O-33-00 06/12/2000ORDINANCE NO. 3 -00
AN ORDLNANCE GRANTING A VARIANCE
TO THE LEMONT ZONING ORDLNANCE
(1 Bennington Court, Lemont, Illinois)
ADOPTED BY THE
PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF 'TRUSTEES
OF lHE VILLAGE OF LEMONT
This / 441 day of v �u �1.� 2000.
Published in pamphlet form by
authority of the President and
Board of Trustees of the Village
of Lemont, Cook, DuPage, and Will
Counties, Illinois this t z 141
day of JLm _ 2000.
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A VARIANCE
TO 1'HE LEMONT ZONING ORDINANCE
(1 Bennington Court, Lemont, Illinois)
WHEREAS, an application has been filed by Donald Spadoni in connection with a Request
for Variation for the property legally described in Exhibit "A" and located at 1 Bennington Court,
Lemont, Illinois; and
WHEREAS, the applicant is seeking relief to the Lemont Zoning Ordinance, to allow a
rearyard setback to be 13 feet instead of the required 30 feet, pursuant to Section VII.E.7. a.3. of the
Lemont Zoning Ordinance; and
WHEREAS, the Planning and Zoning Commission of the Village of Lemont, Illinois, in
accordance with said Zoning Ordinance, conducted a Public Hearing on the petition on May 16,
2000; and
WHEREAS, a notice of the aforesaid Public Hearing was made in the manner provided by
law and was published in the Lemont Metropolitan, a newspaper of general circulation within the
Village; and
WHEREAS, the Lemont Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended approval of
a variation to the Village Board to allow a 10 -foot rearyard setback; and
WHEREAS, the President and Board of Trustees of the Village have determined that the best
interest of the Village will be served by the approval of this petition granting variation for the subject
property.
NOW,1'HLREFORE, BE IT ORDALNED BY 1H1; PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF
TRUSTEES OF '1'H14: VILLAGE OF LEMONT, COUNTIES OF COOK, DuPAGE, AND
WILL, ILLINOIS:
SECTION 1: Variance
Allow a proposed deck to encroach 10 -feet into a required minimum 30 -foot rearyard.
PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF
THE VILLAGE OF LEMONT, COUNTY OF COOK, ILLINOIS, on this /A of J„ •
2000.
John Benik
Debby Blatzer
Keith Latz
Connie Markiewicz
Rick Rimbo
Mary Studebaker
Attest:
Approved by me this
AYES
NAYS PASSED ABSENT
NE SM • L ' , illage Clerk
day of 2000.
ASNESKI, Village Presjdent
RLENE SMOLLEN, Village Clerk
PRO AS TO FO
i J O OP UL OS Village Attorney
Prepared by:
Planning Department
Village of Lemont
418 Main Street
Lemont, 11 60439
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EXHIBIT A
LOT 16 IN COVINGTON KNOLLS, UNIT 1, A SUBDIVISION OF PART OF THE
SOUTHWEST 1/4 OF SECTION 28, TOWNSHIP 37 NORTH, RANGE 11 EAST OF THE
THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED
JUNE 29, 1995 AS DOCUMENT #95- 419213 IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
22 -28- 306 -016
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LOT 16 IN COVINGTON KNOLLS, UNIT 1. A SU601VISION OF PART Cr 1 4E SOUTHWEST
1/4 OF SECTION 26. TOWNSHIP 37 NORTH. RANGE 11 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL
MERIDIAN, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEROF RECORDED JUNE 29. 1995 AS
DOCUMENT /95-419213 IN COCK COUNTY. ILLINOIS :T
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STATE OF ILLINOIS S.S.
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I, WARREN 0. JOHNSON, HEREBY CERTIFY THAT
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EXHIBIT 2
1 Bennington Court
20.12
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EXHIBIT 3
1 Bennington Court
20.12
Rearyard between subject
property and adjacent home
Drop-off doors on North Wall of
1 Bennington Court
EXHIBIT 4
1 Bennington Court
20.12
House to north of property which
deck would be facing
Village of Faith
Chairman
Thomas J. Metzger
Commissioners
Paul Bruce
Katherine H. Murphy
Ellen Pearson
Jerry Ptacek
Ronald J. Stapleton
Scott Studebaker
Villa
e of Lemont
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
418 Main Street • Lemont, IL 60439
Mayor Richard A. Kwasneski and
Board of Trustees
Village of Lemont
418 Main Street
Lemont, IL 60439
RE: Case Number 20.12: Deck Variation at 1 Bennington Court
Dear Mayor Kwasneski and Village Trustees:
The Planning and Zoning Commission conducted a public hearing on the above noted case at the
May 16, 2000 meeting. The petitioner and owner of the single family residence, Donald Spadoni, is
requesting a Variation to allow a deck to encroach 13 -feet into a required 30 -foot rearyard setback.
