Planning & Zoning Commission

DeKalb Municipal Building Council Chambers 200 S. Fourth St., 2nd Floor DeKalb, IL 60115 AGENDA Planning and Zoning Commission October 3, 2018 6:00 PM A. ROLL CALL B. APPROVAL OF AGENDA (Additions or Deletions) C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. September 5, 2018 D. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION (Open Floor to Anyone Wishing to Speak on Record) E. NEW BUSINESS 1. Public Hearing – Petition by Gary and Sara Lisle for a variance to Article 5.02 – “SFR-2” Single Family Residential District of the UDO in order to allow for a garage addition to encroach into the front and rear yard setbacks on the subject property located at 209 West Hillcrest Drive. 2. Items For Discussion – Annie Glidden North Revitalization Plan F. REPORTS G. ADJOURNMENT  MINUTES CITY OF DEKALB PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION September 5, 2018 The Planning and Zoning Commission held a Meeting on September 5, 2018 at the City of DeKalb Municipal Building, 200 S. Fourth St., DeKalb, Illinois. Chair Christina Doe called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. A. ROLL CALL Recording Secretary, Linda Odom called the roll. Planning and Zoning Commission members present were Chair Christina Doe, Katharina Barbe, Vicki Buckley, David Castro, Max Maxwell and Jerry Wright. Commissioner Deborah Nier was absent. City staff present were Principal Planner, Dan Olson, Community Development Director, Jo Ellen Charlton and Recording Secretary, Linda Odom. B. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA (Additions/Deletions) Chair Christina Doe requested a motion to approve the September 5, 2018 agenda as presented. Ms. Buckley motioned to approve the agenda as presented. Ms. Barbe seconded the motion, and the motion was approved by unanimous voice vote. C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES July 18, 2018, August 8, 2018 and August 22, 2018 – Ms. Barbe motioned to approve the minutes, Ms. Buckley seconded the motion, and the motion was approved by unanimous voice vote. D. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION (Open Floor to Anyone Wishing to Speak on Record) Bessie Chronopoulos of 423 Gayle Ave. thanked the Commissioners for their service and stated that she would like to see the Commission have more meetings to discuss the comprehensive plan and be more involved on the vision of the community including housing. She feels the Commission is the body of people that are supposed to be the most technically oriented and knowledgeable about the codes and ordinances. She mentioned the sign ordinance will be coming up and she would like to see this discussed more with the Commission. E. NEW BUSINESS 1. Public Hearing - Petition by Scott and Lisa Schmittle for a variance to Article 7.06 “Fences” of the Unified Development Ordinance in order to allow for a six-foot Planning and Zoning Commission September 5, 2018 Page 2 of 10 high privacy fence in the front yard on a corner lot and approval of other such variations or relief as required to accommodate the proposed request on the subject property located at 145 Heritage Drive. Scott Schmittle of 145 Heritage Drive said he is requesting a fence variance due to his house being on a corner lot. He stated his side yard that faces Fairview Dr. is called a front yard since it’s a corner lot and the UDO does not allow a six-foot high privacy fence in that yard up to the street. He added to be in compliance with the UDO the fence would have to be at the edge of the house. Mr. Schmittle went through a presentation with diagrams of how the fence will look and noting the fence will be consistent with all adjacent fences and will not block the line of sight along the street (Fairview Dr.). Mr. Olson went over the staff report dated August 17, 2018. He mentioned six- foot high privacy fences are not allowed in the side yard adjacent to a street and the only fences allowed are open fences that are four-foot high or three-foot high privacy fences. Mr. Olson noted the reason for this type of restriction in the UDO was to help protect the side yard setbacks and the visibility of the adjacent homes. He showed an example of this by mentioning the lot to the east (146 Heritage) is adjacent to a home that faces Fairview Dr. and a six-foot high privacy at 146 Heritage would block the view of the adjacent home. Mr. Olson noted in the petitioner’s case the homes to the west have their backyards adjacent to Fairview Dr. and do not create a visibility issue. He said the UDO regulations were created to protect the line of sight but in this case, it will not be a problem. Mr. Olson said the City received a letter from a neighbor in favor of the fence, John and Margaret Adler on Cobblestone Court and it is made part of the record. Mr. Olson said there was an amendment to the UDO in 2009 to further restrict six-foot privacy fences on corner lots so there are a handful of corner lots in the City in the same situation that do have a privacy fences in the side yard. He noted, however, that this situation was not caused by the petitioner since he just bought the home in May of 2018. Mr. Olson summarized the findings of fact and noted there is a motion in the Commissioner’s packet for approval. Chair Doe opened up the public portion of the hearing. There were no comments. Chair Doe gave the Commissioners an opportunity to ask any questions. Mr. Maxwell asked about the line of sight for the turn lane at the intersection (Fairview Dr. and Heritage Dr.). Mr. Olson said there will be no visibility issue for traffic. Mr. Castro commented he usually in the past has felt we have an UDO for a reason but given the circumstances he does not oppose the petition. Chair Doe asked Mr. Schmittle if the neighbor’s tree will hinder putting up the fence. Mr. Schmittle said no there will not be a problem as there is adequate clearance. Chair Doe gave one more opportunity for the public to speak. There was none, and the public hearing was closed. Planning and Zoning Commission September 5, 2018 Page 3 of 10 Chair Doe asked if the Commissioners had any more questions or comments. There was none. Ms. Buckley made a motion based upon the submitted petition, testimony presented and findings of fact that the Planning and Zoning Commission approve a variance to Article 7.06 of the Unified Development Ordinance in order to allow for a six-foot high privacy fence in the front yard on a corner lot for the property located at 145 Heritage Drive subject to fence location as shown on the survey dated 4-24-18 and received on 6-28-18 and constructed per the fence detail labeled as Exhibit A with the change of color to white for the fence. Seconded by Mr. Wright. A roll call vote was taken. Ms. Buckley – yes, Mr. Castro – yes, Mr. Maxwell – yes, Mr. Wright – yes, Ms. Barbe – yes, Chair Doe – yes. Motion passes 6-0-1. Ms. Nier was absent. 2. Public Hearing - Petition by Dave Franzene, owner and applicant, for approval of zoning map amendment from the “GC” General Commercial District to the “PD- C” Planned Development Commercial District for a .79-acre site located at 1786- 1792 Sycamore Road. The petitioner is proposing the Planned Development zoning in order to accommodate a pawn shop, the continued use of a video gaming establishment and to allow other commercial uses in an existing 8,500 sq. ft. multitenant building located on the subject property. Dave Franzene of 231 Greenwood North, DeKalb went through a presentation on seeking a special use permit for opening a pawn shop at 1786-1792 Sycamore Road. He mentioned that he is the owner of the building on the site and has had several tenants in the building, but this space has been vacant for seven years. He feels this would be a good business for DeKalb as people would be able to walk in and sell their items in person instead of using Craigslist or other websites. Mr. Franzene said this would be a safer place for people to bring their goods to sell and there would be a security system installed that is linked to the Police Department. He said Greg Holloway will be a partner with him who has been operating a pawn store in Naperville for several years. He also mentioned there will be sales tax charged so the City would benefit. Mr. Olson went over the staff report dated August 22, 2018. He said this request would be a rezoning request from the General Commercial District to the Planned Development Commercial District and not a special use request. He said there are two tenants in the building which was constructed in 1998. Mr. Olson noted the building currently contains Charlie’s Gaming and Baxter and Woodman Engineers. He mentioned that the owner would like to continue the use of the video gaming establishment in the building which was established prior to the City adopting regulations on video gaming establishments in March 2017 that put them as a special use in the GC/LC Districts. Mr. Olson went over the Findings of Fact and mentioned the Police Department has no issues with the pawn shop and there will Planning and Zoning Commission September 5, 2018 Page 4 of 10 be no firearm sales allowed. He also mentioned there will be no building improvements and there are 35 total parking spaces which meet the requirements. Mr. Olson said they did receive a couple citizen response forms from Steve Irving of 1826 Sycamore Rd and the Kishwaukee Country Club both noting their approval of the request. In conclusion, Mr. Olson said there is a sample motion in the Commissioner’s packet recommending approval per the development standards and conditions listed on Exhibit A of the staff report. Chair Doe opened up the public portion of the hearing. Barry Wolfe of1221 Sycamore Road said this is a great idea and is in favor of the rezoning. Derrick Ibera stated he is a tenant in the building and operates Charly’s Video Gaming at 1792 Sycamore Road. He stated his support for this business and said Mr. Franzene is a very caring person and the property has always been kept up and very well lit. Chair Doe gave the Commissioners an opportunity to ask any questions. Mr. Castro asked for clarification that Charley’s and the two nearby video gaming establishments were in existence prior to this application. Mr. Olson said that is correct. Ms. Buckley asked what the hours of operation would be. Greg Holloway of 1332 Stonegate Rd., Naperville and the operator of the proposed pawn shop responded the hours would probably be 10-6 during the week and 10-4 on Saturday. Ms. Buckley also asked what type of security they are considering on site besides the video cameras. Mr. Holloway responded that there will be video surveillance and buttons to lock and unlock the doors. Mr. Maxwell asked about the zoning. Mr. Olson clarified that it is a rezoning request to the Planned Development Commercial District and the pawn shop will be moved from a special use to a permitted use. Mr. Wright asked what type of profit does a pawn shop make. Mr. Holloway responded that in Naperville they produce $250-300,000 a year in sales, but the profit is obviously less. Mr. Wright asked what is the toughest part of the business. Mr. Holloway said the toughest part is having the knowledge of the different variety of items and what they are worth. Mr. Wright asked if they have had any security issues in Naperville. Mr. Holloway said not at all. Mr. Castro asked just for the record if the petition in front of the Commission is completely unrelated to the City licensing process for the pawn shop. Mr. Olson said that was correct. Ms. Buckley asked Mr. Holloway how the loans will work. Mr. Holloway said they take in inventory and it would be only collateral loans. Chair Doe asked if they had an over-abundance of inventory what would they do with it. Mr. Holloway said if it is not sellable they will donate it, or it will be stored. Ms. Barbe asked Mr. Olson if going from the General Commercial District to Planned Development District affects the whole building. He replied yes. Mr. Maxwell asked Mr. Olson if the 32 required parking spaces were shared among the businesses or per business in the building. Mr. Olson said the parking is for all the tenants and there is a formula in the UDO that is used to figure out how many spaces are required for each type of use. Planning and Zoning Commission September 5, 2018 Page 5 of 10 Chair Doe gave one more opportunity for the public to speak. There was none, and the public hearing was closed. Chair Doe asked if the Commissioners had any more questions or comments. There was none. Mr. Maxwell made a motion based upon the submitted petition and testimony presented that the Planning and Zoning Commission forward its findings of fact and recommend to the City Council approval of a Zoning Map Amendment from the “GC” General Commercial District to the “PD-C” Planned Development Commercial District for a .79 acre site located at 1786-1792 Sycamore Road per the Development Standards and conditions listed on Exhibit A of the staff report. Seconded by Ms. Buckley. A roll call vote was taken. Mr. Castro – yes, Mr. Maxwell – yes, Mr. Wright - yes, Ms. Barbe – yes, Ms. Buckley – yes, Chair Doe – yes. Motion passes 6-0-1. Ms. Nier was absent. Mr. Olson thanked the first two applicants for waiting two weeks for their hearing. 