LF_011217

More documents

Recommendations

Info

4 | January 12, 2017 | The lake forest leader news LakeForestLeader.com Lake Bluff Plan Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals Lake Bluff focuses on historic preservation vs. new construction Katie Copenhaver Freelance Reporter The Village’s Plan Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals considered amending zoning code regulations to include attics in calculating the floor area ratio for residential properties at its Wednesday, Jan. 4 meeting. The intent is to level the field for homes that have full third floors, which are included in floor area ratios, and in turn, are subject to zoning ordinance limits. Village Engineer Jeff Hansen noted the attic amendment would apply to both new and existing homes. “Every time we get a cycle of tear downs and rebuilds, we get some [houses] that are very appropriate and some that make us say, ‘How did that happen? How did we get something so much bigger than what was there [before]?’” Chairman Steve Kraus said, expressing his desire for the PCZBA to be proactive about new construction and renovation in the Village. Resident and realtor Deborah Fischer, opposes the new ordinance because it will have unintended negative consequences. She explained the new homes will not have sloping roofs with attics, to match Lake Bluff’s vintage homes. Instead, the homeowners will want to maximize their living space with third floors and flat roofs. In turn, the older homes would be over the square foot bulk because of the inclusion of attics and their assessments will change. Round It Up A brief recap of Lake Bluff Plan Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals action Wednesday, Jan. 4: • The PCZBA considers creating an institutional zoning district for schools, parks, Village buildings, places of worship, etc. • A subdivision application for 370 Moffett Road was submitted and will be considered at the Feb. 15 meeting. The property owner has voluntarily downsized the proposal from 14 lots to 7. “If enacted, this will give Lake Bluff homeowners the most punitive building ordinances on the North Shore,” Fischer said. She suggested an alternative option to the Village. “We should incentivize design that is desired,” Fischer said. “If people perceive it is too hard to renovate older homes, they won’t do it.” Frank Klepitsch, a resident of Lake Bluff, echoed her sentiments. “Flat roof lines would be added to existing homes and we would have a lot more new homes with flat roof lines,” Klepitsch said. He explained flat roofs are typical of post-WWII subdivisions. “I don’t think we want Lake Bluff to look like that. We need to take an aesthetic approach to the building review process, as opposed to an engineering approach.” There were not a lot of people in attendance at the meeting, which raised concerns that residents don’t know about the issue. Kraus motioned for the public hearing on the issue to be continued at another meeting due to sparse attendance at the meeting. He also suggested the Village appoint an ad-hoc committee to review ordinances of other communities in comparison to this proposal. The motion passed 5-1 with Commissioner Mary Collins voting no and Commissioner Leslie Bishop absent. Collins explained she does not want to see a new layer of bureaucracy added to the building review process. Proposal for zoning variations at 701 Park Place The current owners of the residence at 701 Park Place, the Leonardis and Leggy Bird Designs are planning renovations which would require variations to four zoning codes. This house, whose nickname is the Pink Palace, is located in the Lake Park subdivision. Built in 1912, it was originally part of a Lake Bluff artists’ colony begun in the 1890s. In spite of its historic importance, the house has undergone extensive changes over the years which “have left little preserved from the original home,” said Vicki Lidstrom of Leggy Bird Designs, in making her case for their current plans. They are asking for approval to connect the Please see BLUFF, 7
LakeForestLeader.com Lake Forest the lake forest leader | January 12, 2017 | 5 Call now for the best CD Rates on the North Shore! 5 Year CD 2.00% APY* 3 Year CD 1.60% APY* 18 Month CD 1.30% APY* 6 Month CD 0.80% APY* Promotional rates available for limited time only! Thomas Georges Fmr. U.S. Army Colonel Mortgage Banker, NMLS# 1437814 direct: (630) 780-1676 Dave Aumuller Fmr. Marine Corps Colonel Senior Vice President, NMLS# 1437759 direct: (847) 615-3429 /thefederalsavingsbank /thefedsavbank 664 N. Western Avenue, Lake Forest, IL 60045 Celestina Kwiecien Personal Banker direct: (847) 234-8484 Now Hiring Loan Originators! Bernie Miller Fmr. U.S. Army Captain Executive Vice President direct: (312) 738-6262 Copyright 2016 © The Federal Savings Bank | All rights reserved | TheFederalSavingsBank.com | Co. NMLS# 411500 Terms and conditions may vary. Subject to underwriting approval. *Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is accurate as of 1/11/2017 and is subject to change. $10,000 minimum deposit to open and earn the stated CD APY, assumes interest remains on deposit until maturity. Offer valid for funds not currently on deposit with The Federal Savings Bank. A penalty may be imposed for early withdrawal, which would reduce earnings. For additional terms and conditions, call (312) 667-1980 or send an email to contactus@thefederalsavingsbank.com. Based on a search of Bankrate.com amongst banks with physical locations for 60 Month, 36 Month, 18 Month, 6 Month CDs in the Chicago, IL area on 1/11/2017.
Page 1 and 2: Check your chimney Chimney fire in
Page 3: LakeForestLeader.com news the lake
Page 7 and 8: LakeForestLeader.com news the lake
Page 9 and 10: LakeForestLeader.com lake forest th
Page 11 and 12: LakeForestLeader.com lake forest th
Page 13 and 14: LakeForestLeader.com news the lake
Page 15 and 16: LakeForestLeader.com sound off the
Page 17 and 18: The lake forest leader | January 12
Page 19 and 20: LakeForestLeader.com life & arts th
Page 21 and 22: LakeForestLeader.com life & arts th
Page 23 and 24: LakeForestLeader.com real estate th
Page 25 and 26: LakeForestLeader.com classifieds th
Page 27 and 28: LakeForestLeader.com sports the lak

LF_011217

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?