DeKalb Times

City of Dekalb Planning and Zoning Commission met September 19.

Here is the minutes provided by the commission:

The Planning and Zoning Commission held a Meeting on September 19, 2018 at the City of DeKalb Municipal Building, 200 S. Fourth St., DeKalb, Illinois. Chair Christina Doe called the meeting to order at 6:02 pm.

A. Roll Call

Recording Secretary, Linda Odom called the roll. Planning and Zoning Commission members present were Chair Christina Doe, Katharina Barbe, Vicki Buckley, Max Maxwell, and Jerry Wright. Commissioner David Castro was absent.

City staff present were Principal Planner, Dan Olson and Recording Secretary, Linda Odom.

B. Approval Of The Agenda (Additions/Deletions)

Chair Christina Doe requested a motion to approve the September 19, 2018 agenda as presented. Ms. Buckley motioned to approve the agenda as presented. Mr. Maxwell seconded the motion, and the motion was approved by unanimous voice vote.

C. Approval Of Minutes

Mr. Olson noted the minutes from the September 5, 2018 Commission meeting will be presented for approval at the next meeting on October 3rd.

D. Public Participation (Open Floor to Anyone Wishing to Speak on Record)

None

E. New Business

1. Public Hearing – Petition by Banner-Up Signs, applicant, and Hillcrest Covenant Church, owner, for a special use permit for a church in order to approve a waiver to Article 13.03.9 of the Unified Development Ordinance to allow an electronic changeable copy sign (digital display sign) on the subject property located at 1515 North 1st Street.

Chair Doe opened the meeting to the petitioner John Kuhn of Banner-Up Signs in Sycamore and Jen Zerby, Pastor at Hillcrest Covenant Church. Ms. Zerby talked about the church history mentioning that the congregation is around 150 people and their current sign is about 25 years old. She said they would like to replace the sign with an electronic readerboard sign. Mr. Kuhn provided a slide presentation explaining what the new sign would look like. He said the only thing that lights up will be the letters, the message center is amber in color and the church can control everything on the sign. He mentioned the church plans to have the sign on from 6am-11pm.

Mr. Olson went through the staff report dated September 14, 2018 stating that the church is asking for a special use permit for an electronic changeable copy sign (digital display sign). He noted the UDO prohibits electronic changeable copy signs, however a waiver can be granted with a special use permit. He reported the sign will not be flashing and there are currently no restrictions when the existing sign can be on. Mr. Olson mentioned the proposed sign should not be detrimental to the neighborhood and is surrounded by single family homes with the closest one about 125’ away. He noted the sign will be on the corner of Ridge Dr. and N. 1st St. He said the City received Citizen Response Forms from Sharon Pflaumer of 1623 Margaret Lane, Vickie Novak and Sonya Wiley of 1701 Judy Lane indicating they do not support the proposal. Mr. Olson also mentioned that a Citizen Response Form from Dennis & Wanda Sabin of 1501 N. 1st St., Elaine Licking representing 104 Ridge Dr. and an email from Linda Lahey of 1527 Margaret Lane were received all noting their support of the request. Mr. Olson concluded there is a sample motion recommending approval in the Commissioner’s packet.

Chair Doe gave the public a chance to speak.

Randy Bourdages representing Trinity Lutheran Church noted their support of the request. He mentioned the church requested a similar sign 15 years ago and it didn’t go through, however someday they would like to try again.

Chair Doe opened up the discussion to the Commissioners for comments or questions. Mr. Maxwell asked about the lighting intensity restrictions (e.g. 500 nits) in the recommendation. Mr. Kuhn from Banner Up Signs said the church can control the intensity and brightness and there are sensors that make it dimmer during the day and brighter at night. Mr. Wright asked if the sign could be animated. Mr. Kuhn said yes it could be programmed for that. Ms. Buckley asked if they would be open to turning it off an hour earlier at 10:00pm. The church indicated they could. Ms. Barbe asked about the color of the letters. Mr. Kuhn responded they will be orange (amber). Mr. Kuhn said there will be no movement in the sign only changes in the message. Ms. Buckley asked how the prosed sign compares with the digital display sign at Bemis Toyota (Sycamore Road) regarding brightness. Mr. Olson said they have the same restrictions as recommended for the church but is not sure on the intensity of the Bemis sign. He noted it can be programmed to change. Chair Doe asked if the blue will be lit in the sign. Mr. Kuhn said no it will only be lit behind the letters. Mr. Kuhn said the top portion would only be on when it is dark out and the bottom electronic portion would be on if they choose the times of 6am-11pm. He added that the top portion is controlled separately from the bottom portion of the sign.

Chair Doe gave the public one more chance to speak. There was none. Chair Doe asked the Commissioners if they had any more questions. There was none.

Mr. Wright moved that based upon the submitted petition and testimony presented, the Planning and Zoning Commission forward its findings of fact and recommend to the City Council approval of a Special Use Permit for a church in order to approve a waiver to Article 13.03.9 of the Unified Development Ordinance to allow an electronic changeable copy sign (digital display sign) as shown on the sign details and site plan received on August 15, 2018 prepared by Banner Up Signs labeled as Exhibit A and per the conditions as indicated on Exhibit B. Ms. Buckley seconded. Ms. Barbe made a motion to amend the original motion to restrict the time the sign could be on from 6:00am to 11:00pm. There was no second to the amended motion. Mr. Wright did not agree to the amended motion.

A roll call vote was taken. Ms. Buckley – yes, Mr. Maxwell – yes, Mr. Wright – yes, Ms. Barbe – no, Chair Doe – yes. Motion passes 4-1-1. Mr. Castro was absent.

F. Reports

Mr. Olson mentioned the next Planning and Zoning Commission meeting will be Wednesday, October 3, 2018. There will be one hearing for 209 W. Hillcrest for a garage addition that encroaches in the front and rear yard setbacks. He reported at the September 10th City Council meeting they did pass the first reading for the Home2 Suites hotel and the 2nd reading will be in front of the Council next Monday night, September 24th. Mr. Olson reported the Mayor received a resignation from Commissioner Deborah Nier and hopefully the vacancy will be filled soon. Chair Doe stated she would like to thank Deb for her service and she was a great asset to the team.

G. Adjournment

Ms. Barbe motioned to adjourn, Mr. Maxwell seconded the motion, and the motion was approved by unanimous voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 6:28 pm.

https://www.cityofdekalb.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_09192018-1451