CITY OF BELLEVILLE, ILLINOIS ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS September 28, 2017 Page 1 Members: Rebecca Boyer Tim Price Don Rockwell Scott Ferguson Excused Toni Togias Steven Zimmerman Dan Nollman, Chairman Excused Staff present: Annissa McCaskill, Economic Development, Planning, & Zoning Director Kari Tutza, Economic Development, Planning & Zoning Dept. : : Alderman Joe Hazel No Alderman Ken Kinsella No Alderman Mike Buettner No Alderman Jane Pusa No Alderman Scott Tyler No Alderman Kent Randle No Alderman Raffi Ovian No Alderman Johnnie Anthony No Alderman Ed Dintelman No Alderman Shelly Schaefer No Alderman Andy Gaa No Alderman Mary Stiehl No Alderman Phil Elmore Yes Alderman Dennis Weygandt No Alderman Roger Wigginton No Alderman Roger Barfield No Public present: Larry Thomas, Bernard Wessel, Craig Earland, George Anastas, James Sommers, Robert Williamson, Dean Renn, Chane Keller, Adam Hill, Brett Frankhauser, Stephanie Frankhauser, Gerald Feder The Zoning Board of Appeals meeting was held at Lindenwood University, 2600 West Main St., Alan J. Dixon building at 7:00 p.m. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Acting Chairman Zimmerman. Roll was called and a quorum declared. Acting Chairman Zimmerman noted that all Zoning Board cases heard at this meeting will be considered at the October 16, 2017 City Council meeting, except cases 46-Aug17 and 56-Oct17 which will be heard at the October 2, 2017 City Council meeting. Acting Chairman Zimmerman explained the emergency procedures if needed. Acting Chairman Zimmerman asked if there were any corrections to be noted for the August 24, 2017 Zoning Board of Appeals meeting minutes. No corrections were made hence the minutes were approved by the Board. -------------------------------------------------------------------- The following cases were heard: 46-Aug17 SonomaCap/Adam Hill A two-fold request for bulk variances to permit a property at 7000-7009 West Main Street (Parcel number: 07-01.0-417-005) to (a): Maintain a site coverage of 42% and (b) setback reductions to permit the following: zero (0) in between units; 10 feet on the east and west property lines; a 15-foot rear setback and a 20-foot front yard setback in a "B-1" Multi-family Residence District. (Applicable portion of the Zoning Code: 162.570, 162.092.) Ward 4 Zoning Board member, Rebecca Boyer, abstained from participating in the vote regarding case 46-Aug17. Applicant, Adam Hill, explained the request stating that after demolition of the present buildings; two (2,) four (4) unit, owneroccupied townhomes will be constructed. The design calls for a site coverage of 42% and a setback reduction for zero setback between the units. Meeting minutes ~ Zoning Board of Appeals, September 28, 2017
P a g e 2 Mr. Hill explained the plans for parking and some construction materials to be used. Dennis Lavery stated that it will be a big enhancement to the west end of Belleville. Craig (?), asked if neighboring property taxes will increase due to the project. Annissa McCaskill stated that St. Clair County makes the determination of property taxes. George Anastas asked for more information regarding the project. Annissa McCaskill stated that the project will go through Planning Commission and City Council before the structures are built. She said that she will send Mr. Anastas a reminder when the project is heard next at these public meetings. A motion was made by Don Rockwell to APPROVE the request. It was seconded by Tim Price. All members present voted in the affirmative, save Rebecca Boyer who abstained. The motion carried 4-0-1. 50-Sept17- Bret Garrett- A request for a Sign Installation permit in the Area of Special Control for signage at 119-121 East Main Street (Parcel: 08-22.0-333-031) located in a "C-2" Heavy Commercial District. (Applicable portion of zoning code: 155.052.) Ward 2 Applicant, Bret Garrett, explained the locations and verbiage on the signs. He explained the colors on the window decals and overhead signs. There were no public or Aldermen comments made regarding this request. A motion was made by Rebecca Boyer to APPROVE the request. It was seconded by Toni Togias. All members present voted in the affirmative. The motion carried 5-0. 51-Sept17- James Sommers - A request for a Bulk Variance in order to allow a property at 2118 Muren Boulevard (Parcel: 08-14.0-309-044) to maintain a 22-foot front yard setback for construction of a carport in a "B-1" Multi- Family Residence District. (Applicable portion of zoning code: 162.036, 162.570, 162.181.) Ward 1 Applicant, James Sommers, explained the request stating that he will place the carport in his driveway in front of the existing garage door. It is a pre-assembled, freestanding carport made of metal. Mr. Sommers noted that there are similar carports at neighboring properties. There were no public or Aldermen comments made regarding this request. A motion was made by Rebecca Boyer to APPROVE the request. It was seconded by Don Rockwell. All members 52-Sept17-Larry Thomas - A request for a Special Use Permit for a liquor license for a Sports Bar to be located at 1913 North Belt East (Parcel number: 08-23.0-303-165) located in an "C-2" Heavy Commercial Zoning District. (Applicable portion of zoning code: 162.247, 162.570.) Ward 7 Applicant, Larry Thomas, explained the request stating that the hours of operation would be Wed.-Sun. open until 11pm, open later on Fri. & Sat. Mr. Thomas believes the property is a great location for a sports bar. He also operated a janitorial business and party bus business from the location.
