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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-07-17 Special Meeting MinutesMINUTES OF THE JULY 17, 2006, SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE OF MORTON GROVE RICHARD T. FLICKINGER MUNICIPAL CENTER -TRUSTEES CONFERENCE ROOM 6101 CAPULINA MORTON GROVE, ILLINOIS 60053 Pursuant to proper notice in accordance with the Illinois Open Meetings Act, the Special Meeting was called to order at 6:03 pm by Mayor Krier. Corporation Counsel Teresa Hoffman Liston called the roll In attendance were: Elected Officials: Mayor Richard Krier, Trustees Georgianne Brunner, Dan DiMaria, Rita Minx, Dale Senensky, and Dan Staackmann Village Staff: Administrator Joseph F. Wade, Corporation Counsel Teresa Hoffman Liston, Community and Economic Development Director Bill Neuendorf, Public Works Director Andy DeMonte, Village Engineer Ryan Gillingham, and Village Planner Bonnie Jacobson Absent: Trustee Roy Kogstad and Village Clerk Carol A. Fritzshall Guests: Stephen Friedman, Jill Steen, and Anna Koch, SB Friedman and Company Leslie Oberholtzer, Farr Associates Also Present: Two residents President Krier welcomed the assemblage and led them in the pledge of allegiance. Mayor Krier stated the purpose of the meeting was to give the Village Board an overview of the Community Workshop for the Lehigh/Ferris TIF District that has been scheduled for July 26, 2006. Mayor Krier noted part of the planning process for the Lehigh/Ferris occurred before this new Board was elected and it was therefore important to bring this Board up to speed. Mayor Krier then introduced Community and Economic Development Director Bill Neuendorf who stated the purpose of the July 26, 2006, Community Workshop was to set a direction vision for a long term Master Plan for the Lehigh/Ferris TIF District and to identify priority projects. While there is no guarantee the District will be developed exactly according to this Plan, the purpose of the Plan is to encourage development favored by the community. Mr. Neuendorf then introduced Stephen Friedman of S.B. Friedman and Company. Mr. Friedman stated the July 26 meeting will include a discussion on what the private sector is doing and what it can do without assistance from the Village, and what the Village can do with TIF increment, and then based on this discussion, priorities should be set. Mr. Friedman then introduced Jill Steen who provided a history of the TIF. She stated a Comprehensive Plan Update was completed in 1999 which included extensive community input. The Comprehensive Plan defined the Lehigh/Ferris Subarea as amixed-use special development area. The Village completed aLehigh/Ferris Subarea Plan in 2002. This Plan defined opportunity sites and recommended the relocation of the train station and the extension of Ferris Avenue. In 2003, the Village hired S.B. Friedman and Company as its development consultant for this area. S.B. Friedman and Company initiated a framework planning process to build upon the subarea and comprehensive plan. It defined market potential, goals, objectives, and urban design principles for the area. The planning process included community charrettes, and public meetings. The firm also identified potential for one million square feet of building area within the District which included 400 housing units (already planned at the Woodlands), and additional 430-565 additional condominium units, 86 townhouse units, 100 to 150 affordable senior housing units, approximately 22 apartment units, approximately 30,000 to 40,000 square foot of commercial retail space, a new Metra station, and 465 parking spaces in a parking garage. Jill then introduced Leslie Oberholtzer of Farr Associates who gave a presentation of the planning process for a new street network. Ms. Oberholtzer stated the current street network included unsafe railroad crossings, multiple dead-end streets and lack of pedestrian continuity. She then gave an overview of a proposed street network which would include interconnected patterns and pedestrian scaled blocks. The proposed street network would include the same walkability aspects found in other areas of the Village, and would include coordinating streetscrapes and buildings brought up to the street to create a street wall effect. Ms. Oberholtzer identified Ferris Avenue as the primary vehicle route in the area and discussed urban design goals regarding the forest preserve and train station. She stated the goal was to create several types of open spaces that can be used and enjoyed by residents. Ms. Oberholtzer then reviewed the development currently underway in the north area of the TIF District and answered questions regarding the possibility of closing the old Lincoln Avenue railroad crossing immediately south of the planned Preserves project (Site ~. Mr. Friedman gave an overview of key projects to date including the Woodlands project, and the current Toll Brothers project. He opined the Village's redevelopment plan for the Woodlands gave the Village at least 75% of the increment generated from this project, which he considered favorable relative to similar projects in the communities. Toll Brothers had not requested nor obtained increment in part due to the scrutiny by the Village during its initial planning process. A third project is currently asking for TIF assistance but Mr. Friedman stated the request lacks supporting information and assistance can not be recommended at this time. He stated the Village's priority should focus on public infrastructure development and should consider train station improvements, working with the Forest Preserve to make the "finger" more accessible and useable to the public, and to create affordable housing. Mr. Friedman stated affordable housing was possible on at least two sites within the TIF District and several developers were interested in working with the Village. Mr. Friedman stated there were pros and cons of getting a developer involved before the Village had identified and acquired land for such a project. Mr. Friedman also discussed the potential for relocating the library within the TIF District and described the success of the Des Plaines TIF District in relocating its library to that area. A discussion ensued about the pros and cons of relocating the library to the TIF District and the potential for a community survey or referendum on this issue. Mr. Friedman then discussed the potential for creating additional improvements such as railwalks, the realignment of Lehigh Avenue around the train station, and the potential to stage this development including the creation of a parking structure with a commercial and residential liner building in front of the structure. Mr. Friedman also recommended improving the railroad crossing at Lehigh and Ferris and the advantages of acquiring property immediately southwest of the current crossing area. Mayor Krier and Mr. Friedman then answered questions from the Board and a general discussion ensued about the July 26, 2006, presentation. There being no further business, Trustee DiMaria moved to adjourn the special meeting at 7:30 pm. The motion was seconded by Trustee Minx and approved unanimously pursuant to a voice vote. Minutes by: Teresa Hoffman Liston, Corporation Counsel PASSED THIS day of 2006. Trustee Brunner Trustee DiMaria Trustee Kogstad Trustee Minx Trustee Senensky Trustee Staackmann APPROVED BY ME THIS day of 2006 Richard Krier, Village President Village of Morton Grove Cook County, Illinois ATTESTED and FILED in my office This day of 2006 Carol A. Fritzshall, Village Clerk Village of Morton Grove Cook County, Illinois legis~minutes~specialmeetingminutes.07-17-06