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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-07-26 Special Meeting MinutesMINUTES OF THE JULY 26, 2006 LEHIGH-FERRIS COMMUNITY WORKSHOP, A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE OF MORTON GROVE HELD AT THE AMERICAN LEGION MEMORIAL CIVIC CENTER- MAIN HALL, 6140 DEMPSTER STREET MORTON GROVE, ILLINOIS 60053 Pursuant to proper notice in accordance with the Illinois Open Meetings Act, the Special Meeting (Lehigh-Ferris Community Workshop) was called to order at 6:40 PM by Mayor Krier. The following were present: Elected Officials: Mayor Richard Krier, Trustees Georgianne Brunner, Dan DiMaria, Roy Kogstad, Rita Minx, Dale Senensky, Dan Staackmann, and Village Clerk Carol A. Fritzshall Village Staff: Administrator Joseph F. Wade, Corporation Counsel Teresa Hoffman Liston, Community and Economic Development Director Bill Neuendorf Also Present: A group of at least 140 people attended the Community Workshop. Steve Friedman, Jill Steen, and Anna Koch of S.B. Friedman & Co. Leslie Oberholtzer and Jamie Simone of Farr Associates President Krier introduced the elected officials and village staff who were in attendance. He explained the purpose of this workshop was to discuss future development plans for the area around the Metra station which is known as the Lehigh-Ferris TIF District. Community and Economic Development Director Neuendorf then introduced the consultants who have been working on the redevelopment concepts for this area. He summarized the goals and objectives identified when the Lehigh-Ferris TIF District was created in 2000. He noted these goals and objectives need to be refined and prioritized so the highest priority projects can be pursued. He also summarized the strategic planning process the Village uses to guide redevelopment in this area. Development Consultant Jill Steen briefly reviewed the background and planning process for the TIF District as well as the development potential of this area. She noted a "framework plan" is useful to guide future development. Designer Leslie Oberholtzer briefly presented the rationale and design principles that can achieve a new neighborhood that takes advantage of its proximity to the Metra station while still being compatible with the adjacent neighborhood. She presented several suggestions regarding the types of infrastructure improvements (roads, sidewalks, rail crossings, etc) and private development projects (housing, commercial, parking, etc.) that could be appropriate for this area. Development Consultant Steve Friedman briefly presented several "key projects" that the consultant team believes are important to achieve the goals and objectives of the TIF District. A copy of the presentation material is attached. After this presentation, the participants were encouraged to remain at their tables and discuss the future redevelopment concepts for the Lehigh-Ferris District. Participants were asked to identify 1) what they liked about the concept plans, 2) what concerns they had about the concept plans, and 3) what they would like to see incorporated into the concept plans. Consultants were available to help guide the table discussions and to answer relevant questions. The small group discussion continued for approximately 1-hour. Each table then appointed a speaker to summarize the key points of the small group discussions and to identify any priority projects that had not been identified by the consultants. After a representative from each table identified their likes, concerns and new priorities, each participant was given three "doY' stickers. They were asked to vote for their top three priorities for the future development of the area. The list of priority projects included the "key projects" that were previously identified by the consultants and also included the new priorities that were suggested by residents. A copy of the recorded comments and "doY' voting results are attached. There was no formal adjournment to conclude the workshop which ended at 9:10 pm. Minutes by: Carol A. Fritzshall, Village Clerk