The Commission heard testimony from the Village Planner, the petitioner and members of the
audience. The petitioner raised numerous issues ranging from the manner in which the matter was
misrepresented to him by Gallagher & Henry to the concern for the a safe means of egress for his
young daughter. Several audience members spoke in support of the request.
The Commissioner's generally felt that the requested variation for the property was supportable in
light of the constraints inherent in the configuration of the corner lot. However, the Commissioner's
felt that a 13 -foot variation was excessive and that a smaller variation of 10 -feet would satisfy the
overall needs of the petitioner while avoiding a precedent setting decision.
Following careful review of the petition, the Planning and Zoning Commission's vote to recommend
approval of a 10 -foot Variation passed by a vote of 6 -0.
Sincerely,
Tom Metzger, Chairperson
Planning and Zoning Commission
responsibility of the parcel.
Mr. Glyman said that they will work with the Village regarding the kind of
amenities the Village wants at the site and will make sure there is maintenance
access to the site.
Chairman Metzger asked the opinion of the Commissioners regarding the
connection to the north. The Commissioners want the connection.
Mr. Ptacek asked about phasing. Mr. Possidoni said that they will mass grade
the site and will most likely do the townhomes in one phase and the single family
in two phases. Mr. Possidoni estimates build out in 24 to 30 months with a
maximum of 36 months. Mr. Possidoni said that they plan to market the
commercial property later than sooner.
Overall, the Commissioners liked the revised plan.
PUBLIC HEARING
B. A motion was made by Mr. Stapleton and seconded by Mr. Ptacek to open the
Public Hearing case number 20.12 Request for a Variance to allow a rear yard
setback to be 13 feet instead of the required 30 feet at 1 Bennington Court.
Motion carried 6 -0 by voice vote.
Mr. Fitz said that the property is located on a corner lot in a cul -de -sac. The
homeowner purchased the lot with the impression that a deck could be built and
is now asking to encroach 13 feet into the 30 foot rear yard setback.
Mr. Fitz said perhaps the Village needs to take another look at the zoning
requirements for decks to determine if the standards are too restrictive. Mr. Fitz
said that deck restrictions have been brought up before to developers, but the
Village's forewarnings are often ignored or the burden is placed on the
homeowner.
Ms. Murphy does not think Village standards are bad, but that something else is
not working. Ms. Murphy said that the burden should be put on the developer if
there is a four -foot drop off from the rear door that leads to nowhere.
Mr. Fitz said that due to the corner lot situation, staff feels some sort relief is
warranted.
Petitioner Don Spodoni said that he sat at the Gallagher & Henry sales office
and said that he liked this house and this lot and was not informed that a
variance would be needed to build a deck. Mr. Spadoni said that he does not feel
there is a problem with Village Ordinances, but that builders should be aware of
Village Codes. Mr. Spadoni said that he was told the deck could wrap around the
side to the rear, but can't because the air conditioning unit is in the way and
there is no electricity available behind his garage. Mr. Spadoni said that because
of the three car garage, the home faces Bennington Court and not Overton
Drive, and if the home faced Overton Drive, he would not need a variance. Mr.
Spadoni said that he cannot put in grass or install the sprinkler system because
the location of the deck has not been determined. Mr. Spadoni said that his
neighbor to the north is in attendance this evening and has no objection to the
deck encroachment. Mr. Spadoni said that his biggest concerns are for the
safety of his daughter, with a back door that leads nowhere, and the lack of
awareness on behalf of Gallagher & Henry.
Chairman Metzger asked why the petitioner is requesting 13 feet of variance. Mr.
Spadoni said that with the size of both sides of their families, they filled the 12
foot deck at their old house and would like to be comfortable.
Ms. Murphy is concerned with the size of the deck, but is not disputing that a
deck is needed.
Chairman Metzger agreed that the size of the deck is too large.
Mr. Spadoni said that he can't make the deck longer because it will cover the
electric meter and telephone box to the west and will cover basement windows to
the east. Mr. Spadoni suggested a 10 foot encroachment.
Gretchen Radamsky, of 1365 Overton Drive, said that the deck and the request
are perfectly agreeable and does not hinder her at all.
Dave Marsielle, of 1370 Overton Drive, said that the builder could have
controlled the grade of the home and Gallagher & Henry has three grades to
choose from.
