Council Minutes 11-15-21MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF DES PLAINES, ILLINOIS HELD IN THE ELEANOR ROHRBACH
MEMORIAL COUNCIL CHAMBERS, DES PLAINES CIVIC CENTER,
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2021
CALL TO The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Des Plaines, Illinois, was called to order
ORDER by Mayor Goczkowski at 7:02 p.m. in the Eleanor Rohrbach Memorial Council Chambers,
Des Plaines Civic Center on Monday, November 15, 2021.
ROLL CALL Roll call indicated the following Aldermen present: Lysakowski, Moylan, Oskerka, Zadrozny,
Brookman, Chester, Smith. Absent: Ebrahimi A quorum was present.
Also present were: City Manager Bartholomew, Assistant City Manager/Director of Finance Wisniewski, Assistant
Director of Public Works and Engineering Watkins, Director of Community and Economic Development Carlisle, Fire
Chief Anderson, Police Chief Anderson, and General Counsel Friedman.
PRAYER AND The prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America were
PLEDGE offered by Alderman Zadrozny.
ALDERMEN Alderman Lysakowski thanked Public Works and Tom Bueser for doing an outstanding job in
ANNOUNCEMENTS the First Ward.
Alderman Brookman thanked Assistant Director of Public Works and Engineering Tim
Watkins for doing an outstanding job.
Alderman Chester mentioned he received a call from a resident stating there was not a crossing
guard at South School.
Alderman Smith reiterated a thank you to the City staff. She also asked if Public Works would
consider extending the leaf pickup due to the delay in leaf falling.
MAYORAL On March 16, 2020, a Declaration of Civil Emergency for the City of Des Plaines related to
ANNOUNCEMENTS the COVID-19 emergency was authorized. The Declaration provided that: (1) the City may
enter into contracts for the emergency purchase of goods and services; (2) the City Manager
may implement emergency staffing protocols pursuant to the City's respective collective
bargaining agreements; and (3) directed City officials and employees to cooperate with other
government agencies.
In accordance with Illinois statutes, the Mayor's Declaration lasted only for a period of seven
days, unless it was extended by action of the City Council. At each subsequent City Council
meeting, the City Council, by motion, extended the Declaration until the next adjournment of
the next special or City Council meeting. This extension of the Declaration includes the
Supplemental Order dated July 29, 2020.
Mayor Goczkowski presented an extension to the Declaration of Civil Emergency.
Moved by Brookman, seconded by Oskerka, to extend the March 16, 2020 Declaration of Civil
Emergency until the adjournment of the next regular, special, or emergency meeting of the
City Council.
Upon roll call, the vote was:
AYES: 7 - Lysakowski, Moylan, Oskerka, Zadrozny,
Brookman, Chester, Smith
NAYS: 0 - None
ABSENT: 1 - Ebrahimi
Motion declared carried.
Page 2 of 16
CONSENT AGENDA Moved by Moylan, seconded by Zadrozny, to establish the Consent Agenda.
Upon voice vote, the vote was:
AYES: 7 - Lysakowski, Moylan, Oskerka, Zadrozny,
Brookman, Chester, Smith
NAYS: 0 - None
ABSENT: 1 - Ebrahimi
Motion declared carried.
Moved by Brookman, seconded by Oskerka, to approve the Consent Agenda.
Upon roll call, the vote was:
AYES: 7 - Lysakowski, Moylan, Oskerka, Zadrozny,
Brookman, Chester, Smith
NAYS: 0 - None
ABSENT: 1 - Ebrahimi
Motion declared carried.
11/15/21
Minutes were approved; Ordinance M-28-21, M-29-21 were approved; Ordinance M-26-21,
M-27-21 were adopted; Resolutions R-180-21, R-181-21, R-182-21, R-183-21, R-184-21, R-
188-21, R-191-21 were adopted.
AMEND CITY Moved by Brookman, seconded by Oskerka to Approve First Reading of Ordinance M-28-21,
CODE/ CLASS B LIQ AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY CODE TO ADD ONE CLASS `B" LIQUOR
LIC/ 1670 S RIVER LICENSE. Motion declared carried as approved unanimously under Consent Agenda.
RD
Consent Agenda
Ordinance
M-28-21
TER DESIG/ TIF NO. Moved by Brookman, seconded by Oskerka to Approve First Reading of Ordinance M-29-21,
1/ REDEV PROJ AN ORDINANCE TERMINATING THE DESIGNATION OF TIF NO. 1 AS A
AREA REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT AREA UNDER THE TAX INCREMENT ALLOCATION
Consent Agenda REDEVELOPMENT ACT. Motion declared carried as approved unanimously under Consent
Agenda.
Ordinance
M-29-21
AUTH PROC/ ROCK
SALT/ COMPASS
MINERALS
AMERICA. INC
Consent Agenda
Resolution
R-180-21
APPROVE MSTR
CNTRCT/ PLUMB
SVCS/JOS
SERVICES. INC
Consent Agenda
Resolution
R-181-21
Moved by Brookman, seconded by Oskerka to Approve Resolution R-180-21 A
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PROCUREMENT OF ROCK SALT FROM
COMPASS MINERALS AMERICA, INC. Motion declared carried as approved unanimously
under Consent Agenda.
Moved by Brookman, seconded by Oskerka to Approve Resolution R-181-21, A
RESOLUTION APPROVING A MASTER CONTRACT WITH, JOS SERVICES, INC. FOR
PLUMBING SERVICES. Motion declared carried as approved unanimously under Consent
Agenda.
Page 3 of 16 11/15/21
APPROVE MSTR Moved by Brookman, seconded by Oskerka to Approve Resolution R-182-21 A
CNTRCT/ ELEC RESOLUTION APPROVING A MASTER CONTRACT WITH SUPER ELECTRIC
SVCS/ SUPER CONSTRUCTION COMPANY FOR ELECTRICAL SERVICES. Motion declared carried
ELECTRIC as approved unanimously under Consent Agenda.
