City of Palos Heights License, Permits, & Franchises Committee met Oct. 11.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Lewandowski called the License, Permits, and Franchises Committee meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. In attendance were Alderman Basso, Alderman McGrogan, and Alderman McGovern. Also present were Building Commissioner Frank Giordano, Community Economic Developer Ken Busse, residents and recording secretary Liz Gutierrez.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Alderman Lewandowski moved to approve the minutes of the July 12, 2022 meeting, seconded by Alderman McGovern. On a voice note, the motion passed unanimously.
PERMIT & CODE ENFORCEMENT REPORT
Chairman Lewandowski referred to the permit report in the agenda packet. There were 60 permits issued from September 7, 2022 to October 4th, 2022, totaling $11,319.00. Year to date, the number of permits issued is 718 with a total amount of $209,857.68 the City has collected in permit fees. From September 7, 2022 to October 4, 2022 the City has collected $300 in re-inspection fees and a year to date amount of $1,350.00. There were 6 code enforcement cases and 9 code enforcement inspections from September 7 to October 4, 2022. Year to date there have been 109 code enforcement cases and 114 inspections.
BUSINESS LICENSE REPORT
For the 2022 business licenses, $87,862.50 was invoiced, of which $84,042.75 has been paid. The amount owed is $3,819.75.
VEHICLE STICKER REPORT
For the period from May 18 to October 4 2022, approximately 6,715 stickers were sold and $153,550 and 1 replacement sticker was sold for a total of $5. Year to date total is $153,555.00
Approval of Changes to Fence Code Regarding Residential Properties Abutting Commercial Properties and Major Thoroughfares.
Chairman Lewandowski brought this issue to the committee because currently there is a residence that abuts a commercial property and would like to place an 8 foot fence for privacy and sound control from the commercial business.
Discussion:
Alderman McGrogan suggested that the code be amended so that an 8 foot fence would be allowed for residents whose home abuts a commercial business.
Alderman Basso questioned the aesthetic of this because not all neighbors will want the same height of fence and they may look unappealing with all different heights of fences.
Alderman McGrogan commented that you could put in it the code that it must be a certain height.
Alderman McGovern compared the fences that are on Harlem where the code had been changed from a certain distance from the street. It is no longer uniform and he is concerned that changing this code would result in the same.
Discussion ensued.
Alderman Lewandowski made a motion to draft a change to the current Fence Code (150.81) to allow up to an 8 foot fence on residential properties abutting, commercial properties and major thoroughfares, seconded by Alderman McGrogan. On a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously. AGENDA
Approval of Changes to Fence Code regarding Residential Corner Lots Along One - and Two-lot Blocks
Economic Development Coordinator Ken Busse presented to the committee for a change in Residential Corner Lots Along One and Two lot Blocks. Currently, most corner lot residents who want to put up a fence have to get approval through the Zoning Board of Appeals Committee. This is costly and time consuming for residents. Mr. Busse is suggesting codifying to add a non privacy/transparency fence be approved for no more than 50% of the fence and no taller than 42 inches and cannot be on the front line of the home. By codifying it, the residents will no longer have to go through the lengthy, expensive process of getting a fence variance.
Alderman McGovern is concerned about certain subdivisions that will build fences in front of houses or put up privacy fences. Mr. Busse commented that is just for 2-lot blocks and many subdivisions do not have 2-lot blocks.
Alderman McGrogan suggested that instead of amending the code in this manner, the fence requests for corner lots should come through the License, Permit and Franchises Committee instead of the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Discussion ensued.
Alderman Lewandowski made a motion to draft a change to the current Fence Code (150.86) for residents looking to put up a fence on corner lots along one and two lot blocks shall be reviewed by the License, Permits and Franchises Committee, and then approved by the City Council instead of going before the Zoning Board of Appeals, seconded by Alderman McGovern. On a voice vote, all in favor motion passed unanimously. AGENDA.
Alderman Lewandowski made a motion to approve the Cook County Public Health Intergovernmental Agreement - December 1, 2022 to November 30, 2023, moved by Alderman McGrogan, seconded by Alderman McGovern. On a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously. AGENDA
NEW BUSINESS
Alderman Basso asked again about updating the current dog ordinance to include specific types of dogs (service dogs, therapy dogs, comfort dogs, foster dogs, etc). Further discussion on the issue concluded that permits for dogs are hard to enforce. When there is a noise complaint, this becomes a police issue.
OLD BUSINESS-NONE.
PUBLIC COMMENT
NONE
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Alderman Lewandowski made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Alderman McGovern. All in favor.
Meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
https://palosheights.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_10112022-745
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