3. Public Hearing – Petition by Adventure Works of DeKalb County, Inc. represented by Lynette Spencer for approval of zoning map amendment from the “MFR-1” Multiple Family Residential District and the “SFR-2” Single Family Residential District to the “PD-R” Planned Development Residential District for property located at 1211 and 1215 Sycamore Road. Lynette Spencer, Executive Director of Adventure Works, located at 1211 Sycamore Road explained that they are a youth organization that she founded in 2010. She added they have brought a service to the community as well as employment through their non-profit organization. She stated their mission is guiding youth and overcoming life challenges through adventure based counseling and education through outdoor behavioral healthcare. Ms. Spencer introduced some of the organization members that were present and went through the presentation explaining their organization and how they want to expand their property for an existing counseling center along with other groups they collaborate with in the community. Ms. Spencer added that they are in a contract to purchase the vacant property at 1215 Sycamore Road. She said they are asking for a zoning change to a Planned Development for their site and the vacant lot. She added they will not be building on it and it secures and squares up their property. Mr. Olson went through the staff report dated August 31, 2018. He said Adventure Works is currently zoned multi-family with a special use for the counseling center and they want to rezone both lots to Planned Development - Residential. He mentioned the restrictions put on the building and went through the standards for the re-zoning in the report and felt there would not be any detrimental effects on the neighbors. Mr. Olson said there is a sample motion provided and a Planning and Zoning Commission September 5, 2018 Page 6 of 10 recommendation to approve with the conditions listed on Exhibit A in the staff report. Chair Doe opened up the public portion of the hearing. Judith Winter of 721 Krpan Ct. stated she is not at all opposed but has a concern and a possible suggestion. She said that the property Adventure Works owns is adjacent to her property and feels there is a confidentiality issue since there is really nothing to divide the two properties. She said sometimes when they are outside one can hear what is going on in the Adventure Works yard. Ms. Winter suggested they consider putting up something defining the lot line such as a barrier, which would help the confidentiality and safety in the future. Barry Wolfe of 1221 Sycamore Road said he is completely in support of this but stated the Kishwaukee Water Reclamation District expansion adjacent to him is a mess and his house is the only one that did not get an offer from the District. His feels his property has been devalued by the expansion of the treatment facility. He said locations like the counseling center carry stigmas with them as does the waste water treatment plant and believes he will never be able to sell his house. He commented when the project started he had hoped that commercial would be built on the vacant lot but now it’s not going to happen. He has spoken with lawyers, real estate agents and his bank officer, all of them wanted to know why the City did not give him an offer on his property. Mr. Wolfe would like the City to give him an offer on his property. Ms. Jo Ellen Charlton stated she remembers Mr. Wolfe coming to the Commission meeting when the Sanitary District was asking for approval and believing the Director of the Sanitary District was going to talk to him. Mr. Wolfe said they have not done that. Ms. Charlton said she wasn’t sure the City could help him, but she will go back and listen to his testimony to see if there is anything represented by the District that they should follow up on. She said she would give him her card, so he can follow up with her. Chair Doe asked if the Commissioners had any questions or comments. Ms. Barbe asked about safety issues with kids because there is no fencing. Ms. Spencer said they were nationally accredited last year for having very stringent risk management protocols and response mechanisms in place. She said Sycamore Road does pose a concern, but they are constantly assessing safety. She added they have talked about putting in a barrier such as a fence that does meet the UDO regulations. Ms. Spencer said they do have plans of fencing off that edge by Ms. Winter’s property. She also mentioned that because they have outdoor activities, they cannot guarantee 100% confidentiality and parents and children 12 and older do sign a consent acknowledging the inability to guarantee confidentiality. Mr. Maxwell asked Mr. Olson about the UDO regulations for fencing. He responded that a fence can be constructed up to the rear lot line and could not be in front of the building in the front yard. Ms. Spencer asked Mr. Olson Planning and Zoning Commission September 5, 2018 Page 7 of 10 about the type of fence they can have. He responded that if it’s an open fence and lower in height, it can be closer to Sycamore Road. Chair Doe asked how the rezoning effects the apartment unit on the 2nd floor. Mr. Olson said the intent is to allow the existing dwelling unit on the 2nd level to remain and it should be part of the motion. Chair Doe gave one more opportunity for the public to speak. There was none, and the public hearing was closed. Ms. Buckley made a motion based upon the submitted petition and testimony presented that the Planning and Zoning Commission forward its findings of fact and recommend to the City Council approval of a Zoning Map Amendment from the “MFR-1” Multiple Family Residential District to the “PD-R” Planned Development Residential District for property located at 1211 Sycamore Road and approval of zoning map amendment from the “SFR-2” Single Family Residential District to the “PD-R” Planned Development Residential District for property located at 1215 Sycamore Road per the development standards and conditions listed on Exhibit A of the staff report along with continuing to allow one dwelling unit on the second level of the building on the property. Seconded by Ms. Barbe. A roll call vote was taken. Mr. Maxwell – yes, Mr. Wright – yes, Ms. Barbe – yes, Ms. Buckley – yes, Mr. Castro – yes, Chair Doe – yes. Motion passes 6-0-1. Ms. Nier was absent. 4. Review and Recommendation – DeKalb County - Approval of a Special Use Permit for a Solar Garden – Suburban Apartments – Twombly Road. Ms. Charlton went over a case being processed through DeKalb County that involves the construction of a solar garden next to Suburban Apartments on Twombly Road. She provided some background and talked about the City’s Comprehensive Plan and mentioned that the County gives the City a chance to review cases that are within a mile and a half from the City. She said the County public hearing will be held on September 13th. She said the applicant is Brett Robinson who is in attendance and represent the property owner. Ms. Charlton went through the site presentation and issues for considerations. She said she thought it would be nice if the City could do a properly noticed hearing and have adjacent residents come to the Commission to provide feedback. She stated we need to get input from the Fire Department because Suburban Apartments is not hooked up to city water. She said one of the City options would be to ask for a 60- day extension at the hearing on September 13th. She stated the City could also object to the use and that would advise the County that the City would not be involved anymore but are objecting to the use. In summary, Ms. Charlton said the recommendation is to slow it down and have the Planning and Zoning Commission adopt a motion to recommend the City Council approve a resolution that the City would present at the September 13th public hearing. Brett Robinson representing the applicant stated they want to work with the City. He said this solar farm is Planning and Zoning Commission September 5, 2018 Page 8 of 10 warrantied to be 80% effective after 25 years. Chair Doe asked why they chose this parcel and not the northeast parcel at the corner of Annie Glidden and Twombly Road. Mr. Robinson said they thought the northeast parcel spot might be better used for commercial uses. Chair Doe asked what the solar panels rate of movement is. Mr. Robinson said it varies every day of the year, but they move to follow the sun. Chair Doe also asked that since this is a high crime area would it be inviting to homeless people. He responded that they would have to get over the fence which might be difficult and the apartments have full time maintenance staff that would patrol the area. He mentioned the modules are strong and are insured. Mr. Maxwell asked if it was currently zoned AG. Mr. Olson responded that part is zoned Planned Development Residential and RC1 according to the public notice. Mr. Maxwell asked if the electricity gets sold back to the grid. Mr. Robinson said it’s sold to ComEd then sold back to the apartments at a discounted price. Ms. Buckley asked what type of barrier is there between the apartment complex and the solar farm area. Mr. Robinson responded a fence is proposed all the way around the site. Ms. Buckley asked if there are any other buildings that will have to be built. Mr. Robinson responded that an inverter will have to be built. Mr. Maxwell asked if anything must be dug and buried. Mr. Robinson stated they will have to dig under Twombly Road. Ms. Barbe asked if the solar panels will look like the image presented in the packet and Mr. Robinson responded yes. Mr. Castro asked Ms. Charlton when the City heard about this petition. She said a couple of weeks ago and the City reached out to get information from DeKalb County. Mr. Castro asked who would respond if someone called 911. Ms. Charlton said the sheriff of DeKalb County and the City for a fire call. Mr. Castro is in favor of asking the County to have a dialogue about this and wants to give the residents a chance to give their input. Ms. Charlton said the County did send a notice to the residents south of this property about their hearing. Dr. Shan Bedi, owner of the subject property, talked about the plans and said solar gardens are widespread now across the country. He thought there were four fire hydrants on the property with adequate pressure. He said he would like to provide the apartment tenants a discount rate for electricity and feels in the long run it will be good for the residents. Chair Doe thinks this is a great project and learning from experience, she agreed to ask the County to slow down on this. Mr. Maxwell stated he wanted to keep the residents informed. The Planning & Zoning Commission made a motion to ask the DeKalb County hearing officer to delay the completion of the public hearing for 60 days in order to give the City time to complete a thorough review and examination of the witnesses and the testimony so that the City can provide better feedback. Moved by Ms. Buckley, seconded by Mr. Maxwell and the motion was approved by unanimous voice