Plan Commission Minutes 05-20PH1
PLAN COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING
MINUTES OF PUBLIC HEARING HELD MAY 20, 1997 6:50 P.M.
Conditional Use for a B-3, General Business District permitted use by right on a
parcel zoned as B-2, Local Service Center District, more specifically a multi-
screen movie theater.
Upon the petition of Cathy Zmudzinski (Petitioner) and Mary P. Thomas
(Property Owner) for a multi-screen theater at the property located in the SE 1/4
of Section 5.
Present were Mayor De Angelis, Alderman Salentine, Commissioner’s Hulbert,
Vitt, Smith, Gummer and Director Sadowski.
Secretary reported that the Public Hearing was properly noticed in accordance
with the Open Meetings Law.
Mayor De Angelis declared the Hearing open at 7:01 P.M., and explained the
petition.
Director Sadowski gave a brief presentation that the petitioner is proposing a
multi-screen movie theater ( four screens now with possibility of future
expansion of six to eight screens) on a five acre property.
Mayor De Angelis asked the petitioners if they wished to speak on this matter:
Petitioner’s representative, Frank Richardson (architect) proposed that the
location of the building is on the only buildable part of the property. Mr.
Richardson stated that the theater would be open at 6:45 P.M. with the peak of
their business in the evening hours after any rush hour traffic. He felt that the
traffic flow would not be a problem due to the two driveways off Tans. The
movies will not begin or end at the same time. There will be minimum of ten
minute breaks from starting of one movie and ending of another movie to allow
for the public to enter and exist the theater at different intervals.
At this time, Mayor De Angelis asked for members in the audience to address
the Commission with their input of concerns, questions, comments, etc.
Mr. Kim Young, Hillendale Drive, expressed his opposition to this project stating
that the traffic will be the major concern.
Mrs. Heidi Paquette (also speaking for her husband, Andrew), Hillendale Drive,
stated her opposition and her concerns were: increase in traffic patterns -- she
felt that people would use Hillendale Drive; increase in noise; people loitering;
lights from the parking lot; hours of operation where people will be leaving
PHMin -Movie Theater-05/20/97-Page 2
between the hours of 10 and 11 P.M. Mrs. Paquette feels that this is quite late
for a residential area.
Mrs. Linda Young, Hillendale Drive, felt that traffic will be a concern to the
children in the neighborhood; property values will decrease; amount of liter on
properties; and vandalism will become a problem.
Mrs. Mary Graf, Bluegrass Drive, is opposed to the theater and has the same
concerns as mentioned above.
Mr. Dave Stawski, Adrian Drive, expressed similar concerns as stated above;
also felt that there will be more traffic on Hillendale. Mr. Stawski was adamantly
opposed to the B-3 zoning.
Mrs. Darlene (also speaking for her husband, Erv) Liegl, Bluegrass Drive,
stated opposition due to increase in traffic along with excessive speeds and
noise along Hillendale and Tans Drive. Other concerns expressed were liter;
bright lights; this theater is not compatible in this residential area; decrease in
property value; loitering and vandalism.
Mrs. Julie (also speaking for her husband, Tom) Hankinson, Hillendale Drive,
expressed safety is a hugh issue inviting gangs; traffic; loitering etc.
The Petitioner, Cathy Zmudzinski, addressed the Commission and audience and
pointed out that at her present theater loitering is not allowed; vandalism has
been limited; and wanted to follow this same type of guidelines for safety at the
new theater.
Ms. Sue Kowalkowski, Bluegrass Drive, felt that you cannot anticipate problems
with a mall compared to residential area -- would like to see theater built in
another area.
Mrs. Mary Graf, approaching the Commission for a second time, felt that this
theater will be too close to the freeway so there will be no control of vandalism or
loitering that this property is much larger than the Parkland Mall area.
Mrs. Karen Beckmann, Hillendale Drive, lives in an area with a extremely long
driveway and has had problems in the past with parked cars, liter, etc in their
driveway. She feels that this will become a bigger problem along with vandalism
due to the fact that her house is off the road and she has a long driveway.
Mr. Scott O’Brien, Gregory Drive, has the same concerns that have been stated
above. Mr. O’Brien also feels that this is a question of location.
PHMin -Movie Theater-05/20/97-Page 3
At this time Mayor De Angelis read letters from residents stating their opposition
to this theater. Names of residents sending letters to Plan Commission were:
John Maciosek, Bluegrass Drive
Linda A. Gingras, Overlook Bay Road
Ron Daliege, Hillendale Drive
James & Renee Zirzow, Churchill Court
Michael & Linda Lafferty, Bluegrass Drive
Scott & Paula Garland, Lembezeder Drive
Darlene & Erv Liegl, Bluegrass Drive
Keith & Susan Kowalkowski, Bluegrass Drive
Joseph & Paula Czaplewski, Lot 21 in Lakewood Meadows
Director Sadowski reread the B-2 zoning and made it clear that this is not a
rezoning hearing.
Mayor De Angelis asked if anyone else in the audience had any comments.
There were none. Mayor De Angelis stated that this matter would be heard
through a resolution under New Business later this evening. There being no
further questions or comments, the Public Hearing was adjourned at 7:54 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Sandra S. Asti
Recording Secretary