South Cook News

City of Oak Forest Planning & Zoning Commission met May 7

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

The Planning & Zoning Commission meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. by Chairman Ziak. 

Pledge of allegiance. 

PRESENT: 

Chairman Ziak 

Commissioner Kunz 

Commissioner Larson 

Commissioner Runge 

ABSENT: 

Commissioner Bittner 

Staff Member Paul Ruane 

City Clerk/Executive Assistant Nicole Tormey 

Commissioner Schroeder 

Commissioner Ater 

Commissioner Joyce 

Commissioner Forbes 

Chairman Ziak asked for a motion to open the meeting. 

Commissioner Runge made the motion. 

Commissioner Larson seconded. 

Roll call. 

AYES NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT 

Commissioner Runge 

Commissioner Bittner 

Commissioner Schroeder 

Commissioner Kunz 

Commissioner Larson 

Chairman Ziak 

Commissioner Ater 

Commissioner Joyce 

Commissioner Forbes 

Motion carried 5-0, 4 absent. 

1. MjrDR# 25-01 15541 S. Cicero Avenue - Waverly Creek Townhomes Design Review: PUBLIC HEARING - The applicant requests review and approval of a Major Design Review Permit at 15541 S. Cicero Avenue in the C3 - Central Business District in accordance with Section 11-505 of the Zoning Ordinance for a roofline change. 

Assistant Director of Community and Economic Development Paul Ruane reported Planning and Zoning has final approval, approval with conditions or denial of the design review permit. The proposed development was approved. The proposed change is to the roofline to simplify the number of height changes from four changes in height to two. The proposed height of the commercial building is 22 feet. The proposed roofline of the townhomes is approximately 40 feet. Residential property will be visible behind commercial property. Options were given to approve the design, approve with conditions or deny. 

Chairman Ziak asked for any questions. 

Commissioner Kunz stated the original proposal looked nicer. 

Commissioner Larson agreed with Commissioner Kunz. He inquired as to the reason for the proposed change. 

Paul Ruane stated he believed it was economic and not mechanical. 

The applicant, Fernando Diaz, approached the podium. He is working with Kinsey Builders on the project. He reported there are two components. One being the grating. The 3rd floor has to be at multiple height to meet the roofline. 

Commissioner Kunz asked why this issue was not already figured out. 

Mr. Diaz responded his carpenter pointed out the situation. The studs cannot be precut. They will need to be individually cut. 

Commissioner Kunz asked Mr. Diaz his opinion on what looks better. Mr. Diaz responded the original plan but there is not much difference. The only thing is the flushing. The comparison showed at presentation was comparing a 8 unit to a 6 unit so it looks different. 

Chairman Ziak asked for a motion for any of the three options. 

Commissioner Larson asked for an explanation of the three options again. 

Paul Ruane stated basically the additional option was to change some of the buildings and not all of them. 

Chairman Ziak confirmed buildings 1 and 4 could be changed as an example. 

Commissioner Kunz motioned for the option to change building 3. 

Commissioner Runge stated he would like to change buildings 1 and 4. 

Commissioner Kunz changed his motion to approve design change on buildings 2 and 3. Buildings 1 and 4 will stay the same. 

Commissioner Runge seconded. 

Roll call. 

AYES NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT 

Commissioner Kunz 

Commissioner Ater 

Commissioner Joyce 

Commissioner Forbes 

Commissioner Larson 

Commissioner Runge 

Commissioner Bittner 

Chairman Ziak 

Commissioner Schroeder 

Motion carried 5-0, 4 absent. 

Paul Ruane stated he will speak with the Building Department regarding the above decision. 

Chairman Ziak asked for citizen participation. Seeing none. 

Updates: Community planner starting Monday. He will be at the next meeting. There will be a petition for additional garage and New Horizon parking variance. 

Nicole Tormey acknowledged Curt Kunz's last meeting as he was elected as 4th Ward Alderman. 

Chairman Ziak asked for motion for adjournment. Commissioner Kunz made the motion. Commissioner Runge seconded. 

All in favor. 

Motion carried 5-0, 4 absent. 

Meeting adjourned at 7:26 p.m. 

http://www.oak-forest.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_05072025-2118