Jeanette Debauras, of 13490 Derby Road, said that the encroachment should be
allowed if the neighbors don't have a problem with it and it is not a detriment.
A motion was made by Mr. Studebaker and seconded by Ms. Pearson to close
the Public Hearing. Motion carried 6 -0 by voice vote.
Chairman Metzger said to reduce the variance request from a 13 foot
encroachment to a 10 foot encroachment.
A motion was made by Ms. Pearson and seconded by Mr. Studebaker to
approve case number 20.12 Request for a Variance to allow a rear yard setback
to be 13 feet instead of the required 30 feet at 1 Bennington Court, as amended
to allow a 10 foot encroachment. Motion approved 6 -0 by roll call vote.
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EXHIBIT 1
1 Bennington Court
20.12
STAFF REPORT
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
Prepared by Andrew Fitz, Village Planner
GENERAL CASEFILE INFORMATION
Case Number
Commission Meeting Date
Petitioner
Request(s)
Location
Parcel Number(s)
Size
Street Frontage(s)
Current Zoning
Contiguous Zoning &
Land Use
Exhibits
1) Location Zoning Map
2) Foundation Survey
3) Deck Detail
4) Site Photographs
20.12
May 16, 2000
Donald Spadoni
Variation request to allow a proposed deck to encroach 13 -feet into a
required minimum 30 -foot rearyard
1 Bennington Court
22- 28- 306 -016
Approx. 12,000 square feet
82 feet on Overton Drive
115 feet on Bennington Court
R -4/PUD
North, R-4 Single Family Residential, Covington Knolls Subdivision
South, R-4 Single Family Residential, Covington Knolls Subdivision
East, R -4 Single Family Residential, Covington Knolls Subdivision
West, R-4 Single Family Residential, Covington Knolls Subdivision
CHARM. rat OF THE AREA
The lot is located within Phase 1 of Covington Knolls.
DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL
The petitioner and owner of the lot in question, Don Spadoni, is requesting a Variation to allow a proposed 18
by 16 -foot deck to encroach 13 -feet into a required minimum 30 -foot rearyard. The petitioner first approached
Staff on April 7 after the Building Department denied a permit for the deck - due to the apparent rearyard
encroachment. The petitioner opted to pursue a variation request, in part due to an alleged representation that
was made to him at the time of purchase of the property that a deck (of the size proposed) could be built "as -of-
right" on the lot. The petitioner has also indicated that the issue has been brought to the attention of the adjacent
property owner, who did not voice a concern or objection to the proposed deck encroachment. Although neither
of these items are germane to the variation request, they do provide a framework and context for the request
itself.
Photographs (exhibit 4) have been submitted which illustrate the subject property and the proposed location of
the deck with regard to the adjacent property owner. The proposed deck would provide access from the "drop -
oft' doors on the rear wall of the home to the backyard area. The buildable area of the lot (exhibit 2) allows only
a 4 -6 foot deck to be constructed per code.
PUBLIC RESPONSE
There have been no inquiries regarding this petition
STAFF RECONLMENDATION
The Staffs Recommendation may be based on the following elements and considerations: the Comprehensive plan, Illinois Zoning and
Planning Statutes, Case Law, the Zoning Ordinance, other applicable village ordinances, input from various village departments and
personnel, and professional expertise and knowledge of urban planning practices and principles. It has not incorporated public and/or
expert testimony or new and better information presented during public hearings/proceedings on the petition. The Staffs Recommendation
is subject to change and modification and should not be construed to be final and irrevocable.
Staff generally feels that some degree of zoning relief is warranted in this case. First and foremost, the lot
dimensions themselves contribute to the problem. Corner lots as a rule should be considered within a separate
context, due to the extraordinary and restrictive setback requirements for 3 of the 4 yards to be 25 feet or more.
On a lot that is oddly configured and/or less than 12,500 square feet, these setbacks can pose major obstacles to
the placement of a deck. In general, it should also be noted that decks are most often an afterthought for new
homeowners, whose energy and efforts are focussed almost entirely on the construction of the home itself.
Staff also would like the Commission to consider revisiting the manner in which decks are regulated in light of
the numerous deck variation requests that have been filed as of late. And for every deck variation request that the
Commission reviews there are many more which are never filed due to the cost and length of the process. Staff
would recommend that the Commission consider either extending the allowable encroachment (currently 3 -feet)
or regulating decks as accessory, rather than principal structures. It is a common rule of thumb in the
administration of a zoning ordinance, that when numerous and continuous variations are requested from a
specific regulation, it is a clear sign that the regulation needs to be revisited and changed or even discontinued.