VILLAGE OF OAK LAWN PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION Monday, September 17, 2018 Meeting Minutes #2018-11 I. ROLL CALL: Meeting called to order at 7:30 p.m. A. Chairman: Rich Piazza B. Members: Bill Lundy (ABS) Tom Duhig Pina Paruta Matt Egan James Pembroke Hasan Kishta Rich Piazza William Kushnerik Vernon Zumhagen C. Staff: Jack Gallagher, Village Engineer / Director Kevin Casey, P&DC Attorney Kevin McGuinness, Village Planner Dee Adasiak, Recording Secretary II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Commissioner Piazza. III. APPROVAL OF PRIOR MEETING MINUTES: A motion was made by Commissioner Duhig to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes #2018-10 dated August 20, 2018. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Pembroke. Roll call: Kushnerik, yes; Kishta, abstain; Egan, abstain; Duhig, yes; Zumhagen, yes; Piazza, abstain; Pembroke, yes; Paruta, abstain. Motion to approve passes: 4-0-4. The Oath was administered by Chairman Piazza. IV. VARIATIONS: A.) Pet. #2018-26 – Request for Living Space above a Garage Variation at 5450 Edison Ave., Eduardo Vazquez, petitioner (returning) Mr. Gallagher explained that the petitioner withdrew his petition request. He added that the petitioner is in compliance with Building permits. A motion was made by Commissioner Zumhagen to discuss Pet. #2018-27, Pet. #2018-29, Pet. #2018-30, Pet. #2018-28 together and to open the Public Hearing. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Pembroke. Roll call: Paruta, yes; Pembroke, yes; Piazza, yes; Zumhagen, yes; Duhig, yes; Egan, aye; Kishta, aye; Kushnerik, yes. Motion passes. The Public Hearing opened at 7:35 p.m. Pet. #2018-27 – Request for Site Plan Approval, Landscape Setback and Stall Length Variations at 4031 W. 95th St., HSG-KRE Oak Lawn Property Owner, LLC, petitioner Pet. #2018-29 – Request for a Fourth Sign and Sign Face Square Footage Variations at 4031 W. 95th St., HSG-KRE Oak Lawn Property Owner, LLC, petitioner Pet. #2018-30 – Request for Exterior Wall Construction Variation at 4031 W. 95th St., HSG- KRE Oak Lawn Property Owner, LLC, petitioner Pet. #2018-28 – Request for a Parking Variation at 4031 W. 95th St., HSG-KRE Oak Lawn Property Owner, LLC, petitioner 1 VILLAGE OF OAK LAWN PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION Monday, September 17, 2018 Meeting Minutes #2018-11 Ms. Liz Butler, DLA Piper, 444 W. Lake Street, Suite 900, Chicago, IL. The petitioner indicated that she is representing the developer, HSG-KRE Oak Lawn Property Owner, LLC. She mentioned the following representatives also present: Mr. John McClinden, Managing Partner, Hubbard Street Group, 225 W. Hubbard St., Chicago, IL. Mr. Graham Palmer, Hirsch MPG, 225 W. Hubbard Street #500, Chicago, IL. Mr. Howard Hirsch, Project Architect, Hirsch MPG, 225 W. Hubbard Street #500, Chicago, IL. Ms. Katie Martin, Bates Forum Studio, 35 E. Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL. Ms. Butler discussed the property at 4031 West 95th Street formerly known as the K-mart site. She showed a current rendering of the site and indicated that the property is approximately 15 acres of area. Ms. Butler briefly described the property as a large multi-tenant structure with several “out lot buildings” as well as 686 surface parking spaces. Ms. Butler indicated that the applicant acquired the property and proposes to substantially rehabilitate the multi-tenant building and construct four (4) tenant retail out lot buildings. She indicated that the multi-tenant building will be reduced from its current size of 172,681 square feet to 115,000 square feet. She explained that the exterior will be upgraded to a modernized façade. Ms. Butler said the parking lot will be reconfigured so that there will be a net increase of parking spaces and allow for interior landscaping improvements. She added that there will be significant aesthetic improvements as well as storm water management improvements. Ms. Butler said the subject property is zoned C-3 (Regional Shopping District) and in order to facilitate the rehabilitation and redevelopment of the property they are requesting approval of the site plan and several variations. She said this includes a variation for the landscape setback, parking stall length, the reduction in the off street parking requirements (from 1600 parking spaces to 776 parking spaces), a variation to allow a greater number of signs and larger sign base area; and a variation for limited frame construction and variations of building material. Mr. McClinden expressed that the project will be a comprehensive redevelopment in terms of building materials, signage, architectural style, etc. He said the tenant mix will include a number of quality tenants. He said Pep Boys and Lumber Liquidators are current tenants but will be leaving the property in the near future. He said he wishes he could