10161950ys�
City Attorney Howard spoke concerning redrafting of the City ordinances.
He was informed to have copies of all the ordinances made at the City expense.
The Mayor appointed the following committee to aid in this redrafting: Alder-
men Clement, Baines and Behrel. The Mayor said he would also serve.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES. On motion r Alderman Hansen and second by
Halverson, the minutes of September 18, 1950, were approved.
ADJOURNMENT. The motion was made by Alderman Behrel and seconded by
Vavrinek to adjourn. The motion was voted upon by acclamation, whereupon the
Mayor declared the motion carried and the meeting regularly adjourned.
OT /W. J. HENRICH
CITY CLERK
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DES PLAINES,
ILLINOIS, HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS,
OCTOTOBER 16. 1950, AT 8:00 P. M.
CALL TO ORDER. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kenneth G.
Meyer, who presided with Alderman Hansen, Baines, Behrel, McKay, Clement,
Halverson and Morava responding to roll call. Aldermen Davis, Vavrinek and
Wolf were absent.
OFFICIAL REPORTS. The City Clerk submitted the reports of the
City Treasurer, L. C. Barrett and the Clerk's report for September. The
City Clerk's report of receipts and disbursements for the first nine months
of 1950 was also submitted.
COMMITTEE REPORTS. Alderman McKay reported the following:
Des Plaines, Illinois
October 16, 1950. SEM
Petition for amendment to the Zoning Ordinance of Cook County, Illinois,
rezoning approximately 3/4 acre located north side of Touhy Avenue about 1/2
mile east of La Grange Road in Maine Township.
Mayor and City Council:
The Municipal Development Committee was authorized in City Council
meeting of October 2nd to take what it decided was suitable action on the
question whether or not to file formal objection with the Cook County Clerk
in connection with the above-mentioned petition to rezone property close to
the City Limits of Des Plaines.
Committee meeting was held October 5th, and while the chairman
was inclined to favor filing formal objection, because the only effect such
objection has is to require a 3/4 vote of the County Commissioners to change
the zoning, Alderman Davis demurred, feeling the change might work out satis-
factorily. Alderman Wolf, the other member of the committee, was absent from
the City. Compromise action was then agreed upon as indicated in the follow-
ing letter, written and mailed by the chairman on October 6th.
Zoning Board of Appelas of Cook County
130 North Wells Street
Chicago, Illinois
ATTENTION: Mr. Robert Kingery, Chairman
Gentlemen:
Reference public hearing in Des Plaines on September 29, on petition
to rezone from R-4 to B-1, about 3/4 acre on north side Touhy, about 1/2 mile
east of La Grange Road, close to the City of Des Plaines.
City of Des Plaines was granted 10 days in which to file objection
to the change in classification, if it was decided to take such action.
On behalf of the City, I wish to advise that while we are not
filing formal objection, because it is quite possible a Rood -looking gas
station and attractive store buildings might be good usage of the area in-
volved, nevertheless, there is some doubt as to the genuine sincerity and
ability of the petitioner to consummate such a rather elaborate project.
X57
ALDERMAN MCKAY'S REPORT, CONT'D.
You will recall it was mentioned that a well-known oil company was interested
in the location, and would likely furnish capital to finance the filling
station. However, there was nothing offered to support this, such as a letter
or agreement.
We would dislike having a project started in the area which might
drag on indefinitely through poor handling or lack of real need, nor would
we favor having the area rezoned by reason of representations made at the
hearing, if, perhaps the real reason is merely to effect a change to make
the area:available a"little later on to someone else for other purposes
permissible under B -I.
Therefore, instead of filing formal objection, we merely outline
our views, leaving the matter subject to your good judgment when you give
consideration to it prior to your recommendation to the Commissioners.
cd
Copy:
Mr. W. T. Popjoy
Secretary, Zoning Board of Appeals of Cook County
130 North Wells Street
Chicago, Illinois
Mr. Irwin J. Jacobson
Attorney-at-law
110 S. Dearborn Street
Chicago, Illinois
Yours very truly,
S. E. McKay, Chairman
Municipal Development Comm.
City of Des Plaines, I11.
No further action being required of the Council at this time, com-
mittee having been given power to act, it is requested that this report be
referred to the City Clerk and duly entered in the minutes of this Council
meeting.
S. E. McKay, Chairman
W. N. Davis
Alderman Morava reported that the Bouton Foster agreed to furnish
heat to the City '¶rehouse at 1/4 the cost of the fuel. The motion was made
by Alderman Morava and seconded by Halverson to concur in the report. Alder-
man Clement asked to include in the motion that the City Attorney draft an
agreement with the Bouton Foster Company. With consent to this addition,
the Mayor put the question, and the Clerk called the roll with the following
result: Ayes: Aldermen Hansen, Baines, Behrel, McKay, Clement, Halverson and
Morava. Nays: None. The Mayor thereupon declared the motion carried.
