Trustee Holder to adjourn into closed session for the potential purpose of (a) discussing matters related to the purchase or lease of property for the use of the Village and (b) discussing pending litigation involving the Village.

10. ADJOURNMENT 

At 9:57 p.m. Trustee Holder made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Trustee Kotynek. Approved by a voice vote.

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