vote. Ms. Charlton wanted to give the Commission an update that there are two other solar projects that might be coming forward for consideration within the City. One is on the southwest part of town at S. 1st St. and Gurler Road and the other one is Planning and Zoning Commission September 5, 2018 Page 9 of 10 on the north side of Pleasant St. just north of Taylor Airport on property owned by the City. 5. Review and Recommendation – DeKalb County - Wind Energy Ordinance Ms. Charlton said DeKalb County has been evaluating their wind ordinance and they have finalized a draft. She said the Mayor has participated in some of the preliminary meetings at the County and is not looking for a formal recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission at this time. Ms. Charlton stated the public hearing will be on September 24th from 1-4:30 and 6-9:00pm at the Egyptian Theater. She said the Mayor asked her to give a brief overview to the Commission and get general feedback. Ms. Charlton went through the key points of the Ordinance and noted it’s on County’s website under Hot Topics. Ms. Buckley asked if this is the EDF renewable energies companies wind farm or is this in general for the whole County. Ms. Charlton said this is a text amendment, so it would apply for any wind farm proposal that came forward in the County. Ms. Buckley said there have been multiple hearings on EDF and asked if this is something the City would adopt. Ms. Charlton said the City already has wind and solar provisions in the UDO, but in a much-reduced scale than what the County is proposing. Ms. Charlton said this is informational and there is no formal recommendation requested. Ms. Buckley added if the County could keep them informed as they go through the process and the Commission get a final copy of the ordinance. F. REPORTS Mr. Olson mentioned the next Planning and Zoning Commission meeting will be Wednesday, September 19, 2018. There will be one public hearing for Hillcrest Covenant Church which is requesting an electronic readerboard sign. Mr. Olson reported that the video gaming establishment at 850 South 4th St. (Maisy’s) was approved by the City Council at their August 27th meeting. He added the Council added a condition that no temporary sign could have any reference to video gaming or alcohol on it. Chair Doe mentioned she saw the City Council discussing the signage regulations and the Mayor said this would be a good time for the regulations to be reviewed. Ms. Doe said she sent an email to the Mayor indicating she hoped that someone on the Planning and Zoning Commission will be part of that discussion. G. ADJOURNMENT Ms. Buckley motioned to adjourn, Mr. Maxwell seconded the motion, and the motion was approved by unanimous voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 8:59pm. Planning and Zoning Commission September 5, 2018 Page 10 of 10 Respectfully Submitted, Linda Odom, Recording Secretary Minutes were approved by the Planning & Zoning Commission on October 3, 2018.  COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT STAFF REPORT September 28, 2018 TO: DeKalb Planning and Zoning Commission FROM: Jo Ellen Charlton, Community Development Director Dan Olson, Principal Planner RE: Variance –209 W. Hillcrest Dr. – Garage Addition (Gary and Sara Lisle) I. GENERAL INFORMATION A. Purpose Approval of a variance to Article 5.02 – “SFR-2” Single Family Residential District of the UDO in order to allow for a garage addition to encroach into the front and rear yard setbacks on the subject property B. Location/Size 209 W. Hillcrest Dr./.23 acres C. Petitioner Gary and Sara Lisle D. Existing Zoning “SFR2” Single-Family Residential E. Existing Land Use Single-Family Home F. Surrounding Zoning and Land Use North: “SFR2” Single-Family Residences South: “SFR2” Single-Family Residences East: “SFR2” Single-Family Residences West: “SFR2” Single-Family Residences G. Comprehensive Plan Designation Low Density Single Family Residential II. BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS The applicant, Gary and Sara Lisle, are proposing to construct an addition onto their one-car garage on the east end of their home located at 209 W. Hillcrest Dr. The proposed garage addition will be 13’ x 25.75’ in dimension. The subject lot is a corner lot, zoned “SFR2” Single-Family Residential and the front yard setback along W. Hillcrest Dr. and Sunnymeade Trail is 25 feet. The rear yard setback in the “SFR2” District is 30 feet. The proposed garage addition will be 16 feet from Sunnymeade Trail and 21 feet from the rear lot line. The existing home is 28.5 feet from Sunnymeade Trail and 22.5 feet from the rear lot line (see site plan in packet). Approximately two-thirds of the garage addition would be within an area meeting the required setback along Sunnymeade Trail with only one-third encroaching into the required setback. The northeast corner of the home is 22.5 feet from the rear lot line and the proposed addition will reduce the setback by just 1.5 feet to 21 feet. There currently is a paved drive in front of the area where the garage addition is proposed. The applicant is planning to widen the drive by about two feet to the east. The drive will not be widened in the right-of-way (area between the sidewalk and curb). Most of the homes (about 80%) in the surrounding neighborhood have two-car garages. Page 2 of 5  View to front of home across W. Hillcrest Dr. The subject lot is irregular shaped and widens out on the east side of the lot. The view of the home to the north at 1115 Sunnymeade Trail will not be blocked by the garage addition as one drives north along Sunnymeade. The lot size of the subject property is .23 acres (10,220 sq. ft.) and similar in size to other lots in the surrounding area but much smaller than the other three corner lots at the W. Hillcrest Dr. and Sunnymeade Trail intersection. Corner lots are typically larger than the other standard lots in a subdivision in order to accommodate the setbacks for the principal structure and accessory structures and still leave a usable yard. The lot at the northeast corner of the intersection (129 W. Hillcrest) is 16,328 sq. ft., the lot at the southeast corner of the intersection (1030 Sunnymeade Trail) is 14,627 sq. ft. and the lot at the southwest corner of the intersection (1025 Sunnymeade Trail) is 13,997 sq. ft. The exterior front of the garage addition will be brick which will match the rest of the front of the home and will transition to a quality vinyl siding of complementary color along the east and north sides. In the Commission’s packet are images that show the existing home as viewed from W. Hillcrest Dr. and Sunnymeade Trail. Page 3 of 5 III. FINDINGS OF FACT FOR VARIATIONS The request has been reviewed using the criteria regarding variances stated in Article 18, Section 18.03.03 of the UDO, titled “Findings of Fact,” as follows: 1. The property in question cannot yield a reasonable return if permitted to be used only under the conditions allowed by the regulations of that district. The subject lot is a corner lot and the regulations in the UDO for the SFR2 District require a 25- foot setback along all public streets and 30 feet from the rear lot line. The garage is on the east side of the home next to the front yard along Sunnymeade Trail. The home has a one-car garage and the vast majority (about 80%) of the homes in the area have a two-car garage. There is no room on the lot to construct a two-car garage and meet the required setback unless the garage was placed on the west side lot which would require extensive renovations to the interior of the home and a re-located access drive to W. Hillcrest Dr. 2. The extraordinary or exceptional conditions of the property, requiring the request for the variance, were not caused by the applicant. The subject lot is .23 acres and has existed since 1958 when the subdivision plat for Hillcrest Subdivision was recorded and at a time when many households only had one-car. The applicant purchased the lot in 2004. The existing conditions of the property and resulting variance request are not a result of the applicant, but rather due to the size and layout of the home on the lot, which was established in 1958. 3. The proposed variance will alleviate a peculiar, exceptional, or undue hardship, as distinguished from a mere inconvenience or pecuniary hardship. The subject property is a corner lot which limits the area where an addition to the existing one-car garage can occur in this case. The vast majority (about 80%) of the garages in the surrounding neighborhood are two-car garages. Only about one-third of the proposed garage addition will encroach into the front yard setback along Sunnymeade Trail. The subject property is a corner lot and 10,220 sq. ft. which is comparable in size to other regular lots in the neighborhood, however much less than the other three corner lots at the W. Hillcrest Dr. and Sunnymeade Trail intersection. The lot size is small and exceptional for a corner lot. 4. The denial of the proposed variance will deprive the applicant of the use of his/her property in a manner equivalent to the use permitted to be made by the owners of property in the immediate area. The vast majority of the homes (about 80%) in the neighborhood have two-car garages and denial of the proposed variance will deprive the applicant the use if their property in a manner equivalent Page 4 of 5 to others in the surrounding neighborhood. 5. The proposed variance will result in a structure that is appropriate to and compatible with the character and scale of structures in the area in which the variance is being requested. The vast majority of the garages in the surrounding neighborhood are two-car garages. The proposed garage addition will be compatible with the existing structure and will not alter the character and scale of the structures in the area in which the variance is being requested. 6. The proposed variation will not impair and adequate supply of light and air to adjacent property; unreasonably increase the congestion in public streets, increase the danger of fire or endanger the public safety, unreasonably diminish or impair established property values within the surrounding area or in any other respect impair the public health, safety, comfort, morals, or welfare of the inhabitants of the City of DeKalb. The front of the garage addition will be brick and match with the rest of the front of the home and will transition to a quality vinyl siding of complementary color on the east and north sides. The proposed garage addition will add value to the home and to the established property values in the surrounding area. The variance will not impair the public health, safety, comfort, morals, or welfare of the inhabitants of the neighborhood or the City of DeKalb. IV. RECOMMENDATION Sample Variation Motion: Based on the submitted petition, testimony presented and findings of fact, I move that the Planning and Zoning Commission approve a variance to Article 5.02 – “SFR-2” Single Family Residential District of the UDO in order to allow for a garage addition to encroach into the front and rear yard setbacks on the subject property located at 209 W. Hillcrest Dr. subject to garage location as shown on the survey received on August 24, 2018 and labeled as Exhibit A and subject to the garage addition being constructed of brick along the south side matching the existing brick of the home and transitioning to vinyl siding along the east and north sides of the garage matching the color of the existing home as determined by the Community Development Director. Page 5 of 5  EXHIBIT A 21’ 22.5’ 32’ 30’ 13’ Proposed Garage Addition 25.75’ 18.5’ 13’ (Sho rtest 16’ Dista nce to POW ) Existing Concrete Driveway Proposed Concrete Widening 2.2’  16,328 sq. ft. 10,220 sq. ft. 14,627 sq. ft. 13,997 sq. ft. September 11, 2018 Dear Property Owner: The DeKalb Planning and Zoning Commission will consider a request on a petition by Gary and Sara Lisle for a variance to Article 5.02 – “SFR-2” Single Family Residential District of the UDO in order to allow for a garage addition to encroach into the front and rear yard setbacks on the subject property and approval of other such variations