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Fansteel wins mixed approvals: ornamental fence approved along Glenrock, chain link allowed on Gladstone
Summary
After public comment and staff debate over security and streetscape, the commission approved 6-foot ornamental fencing facing Glenrock Avenue for three parcels and allowed a 6-foot chain-link fence on the vacated Gladstone frontage; Fansteel officials said the fence was installed during COVID for employee safety.
The Planning & Zoning Commission approved a set of variances that will leave a 6-foot ornamental fence along Glenrock Avenue while permitting a 6-foot chain-link fence on the vacated Gladstone frontage for the Fansteel campus.
Staff described four separate zoning-calendar items covering contiguous parcels and explained commissioners could vote on each parcel individually. Several commissioners and members of the public said a decorative fence would be more appropriate along Glenrock, a public thoroughfare that is a main entrance to Waukegan, while allowing chain link in the alley or vacated parcel.
Fansteel counsel Bill McKenna and operations vice president Tony Lockett said the fence was erected during the COVID period for safety after multiple incidents, and that a former building commissioner had approved the installation at the time. Lockett said the company had installed the fence in 2020 and operates security procedures for employees, including screening during site arrivals. "We put this fence up as a barrier to protect our people," Lockett said. (Tony Lockett)
Several commissioners pressed for an ornamental (wrought-iron-style) fence on Glenrock for aesthetic reasons. Planning staff described acceptable ornamental designs and noted three parcels front Glenrock while the vacated Gladstone parcel functions as an alley. Commissioners voted individually: the three Glenrock frontages (calendar items 28-13, 28-14, 28-15) passed as 6-foot ornamental fences; the vacated Gladstone parcel (28-16) was approved as a 6-foot chain-link fence. The commission recorded roll-call votes in favor on each item.
Commissioners and Fansteel representatives said they would work to align security needs and materials; staff suggested black ornamental aluminum with security features as an option that meets both objectives. The decisions on these properties are final under the planning and zoning commission's authority for the minor-variance process where applicable.