name the prospective tenants but there is a confidentially agreement in place. Mr. Hirsch showed the existing condition of the site. He explained that currently the structure is a precast concrete box building with very few windows. He said there is no landscaping in the parking lot. Mr. Hirsch indicated that there are three signs: a large pole sign, a corner multi-tenant sign, and another entrance sign on Pulaski Road. He said all the curb cuts on the property will remain but that they are proposing to modify the curb cut on Keeler as a “right out only” and a “left turn in”. Mr. Hirsch said currently the loading facilities are at the southeast corner with precast walls for screening. He said they will redevelop the loading area and keep the screening in place. He mentioned that they will eliminate 75 feet of the north portion of the building and shift the main road to the south. He said this will provide more space to the north and allow for more out lot buildings, pedestrian passageways, and landscaping. Mr. Hirsch showed how the building will be laid out. He described the gateway to the center and added that there will be a pedestrian plaza in the center that will allow for an outdoor dining area. He said the loading dock will remain at the southeast corner and they will build an enclosed loading dock to allow for a maximum of three trucks plus a garbage compactor that will be shared by the tenants. Mr. Hirsch indicated that the building’s electrical room will be on the south wall. He reiterated that the screening will remain. He said the loading dock at the south corner will be eliminated. 2 VILLAGE OF OAK LAWN PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION Monday, September 17, 2018 Meeting Minutes #2018-11 Mr. Hirsch reiterated that the access point on Keeler will be designed to be a “left turn in only” and a “right out only”. Mr. Hirsch expressed that much of the design is a work in progress and that they will need to consider tenants’ demands for glass or other elements. He said they are planning to keep a consistent look with the same design elements including signage. He mentioned a proposed design that includes glass corners with metal panel shrouds. He added that the entrances will have suspended canopies. Mr. Hirsch briefly mentioned other design elements including brick with lighting and art work or civic signage. He also mentioned trellis and landscaping. Mr. Hirsch spoke to signage. He said they are keeping the current sign locations on the northwest corner. He indicated that the main center entry will be split into two L-shaped signs to allow for better visibility and landscaping. He showed a proposed rendering of the proposed L-shaped sign. He indicated that the signs are significantly smaller in area and that he will work with staff going forward. Ms. Martin discussed enhanced landscaping for the project. She explained that they will increase the interior landscaping to include streetscapes and they will also maintain landscape buffers at the south of the property. She mentioned that they will be enhancing the pedestrian circulation within the site. Ms. Martin said that there are a series of landscape spaces with paved areas to add benches and clusters of landscape that will provide a buffer to enhance the pedestrian walkways; Mr. Hirsch mentioned that from a parking standpoint the variance is from 1600 spaces to 790 spaces; he said 790 parking spaces are more than enough by regular standards. He indicated that a 9” x 18” stall is standard in the industry and the parking spaces facing 95th Street will be 9” x16”. Commissioner Kushnerik asked about the improvements to water drainage. Mr. Hirsch said the new design will provide detention and underground storage to reduce the amount of water on the site. He said it will be a significant improvement. Commissioner Kushnerik asked if there is an area on the site where there would not be storm water improvement. Mr. Palmer clarified and indicated that the issue at the east portion of the site relates to leases, not storm water drainage, and that there is an underground basin in that area. Member Paruta asked the petitioners to clarify the access on Keeler. Mr. McClinden responded that the only change to the Keeler access is that it will allow for a “left in” to the site. Commissioner Zumhagen asked about the walking paths at the south side of the development. He said he believes there are currently two access paths to the development. Mr. Hirsch agreed and said there are currently two access points that lead out. Commissioner Zumhagen mentioned the southwest corner where there are two sidewalks that cut through the Berm. Mr. Hirsch commented that they will enhance and maintain what is currently there. He said he believes the residents in the neighborhood use those two paths to the property. Commissioner Zumhagen asked if the primary screening will remain.