or relief as required to accommodate the proposed request. The subject property is located at 209 West Hillcrest Drive, DeKalb, IL 60115 and zoned “SFR2” Single-Family Residential. The DeKalb Planning and Zoning Commission will review this request and hold a public hearing at its regular meeting on Wednesday, October 3, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. The meeting will be at the DeKalb Municipal Building, 200 South Fourth Street, DeKalb, Illinois. As a property owner within 250 feet of the above-mentioned property, you are encouraged to attend this meeting to learn about and comment on the proposal. You are also welcome to submit any written comments you may have on the proposal no later than Wednesday, September 26, 2018. You may submit written comments regarding the request on the enclosed comment sheet by mail to the address listed above, or by e-mail to dan.olson@cityofdekalb.com. All comments will be shared with the Commission and included in the public record. Additional information regarding the public hearing and request can be found on the City of DeKalb’s web page at http://www.cityofdekalb.com/1103/Public-Hearings. If you have any questions about this request, please feel free to contact the Community Development Department at (815) 748-2060. Sincerely, Dan Olson Principal Planner Enclosures CC: Mayor City Council Interim City Manager Planning and Zoning Commission 209 West Hillcrest Drive – Variance – Setback Encroachment Page 2 of 4 LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that a public hearing will be held before the DeKalb Planning and Zoning Commission at its regular meeting on Wednesday, October 3, 2018, at 6:00 p.m. in the DeKalb Municipal Building, 200 South Fourth Street, DeKalb, Illinois, on the petition by Gary and Sara Lisle for a variance to Article 5.02 – “SFR-2” Single Family Residential District of the UDO in order to allow for a garage addition to encroach into the front and rear yard setbacks on the subject property and approval of other such variations or relief as required to accommodate the proposed request. The subject property is commonly described as 209 West Hillcrest Drive, DeKalb, IL 60115 and has a Parcel Identification Number (PIN) of 08-14-303-015. All interested persons are invited to appear and be heard at the time and place listed above. Interested persons are also encouraged to submit written comments on the proposal to the City of DeKalb, Community Development Department, 200 South Fourth Street, DeKalb, Illinois, 60115 by 5:00 p.m. by Wednesday, September 26, 2018. Further information regarding the petition is available from the Community Development Department at (815) 748-2361 or on the City of DeKalb’s web page at http://www.cityofdekalb.com/1103/Public-Hearings Christina Doe, Chairperson DeKalb Planning and Zoning Commission Page 4 of 4 Prepared for: The City of DeKalb, Illinois Prepared by: Camiros, Ltd. OCTOBER 2018 DRAFT  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS We would also like to thank the organizations that have been involved with this project and who will continue to contribute to its implementation. • Morgan Brickley • Christie Krupp AGN TASK FORCE Associate Director, Fraternity & Sorority Life Krupp and Krupp, LLP • Michelle Bringas • Mohammad Labadi Director of Asian American Resource Center President, Islamic Center of DeKalb • Deanna Cada • Dr. Leroy Mitchell DeKalb County Community Action Department Retired Pastor, New Hope Missionary Baptist Church • David Castro • Michael Newman Planning and Zoning Commission Member Hope Haven Coordinator • Jamie Craven • Shelly Perkins DeKalb School District Interm Superintendent DeKalb County Housing Authority • Bill Finucane • Patti Perkins City Council Liaison DeKalb Park District • Rudy Galvan • Mike Pittsley Owner, Burritoville Owner, Pittsley Realty • Joe Gastiger, • Valerie Redmond Pastor, United Church of Christ Children Home and Aide / Former UV Resident • Chad Glover • Glenn Roby Director of Jobs PLUS Board Treasurer of Phi Sigma Kappa Alumni Association • Rachel Jacob, President • Herb Rubin NIU Student Association Retired NIU Professor • Will Heinisch • Ecila Scaife DARA President NIU Child Development Supervisor • Derek Hiland • Gip Seaver DeKalb County Community Development Director Retired NIU Deputy Provost • Tiara Huggins • Kurt Thurmaier University Village Tenants Association President Chair of Public Administration Department • Dan Kenney • Ellingsworth Webb DeKalb County Community Gardens President Property Manager of Eden’s Garden • David Jacobson • Denise Weinmann City Council Liaison RVG Commercial Developer • Andrew John Knox Student Member of Greek Community OTHER ORGANIZATIONS INVOLVED IN • 4-C: Community Coordinated Child Care • DeKalb Businesses • DeKalb County Health Department • DeKalb Park District • DeKalb Property Owners and Managers • First United Methodist Church • Immanuel Lutheran Church • Kishwaukee United Way • Northern Illinois University – All Departments • Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital • Westminster Presbyterian Church AGN REVITALIZATION EFFORTS The Annie Glidden North Neighborhood will be attractive, walkable and bikeable, with abundant green amenities. It will include safe and clean blocks that are inviting and livable for a vibrant mix of businesses, students, and all residents alike.  TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary ......................................................... 1 Recommended Projects and Initiatives ............................. 5 Transportation, Infrastructure and Open Space .......... 11 Community Services..................................................... 27 Neighborhood Safety and Security .............................. 39 Housing and Commercial Development ...................... 45 Market Study Summary ................................................. 59 Community Engagement ................................................ 61 Community Feedback .................................................... 65 Zoning Ordinance Review .............................................. 71 Implementation ............................................................. 79 PROJECT AREA The area of Suburban Apartments is unincorporated and DEKALB COUNTY is not within the HEALTH DEPARTMENT jurisdiction of the City of DeKalb. The plan recommends that the City, DeKalb EDEN’S County, property GARDEN owners, and partner organizations collaborate to include unincorporated areas bordering the AGN neighborhood in Garden of initiatives whenever DRESSER RD Eden Park possible. It is the intent to increase the quality of life and living standards for TWOMBLY RD all of the City and surrounding areas SUBURBAN through the initiatives APARTMENTS that take place as a result of this Plan. WEST AMBER RIDGE MANOR RIDGE DR SUBURBAN APARTMENTS RIDGEBROOK BLACKHAWK DR GREEK ROW Boardman Park COLLEGE NORMAL RD PARK ANNIE GLIDDEN AVE HILLCREST DR GR EEK ROW Pappas Park FOTIS DR VARSITY BLVD VARSITY UNIVERSITY SQUARE HEIGHTS RUSSELL RD UNIVERSITY VILLAGE Welsh Park CRANE DR UNIVERSITY PLAZA LUCINDA AVE  EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Many of the issues identified in studies conducted in prior years that gave cause to this planning effort, are ones that can only truly be addressed by PURPOSE This Plan serves two main purposes: focusing on systemic root causes rather than the symptoms they produce 1. Describes the AGN Revitalization such as crime. The goal of the Annie Glidden North Revitalization Plan is to Plan process to provide a historical create a visionary guiding document that sets forth the strategic direction background of the planning process for revitalization of the AGN Neighborhood through addressing root causes underwent that led to the creation of this plan, and the projects and of the issues that have led to its decline. This Plan provides guidance for recommendations included as a result. initiatives that can transform the AGN Neighborhood into a desirable area to reside in or visit. 2. Lists specific initiatives and goals that have been recommended by members of the community, the Task Force, the The issues that brought about the need for this Plan did not arise in a short City and partner organizations, and the span of time just as it will take significant time and effort to realize the planning consulting tasked with leading positive change that is the hope of those invested in the community, who live the process and building the Plan, in or near the neighborhood, and/or who are affected by its condition. The Camiros. residents of the AGN Neighborhood make up 23% of the total population of the City of DeKalb. The wellbeing of this area is tantamount to the overall health of the entire City. If actions are organized and carried through in the short-term, long-term commitment is made, public-private partnerships are leveraged, and significant efforts are contributed by all community members and stakeholders invested in the success of this Plan, revitalization of the AGN Neighborhood can occur. This Plan is a community led, collaborative effort that describes strategies to improve the quality of life for residents. The intent of this Plan is to chart a course for achieving the community vision for the AGN neighborhood while encouraging reinvestment. Successful implementation of Plan initiatives are dependent on strong commitments from and close collaboration among Executive Summary AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT 1  all partners. Stakeholders, including Northern Illinois University (NIU), OUTCOMES property owners, developers, other units of government, and local The intended outcomes of this Plan are many residents have their own sets of interests and goals for community but to assist the reader understand more improvement that often align with each other. The Plan builds on these specifically what is meant by transformation and synergies. revitalization, intentions for AGN Revitalization efforts can be summarized into the following statements for the community as a whole: Development of the Plan has been directed by several goals including improving safety and security, generating commercial redevelopment, 1. We intend to create an environment that developing high quality rental units for a mix of incomes, attracting can provide residents with a foundation to thrive economically as long-term members greater investment toward improving existing properties, improving of the community existing assets, and establishing better connections to jobs and services. The Plan has also been guided by comments received during 2. We intend to make the neighborhood a safe the planning process, such as the need to address lifestyle conflicts and inviting place for both students and non-student residents who are seeking to between families and NIU students, lack of housing diversity and issues live productive and positive lives and want with current zoning regulations. In order to advance the vision of the to enjoy the area they live in. community and address these issues, the Plan outlines and prioritizes a suite of proactive and reactive neighborhood initiatives and policy 3. We intend to attract and retain property owners that genuinely care about the recommendations based on both local understanding and national best wellbeing of their residents and the practice case studies, which are included within the Recommended community. The types of property owners Projects and Initiatives section. that we will strive to work with and open our community to are those who will proactively comply with city building This Plan includes project descriptions that are intended to be adopted codes, make necessary investments in by agencies and community partners who will then organize actions their property to provide quality standard to take during the implementation stage after the final approval of this living conditions to tenants regardless document. The many projects listed in this Plan vary widely in size and of unit rates or resident demographics, and be responsive to the needs of scope but all of them are strategic in their purpose to effect positive the neighborhood and community as change through initiatives involving community services, safety and revitalization actions begin. We will not security, infrastructure improvements, beautification, redesign of parks be amenable to property owners and and open space, and housing and commercial development. The Core managers who do not have a vested interest in the vitality of this neighborhood Transformational Projects that are listed on page 4, were designed and and the entire community. selected as catalysts to create positive change through interconnection of new services and physical improvements for the AGN Neighborhood 4. We intend to reintegrate the area into and all residents of DeKalb. the community and make the AGN neighborhood a desirable destination for any person to live in or visit through improvement and addition of transit services, parks, trails, retail shopping, attractive, safe, and affordable housing options, entertainment and events, place making, and beautification of the environment. 