CONSTRUCTION
COMPANY
Consent Agenda
Resolution
R-182-21
APPROVE AGRMT/ Moved by Brookman, seconded by Oskerka to Approve Resolution R-183-21, A
IDOT & CBBEL/ RESOLUTION APPROVING THE EXECUTION OF A LOCAL AGENCY AGREEMENT
OAKTON ST WITH IDOT AND AN ENGINEERING SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH CHRISTOPHER
SIDEPATH PROJ B. BURKE ENGINEERING, LTD. IN CONNECTION WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF
Consent Agenda THE OAKTON STREET SIDEPATH PROJECT. Motion declared carried as approved
unanimously under Consent Agenda.
Resolution
R-183-21
APPROVE TASK Moved by Brookman, seconded by Oskerka to Approve Resolution R-184-21, A
ORD NO. 7/ PROF RESOLUTION APPROVING TASK ORDER NO. 7 UNDER A MASTER CONTRACT
ENGR SVCS/ WITH CHRISTOPHER B. BURKE ENGINEERING, LTD. FOR PROFESSIONAL
CHRISTOPHER B. ENGINEERING SERVICES. Motion declared carried as approved unanimously under
BURKE Consent Agenda.
ENGINEERING,
LTD
Consent Agenda
Resolution
R-184-21
SECOND READING/ Moved by Brookman, seconded by Oskerka to Approve Ordinance M-26-21, AN
ORDINANCE ORDINANCE LEVYING TAXES FOR THE CITY OF DES PLAINES, COOK COUNTY,
M-26-21 ILLINOIS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2021 AND ENDING
Consent Agenda DECEMBER 31, 2021. Motion declared carried as approved unanimously under Consent
Agenda.
SECOND READING/ Moved by Brookman, seconded by Oskerka to Approve Ordinance M-27-21, AN
ORDINANCE ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 10-8-2 OF THE CITY CODE OF THE CITY OF DES
M-27-21 PLAINES REGARDING LOCAL AMENDMENTS TO THE NATIONAL ELECTRICAL
Consent Agenda CODE. Motion declared carried as approved unanimously under Consent Agenda.
APPROVE AGRMT/ Moved by Brookman, seconded by Oskerka to Approve Resolution R-188-21, A
ST SWEEPING RESOLUTION APPROVING AN AGREEMENT WITH LAKESHORE RECYCLING
SVCS/ LAKESHORE SYSTEMS FOR STREET SWEEPING SERVICES. Motion declared carried as approved
RECYCLING unanimously under Consent Agenda.
SYSTEMS
Consent Agenda
Resolution
R-188-21
Page 4 of 16 11/15/21
APPROVE Moved by Brookman, seconded by Oskerka to Approve the Minutes of the City Council
MINUTES meeting of November 1, 2021, as published. Motion declared carried as approved
Consent Agenda unanimously under Consent Agenda.
APPROVE Moved by Brookman, seconded by Oskerka to Approve the Closed Session Minutes of the
MINUTES City Council meeting of November 1, 2021, as published. Motion declared carried as approved
Consent Agenda unanimously under Consent Agenda.
APPROVE ASGMT/ Moved by Brookman, seconded by Oskerka to Approve Resolution R-191-21, RESOLUTION
LEASE AGRMT OF APPROVING THE ASSIGNMENT OF LEASE AGREEMENT WITH ONESTI
DES PLAINES ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION FOR THE OPERATION OF THE DES PLAINES
THEATRE/ ONESTI THEATRE TO ONESTI DPT INC. Motion declared carried as approved unanimously under
DPT INC Consent Agenda.
Consent Agenda
Resolution
R-191-21
NEW BUSINESS
FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION — Alderman Zadrozny, Chair
WARRANT Alderman Zadrozny presented the Warrant Register.
REGISTER
Resolution Alderman Smith questioned the Elrod and Friedman billing; she also questioned what the
R-186-21 attorney fees were when the City had an in-house attorney.
Moved by Chester, seconded by Oskerka, to Approve the Warrant Register of
November 15, 2021 in the Amount of $3,088,302.07 and approve Resolution R-186-21.
Upon roll call, the vote was:
AYES: 7 - Lysakowski, Moylan, Oskerka, Zadrozny,
Brookman, Chester, Smith
NAYS: 0 - None
ABSENT: 1 - Ebrahimi
Motion declared carried.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT — Alderman Chester, Chair
CONSIDERATION
Director of Community and Economic Development Carlisle reviewed a memorandum dated
OF SUPPORTING
November 4, 2021.
AND CONSENTING
TO THE APPROVAL
Applicant TMI Properties, LLC (TMT) is the contract purchaser of 25 Howard Avenue from
OF CLASS 613 seller TMG Real Estate Holdings, LLC. The applicant is requesting a resolution supporting a
CLASSIFICATION Cook County Class 6b Property Tax Incentive (6b), which is designed to encourage industrial
FOR THE investment by reducing the assessment level of eligible properties for 12 years, with possible
PROPERTY renewal for an additional 12 years if supported by the City and approved by Cook County at
LOCATED AT 25 that time. This application is based on the eligibility criterion of substantial re -occupancy of
HOWARD AVENUE "abandoned" property. In general, "abandoned" means unused for at least 24 continuous
Resolution months; however, the City may find that a "special circumstance" exists whereby abandonment
R-187-21 does not require a 24 -month period of full inactivity. The applicant seeks a special -
circumstance determination because the previous occupant, Montana Metals, has been winding
down operations since September 2021, when it auctioned off all assets at the subject property.
A notarized vacancy affidavit attests to complete vacancy of the property by November 15,
2021.
Page 5 of 16 11/15/21
The subject property consists of an approximately 97,567 -square -foot industrial building on a
3.74- acre site. As the new owner, TMI plans to lease the property to two tenants, both currently
in Elk Grove Village: Jack Lewin Associates, Inc. (JLA) and Filtering Services, Inc. (FSI).
