MINUTES OF THE EUREKA CITY PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
March 15, 2007
The meeting was called to order by Al Hinnen at 7:00 p.m. Present were: Cuffe, Wertz, Knepp. Mr. Simenc was absent. Also present were Keith Weinstein, Kevin Cooper and VanWaters.
The Public Hearing for the review of the final plat for Crown Pointe subdivisions was held. The Commission reviewed the plans submitted with the changes noted by the City Engineer, A.J. Dowiatt, Inc. after his review of the preliminary site plans. With all required changes made, the Commission was satisfied with the Final Plat. Mr. Weinstein informed the Commission of a regulation set by the Illinois Department of Transportation for turn lane responsibilities. The State has determined that the developer would put in a turn lane at the time of developing the property or the municipality would be held responsible for the cost. The State has established this regulation due to the large amount of residential growth in the Northern part of the State. The construction of subdivision of 500 to a 1000 plus homes has taxed the infrastructure requiring the State to put in the turn lanes to meet their needs. The State in turn has decided it will be the developer or a municipal cost. The Crown Point Subdivision has forty (40) lots which the traffic analysis stated could require a turn lane. If there were any change or expansion in the current businesses along Route 24 that would increase traffic entering and exiting the Highway, a turn lane could be required at each one of these locations. Mr. Cuffe thought this logic would not allow any future development along a State highway for fear of having to be financially responsible for a turn lane for twenty years. Keith also informed the Commission that State Senator Dale Risinger has proposed a bill which would appropriate the money to put in the turn lane if it was required in the future. It was moved by Knepp and second by Cuffe to approve the final plat for the Crown Pointe Subdivision as presented with the full knowledge that the State could require a turn lane to be constructed in the future and that the cost would be paid by the City and there is a bill pending by Senator Dale Risinger to appropriate funds to pay for the turn lane if required within the next twenty years and the City would utilize all means possible to have the speed limit reduced to alleviate the requirement of having to put in a turn lane. All voted yes.
A public hearing on the request from Vernon VanWaters at 508 E. Leo Street to allow a special use to increase the number of dogs from four to a total not to exceed eight dogs.
The Commission discussed the request. Mr. Cuffe gave three reasons why this request was a problem. First, this is an R-1 Single Family residential area, second this is a business and lastly the noise from this many dogs would be a problem in this type of area. The R-1 District is zoned for single families, businesses are not allowed and to allow this many dogs in one location would create problems. It was moved by Cuffe and seconded by Knepp to approve a Special Use permit to allow Mr. VanWaters at 508 Leo Street to house more than four dogs not to exceed eight in an R-1 Single Family Residential district. Roll call Vote. Cuffe – No, Knepp – No, Hinnen – No, Wertz – No. Motion failed
A public hearing for the variance request from Gary Green to allow zero lot line development for lots 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24. The request from Mr. Green was incorrect. He was requesting the city to allow three five unit condos to be constructed on the lots stated above. These will not be zero lot line. It was moved by Cuffe, second Wertz to allow the construction of three five unit condominiums on lots 19 and 20, 21 and 22, 23 and 24. The six lots will need to be plated to show the six lots as three before presenting the site plans to the Commission. Passed on roll call vote. All voted yes.
The Commission did not review the Special Use section.
It was moved for adjournment by Cuffe, second Knepp. All voted yes.
Respectfully Submitted
Anne L. Sandvik