P a g e 3 The Board asked several questions regarding available parking, inside dining plans, noise concerns, and outdoor seating plans. Antonio Sanders stated that he believes it's a good location for the bar and he would like a nice place to go. Ricky Nelson stated that he owns a neighboring barber shop and likes the idea of a sports bar at the location. He said that another neighbor who owns a hair salon couldn't attend the meeting, but believes she is in favor of the request. Public comments with concerns: Gerald Feder, neighboring apartment owner, spoke on his concerns such as excessive noise, allowed occupancy inside the bar, and parking issues. He has long-time tenants that would not be happy with a sports bar at this location. He's concerned with tenants moving out due to these concerns. He also spoke on his concerns with neighboring properties which are residential. Brett Frankhauser, residential and commercial neighbor, spoke on his concerns with parking. He explained the issues he and his wife are currently experiencing at their property. He doesn't want to have to use barricades to block off his parking lot. He also noted that he wakes up at 4:30 a.m. for work, and believes a sports bar is a great idea, but this is a bad location for one. Alderman comments: Alderman Elmore-Ward 7, explained the history of the commercial businesses that operated there previously. He stated that the previous businesses were all carry-out, not dine in. There were past concerns on excessive noise and BBQ smoke. He asked the Board if the applicant would be allowed outdoor dining. Ms. McCaskill answered that Mr. Thomas must first receive a Special Use permit to have outdoor seating, as well as meet any Building Code requirements for outdoor structures. A Board member noted that Mr. Thomas wrote "outdoor seating" in his Special Use application; Ms. McCaskill answered that the request before the Board was for a liquor license, not outdoor seating. Ms. McCaskill also noted that the request meets all parking requirements. Mr. Thomas stated that he doesn't believe there will be noise or parking issues. He stated that he has never seen anyone park in Mr. Frankhauser's property. He thinks the location is good for a sports bar. A motion was made by Toni Togias to APPROVE the request with the following stipulation: (1.) In the name of the applicant only. It was seconded by Rebecca Boyer. Voting went as follows: Rebecca Boyer-aye, Tim Price-aye, Don Rockwell-aye, Toni Togias-aye, Steve Zimmerman-nay. The motion carried 4-1. 53-Sept17-Robert Williamson A request for the following bulk variances (a): Maintain a twelve (12)-foot front yard setback to allow construction of a porch and accompanying overhang (b): Maintain a ten (10) foot rear yard setback on a 6,361 square foot "A-2" Two Family Residence District-zoned parcel at 1001 Scheel Street (Parcel number: 08-22.0-205-008). (Applicable portion of the Zoning Code: 162.570, 162.167.) Ward 1 Applicant, Robert Williamson, explained the renovations that he has completed at the property. He would like to build a two (2) car garage on his lot, as well as a deck with a porch awning. Ms. McCaskill stated that she received a phone call from a citizen asking that Mr. Williamson have a 20' setback instead of a 10' setback. Ms. McCaskill noted that the property doesn't conform already to regulated setbacks. The Board and Mr. Williamson discussed the destruction that took place when the property was vacant and the destruction to Mr. Williamson's truck that took place while he parked his vehicle on the street.
P a g e 4 Bill Schindler, property owner, asked for clarification on the proposed location of the garage and porch awning. A motion was made by Rebecca Boyer to APPROVE the request. It was seconded by Don Rockwell. All members 54-Sept17-Bernard Wessel - A request for a Use Variance to permit a screen printing business in an existing building located at 1537 Donna Drive (08-08.0-417-021) in a "C-1" Light Commercial District. (Applicable portion of Zoning Code: 162.570, 162.232) Ward 3 Applicant, Bernard Wessel, explained the request stating that he once had a long-time tenant at the location. The new tenant would like to operate a screen printing business, but the location isn't zoned appropriately. One side of the property will be the screen printing production portion of the business and the other side will be used as their office. There were no public or aldermen comments made. A motion was made by Don Rockwell to APPROVE the request. It was seconded by Rebecca Boyer. All members 55-Sept17-Dean Renn - A request to rezone the 6,479- square-foot parcel at 511 Sherman (08220214029) from "A- 2" Two Family Residence District to "C-1" Light Commercial District. (Applicable portion of the Zoning Code: 162.165-169, 132.230-.233 and 162.590) Ward 1 Applicant, Dean Renn, explained the request stating that the property has been used as a realty office since the late 1980's. It would be too costly to convert the property back to single family residential. There were no public or aldermen comments made. A motion was made by Rebecca Boyer to APPROVE the request. It was seconded by Toni Togias. All members present voted in the affirmative. The motion carried 5-0. 56-Sept17- Oak Tree Management - A request for a Special Use Permit for a Liquor License for Hofbrauhaus Restaurant at 123 St. Eugene Drive (Parcel: 07030300007) located in a C-2 Heavy Commercial District. (Applicable portion of the zoning code: 162.248.) Ward 8 Zoning Board member, Rebecca Boyer, abstained from participating in the vote regarding case 56-Oct17. Applicant, Chane Keller, explained the request stating the hours of operation will be Sun.-Wed. 11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. and Thurs.-Sat. 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. He also stated that they are proposing having enough seating for approximately five hundred (500) people in the beer hall, two hundred & fifty (250) people in an extra dining room, and two hundred (200) people in the Biergarten. Dean Renn stated that he is in favor of the request.
P a g e 5 A motion was made by Toni Togias to APPROVE the request with the following stipulation: (1.) In the name of the applicant only. It was seconded by Tim Price. All members present voted in the affirmative. The motion carried 4-0-1. Don Rockwell made a motion to ADJOURN, which was seconded by Rebecca Boyer. All members present voted aye. Acting Chairman Zimmerman adjourned the meeting at 8:07 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kari L. Tutza, Economic Development, Planning, & Zoning Department