Alderman Behrel reported the following concerning the business
license of the Frozen Food Locker: "No action on license at this time due
to delinquent state of the Frozen Food Locker in their water bill account with
the City of Des Plaines."
Alderman Halverson reported that the Water Committee recommended
that the City Attorney be instructed to take action against the Frozen Food
Locker on their delinquent water bill. On motion by Alderman Halverson and
second by Morava the report was concurred in.
Alderman Clement reported the following on the letter from Kimball
Hill, Park River Development Corporation concerning the error on the construc-
tion of the building foundation:
"Your Committee on Building Permits has investigated the above and
has found:
The error on the part of the builder appears to have been an honest
mistake, and the building in question is structurally safe in the opinion of
the Building Inspector's Department.
We, your Committee on Building Permits, therefore recommend:
That construction be permitted to proceed; that the interview 'had
by the committee with the builder in question, and the emphasis placed on the
need for full compliance with the Building Code during that interview is a
sufficient disposition of this matter."
Signed, Committee,
H. W. Clement
H. H. Behrel
475/
ALDERMAN CLEMENT'S REPORT, CONT'D.
On motion by Alderman Clement and second by Behrel, the report was
concurred in.
Alderman Clement also reported that the Building Permit Committee
recommended the adoption of the proposed House Moving Ordinance in its present
amended form. On motion by Clement and second by Behrel, the report was con-
curred in.
Alderman Clement reported the following on the three foot side -
yard ordinance:
"The Building Permit Committee has investigated and found that the
proposed ordinance should be redrafted to fix the minimum sideyard as 10%
of the frontage for parcels of ground having a frontage of less than 50 feet;
and a minimum of 5 feet for parcels having a frontage of 50 feet and over; also
all the wording after the last semicolon should be stricken. Therefore advise
this recommendation be referred to the Zoning Board, and, if they concur, the
City Attorney be directed to draft a new ordinance incorporating those pro-
visions."
On motion by Alderman Clement and second by Behrel, the report was
referred to the Zoning Board of Appeals sitting as a commission.
Alderman Clement reported the following concerning the Meyer Coal
Company:
"The City Attorney has not yet reached a decision on this matter,
therefore recommend that this question be taken up for a decision at this
meeting of the Council. After considerable discussion, the motion was made
by Alderman Clement and seconded by McKay that the City Attorney file necessary
action against the Meyer Coal Company." The Mayor put the question, and the
Clerk called the roll with the following result: Ayes: Aldermen Hansen,
Baines, Behrel, McKay, Clement, Halverson and Morava. Nays: None. The
Mayor thereupon declared the motion carried.
PASS THE "MOVING OF BUILDINGS" ORDINANCE. The Clerk read for second
reading the following prpposed ordinance entitled:
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION 208
OF ARTICLE XXI RELATING TO THE
MOVING OF BUILDINGS OF THE REVISED
BUILDING CODE OF THE CITY OF DES
PLAINES OF 1939. AS AMENDED.
The motion was made by Alderman Baines and seconded by Hansen to
peas -the proposed ordinance. The Mayor put the question, and the Clerk called
the roll with the following result: Ayes: Aldermen Hansen, Baines, Behrel,
McKay, Clement, Halverson and Morava. Nays: None. The Mayor thereupon de-
clared the motion carried and the proposed ordinance passed.
APPROVAL OF BILIS. Alderman Baines, Chairman of the Finance Com-
mittee, presented the following proposed resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF DES PLAINES THAT THE FOL-
LOWING BILLS ARE DUE AND PAYABLE AND
THAT THE MAYOR AND CITY CLERK BE AND
ARE HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO MAKE PAYMENT
FOR SAME.
(Schedule of bills placed before each alderman and affixed to reso-
lution and on file with the City Clerk.)
The motion was made by Alderman Baines and seconded by Hansen to
adopt the proposed resolution. The Mayor put the question, and the Clerk
called the roll with the following result: Ayes: Aldermen Hansen, Baines,
Behrel, McKay, Clement, Halverson and Morava. Nays: None. The Mayor there-
upon declared the motion carried and the proposed reso]tion adopted.