JLA will use their portion of the property for warehousing and distribution. Their business
involves container unloading/freight forwarding, e-commerce fulfillments, retail distribution,
warehousing, display -building, and the attendant transportation and logistics operations. FSI
is a distributor of commercial and industrial filtration products and services, such as HVAC,
compressed air, and oil/gas filtration. They also provide change -out services (i.e. changing
filters) for industrial and commercial facilities, contractors, hospitals, and public buildings.
TMI pledges a qualifying -improvement total cost of $564,908 over the life of the incentive.
Pledged improvements include $144,908 in recent interior office renovation (2020), $300,000
on fagade work (new panels), $50,000 toward LED warehouse and exterior lighting, $40,000
on painting, and $30,000 on dock and exterior doors. The total pledged improvements amount
to only $5.79 per square foot, less than the $10 required by the City. However, the City Council
may grant a waiver, considering the notable investment in the property in 2018 and 2019 —
before the life of the proposed incentive — that included a new parking lot and substantial
fagade work (total of more than $330,000). Further, the proposed tenants will collectively bring
60 full-time jobs initially to Des Plaines, with an additional 12 pledged over the next five years.
Consider that closing of former tenant Montana Metals was a loss of an estimated 57 jobs.
Summary of Tax Scenarios:
1. Estimated annual taxes for 10 years, as is (no improvements, no 6b, vacancy): $33,247
2. Estimated annual taxes for 10 years with proposed improvements with a 6b: $224,227
3. Estimated annual taxes for 10 years with proposed improvements without a 6b:
$560,561
The applicant asserts that Scenario No. 3. is not feasible because the sale of and future
investments in the property, occupancy by the proposed tenants, and jobs to be created rely on
the 6b.
The applicant projects that Scenario No. 2, which reflects 6b approval and all of the pledged
property investment, will result in $2,628,113 in greater property tax revenue over the 12 -year
life of the incentive compared with Scenario No. 1, which assumes a vacant building and no
additional improvements.
Resident Walter Underwood does not believe the property meets the criteria for a Class 6B
Tax Incentive.
A representative of the applicant gave his opinion on why he believes the property should
qualify for a Class 6B Tax Incentive.
Moved by Brookman, seconded by Chester, to Approve the Resolution R-187-21, A
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING AND CONSENTING TO THE APPROVAL OF CLASS 6b
CLASSIFICATION FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 25 HOWARD AVENUE, DES
PLAINES, ILLINOIS.
Upon roll call, the vote was:
AYES: 7 - Lysakowski, Moylan, Oskerka, Zadrozny,
Brookman, Chester, Smith
NAYS: 0 - None
ABSENT: 1 - Ebrahimi
Motion declared carried.
CONSIDER Director of Community and Economic Development Carlisle reviewed a memorandum dated
AMENDING THE November 4, 2021.
Page 6 of 16 11/15/21
TEXT OF THE Collective and Shared Parking
ZONING The City Council is to consider Zoning Ordinance amendments related to multiple off-street
ORDINANCE parking regulations. The following areas of the Ordinance are addressed: (1) Section 12-9-3 to
REGARDING OFF- establish distance and context limitations to using a separate, privately owned zoning lot to
STREET PARKING fulfill a portion of an off-street parking requirement; (2) Sections 12-13-3, 12-9-6, 12-11-5,
IN APPROVED and 12-11-6 to establish definitions for electric vehicle charging spaces and supply equipment,
PLANNED UNIT and to create allowances and limitations on quantity, location, dimensions, design, and signage;
DEVELOPMENTS, and (3) Section 12-3-5 to allow existing PUDs to retrofit parking with accessible or electric
COLLECTIVE OFF- vehicle charging without requiring a Major Change process
STREET PARKING,
AND ELECTRIC In general, the City wants to foster the efficient use of land and to give businesses,
VEHICLE organizations, and developments flexibility in how they meet their off-street parking
CHARGING requirements. The Zoning Ordinance, which establishes the City's off-street parking rules,
PARKING SPACES currently attempts to make allowances for when a particular property does not have enough
(CASE #21 -038 -TA) on-site parking to accommodate a proposed use. While the most typical and preferred
Ordinance arrangement is for each property to have enough parking on its own site for all uses served,
Z-55-21 occasionally this is not feasible. Additionally, it is somewhat common that a.) uses within a
given area do not operate at the same time and b.) some parking facilities have excess spaces
beyond the requirements of the uses served. For these reasons the City tries not to turn away
potential users simply because the property they desire to occupy is deficient in on-site parking.
Therefore, in Section 12-9-3 the Ordinance provides for how uses can capitalize on shared or
off-site parking.
In summary, the recommended amendments do the following:
• Clarify zoning administrator and City Council authority to approve shared or off-site
parking, depending on the process;
• Rewords "reduction" in off-street parking requirement instead as a "fulfillment";
• Requires that shared parking agreements be kept current and filed with the Department
of Community and Economic Development; and
• Reorganizes and adds to the limitations for when shared, off-site parking on privately -
owned zoning lots is possible. These are the proposed new limitations:
o The off-site parking must be within 1,000 feet of a non-residential use served
and 500 feet of a residential use served, excluding single-family attached and
detached homes from the allowance. The distance would be measured from
zoning lot line to zoning lot line; and
o Walking between any required off-site space to the use served cannot require
at -grade crossing of roadways classified by the Illinois Department of
Transportation as arterials, except for arterials in downtown Des Plaines and
other select corridors where there are ample signalized intersections and cross-
sections of road that are feasible to cross safely.
Electric Vehicle Charging Spaces
As electric vehicles (EV) become more common, the need for charging is increasing. While
some EV owners have a charging port at their homes, many do not, or they drive frequently
enough or for long enough durations and distances that they must charge away from home.
Commercial vehicles such as those used in freight and delivery are also becoming part of the
EV market. In fact, Des Plaines already has two charging spaces in a public lot at the northeast
corner of Ellinwood and Lee Street, adjacent to the library. Charging spaces that are generally
open to the public — whether on public or private property — usually operate on three models:
1.) Users pay to charge, either per unit of energy or based on a subscription; 2.) property owners
pay for the vendor for the charging equipment to attract or serve a market of customers or
employees who need EV charging; and/or 3.) charging is free or very low-cost because the
ports display advertisements.
