Kane County Reporter

City of Geneva Planning and Zoning Commission met March 28

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

1. Call to Order

Chairman Scott Stocking called the meeting of the Geneva Planning and Zoning Commission to order at 7:00 p.m., and read a prepared statement of procedures for the meeting and public hearing. In doing so, he swore in any individuals planning to speak during the public hearing.

2. Roll Call

Present: Chairman Scott Stocking, Commissioners John Mead;

Rebecca Holoman; Adam Matyskiel; Tim Moran; Michael Slifka

Absent: Commissioner Mim Evans

Staff Present: City Planner Matt Buesing, Assistant City Planner Jessie Muncie

Also Present: City Attorney Scott Fintzen, Planet Depos Court Reporter

3. Approval of the Agenda

Motion by Commissioner Moran, seconded by Commissioner Slifka to approve the agenda. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote 6-0.

4. Approval of February 8, 2024 Minutes

Motion by Commissioner Mead, seconded by Commissioner Moran to approve the minutes. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote 6-0.

5. Public Hearing:

A. 130 S Harrison Street Variation – Request for a Variation from Section 

11-5D-4 (Lot and Area Requirements) to reduce the street setback to 15.16 feet instead of the required 20 feet for a proposed front porch.

Applicant: Han & Michelene Tunca

Location: 130 S Harrison Street

City Planner Matt Buesing read the contents of the applicant’s file.

The applicant, Han Tunca, spoke about their application in which they are asking for a variation so they can build a covered porch on the front of the house. There is currently an uncovered concrete stoop. The house was built before they purchased it and it was placed right up to the set back line of 20 feet. The stoop gets a lot of ice in the winter, and it faces east so it often will thaw and refreeze, which has caused a lot of damage and has also made it difficult to keep clear of ice. The proposed covered porch would extend 5 feet from the front of the house and allow for safer access to the front door, especially for the applicant’s elderly family members.

At this point, Chairman Stocking allowed anyone present from the public to speak on the matter.

Timothy Thompson, 50W066 IL Route 38, Maple Park, stated he purchased the lot at 100 South Harrison about a year ago. Mr. Thompson said that the applicant’s submitted survey encroaches on his property, about 7 feet on the back side and 11-12 feet on the front side. He said that the applicant’s survey is incorrect and he believes if the commission votes on the variation tonight, they are giving precedent to the applicant’s survey. He requested that the commission postpone making a decision until they reach an understanding or decision on the land surveys. Chairman Stocking asked City Attorney Scott Fintzen to comment. Mr. Fintzen stated that we have a document that has been submitted by a licensed land surveyor and that his dispute is between the two property owners. Mr. Thompson continued stating that he believes as a governing body, if they make a decision tonight on this request, they would be saying that the applicant’s survey is 100% accurate. Mr. Fintzen disagreed. Mr. Fintzen stated that there is nothing on the face of the survey that does not meet our requirements and this body does not adjudicate or quiet title. Mr. Fintzen stated that this body is a recommending body and they do not have a responsibility to adjudicate which survey is correct. Mr. Thompson said he would like for one of his surveys to be submitted for the file and gave a copy of that survey to Chairman Stocking.

Chairman Stocking asked if anyone from the public wished to speak and there was no one present who wished to speak. 

Motion by Commissioner Moran to close the public hearing. Seconded by Commissioner Slifka.

AYE: Mead, Slifka, Holoman, Matyskiel, Moran, Stocking

NAY: None

MOTION PASSED 6-0

Motion by Commissioner Mead to approve a variance to reduce the street setback Variation from Section 11-5D-4 (Lot and Area Requirements) to reduce the street setback to 15.16 feet instead of the required 20 feet for a proposed front porch at 130 South Harrison Street, PIN # 12-02-380-045 subject to the findings of fact contained in the staff report. Seconded by Commissioner Moran.

AYE: Mead, Slifka, Holoman, Matyskiel, Moran, Stocking

NAY: None

MOTION PASSED 6-0

City Planner Matt Buesing stated that this recommendation should be on the agenda for City Council consideration at the April 15, 2024 meeting.

6. Public Comment

No public comment was given.

7. Other Business

City Planner Matt Buesing updated the commission on two projects that were approved by City Council, which were the Bullock Campus and Fabyan Parkway Industrial projects. Mr. Buesing said there are two items on the agenda for the April 11, 2024 meeting. One is for a variation for a residential property for a deck and the second is the MIF project. Other projects forthcoming are the Verizon tower on Randall Road and the 203 River PUD.

8. Adjournment

Motion made by Commissioner Mead to adjourn the meeting at 7:18 p.m. 

https://www.geneva.il.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_03282024-2319