CITY ATTORNEY HOWARD'S REPORTS. The Clerk read the following
reports which the Mayor ordered placed on file:
October 13, 1950
Honorable Mayor and City Council
City Hall
Des Plaines, Illinois
Gentlemen:
Some time ago there was referred to me for investigation the
CITY ATTORNEY HOWARD'S REPORT, GONT'D.
matter of the fire protection portion of our tax levy and why receipts from
this levy were inadequate. A checkup with the County Clerk's office, which
extends the tax rates, reveals the following informations
The maximum rate allowed under the law was .0663. The actual
amount of our levy was .0863. In other words, we have levied 25% in excess
of the maximum legal levy for this particular purpose. This is in contra-
diction to most of the other levies in which for the most part we levied less
than the allowable maximum rate.
Respectfully submitted,
Marshall S. Howard
MSH:AR City Attorney
October 13, 1950
Honorable Mayor and City Council
City Hall
Des Plaines, Illinois
Gentlemen:
I regret to report to you that today, October 13, 1950, Judge Fisher
ruled invalid the provisions of our ordinance requiring minimum square foot
areas for buildings constructed in certain subdivisions. Judge Fisher ruled
flatly that this was un-American and in violation of the provisions of the
Constitution and beyond the powers of a municipality and that it was equiva-
lent to depriving at poor man of the right to build a small house, and some-
time next week an order will be entered directing our Building Commissioner
to issue permits to our three applicants who were successful in this case,
and also hold for the benefit of all others concerned that the provisions
of this ordinance is invalid.
As heretofore stated to you, because of the irregularity in passing
this ordinance without a reference to the Zoning Board, I do not feel as
though there should be any appeal from this decision. It is m' recommenda-
tion that the ordinance be allowed to die, that the Zoning Board be urged
to consider a new ordinance along the same lines after careful investigation
of the circumstances, and that the minimum areas required be the most
reasonable under the circumstances. Even such an ordinance, in view of
Judge Fisher's unconditional pronouncement, I am sure will be held to be
invalid, but where the ordinance has been passed properly and validly, we
might then wish to consider the question of an appeal to the Supreme Court.
Respectfully submitted,
Marshall S. Howard
MSH:AR City Attorney
ZONING BOARD VARIATION AT 1710 CAMPBELL AVENUE. The Clerk read
the following letter:
Building Inspector
City of Des Plaines
Des Plaines, Illinois
Dear Sir:
After a public hearing on
seconded and passed unanimously that
setback of property located at 1710
The variation amounts to four feet,
stead of the 25 feet now required.
October 10, 1950
October 10, 1950, it was duly moved,
the application for a variation in the
Campbell Avenue, Des Plaines, be granted.
thus permitting a setback of 21 feet in -
Albert L. Gundelach
Secretary
ZONING BOARD RECOMMENDATION OF AN ORDINANCE. The Clerk read the
following letter:
October 14, 1950
Mayor and City Council
City of Des Plaines, Illinois
Gentlemen:
The Zoning Board of Appeals does hereby recommend to the City
of Des Plaines the adoption of an ordinance substantially as follows:
A Building Permit shall not be issued for struc-
tures on a portion of a lot uhless the division
of the lot has been approved by the Planning
Commission.
Council
ZONING BOARD'S RECOMMENDATION, CONT'D.
The purpose of the proposed ordinance is to eliminate the problem
in connection with the matter of the application for a variation of the set-
back line for the property located at the Northwest corner of Prairie Avenue
and Fourth Avenue, Des Plaines.
Respectfully submitted,
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS OF
THE CITY OF DES PLAINES,
James J. Carroll
Fred K. Howe
Alvah James
W. H. McConnell
By Albert L. Gundelach. Secretary
The Mayor referred the letter to the City Attorney, Municipal
Development and Building Permit Committees.
Alderman McKay reported that a proposed ordinance requiring allele
in Commercial Zone Areas had been presented last February -and -seemed- to 4izater
r-bgalaarliglgme-cemmIttee-. The Mayor referred the proposed ordinance to
the Plan Commission.
REQUEST FOR ZONING VARIATION. The Clerk read the following letters
City Council of Des Plaines
City Hall
Des Plaines, Illinois
6140 S. Kenwood Avenue
Chicago 37, Illinois
October 6, 1950
Dear Sirs:
I am requesting a variation of your ordinance restricting houses
in Des Plaines Gardens to a minimum of 1200 square foot area to permit
building of a house of 1058 square foot area on the property owned by me
located at 1030 Second Avenue legally described as:
The South 50 feet of lot 13 in block 4 in Des Plaines
Gardens, a subdivision of the North - of Section 20,
Township 41 North, Range 12, East of the Third Princi-
pal Meridian in Cook County, Illinois.