Page 7 of 16 11/15/21
Attempting to address the reasonably foreseeable circumstances without over -regulating,
amendments are proposed that would do the following:
• Establish term definitions in Section 12-13-13 for "Electric Vehicle Charging Space"
and "Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment," with the latter covering charging ports and
all necessary structures adjacent to the charging spaces; The definition for "Electric
Vehicle Charging Space" allows these spaces to count for up to 5 percent of an off-
street parking minimum (e.g. one space within a 20 -space requirement; 5 spaces within
a 100 -space requirement; 10 spaces within a 500 -space requirement), with no
limitation if the EV spaces are allocated from the supply beyond the requirement;
o The definition excludes private residential facilities so as not to affect those
who, for example, choose to install one EV charging space in their two -car
home garage. This is already allowed and is not intended to be changed.
• Address in Section 12-9-6 where and how EV charging spaces may be marked within
parking facilities and limit the height of charging ports (maximum 8 feet), area of
identification signage (1.5 square feet), and reinforce landscaping requirements;
• Amend Sections 12-11-5 and 12-11-6 to create a limited allowance for electronic
message board signs embedded within charging ports, with a maximum area of 6
square feet and copy limited to businesses for which the sign is intended; and
• Carve out a "minor change" circumstance in 12-3-5 for PUDs when
repurposing/restriping parking spaces for EV charging or additional mobility impaired
accessible parking.
o The Illinois Accessibility Code changes from time to time, imposing greater
requirements
o Minor changes may be approved administratively, without a public hearing
and months -long public process. These amendments are designed to avoid an
onerous approval process for property owners/managers who chose to allocate
more accessible parking than is required.
On September 14, 2021, the PZB voted 6-0 to recommend approval of the portion of the
amendments related to electric vehicle charging. The Board continued the hearing to October
26, 2021, for additional research and revisions related to collective and shared parking. At the
continuation of the hearing, the Board voted 5-0 to recommend approval.
Moved by Brookman, seconded by Smith, to Approve the Ordinance Z-55-21 as amended with
staff making the appropriate changes that the parking distance be limited to 300 feet and the
300 -foot distance from the main entrance of the building in use to the closest lot line of the
off-site parking be used, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE TEXT OF THE ZONING
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF DES PLAINES REGARDING OFF-STREET PARKING
IN APPROVED PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENTS, COLLECTIVE OFF-STREET
PARKING, AND ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING PARKING SPACES (CASE #21 -038 -
TA).
Upon voice vote, the vote was:
AYES: 7 - Lysakowski, Moylan, Oskerka, Zadromy,
Brookman, Chester, Smith
NAYS: 0 - None
ABSENT: 1 - Ebrahimi
Motion declared carried.
Alderman Brookman expressed it was her understanding the Ordinance was supposed to be
voted on as two separate items, collective/shared parking and electric vehicle charging spaces,
since she believes the content is unrelated.
General Counsel Friedman stated per City Code, Ordinances cannot be divided unless
otherwise specified.
Page 8 of 16 11/15/21
Moved by Brookman, seconded by Smith, to Reconsider the Ordinance Z-55-21, AN
ORDINANCE AMENDING THE TEXT OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
OF DES PLAINES REGARDING OFF-STREET PARKING IN APPROVED PLANNED
UNIT DEVELOPMENTS, COLLECTIVE OFF-STREET PARKING, AND ELECTRIC
VEHICLE CHARGING PARKING SPACES (CASE #21 -038 -TA).
Upon roll call, the vote was:
AYES: 4 - Zadrozny, Brookman, Chester, Smith
NAYS: 3 - Lysakowski, Moylan, Oskerka
ABSENT: 1 - Ebrahimi
Motion declared carried.
Moved by Brookman, seconded by Smith, to Approve the Ordinance Z-55-21 as amended in
regards to the collective parking discussion, and to Deny and Table any proposed ordinances
related to electric vehicles, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE TEXT OF THE ZONING
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF DES PLAINES REGARDING OFF-STREET PARKING
IN APPROVED PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENTS, COLLECTIVE OFF-STREET
PARKING, AND ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING PARKING SPACES (CASE #21 -038 -
TA).
Upon roll call, the vote was:
AYES: 2 - Brookman, Smith
NAYS: 5- Lysakowski, Moylan, Oskerka,
Zadrozny, Chester
ABSENT: 1 - Ebrahimi
Motion declared failed.
Moved by Brookman, seconded by Smith, to Defer the Ordinance Z-55-21 to direct staff to
make it two separate Ordinances, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE TEXT OF THE
ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF DES PLAINES REGARDING OFF-STREET
PARKING IN APPROVED PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENTS, COLLECTIVE OFF-
STREET PARKING, AND ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING PARKING SPACES (CASE
#21 -038 -TA).
Upon roll call, the vote was:
AYES: 2 - Brookman, Smith
NAYS: 5- Lysakowski, Moylan, Oskerka,
Zadrozny, Chester
ABSENT: 1 - Ebrahimi
Motion declared failed.
Moved by Moylan, seconded by Lysakowski, to Approve the Ordinance Z-55-21 with the
original amendments regarding the off-street collective parking and with the electric vehicle
charging information unchanged, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE TEXT OF THE
ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF DES PLAINES REGARDING OFF-STREET
PARKING IN APPROVED PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENTS, COLLECTIVE OFF-
STREET PARKING, AND ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING PARKING SPACES (CASE
#21 -038 -TA).
Upon roll call, the vote was:
AYES: 6- Lysakowski, Moylan, Oskerka,
Zadrozny, Chester, Smith
NAYS: 0- None
PRESENT I- Brookman
ABSENT: 1- Ebrahimi
Motion declared carried.