2 Executive Summary AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT STRENGTHENING TOWN-GOWN RELATIONSHIPS Surrounding the Northern Illinois University campus are The AGN Plan establishes priorities for community neighborhoods of renters and homeowners, families service, volunteerism, and investments that will strengthen and single professionals, students, and seniors. These town-gown bonds and make the area a better place to live. residents are proud of the campus, just as they are proud By utilizing the AGN Plan as a roadmap for future changes, and protective of their streets, yards, and homes. NIU, students, faculty, staff, property owners, and full-time City of DeKalb, and local neighborhood organizations residents can enjoy and look forward to the work they are encouraged to work together to promote a safe, will do together and engage in making their community sustainable and livable community. A primary issue facing stronger as a whole. town-gown communities such as the AGN Neighborhood is the ability for students, higher education professionals, and community members to establish healthy, “neighborly” relationships. Is this the place to raise my family? Should I stay after I Can I retire here? graduate? Am I welcomed here? How safe is my neighborhood? Executive Summary AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT 3  core transformational projects The Plan recommends that the community consider ten primary projects as the highest These projects were priorities for the implementation agenda. The Core Transformational Projects were designed chosen to change and specifically selected as catalysts for creating positive activity through interconnection the status of the neighborhood from of new services and uses for the AGN Neighborhood and surrounding community. These “Surviving to Thriving” are projects that have the potential to stimulate the revitalization of the AGN area and trigger positive momentum for quality improvements and renewal.The Core Transformational Projects reflect each of the four key initiatives of the Plan and should be initiated within the next one to four years in order to advance implementation. Project descriptions begin on page 17. B1 D1 C1 A1 B2 Establish a Consider creation Implementation Identification Create a Community Food of a Community of safety of local Community and Education Development improvements transportation Center Program Center Corporation focused on improvements (CDC) to focus on improved and direct implementation lighting and integration with of revitalization surveillance DSATS Study efforts Recommended Implementation Priorities B3 D3 A3 D2 A2 Work with local Create a Develop Create a Lucinda Redesign Welsh health care Hillcrest/ streetscape Focus Area, Park as a local providers, to Blackhawk Focus and gateway prioritizing and regional establish a Area, prioritizing improvements redevelopment destination walk-in clinic mixed-use for the Greek through a or urgent care development Row area in potential facility through a order to help public/private potential improve its partnership public/private identity and partnership perception 4 Executive Summary AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT  RECOMMENDED PROJECTS AND INITIATIVES CORE GOALS As part of the Listening and Learning phase of the Plan, • Growing the local tax base with new residents Core Goals were developed by the project Task Force. These goals were used to develop the Project Reference • Create an environment that provides residents with Map and Implementation Projects and include: a foundation to thrive economically as long-term members of the community • Developing a stronger sense of cohesion internally • Improving the return on investment for property and with the rest of the City owners • Reduce crime • Increasing access to healthy food as a tool for • Ensuring that AGN is a “high choice” area for empowerment living that university and employers can use for • Addressing the deficiencies of the neighborhood in recruitment terms of social services in order to fill the gaps with • Enhancing the overall college experience viable solutions • Making the area more pedestrian friendly • Ensuring that various stakeholders have ownership and pride in the AGN Revitalization Plan • Developing a deeper understanding of those who live in poverty and their challenges • Changing the direction of AGN from surviving to thriving DRAFT ALTERNATIVES Prior to development of the Plan, Draft Alternatives incorporate feedback from Community Meeting 2, as well were created in Spring 2018 to reflect community as additional comments received from the Task Force feedback on potential improvements to the AGN area. and other stakeholders. Elements of the Draft Alternatives The Draft Alternatives, shown on the following pages, were incorporated into the Plan. were intended to illustrate a vision for the future and Recommended Projects and Initiatives AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT 5  inspiration for the future New multi-use path leading to campus Mixed-use development with student-oriented amenities Running path and other park Student-related Redeveloped services & enhancements commercial node facilities with night life Multi-Family establishments Rehab or redevelopment Access point Enhanced Multi-Family Intersection Access Multi-use path Rehab or New mixed-use connecting to point redevelopment development & Welsh Park green square replacing relocated ail parking lot Ne w tr Relocated creek University Plaza parking lot Enhanced Intersection Student apartments Mixed-use development To campus ANNIE GLIDDEN NORTH REVITALIZATION PLAN DRAFT ALTERNATIVE - “CAMPUS COMMUNITY” camiros DEKALB, IL FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY APRIL2018 DRAFT ALTERNATIVE - “CAMPUS COMMUNITY” The “Campus Community” Alternative was oriented around the idea of strengthening the AGN neighborhood as a student-oriented community and creating stronger linkages with Northern Illinois University (NIU). The Alternative focused on public improvements including a new creek trail, pathways and improved pedestrian crossings, that would coincide with private mixed-use and commercial redevelopment at the Annie Glidden / Lucinda and Annie Glidden / Hillcrest intersections. A student-related service hub was suggested for the Blackhawk/Hillcrest area while a strong focus for residential reinvestment was on apartment areas west of Normal Road and immediately south of Varsity Boulevard. 6 Recommended Projects and Initiatives AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT  inspiration for the future High school ball fields New single-family DeKalb County neighborhood Health Services New commercial node To High School and Downtown Improved multi-modal New single-family infrastructure neighborhood To Downtown Redeveloped commercial node Family Dog park with improved services building configuration Community gardens on vacant parcels To Downtown Improved basketball court Rezone parcels to redevelop for single-family Improved Improved path to Path to New multi-use path new creek trail new creek trail Enhanced Intersections New park space & New community center/ Mixed-Use Park Facility New multi-unit facul- ty/staff housing with reconfigured parking lot to rear Plaza Commercial To Downtown development ANNIE GLIDDEN NORTH REVITALIZATION PLAN DRAFT ALTERNATIVE - “HEALTHY HOME” camiros DEKALB, IL FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY APRIL2018 DRAFT ALTERNATIVE “HEALTHY HOME” The “Healthy Home” Alternative focuses on ensuring that the AGN Area becomes a more attractive and livable community for families. New lower-density redevelopment would help to fill in vacant property, along with a strong emphasis on the development of services and amenities that were oriented towards families. Commercial redevelopment was focused on the west side of the Annie Glidden / Hillcrest intersection, as well as at the corner of Annie Glidden / Lucinda. Parks and open spaces, including Welsh Park and Boardman Park would be redesigned to be more usable for children and teens. Community gardens would be incorporated on vacant or underutilized properties. Family services would be anchored at the the Blackhawk / Lucinda intersection, as well as at the 912 Edgebrook Property. Pedestrian and bicycle connections would be strengthened to the DeKalb County Health Services campus as well as to DeKalb High School. Recommended Projects and Initiatives AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT 7  PROJECT REFERENCE MAP D5 B3 D1 B7 D4 W DRESSER ROAD A8 TWOMBLY ROAD Potential Street Connections Low to Medium C1 Density Infill N ANNIE GLIDDEN ROAD Residential Potential Street RIDGE DRIVE Connection D2 B2 A4 W HIlLCREST DRIVE A3 A6 A1 VARSITY BOULEVARD B4 D7 A5 C2 B1 A2 CRANE DRIVE D6 NORMAL DRIVE RUSSELL ROAD D3 A6 B5 LUCINDA AVENUE A6 B6 HIGHER AND MEDIUM PRIORITY PROJECTS SHOWN FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY 8 Recommended Projects and Initiatives AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT PLAN PRIORITIES The Plan outlines overall priorities for the AGN Project complexity is determined by evaluating the Neighborhood, reflecting stakeholder and Task Force following foreseeable criteria: Project time and value, comments and feedback generated through the team size and composition, project urgency, schedule, community engagement process. The Plan is organized cost and scope flexibility, clarity of the problem and according to the following four priorities. These solution, stability of requirements, strategic importance, four priorities were initially determined through prior stakeholder influence, level of organizational and studies that eventually led to the inception of the AGN commercial change, and external constraints and Revitalization Plan process. Each priority includes a dependencies. range of public and private implementation projects. The descriptions listed below for each priority are summaries of the desired outcomes that the AGN Task Force working groups developed. TRANSPORTATION, INFRASTRUCTURE AND OPEN SPACE A Ensure efficient transit service is available to neighborhood residents and Annie Glidden Road is safe for both motorists and pedestrians. Street trees should be plentiful, shading residents and beautifying the neighborhood. Efficient, safe, and well-located off-street parking should be provided. Improved lighting will allow residents to safely enjoy the neighborhood. Redesign Welsh Park and other available green space for all ages, to accommodate passive and active uses. Make AGN a desirable area for the entire community to visit or live in by providing quality living standards, adding useful park and recreation space, and creating interconnectivity between the neighborhood and the rest of the City. COMMUNITY SERVICES B Foster increased civic participation by neighborhood residents. Increase local daycare services and alternatives to help current families and attract new families. Promote greater awareness of community-focused services already in place. Ensure AGN residents are able to access employment opportunities and resources. Build and link partnerships between organizations that are located and/or