Village of Lincolnshire Architectural Review Board met Sept. 15.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
1.0 ROLL CALL
Chair Kennerley called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m., and Planning & Development Manager Zozulya (“PDM Zozulya”) called the roll and declared a quorum to be present.
2.0 APPROVAL OF MINUTES
2.1 Approval of the minutes of the Architectural Review Board meeting held on July 21, 2020.
Member McCall moved and Member Santosuosso seconded the motion to approve the minutes as presented for the July 21, 2020, Architectural Review Board meeting.
AYES: Kennerley, Tapia, McCall, Santosuosso, and Killedar
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Orzeske
ABSTAIN: None
Chair Kennerley declared the motion carried.
3.0 ITEMS OF GENERAL BUSINESS
3.1 Design Review of Proposed Text Amendment to Title 6 (Zoning), Chapter 11 (Off-Street Parking & Loading) of the Lincolnshire Village Code to Permit and Regulate Electric Vehicle Charging Stations within Parking Facilities in All Zoning Districts (Village of Lincolnshire) PDM Zozulya summarized the proposed text amendments to permit and regulate electric vehicle (“EV”) charging stations within parking facilities. She noted the amendments were first sought by Electrify America to install an EV station in the Bank of America building parking lot at 185 Milwaukee Avenue, adding the petitioner withdrew the application after preliminary review by the Village Board on June 8, 2020. Seeing a need to better regulations, Village staff took over the application. At the July 13, 2020, Committee of the Whole meeting, the Village Board referred the matter to the Zoning Board for a public hearing and to the ARB for design review. PDM Zozulya reviewed the proposed regulations for EV charging installations, including requirements for parking facilities in all non-residential uses in any zoning district, and all multi-family residential uses with a Special Use/PUD designation in any zoning district. EV charging facilities will require ARB review and Village Board approval. She added only two Level 2 EV stations are currently in Lincolnshire at Adlai E. Stevenson High School and Walgreens.
Member McCall asked about private indoor parking garages. PDM Zozulya said this would not be considered an open parking area, and the property owner would only need to apply for building permits. PDM Zozulya reviewed the various EV charging station levels. She said Level 1 stations are the typically single-family residential stations located in garages. The focus of the current amendments is Level 2 and Level 3 EV stations which have commercial applications. Level 2 EV stations take several hours to charge, and Level 3 are the most powerful, high speed chargers available and are very equipment-oriented with meters, power boxes, and cabinets.
PDM Zozulya presented staff findings on a surrounding community survey which indicated nine communities allow EV stations, with only one community required design review.
PDM Zozulya stated the proposed code standards would not require additional parking spaces so long as no reduction in stall sizes or number of required spaces occurs. One handicapped accessible station would be provided and equipment would need to be protected via curbing, bollards, or other protective devices. PDM Zozulya stated per direction from the Village Board, charging stations would be required to be maintained in good condition with inactive stations being removed. In addition, she stated the Village Board’s direction regarding any new impervious surface created for an EV station must be offset elsewhere on the same property.
PDM Zozulya discussed the typical height of EV stations, stating staff is proposing a recommended guide of six feet. Any equipment taller than six feet would need to be demonstrated as warranted by the petitioner for the ARB’s consideration. In regards to screening, PDM Zozulya stated both evergreen landscaping and a permanent equipment enclosure are proposed.
PDM Zozulya stated only functional signs – not advertisements – would be permitted to be on the equipment. Pavement markings would also be regulated to keep them restrained.
PDM Zozulya stated the Zoning Board provided a unanimous favorable recommendation regarding the proposed text amendments following the September 8, 2020, public hearing. She stated some Zoning Board members expressed a desire to require bollards to ensure proper equipment protection; provide a 90-day written decommissioning notice to the EV property owner; and to allow the ARB to be the final approving authority on EV applications to incentivize EV installations and be in line with neighboring communities.
Chair Kennerley opened the floor for comments and questions.
Member McCall said technology is moving rapidly on this and believes staff can review EV stations in house. In regards to Level 3 equipment, he did not believe bollards should be required as they frequently get damaged and may look unsightly. He expressed his support for requiring evergreen screening and an equipment enclosure consistent with the primary building design.
Member Tapia suggested specifying permitted EV station locations, noting many are located by main building entrances to incentivize use. He also commented the maintenance plan would need to address snow removal to keep stations operational.
Member Killedar stated some EV stations may need to be placed farther away from the building due to time required for a full charge.
Member Santosuosso stated in his experience, Level 3 stations require larger equipment. He added since the installation needs to meet ADA requirements, their location will be determined by ADA requirements. Member Santosuosso also suggested a clarification under “General Requirements” to change the language regarding Special Use permits from “previously granted” to “issued.”
Chair Kennerley wanted to know how often EV stations would be maintained.
She also noted her concern regarding the use of evergreens for screening due to plantings being unkempt and becoming an eyesore. Member McCall stated professional landscapers typically maintain the landscape in these areas. PDM Zozulya stated the property owner would be required to maintain the EV site via a written maintenance agreement. Chair Kennerley indicated her preference to be more specific in the screening requirement and have the ability to require additional screening requirements on a case-by-case basis to be reviewed by the ARB.
Member Tapia anticipated much interest in EV stations. Member Santosuosso commented he feels the technician assigned to monitor EV stations would most likely indicate maintenance issues to be addressed if found upon their routine inspection schedule.
Member Santosuosso moved and Member McCall seconded the motion to recommend approval to the Village Board of the proposed text amendments to Title 6 (Zoning), Chapter 11 (Off-Street Parking & Loading) of the Lincolnshire Village Code to permit and regulate electric vehicle charging stations within parking facilities for all non-residential uses in all zoning districts, and all multi-family residential uses with a Special Use/PUD designation in all zoning districts prior to approval of the proposed ordinance, and further subject to.
AYES: Kennerley, Tapia, McCall, Santosuosso, and Killedar
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Orzeske
ABSTAIN: None
Chair Kennerley declared the motion carried.
MINUTES –Architectural Review Board
4.0 UNFINISHED BUSINESS None
5.0 NEW BUSINESS None
6.0 CITIZENS COMMENTS None
7.0 ADJOURNMENT
Chair Kennerley declared the meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
https://www.lincolnshireil.gov/government/about/agendas-minutes-packets-video?format=raw&task=download&fid=2542
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