Page 9 of 16 11/15/21
CONSIDER
Director of Community and Economic Development Carlisle reviewed a memorandum dated
GRANTING A
October 28, 2021.
CONDITIONAL USE
PERMIT AND
The petitioner is requesting the following items: (i) a Conditional Use as required by Section
MAJOR
12-7- 3(K) of the Zoning Ordinance to allow a livery service in the M-2 zoning district; (ii)
VARIATIONS FOR
Major Variations from Section 12-10-8(A) to provide relief from the interior parking lot
THE OPERATIONS
landscaping requirements; (iii) a Major Variation from Section 12-10-8(B) to provide relief
OF A LIVERY
from the perimeter parking lot landscaping requirements; (iv) a Major Variation from Section
SERVICE USE AND
12-10-10 to provide relief from the foundation landscaping requirements; and (v) a Major
MAJOR
Variation from Section 12-10-9 to provide relief from the landscape buffer requirements.
VARIATIONS AT
580 S. WOLF RD
The petitioner, Transport Properties, LLC, has requested a Conditional Use for a Livery
Ordinance
Service Use and several variations for landscaping and screening at 580 S. Wolf Road. The
Z-56-21
8.5 -acre subject property is situated in between two separate railroads to its west and south,
and is within the M-2 General Manufacturing district, where a Livery Service is a conditional
use. The Plat of Survey shows a main building on the northeast side of the lot and multiple
other structures throughout the remainder of the site, most notably a concrete production tower
("batch plant"). These are surrounded by paved, semi -paved, and gravel areas. Access to the
subject property is available off Wolf Road only. At one time, there was a southern access road
utilized off Thacker Street. However, this access point would be closed off and not be utilized
for this use.
The petitioner wishes to remove all structures on site with the exception of the existing main
building: a one-story warehouse building with the two-story attached office space located on
the northeast corner of the site and fill the remainder of the lot with 16 passenger vehicle and
236 bus parking. The petitioner wishes to utilize the existing 24,690 -square -foot, one-story
warehouse portion of the building for bus maintenance and storage, and use the two-story
office portion (6,430 -square foot first level and 2,433 -square foot second level) of the building
for all office activities. The proposal does not include changes to the exterior of the building,
as the petitioner is interested in utilizing the existing doors, windows, building materials, and
finishes as indicated in the Building Plans. The petitioner's proposal also includes site
improvements such as the addition of a new paved and striped parking area, landscaping along
the perimeter of the parking lot area, new interior parking lot landscape beds, new turf areas,
a 5,000 -gallon fuel tank, and proposed screening with an eight -foot -tall fence around the entire
site. Staff has added a condition that the dumpster shall be stored inside the building except
during trash pickup days.
The proposed floor plan includes a 5,570 -square -foot first -floor office area, 2,212 -square -foot
second floor office area, an 8,407 -square -foot service bay area, and a 15,568 -square -foot bus
equipment and storage area, totaling 27,123 square feet. Note that the floor area calculation
excludes bathrooms, mechanical rooms, hallways, stairwells, and storage areas up to ten
percent of the entire
The initial tenant for the livery service, First Student, anticipates having approximately 150
school buses parked on the subject property with an additional 10-15 buses typically in service
for maintenance or repair. Roughly 20-25 office, dispatch, and maintenance employees will be
on the subject property during a.m. and p.m. shifts. For the a.m. shift, maintenance employees
arrive starting at 5 a.m., and shift bus drivers will arrive starting at 6:15 a.m. for 6:30 a.m.
departures. Bus service during the morning shift will be staggered starting at 6 a.m. and ending
around 9:30 am. The shift cross-over is between 11 a.m. and noon. For the p.m. shift, bus
service shift will be staggered starting at 1 p.m. with buses returning by 5:30 pm. Afternoon
shift workers will leave at 5:30 pm. A majority of the bus operations will occur during the
regular school year from mid-August through early June. However, roughly 20-25 buses will
be utilized during the summer months for the summer school season.
Page 10 of 16 11/15/21
The petitioner submitted a traffic study by KLOA, Inc. to assess the anticipated impact of the
new livery service on the subject property and surrounding infrastructure. The traffic study
concludes that the anticipated traffic volumes of this use would be primarily generated outside
of peak hours of adjacent roadway traffic on Wolf road. There were no concerns that the
existing access system is sufficient to handle the proposed livery service. However, it was
noted that "additional evaluation" should occur regarding the at -grade railroad crossing on
Wolf Road, just south of the entrance to the subject property (in other words, there is some
concern about bus queueing and backup around the tracks). It was suggested that bus routing
and/or departure time could be adjusted to limit the number of buses utilizing the railroad
crossing on Wolf Road—meaning that buses could be routed mostly to the north (left) when
leaving the property and would return from the same direction, generally avoiding the tracks.
Consider, however, that this would add to traffic that would likely come to the Golf -Wolf
intersection approximately a half -mile to the north.
Whether buses are required to come to a complete stop each and every time they cross the
tracks is a question the petitioner should be prepared to address. The PZB determined that a
routing plan shall be added to the submittal prior to consideration of the City Council to discuss
how the routing system works, how it responses to changing conditions, and how it is affected
by school bell times.
Regarding sound impacts, consider the proposed user (First Student) will consist of many
school vehicles that have an audible backing sound/beep. The petitioner writes that upon
returning to the facility each night, vehicles would be backed in, causing the concentration of
the sound to occur in mid-to-late afternoons instead of early in the morning. In addition, like
all vehicles, there is sound from engine start-up. Transport Properties would discourage First
Student from idling, except when required for vehicle maintenance.
The petitioner is also requesting several variations with the conditional use request regarding
landscape requirements. The original request included a variation to reduce the required
number of off-street parking spaces on the subject property from 31 to sixteen. However, as
stated above and noted in the Livery Service definition in Section 12-13-3 of the Zoning
Ordinance, the livery service use shall follow the parking regulation for offices to
accommodate employee, guest, and livery service related vehicle parking. This allows the
proposed bus parking spaces to be factored into the total off-street parking space calculation,
negating the need for a variation.