operate in the neighborhood. NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY AND SECURITY C Reduce crimes by ensuring greater incorporation of crime-free housing. Add cameras and lighting while ensuring improved property maintenance. Create better communication between property owners, City government, tenants, and NIU along with a network of neighborhood associations. Increase enforcement of minor quality of life infractions and the Safe Streets initiative. Continue to support cooperation between the City of DeKalb and NIU police. HOUSING AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT D Create a neighborhood with a vibrant and managed mix of students, families, and Greeks. Create efficient and well-located off-street parking. Promote well-maintained and managed properties. Develop a blend of retail and entertainment / nightlife options attractive to students, local residents and visitors. Ensure that public and private investment are aligned and coordinated. Recommended Projects and Initiatives AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT 9 - PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK -  TRANSPORTATION Make AGN a desirable area for the INFRASTRUCTURE AND entire community to visit or live in by providing quality living standards, adding useful park and recreation space, and creating interconnectivity OPEN SPACE between the neighborhood and the rest of the City. INTRODUCTION DESIRED OUTCOMES Transportation, infrastructure and open space elements Desired Outcomes were developed by the Transportation, of the Plan are intended to foster public investments that Infrastructure and Open Space working group at the initial can improve the quality of life for local residents while also brainstorming session and include the following: helping to incentivize improved private redevelopment. Projects in this section focus heavily on achieving the • Ensure efficient transit service is available to following Plan goals: neighborhood residents and Annie Glidden Road is safe for both motorists and pedestrians. • Developing a stronger sense of cohesion internally • Street trees should be plentiful, shading residents and and with the rest of the City beautifying the neighborhood. • Efficient, safe, and well-located off-street parking • Ensuring that AGN is a “high choice” area for should be provided. living that university and employers can use for • Improved lighting will allow residents to safely enjoy recruitment the neighborhood. • Redesign Welsh Park and other available green space • Making the area more pedestrian friendly for all ages, to accommodate passive and active uses. • Make AGN a desirable area for the entire community • Changing the direction of AGN from surviving to to visit or live in by providing quality living standards, thriving adding useful park and recreation space, and creating interconnectivity between the neighborhood and the rest of the City. Transportation, Infrastructure and Open Space AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT 11  HIGHER PRIORITY PROJECTS IDENTIFICATION OF LOCAL TRANSPORTATION which are based on stakeholder feedback and reflect A1 IMPROVEMENTS AND DIRECT INTEGRATION fundamentals of effective transit service: WITH DSATS STUDY Community and stakeholder feedback indicates a • Increase frequency strong desire to ensure that area families are well- • Increase span of service connected to essential services, shopping and • Simplify routing to increase directness employment centers. As redevelopment occurs, • Reduce overlapping service transportation improvements including transit routing • Simplify schedules and standardize service periods may also need to be revised. The Plan recommends organizations incorporation of these goals in future updates to the DeKalb Sycamore Area Transportation Study (DSATS). The central element of the proposed service options, DSATS is the Metropolitan Planning Organization referred to as the Core Network, combines portions (MPO) for the DeKalb Illinois Metropolitan Area. of existing routes to create a network of 30-minute service for much of the day, operating seven days per In 2017, DSATS completed the most recent update week. Under the proposed service options, the current of its Transit Development Plan (TDP). The purpose Huskie Line routes that focus primarily on access of the update was to review and evaluate the existing to campus will continue with minor modifications; operations of NIU Transit Services and TransVAC, the TransVAC deviated fixed routes, serving the community two primary transit services in the DeKalb-Sycamore more broadly, are also modified. In terms of significant region; investigate the costs and benefits of a more service expansion, a new flex route in Sycamore is integrated intra-community transit service among the proposed, and four new shorter community fixed two primary transit services; and consider options routes are proposed, to be introduced in the mid- and for improving intercommunity transit connections. long-term. Options for service to Elburn are also Major trip generators contribute to the feasibility of presented. enhancing existing transit service and support new transit service. Some of the major trip generators Complexity Lower identified by stakeholders and DSATS members that Estimated Cost $0-$50k are located within the AGN Area include the NIU DSATS, TransVAC, Huskie Campus, University Village Apartments, Eco Park Potential Lead Partners Line, City of DeKalb, Northern Apartments, Suburban Apartments, Amber Manor Illinois University, Apartments, and DeKalb County Human Services. The DSATS Plan outlines the following service principles, 12 Transportation, Infrastructure and Open Space AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT WELSH PARK REDESIGN CR AN E DR IV E OA D LR SEL RUS FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY A2 REDESIGN WELSH PARK AS A LOCAL AND • Shaded seating near basketball area REGIONAL DESTINATION • More open shelter areas • Installation of a splash pad or other water feature Community residents strongly agreed that • Replacement of playground, consider locating closer neighborhood parks and recreational facilities to existing shelter positively contribute to quality of life. As part • Installation of free Wi-Fi in the Park of an integrated green space improvement and • Creation of pathways connecting directly to University Village apartments integration plan for the area, the redesign of Welsh • Amphitheater area for outdoor performances and Park has the potential to greatly improve the AGN movies neighborhood while creating a local and regional • Crosswalk and colored paving at Russell Road and destination. Currently, the park is underutilized and Moraine Terrace to improve connections between northern and southern sections of the park provides limited value as an amenity to surrounding • Installation of landscaping, seating and pedestrian- residents. A redesign could greatly improve access, scaled lighting along paths activity and appearance of the space, while providing • Planting additional trees along paths a public anchor for surrounding private residential • Decorative fencing along park perimeter • Reimagining of enclosed hockey rink area to redevelopment. By creating a park that is well-used and accommodate new uses including skateboarding or well-loved, potential residents will value proximity to gaga ball this space. The Plan recommends close coordination, • Public art and sculpture through collaboration with led by the DeKalb Park District, to evaluate and NIU and local arts programs • Additional park programs to help activate space implement the following proposed changes that during daytime and evenings can appeal to both families, the surrounding student population, and all of DeKalb: Transportation, Infrastructure and Open Space AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT 13 CASE STUDY: MARVIN GAYE PARK - WASHINGTON D.C. Marvin Gaye Park in Washington, D.C. illustrates the life cycle associated with many urban parks, because the conditions and subsequent use of the park follows the variations in the economy and the available funds for maintenance and improvements. It was Marvin Gaye Park where the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) launched its initial community revitalization initiative, Parks Build Community Phase I. In the 1970s, the District’s limited funds led to the gradual disrepair of the park: it fell victim to illegal dumping and criminal activity. It became known as “Needle Park,” reflecting the drug sales and use within its boundaries. Renamed in honor of musician Marvin Gaye, who frequented the banks of the stream while writing his music, the park remained in disrepair and misuse. Enter Washington Parks & People, a nonprofit citizens’ organization that spearheaded an effort to clean up the land and restore the park. Over a five-year period beginning in 2001, this volunteer effort resulted in a multimillion dollar rejuvenation of the park, during which 24,000 volunteers removed more than 3.5 million pounds of trash. Beginning in 2007, as part of it’s first urban park project, NRPA partnered with Washington Parks & People and the DC Department of Parks and Recreation. This initial undertaking by NRPA resulted in improvements to Marvin Gaye Park— providing further evidence that the health of a park is directly connected to the health and beauty of its surrounding neighborhoods. Marvin Gaye Park, the former Watts Branch Stream Valley Park, was officially reopened in 2009 and featured state-of- the-art playground equipment, permanent mosaics honoring community heroes, and rebuilt hiking and biking trails. The story of a park renovation project intended to revitalize a neighborhood does not stop with a successful dedication. More changes and improvements were on the horizon, due to continued involvement by Washington Parks & People and the strong community leadership developed as part of this effort. The renovated and reopened park led to positive changes in a newly revitalized neighborhood, including: • The closing of a nearby methadone clinic that attracted drug users to the area • More people, young and old, visiting the park • Visitors staying longer in the park • Youths being more active physically while visiting the park • Adults recalling childhood memories they recaptured by spending time in the park • People speaking about how the park has broken down barriers among residents Source: Rejuvenating Neighborhoods and Communities Through Parks—A Guide To Success www.nrpa.org/uploadedFiles/nrpa.org/Publications_and_Research/Research/Papers/Rejuvenating-Neighborhoods-White-Pa- per.pdf 14 Transportation, Infrastructure and Open Space AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT These improvements should be coupled with a focus DEVELOP BICYCLE ROUTE TO HIGH SCHOOL AND A3 on development of new medium-density housing HEALTH DEPARTMENT UTILIZING NORMAL AND and parking at the vacant property on Crane Drive DRESSER ROADS and Russell Road to take advantage of the enhanced DeKalb High School is a major destination that amenity. The DeKalb Park District currently has limited currently remains out of reach for recreational funds to begin Welsh Park improvements. This funding cyclists, including youth. The Plan recommends the should be leveraged with grants through organizations evaluation and design of bicycle facilities on Normal such as the National Recreation and Park Association, and Dresser Roads to accommodate and promote KaBOOM! - which provides funding for playground active Transportation. These recommendations should improvements, as well as the National Endowment be incorporated into the DSATS Active Transportation for the Arts, which provides resources and grants for Plan, currently in development. placemaking and neighborhood improvements. Complexity Lower Complexity Medium Estimated Cost $50k - $100k Estimated Cost $100k and above DeKalb Park District, City of DeKalb Park District, City of DeKalb, NIU, Live Healthy Potential Lead Partners DeKalb, NIU Potential Lead Partners DeKalb County, Live Healthy DeKalb County, DeKalb School District Transportation, Infrastructure and Open