On June 10, 1950 I made a purchase offer for the property and on
July 5, 1950 1 completed the purchase, and I signed a sales contract with
the Park River Development Corporation of the City of Des Plaines to build
on- the aforesaid parcel of real estate a house in accordance with the plans
and specifications prepared by A. S. Del Bianco, Architect of Chicago,
Illinois. The plans being identified as number 5027, elevation number B.
I then obtained a Veterans Administration guaranteed loan. The
arrangements for which because of current credit restrictions took until
October 2, 1950 to complete.
On September 11, 1950 I filed an application for a permit to
build this house. On. October 2, 1950 I notified Park River Development
Corporation that financing arrangements had been completed and I was then
notified that because of the recent zoning ordinance regarding Des Plaines
Gardens my application for a permit to build a 1058 square foot house had
been rejected.
I have spent a great deal of time, effort and money in securing
the land, Veterans Administration approval for the house and the financing.
I did not know that there was any impending change in the zoning regulations
that would interfere. I ask you to consider my request.
Enclosed check for forty dollars for
fees.
The Mayor referred the letter to the
Alderman Clement stated he knew of this letter
thought an exception should be made and permit
Sincerely,
Charles J. Hippchen
filing appeal and publication
Building Permit Committee.
and considering the dates, he
issued. On motion by Alderman
ZONING VARIATION, CONT'D.
Clement and second by Behrel, the Building Inspector is to be ordered to issue
the permit.
NOTICE OF ANNEXATION FOR THE WEST SIDE OF WOLF'ROAD FROM ALGONQUIN
ROAD TO THACKER STREET. The Clerk read the notice of intended annexation of
A. Alfini, et al. The Mayor ordered the notice placed on file.
COUNTY HIGHWAY PERMIT ON THACKER STREET AT NEW WELL. The Clerk
read the Highway Permit requested by the City to install pump control cable.
On motion by Alderman H6erson and second by Morava, the Mayor and City Clerk
were authorized to sign execute the County Highway Permit.
SANITARY DISTRICT OF CHICAGO, SEWER PERMIT 1950-72. The Clerk read
a letter from the Sanitary District which was attached to Sewer Permit #1950-72.
On motion by Alderman Baines and second by Halverson, the Mayor and City Clerk
were instructed to sign and execute the permit.
APPROVE PLAT OF KNOLLWOOD ESTATES. The City Clerk presented a plat
of Knollwood Estates, which had been approved by the Plan Commission. After
a short recess, the motion was made by Alderman McKay and seconded by Hansen
to approve the plat. The Mayor put the question, and the Clerk called the
roll with the following result: Ayes: Aldermen Hansen, Baines, Behrel,
McKay, Clement, Halverson and Morava. Nays: None.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES. On motion by Alderman Hansen and second by
Morava, the minutes of October 2, 1950, were approved.
ADJOURNMENT. The motion was made by Alderman Baines and seconded
by Behrel to adjourn. The motion was voted upon by acclamation, whereupon
the Mayor declared the motion carried and the meeting regularly adjourned.
14
OT • W. J. HENRICH
CITY CLERK
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DES PLAINES,
ILLINOIS, HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS,
NOVEMBER 6, 1950, AT 8:00 P. M.
CALL TO ORDER. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kenneth G.
Meyer, who presided with Aldermen Hansen, Davis, Vavrinek, Wolf, Baines, Behrel,
McKay, Clement, Halverson and Morava responding to roll call.
OFFICIAL REPORTS. The Clerk submitted the reports of Building In-
spector, Arthur Rieck and the City Clerk's report for the month of October, 1950.
COMMITTEE REPORTS. Alderman Davis reported that a paper collection
will be held the last Saturday in November. The money is to be placed in the
Civilian Defense organization's account.
Alderman Clement, Chairman of the Building Permit Committee, made
the following report:
MOTEL AND TOURIST CAMP ORDINANCE. The committee investigated and
found the proposed ordinance to be satisfactory except that Section 2 might
better be included in a different ordinance. Your committee on Building
Permits, therefore, recommends the adoption of the proposed ordinance with
the exception of Section 2. The Mayor referred the proposed ordinance to
the City Attorney to redraft as recommended.
REGARDING SPACE UNDER COMMERCIAL SIDEWALKS. The Building Permit
Committee investigated and found the present ordinance seems adequate if en-
forced. The problem is more closely related to streets and sidewalks than
the Building Inspection Department. It is, therefore, recommended that the
Superintendent of Public Works be directed to start enforcing our present
ordinance after January 1, 1951 and that suitable notice be given to all
affected property owners prior to that date. The Mayor so directed.