The petitioner has also requested several variations pertaining to landscape requirements. Due
to the nature of the use, the requested variations for relief from interior parking lot landscaping
requirements—specifically quantity of trees and location of landscape areas— could be
warranted based on design, as the request does intend to provide a substantial amount of
landscaping throughout the site where there is currently none. Conversely, perimeter parking
lot landscaping, landscape buffering, and foundation landscaping are paramount to bringing
the existing property closer to conformance with the Zoning Ordinance and are arguably
achievable given the layout of the subject property, the existing building, and the property's
close proximity to single-family development on three of its four sides.
The PZB recommended (4-1) that the City Council approve the request with conditions via
Ordinance Z-56-21, which approves a conditional use and major variations, subject to the
following conditions.
Conditions of Approval:
1. That a public sidewalk is installed across the subject property's frontage along Wolf
Road to the applicable specifications of the Des Plaines Municipal Code and additional
governmental agency regulations as necessary.
2. The dumpster shall be stored inside the building except during trash pickup days. If a
future trash enclosure is pursued, a building permit with plans for the dumpster
Page 11 of 16 11/15/21
enclosure in compliance with Section 12-10-11 of the Zoning Ordinance shall be
submitted to staff.
3. The Site Plan shall be revised to contain all required accessible parking spaces with
the required striping and dimensions and resubmitted at the time of building
permitting.
4. A Photometric Plan in compliance with Section 12-12-10 of the Zoning Ordinance
shall be submitted to staff at time of building permit.
5. The use shall be monitored regularly for compliance with the Environmental
Performance Standards in Chapter 12 of the Zoning Ordinance, particularly regarding
sound/noise. Sufficient documentation regarding the proposed fuel tank shall be
submitted with the application for a building permit to suffice for a Fire and life safety
approval, pursuant to Sections 12-12-3 and 12-12-4.
6. Added by the PZB: The petitioner shall evaluate the travel paths of the school buses
to determine if there are any opportunities to reroute them and minimize the number
of buses that will travel to/from the south on Wolf Road and cross the railroad tracks.
7. Added by the PZB: The petitioner shall monitor the operations of the facility annually
after opening to determine if any adjustments to the routing and times of departure will
be necessary.
Representatives from Transport Properties and First Student gave an overview of what they
are proposing for the property, operations, and traffic consulting.
A representative from Lafarge Holcim gave an overview of former truck traffic for Meyer
Concrete.
The general manager from Lafarge Aggregates spoke regarding the current lease of the
property and the possible use of the site if the Ordinance is not approved.
Resident Bruce Ahlman discussed the issues the residents have had with the Meyer property
over the years. He mentioned the consent decree they previously obtained, and how it protected
the residents. He also discussed the regulations and current requirements by OSHA and EPA
for concrete operation and the teardown of a concrete plant. He also asked the City to protect
the neighborhoods no matter what business is located on this property.
Resident Marlen Garcia questioned the operations of the bus company on the weekends; she
also urged the City to look out for their residents. She mentioned how important the consent
decree is for the neighborhoods.
Alderman Brookman stated there is a possibility the consent decree may have been invalidated
when the zoning was changed for this property. Alderman Brookman asked Director of
Community and Economic Development Carlisle to look into this matter.
Resident Jim Murray laid out how he believes the traffic will be exacerbated by the buses
especially at high traffic times and when a there is train, due to the number of buses and the
time it takes for the buses to stop at the tracks.
Resident Walter Underwood stated how the dust issue from the property is unbearable. He also
mentioned how the train crossing will be a problem, and the traffic will be worse by adding a
large number of buses. He asked for a sound barrier to be added to protect the residents. He
questioned why the fuel tank for the bus company needs to be against the train tracks which
can be dangerous since objects can fall off the train or be dislodged by the train which could
hit the fuel tank; the container is also near houses causing a possible hazardous condition. He
questioned where all of the employees of the bus company will park.
Page 12 of 16 11/15/21
Resident Artin Kendimian asked if this area is residential or industrial; he then questioned that
if it is industrial, why is there a park and a large number of homes in the same area.
Moved by Zadrozny, seconded by Brookman, to Defer the Ordinance Z-56-21 to the next City
Council Meeting on December 6, 2021, AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A CONDITIONAL
USE PERMIT AND MAJOR VARIATIONS FOR THE OPERATIONS OF A LIVERY
SERVICE USE AND MAJOR VARIATIONS AT 580 S. WOLF ROAD, DES PLAINES, IL
Upon voice vote, the vote was:
AYES: 7 - Lysakowski, Moylan, Oskerka, Zadrozny,
Brookman, Chester, Smith
NAYS: 0 - None
ABSENT: 1 - Ebrahimi
Motion declared carried.
CONSIDER
Director of Community and Economic Development Carlisle reviewed a memorandum dated
APPROVING
November 8, 2021.
COMPLIANCE AND
TEMPORARY
The Holiday Inn Express and Suites hotel is at 3001 Mannheim Road in the Orchards at O'Hare
ABEYANCE OF
development. The hotel has been operating a commercial parking lot use, as defined in Section
ENFORCEMENT
12-13-3 of the Zoning Ordinance, since approximately mid-July 2021, when first documented
AGREEMENT
by City staff. Commercial parking was not one of the approved uses of the planned unit
BETWEEN THE
development, the final plat for which was approved by Ordinance Z-18-16 and amended by
CITY OF DES
Ordinance Z-10-19. A commercial parking lot also requires a conditional use in the underlying
PLAINES,
C-3 district. Therefore, its operation is a zoning violation.
PROMINENCE
HOSPITALITY
Additionally, for property ownership to begin to receive financial incentives agreed upon in
GROUP, AND
the Redevelopment Agreement with the City, ownership has requested a waiver of a pre-
O'HARE REAL
condition in the agreement. Citing the COVID-19 pandemic, ownership asks that the
ESTATE LLC AND
requirement to produce a letter of intent ("LOI") with a restaurant operator for development of
WAIVING A
the "restaurant parcel" of the Orchards at O'Hare subdivision be waived. This waiver is related
CONDITION OF
only to the financial incentives. The compliance agreement stipulates ownership must continue
FINANCIAL
to market the site for restaurant development.
