Council to read outdoor patio, cell tower ordinance proposals

By Jackie Nevarez

City Council will review two items for separate action today that involve approving an outdoor patio for a future Chipotle Mexican Grill in Sycamore and permission to Verizon Wireless for cellphone tower usage.

Both items, which are the only items listed for separate action in today’s agenda, will have second readings by the council. DeKalb Principal Planner Derek Hiland described both of the items in the Sept. 14 City Council meeting.

Chipotle outdoor patio

Ordinance 2015-039 calls to approve a map amendment and plan to allow Chipotle Mexican Grill, 2383 Sycamore Road in Sycamore, to have an outdoor patio, according to the City Council agenda.

The Chipotle will occupy the Qdoba Mexican Grill, which once occupied the building, Hiland said. The restaurant would like an outdoor patio at the Sycamore location similar to the one at the DeKalb location, at 1013 W. Lincoln Highway.

Verizon Wireless equipment on AT&T Tower

Ordinance 2015-038 calls to approve a permit for a co-location of Verizon Wireless cellular communications equipment on the AT&T tower, 1500 S. Seventh St., according to the City Council agenda.

“As recently as last year, a few months ago, we talked about cellular communications antennas within this particular area,” said DeKalb Principal Planner Derek Hiland at the Sept. 14 City Council meeting. “Verizon Wireless has identified the AT&T tower, through previous discussions, as a viable candidate and option to collocate their equipment upon that tower.”

The Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing on the issue at a Aug. 26 meeting and set recommendations, which included minimizing the “visual impact” of the antenna by making sure it is a neutral color and it does not visibly stick out, according to the meeting agenda.