INCENTIVE
CLOSING
Recognizing the financial difficulties of the hotel operator, as well as the importance of the
Resolution
overall health of the Orchards at O'Hare development to Des Plaines, the City is proposing a
R-189-21
formal agreement to suspend enforcement of the zoning violation for 12 months, through
November 15, 2022. This will allow the hotel in the immediate term to continue to operate the
commercial parking use, which consists of non -hotel visitors (typically O'Hare Airport
travelers) reserving a parking space through third -party apps and websites. The commercial
parking is providing an ancillary revenue stream to the hotel, the business for which was
significantly impacted by COVID-19. The property lies within the O'Hare Corridor Privilege
Area and is subject to a $1 per car daily parking tax, which has not been remitted to the City
for the duration of the non -permitted activity.
Therefore, the compliance agreement stipulates the following requirements for property
ownership:
• Pay a $500 fine to settle the initial violation;
• Pay $6,100 as an estimated amount of parking tax due to the City since July, then file
with the Finance Department to begin remitting the tax for future activity;
• Apply for a Parking Lot Permit from the City as required by Section 7-7-2 of the City's
Code of Ordinances and maintain the permit in good standing at all times when
conducting the Commercial Parking;
• Confine the commercial parking activity to the hotel parcel and the restaurant parcel
in the development;
Page 13 of 16 11/15/21
• Prevent commercial parking from interfering with the parking needs of the hotel or
any other development and business activity within the Planned Development
Property, avoiding a parking shortage for any existing use within the development;
• Conduct commercial parking only on a hard, all-weather, dustless surface in
permanently striped parking spaces, with drive aisle widths and parking space
dimensions that comply with Section 12-9-6 of the Zoning Ordinance;
• Maintain all portions of the Orchards at O'Hare development free of nuisances and
undue service demand from the City of Des Plaines, including but not limited to
property maintenance code enforcement and public safety (Police and Fire);
• Continue to make all commercially reasonable and diligent efforts to identify and
pursue an entity to develop and operate a freestanding restaurant on the restaurant
parcel, as contemplated in the Redevelopment Agreement for Orchards at O'Hare; and
• By February 15, 2022, apply to the Department of Community and Economic
Development to seek an amendment to the planned unit development for Orchards at
O'Hare and a conditional use for commercial parking.
Moved by Chester, seconded by Brookman, to Approve the Resolution R-189-21, A
RESOLUTION APPROVING COMPLIANCE AND TEMPORARY ABEYANCE OF
ENFORCEMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF DES PLAINES,
PROMINENCE HOSPITALITY GROUP, AND O'HARE REAL ESTATE LLC AND
WAIVING A CONDITION OF FINANCIAL INCENTIVE CLOSING.
Upon roll call, the vote was:
AYES: 7 - Lysakowski, Moylan, Oskerka, Zadrozny,
Brookman, Chester, Smith
NAYS: 0 - None
ABSENT: 1 - Ebrahimi
Motion declared carried.
PUBLIC SAFETY — Alderman Oskerka, Chair
CONSIDER A
City Manager Bartholomew reviewed a memorandum dated November 4, 2021.
RESOLUTION
APPROVING AN
The consideration is an intergovernmental agreement among the Village of Mount Prospect,
INTERGOV
the Village of Elk Grove Village, the City of Des Plaines, and the Elk Grove Rural Fire
AGREEMENT
Protection District for the coordination, planning, funding, and provision of fire protection and
BETWEEN THE
emergency medical services to certain unincorporated areas in Cook County.
VILLAGE OF
MOUNT PROPECT,
The Elk Grove Fire Protection District (District) is responsible for providing fire and
THE VILLAGE OF
emergency medical services for unincorporated properties within the Elk Grove Township.
ELK GROVE
The District covers several unincorporated areas between Elk Gove Village, Mount Prospect,
VILLAGE, THE
and Des Plaines; and has an annual call volume around 902 calls. Of 902 calls, 325 calls are
CITY OF DES
District calls in the unincorporated area and 577 are mutual aid calls in other municipalities.
PLAINES AND THE
ELK GROVE
The District has been operating in a structural deficit for the last several years.
RURAL FI"
PROTECTION
After evaluating several options, the most practical long-term solution was an
DISTRICT FOR THE
intergovernmental shared services agreement with the City of Des Plaines, Elk Grove Village,
COORDINATION,
and the Village of Mount Prospect. An Intergovernmental Agreement has been drafted to
PLANNING,
establish fire and EMS responsibilities of the three municipal fire departments, establish a
FUNDING AND
funding mechanism to fund these services, and outline the eventual wind down of the Elk
PROVISION OF
Grove Rural Fire Protection District.
FIRE PROTECTION
AND EMERGENCY
Staff recommends that the City of Des Plaines enter into an intergovernmental agreement with
MEDICAL
the above-mentioned agencies for the purposes set forth in the agreement.
Page 14 of 16 11/15/21
SERVICES TO Moved by Oskerka, seconded by Chester, to Approve the Resolution R-190-21, A
CERTAIN UNINC RESOLUTION APPROVING AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN
AREAS IN COOK THE VILLAGE OF MOUNT PROPECT, THE VILLAGE OF ELK GROVE VILLAGE, THE
COUNTY CITY OF DES PLAINES AND THE ELK GROVE RURAL FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
Resolution FOR THE COORDINATION, PLANNING, FUNDING AND PROVISION OF FIRE
R-190-21 PROTECTION AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES TO CERTAIN
UNINCORPORATED AREAS IN COOK COUNTY.
Upon roll call, the vote was:
AYES: 7 - Lysakowski, Moylan, Oskerka, Zadrozny,
Brookman, Chester, Smith
NAYS: 0 - None
ABSENT: 1 - Ebrahimi
Motion declared carried.
CONSIDER AN City Manager Bartholomew reviewed a memorandum dated November 8, 2021.
ORDINANCE
AMENDING The City Council is to consider approval of the proposed amendments to Title 2, Chapter 6 of
CHAPTER 6 OF the City Code concerning the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners (BFPC).
TITLE 2 OF THE
CITY CODE OF THE This item was presented to the City Council for approval at the October 18, 2021 City Council
CITY OF DES meeting for discussion and approval. Based on additional information requested by the City
PLAINES Council, this item was deferred to a Committee of the Whole meeting to be held on November
CONCERNING THE 4, 2021. Staff also attended the November 1, 2021 BFPC meeting to discuss the proposed
BOARD OF FIRE amendments that would be presented to the City Council for approval. Based on those
AND POLICE discussions held, and the meeting on the 4th being cancelled, staff presents the amendments to
COMMISSIONERS the City Code as outlined below.
Ordinance
M-14-21 Over the past year, Staff has reviewed, evaluated the researched the current responsibilities
and powers of the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners (BFPO) set forth in Chapter 6 of
Title 2 of the City Code. In reviewing the code and evaluating the best practices set forth by
other area municipalities that pertain to responsibilities and powers of a BFPC, staff
recommends the changes as presented in the Ordinance.
The City established a BFPC in 1935. The powers and duties of the BFPC are outlined and
governed in Chapter 6 of the City Code. Their primary duties and powers, in brief, are to
conduct the process establishing a hiring list for City of Des Plaines Probationary Patrol
Officers and Probationary Firefighters; extend promotional examinations and establish lists for
commissioned ranks in the Fire and Police Department; and to conduct disciplinary hearings
if so elected under the Collective Bargaining Agreements.
The City of Des Plaines has home rule authority that allows the City to self -govern provided
that the State's General Assembly did not explicitly limit that power or authority in a specific
area. The City has the right, under its home rule authority, to govern the rules and regulations
of the BFPC (unless explicitly limited by statute).
In reviewing the current Title 2 Chapter 6 of the City Code, staff identified the need to clarify
current practice in some sections of the Code as well as add additional language in other
sections based on best practices seen in other organizations. The following are the proposed
changes:
• Section 2-6-1 A and B define the Board as the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners
and clarify the governance structure pursuant to the City Code, the City's home rule
authority as well as the State Statues.
• Section 2-6-1 A and B define the Board as the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners
and clarify the governance structure pursuant to the City Code, the City's home rule
authority as well as the State Statues.
Page 15 of 16 11/15/21
• Section 2-6-3 amends to clarify that the city attorney is the attorney for the BFPC and
the City Council may employ the attorney of its own choosing to represent the BFPC
in the event of a conflict of interest.
• Section 2-6-4 provides additional language for Officers, Recordkeeping and Secretary
duties. The proposed changes allow the City Manager to designate a recording
secretary from City Staff. It further clarifies that this role will be responsible for taking
all meeting minutes and maintaining BEFC records and documentation. The City
Manager intends to designate the Human Resources Director in that role if the
amendments are approved. These changes will allow for Staff's strictly controlled
access to pertinent employment documentation and the historical files of the
Commission.
o The City currently has a protected structure set-up to properly maintain this
confidential information, which is currently housed in Human Resources. All
information is behind a closed door, in locked cabinets and is properly
maintained by Human Resources Personnel only who are trained to manage
sensitive documentation.
o The City of Des Plaines and the BFPC is under the purview of the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) and the Personnel Records Review Act, which
requires certain documentation to be maintained and provided under strict
deadlines. Staff currently does not have regular access to historical files. This
is primarily due to the sensitive nature of much of the documentation
including, but not limited to, psychological and medical examinations, as well
as personal and identifiable information of employees and candidates like
home address and social security numbers.
• Section 2-6-5 provides additional and clarification language over rules and meetings.
Staff has identified that the City Council has previously not exercised its home rule
authority concerning the adoption of rules governing the BFPC, and allowed the BFPC
to adopt and amend the Rules and Regulations that govern their body without prior
review and consent by Council. The recommended amendments to the Ordinance
provide the City Council the ability to approve the BFPC rules. The rules will continue
to be prepared by the BFPC for City Council consideration.
Staff recommends the City Council approve Ordinance M-14-21, which amends the City Code
concerning the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners.
D. Michael Albrecht, Chairman of the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners, stated that the
City should be proud that the Des Plaines Fire and Police Departments are destination
departments. He also stated the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners worked together with
the City staff to produce the Ordinance, and they are looking forward to continue working
together.
Moved by Chester, seconded by Brookman, to Approve the Ordinance M-14-21, AN
ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 6 OF TITLE 2 OF THE CITY CODE OF THE CITY
OF DES PLAINES CONCERNING THE BOARD OF FIRE AND POLICE
COMMISSIONERS.
Upon voice vote, the vote was:
AYES: 7 - Lysakowski, Moylan, Oskerka, Zadrozny,
Brookman, Chester, Smith
MAYS: 0 - None
ABSENT: 1 - Ebrahimi
Motion declared carried.
Page 16 of 16
11/15/21
Advanced to Second Reading by Brookman, seconded by Moylan, to Adopt the Ordinance
M-14-21, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 6 OF TITLE 2 OF THE CITY CODE
OF THE CITY OF DES PLAINES CONCERNING THE BOARD OF FIRE AND POLICE
COMMISSIONERS.
Upon roll call, the vote was:
AYES: 7- Lysakowski, Moylan, Oskerka, Zadrozny,
Brookman, Chester, Smith
NAYS: 0 - None
ABSENT: 1 - Ebrahimi
Motion declared carried.
ADJOURNMENT Moved by Brookman, seconded by Smith to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at
9:43 p.m.
?Jes�caM.Mastals ' — City Clerk
APPROVED BY ME THIS Oh
DAY OF December 21
Andrew Goczkowski, MAYOR