Space AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT 15 A4 DEVELOP SIDEWALK CONNECTION TO HEALTH DEPARTMENT UTILIZING ANNIE GLIDDEN AND Complexity Lower DRESSER ROADS Estimated Cost $50k - $100k The DeKalb County Health Department is a major DeKalb Park District, City of destination that is currently disconnected from the DeKalb, NIU, Live Healthy pedestrian network of the community. The Plan Potential Lead Partners DeKalb County, Live Healthy recommends the evaluation and design of sidewalks DeKalb County, DeKalb and other streetscape amenities on Annie Glidden School District Road north of Dresser Road and west of Normal Road to promote walkability. These recommendations should be incorporated into the DSATS Active Transportation Plan, currently in development. MEDIUM PRIORITY PROJECTS DEVELOP STREETSCAPE AND GATEWAY term residents, and representatives from various IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE GREEK ROW AREA IN nationalities add to its vibrance. The Plan recommends A5 ORDER TO HELP IMPROVE ITS IDENTITY AND the following physical improvements to the Blackhawk PERCEPTION / Hillcrest area: Greek Row is a unique location within the City of DeKalb that currently lacks a cohesive aesthetic or • Gateway signage at the northeast corner of identity. This project proposes a set of comprehensive Blackhawk / Hillcrest streetscape and gateway improvement features which • Pedestrian crosswalks across Hillcrest Drive from will help improve the overall appearance of the Greek Blackhawk Row area. The distinctiveness of the Greek Row area • Landscaped medians along both Blackhawk Road is a result of a youthful vitality, proximity to Northern and Hillcrest Drive Illinois University, and uniformity of the neighborhood • Investigate a potential intersection reconstruction through its shared educational experience. Embedded of Hillcrest Drive and Greenbrier Road, including a in rich tradition, the Pan-Hellenic organizations potential landscaped traffic circle located in the Greek Row area provide its name • Street trees on the west side of Blackhawk Drive, and the institutional framework. In addition to these in conjunction with redevelopment of the vacant organizations, scholarship-oriented societies, long- movie theater property. 16 Transportation, Infrastructure and Open Space AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT • Increased pedestrian-scaled lighting along A6 REDESIGN NIU NURSING SCHOOL GREEN SPACE Blackhawk / Hillcrest AS NEIGHBORHOOD PARK AND INCORPORATE INTO OPEN SPACE NETWORK These improvements should coincide with additional The NIU School of Nursing is housed in the former housing and commercial development and safety Elementary School at the corner of Ridge Drive and and security projects as outlined in the Plan. Sources Normal Road. The NIU Nursing School is a desirable of funding for improvements could come from the tenant for this space and this project. NIU owns the establishment of a tax-increment financing district open land that is south of the nursing school building. (TIF) or through other state and federal sources such The Plan recommends stakeholders work with as the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program community partners such as the Park District and / (ITEP). ITEP is a federally funded program that requires or DeKalb County Community Gardens to develop local matching funds from an eligible project sponsor. proposals for utilizing the open space to improve the The purpose is to provide funding for community neighborhood. A project for this open space could be based projects that expand travel choices and enhance leveraged with the positive potential that this facility the transportation experience by improving the cultural, along with the NIU Nursing School program could historic, aesthetic and environmental aspects of our provide. This project seeks to redesign and activate the transportation infrastructure. The program focuses school grounds as a small neighborhood park, which on providing alternate modes of transportation where can serve residents from the surrounding apartment the scope of transportation projects goes beyond and single-family areas. In tandem with Welsh Park the traditional accommodations for cars, trucks and improvements, the school grounds can provide much- transit. needed playground and athletic field space for local children and sports leagues. Any improvements Complexity Medium should be installed close to Normal Road to ensure a Estimated Cost $100k and above high degree of visibility. Sources of funding for open City of DeKalb, NIU - space improvements could include NIU as well as state Potential Lead Partners Fraternity & Sorority Life, NIU and federal sources such as KaBOOM! - which provides Student Association funding for playground improvements, MLB’s Baseball Tomorrow Fund and the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation. Complexity Medium Estimated Cost $100k and above NIU School of Nursing, Potential Lead Partners DeKalb Park District, City of DeKalb Transportation, Infrastructure and Open Space AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT 17  CREATE A DEDICATED PEDESTRIAN PATH FROM A8 IMPROVE AND ENHANCE PEDESTRIAN A7 THE END OF HIGH TERRACE CROSSINGS AT ANNIE GLIDDEN ROAD AND Ensuring that a redesigned Welsh Park has full LUCINDA AVENUE, HILLCREST DRIVE AND access from surrounding residential areas is a key LINCOLN DRIVE goal of the Plan. This project proposes that the City DSATS is currently updating its Active Transportation acquire the right-of-way through a vacant parcel Plan. Active transportation includes any form of non- connecting Russell Road and High Terrace to create motorized transportation, such as walking, bicycling, a pedestrian connection. This route is already used or using a wheelchair. This project, to be integrated in as an informal walking path by students and other the Active Transportation Plan, focuses on improving residents. By creating a formal path with lighting and pedestrian safety at the key intersections of Annie other features, safety can be improved and Welsh Glidden Road and Lucinda Avenue, Hillcrest Avenue Park can become better utilized. In addition to the and Lincoln Drive. Improvements could include the path, the site could also function as a community following design features: garden to provide an additional amenity for local residents. In addition, sidewalks should be installed • Pedestrian crossing lights along High Terrace where they are currently lacking. • Handicap ramps Funding for this improvement would likely come from • Decorative paving patterns the City of DeKalb‘s general fund or other State and • Bumpouts to shorten crossing distance Federal sources such as the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP). Funding for this improvement would likely come from the City of DeKalb‘s general fund or other State and Complexity Lower Federal sources such as the Illinois Transportation Estimated Cost $50k - $100k Enhancement Program (ITEP). City of DeKalb, DeKalb Potential Lead Partners County Community Gardens, Complexity Medium DSATS, DeKalb Park District Estimated Cost $100k and above Potential Lead Partners City of DeKalb, NIU 18 Transportation, Infrastructure and Open Space AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT A9 REDUCE DENSITY WHEN OPPORTUNITIES ARISE AND ENSURE THAT PLANS FOR NEW OR REDEVELOPED PROPERTIES INCLUDE PROVISIONS FOR INCREASED PARKING AND OPEN SPACE Project Task Force members have expressed a strong interest in having the City develop a policy that would help reduce density within portions of the AGN area while increasing open space and creating more well-located and efficient parking areas. The Plan recommends that the City evaluate the following policy approaches: • Evaluation of vacant properties within the AGN area for future City purchase in order to create additional open space or trail connections. • Development of shared parking standards to ensure that existing and future lots are better utilized, especially at different times of the day or week, an example would be church parking lots. that are typically used only one or two days a week • Potential rezoning of some MFR-2 (Multi Family Residential 2) areas to MFR-1 (Multi-Family Residential 1) or TFR (Two Family Residential). Complexity Higher Estimated Cost $100k and above Potential Lead Partners City of DeKalb Transportation, Infrastructure and Open Space AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT 19 CASE STUDY: HOCKHOCKING ADENA BIKEWAY – ATHENS, OH The Hockhocking Adena Bikeway stretches 18 miles from Nelsonville through downtown Athens past Ohio University. The City of Athens says the path is a well-utilized resource in the community. “Families love it. Like I said, tourists love it. It gets really well used by our university students. As much as we can, we contribute to projects that encourage walking and biking. That’s also a positive in the health spectrum,” says Athens County Planner Miranda Kridler. The bikeway has many points of interest along the way. There are also several places for users to rent a bike. The City of Athens is set to begin construction on the third and final phase of a bike spur extending the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway from Armitage Road to University Estates housing development near Ohio Route 682. Ninety-five percent of the project (up to about $312,000) is funded by a grant from the Ohio Department of Transportation’s transportation alternatives program; the remaining 5 percent will come from City funds. Athens Mayor Steve Patterson said that extension of the bike path to University Estates was envisioned in the original development agreement the City entered into with University Estates in 2000. ODOT also announced about $1.5 million in grant funding for extension of the bikeway to Chauncey. City Engineer Andy Stone said that much of the design of the Athens bike spur extension project already has been completed, although he said he didn’t expect construction to get underway until mid-summer into late fall 2018, or possibly early spring 2019. “What this means is people who live up at University Estates will now be able to get onto this new spur and ride it all the way into the City of Athens without having to go onto Ohio Rt. 682,” the mayor said. Patterson noted that the City has been seeing more development taking place in and around University Estates in recent years, and said he hoped that the bike- path extension will help encourage further development in the area. In order to create connections to the Bikeway, the City is now looking at adding bike lanes “strategically” to certain roads in the city, including East State Street. The City is also looking at adding “sharrows,” or shared-lane markings reminding drivers that they must share the road with bikers, to certain roads. Source: www.athensnews.com/news/local/bike-path-to-be-extended-to-university-estates-chauncey/article_041a7aee-829e- 11e7-b5b1-9fa420415c32.html 20 Transportation, Infrastructure and Open Space AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT  LOWER PRIORITY PROJECTS A10 DEVELOP HIKE / BIKE TRAIL ALONG CREEK FROM eligible units of government to acquire, construct, and LUCINDA AVENUE TO LORUSSO LAGOON AND rehabilitate public, non-motorized bicycle paths and REGENT DRIVE directly related support facilities. Grants are available The Hike-Bike Trail project utilizes an existing creek and to any local government agency having statutory public right-of-way as an asset to begin to develop a authority to acquire and develop land for public bicycle recreational corridor and trail that can benefit current path purposes. The federal Recreational Trails Program and future AGN residents. This project recognizes the (RTP) provides funding assistance for acquisition, need for facilities that encourage active transportation development, rehabilitation and maintenance of both and support neighborhood beautification and motorized and non-motorized recreation trails. By law, restoration of the natural environment. The creek 30% of each states’ RTP funding must be earmarked that primarily runs northwest to southeast from for motorized trail projects, 30% for non-motorized Lorosso Lagoon into the NIU campus offers a great trail projects and the remaining 40% for multi-use opportunity to co-locate a Hike-Bike Trail along its (diversified) motorized and non-motorized trails or a course, providing a route that connects residential combination of either. areas with local amenities. As part of this project, a Complexity Medium “friends of the trail” volunteer team could be created Estimated Cost $100k and above to help clean, maintain, and promote the corridor. The DeKalb Park District, City of friends of the trail should collaborate, promote, and Potential Lead Partners DeKalb, NIU, Live Healthy educate the community on the purpose for the hike- DeKalb County bike trail while providing organizational and fundraising capacities to supplement and lessen the burden on the City. The City should acquire needed right-of-ways and develop a detailed design for the trail. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) administers grant programs that can provide funding assistance to acquire, develop and, in some cases, maintain trails for a variety of public recreation uses. The Illinois Bicycle Path Grant Program was created to financially assist Transportation, Infrastructure and Open Space AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT 21 A11 RECOMMEND CONNECTIONS TO CITY PARKS A12 REDESIGN UNIVERSITY PLAZA PARKING LOT OUTSIDE OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD THROUGH AS NEIGHBORHOOD SQUARE AND RELOCATE DSATS STUDY. PARKING TO SHARED LOT ON CRANE DRIVE AND Through conversations with residents and RUSSELL ROAD stakeholders, it became clear that some families feel The Plan recommends that the owner of University isolated from the recreational amenities that exist Plaza evaluate a redesign of their property to shift throughout the City and County including Prairie parking to Crane Drive and Russell Road. Doing so Park and the PA Nehring Forest Preserve. The Plan would open up a prime site on Annie Glidden Road recommends incorporation of transit and bicycle for commercial or mixed-use redevelopment while connections to these regional amenities in future providing the opportunity to create a semi-public updates to the DeKalb Sycamore Area Transportation open space amenity for University Plaza residents. Study (DSATS). The property owner should work directly with the City to evaluate the feasibility of this proposal and a Complexity Lower potential public-private partnership. Funding for these Estimated Cost $0 - $50k improvements could come through the implementation DSATS, VAC, Huskie Line, City of a tax-increment financing district (TIF) as well as Potential Lead Partners of DeKalb, NIU other sources. New parking at Crane Drive and Russell road could be utilized as a shared lot for Welsh Park activities through a partnership with the DeKalb Parks District. Complexity Higher Estimated Cost $100k and above Private (University Plaza Potential Lead Partners ownership), City of DeKalb, DeKalb Park District 22 Transportation, Infrastructure and Open Space AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT A13 DISTRIBUTE AND POST TRANSIT ROUTE MAPS A14 IMPROVE BOARDMAN AND PAPPAS PARKS TO BROADEN VISIBILITY OF SYSTEM WITH RUNNING PATHS CIRCLING DETENTION In an effort to encourage greater use of local transit PONDS, CREATING MORE USABLE SPACES FOR systems, NIU Transit Services/Huskie Line and RESIDENTS TransVAC should post a single service map featuring On the west side of the AGN area, Boardman and routes of both systems. Service map should be posted Pappas Parks represent underutilized open spaces that at each bus stop, as well as in highly visable areas could be greatly enhanced with walking and running including local businesses, parks, schools and larger paths, picnic areas, additional landscaping, lighting apartment complexes. In the future, when real-time and seating. In addition, signage and wayfinding to arrival information is made available, stops should also the parks should be greatly improved, especially from include digital sign boards showing the arrival times of Annie Glidden Road. Currently, the parks have very low local buses. visibility to those who live outside of the immediate area. These parks have the potential to anchor the Complexity Lower surrounding residential uses, similar to how Welsh EstimatedCost $0 - $50k Park can become a desirable amenity on the east side DSATS, TransVAC, Huskie of the neighborhood. The Dekalb Park District has Potential Lead Partners Line, City of DeKalb, Northern a current Comprehensive Master Plan that calls for Illinois University, improvements to these parks Future potential DeKalb Park District funding should be leveraged with grants through organizations such as the National Recreation and Park Association and other sources. Complexity Medium Estimated Cost $100k and above DeKalb Park District, City of Potential Lead Partners DeKalb, NIU Transportation, Infrastructure and Open Space AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT 23 A15 DEVELOP COMMUNITY GARDENS ON VACANT A16 CREATE NEW STREET CONNECTION FROM PARCELS AT GREENBRIAR AND RUSSELL ROADS TWOMBLY ROAD TO W HILLCREST DRIVE Vacant properties along Greenbriar and Russell The AGN neighborhood currently suffers from a lack of Roads provide the opportunity to initiate community street connectivity. Planned in conjunction with project garden programs as interim or long-term uses of A12, this project would help create vehicular, bicycle the sites. The establishment of community gardens and pedestrian access from the termination of Regent can help bring neighbors and stakeholders together Drive north to Twombly Road. This corridor would to beautify the neighborhood, while also potentially help connect the isolated Eden’s Garden, Suburban providing fresh fruit and vegetables for local residents. Apartments and New Hope Missionary Baptist Church The City should work with local property owners to to Boardman Park and the Hillcrest Drive Area, enabling assess the availability of these sites, and promote the a north-south traffic route separate from Annie Glidden initiative with local partners including DeKalb County Road. Some right-of-way acquisition may be necessary Community Gardens, and local Greek Organizations. in order to create this new street connection. Funding for the project would come primarily through the City’s Complexity Lower general fund. Estimated Cost $50k - $100k City of DeKalb, DeKalb Complexity Higher Potential Lead Partners County Community Gardens, Estimated Cost $100k and above Greek Organizations Potential Lead Partners City of DeKalb 24 Transportation, Infrastructure and Open Space AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT A17 DEVELOP NEW STREET NETWORK BETWEEN W DRESSER ROAD AND RIDGE DRIVE TO FACILITATE INFILL DEVELOPMENT In order to provide a framework for new development, a new street network should be planned between Dresser Road and Ridge Drive. This network should be segmented to create a walkable grid of streets, and should connect to Annie Glidden Road and Blackhawk Road. The City should consider connecting the design of the public street environment (complete streets) to zoning approvals through the zoning ordinance and subdivision regulations. This would facilitate the establishment of regulations to coordinate on-site design requirements addressing vehicular and bicycle parking; and bicycle, pedestrian and vehicular access. It will also facilitate coordination of site-based signage and landscape requirements with public way signage and landscaping. This would enable a site plan review process to consider both on-site and off-site aspects affecting the relationship of new development to the public way. Complexity Higher Cost $100k and above Potential Lead Partners City of DeKalb Transportation, Infrastructure and Open Space AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT 25 - PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK -  COMMUNITY SERVICES INTRODUCTION DESIRED OUTCOMES The Community Services initiative of the Plan is intended Desired Outcomes were developed by the Community to connect residents to existing resources, and to Services working group at the initial brainstorming session identify new services where needed in order to enhance and include the following: opportunity. This initiative focuses on health, economic development, and education projects. Each of these areas • Foster increased civic participation by neighborhood address critical gaps and needs identified throughout our residents planning process. Projects in this section focus heavily on • Increase local daycare services and alternatives to achieving the following Plan goals: help current families and attract new families • Promote greater awareness of community-focused • Developing a stronger sense of cohesion internally services already in place and with the rest of the City • Ensure AGN residents are able to access employment opportunities and resources • Developing a deeper understanding of those who • Build and link partnerships between organizations that live in poverty and their challenges are located and/or operate in the neighborhood • Increasing access to healthy food as a tool for empowerment • Addressing the deficiencies of the neighborhood in terms of social services to fill gaps with viable solutions • Ensuring that various stakeholders have ownership and pride in the Plan • Changing the direction of AGN from surviving to thriving Community Services AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT 27  HIGHER PRIORITY PROJECTS B1 ESTABLISH A COMMUNITY FOOD AND benefit from counselors, financial literacy courses, GED EDUCATION CENTER classes, prenatal instruction, and much more within a DeKalb County Community Gardens has presented a bright, clean, and welcoming environment in the middle proposal of a large coalition that has the potential to of a lush soothing greenspace. address several of the AGN Neighborhood needs in one project. The Community Food and Education Center Combining many services and needs with multiple project has the potential to impact hundreds of lives revenue streams, establishes a path toward in and outside the neighborhood. Few projects offer sustainability for the project. At a time when federal such a strong possibility for ending the marginalization and state funding is often constrained, it is important of the residents of AGN. There are many opportunities for nonprofits to have a variety of revenue generating in this project for members of the neighborhood to programs to advance their mission. The center will feel welcomed and engaged in the wider community serve needs of different nonprofit organizations in one as residents from outside the neighborhood and location, thereby saving capital costs and increasing City come into the neighborhood to experience food, services offered. Also a collaborative effort addressing beauty, and experiences they cannot have anywhere many needs in one central location will appeal to local else. The Community Food and Education Center is the funders and attract more capital to make it financially type of neighborhood service location that will displace viable. This project should be aligned with project D3, negative activity by attracting positive activity. Create a Hillcrest/Blackhawk Focus Area. The Community Food and Education Center could also Complexity Higher stimulate additional commercial development. As part Estimated Cost $100k and above of the project, a farm-to-table restaurant with a focus DeKalb County Community on delicious, creatively presented local food, wine, Gardens, City of DeKalb, beer, and spirits will be especially attractive to young DeKalb County Health professionals as the local food movement continues Potential Lead Partners Department, DeKalb to gain in interest. The Center could also provide a County Community Action, variety of jobs and job training opportunities for local Northwestern Medicine residents. By combining a grocery store and restaurant Kishwaukee Hospital, NIU with a strong local focus along with a community shared use kitchen, food hub, greenhouse, and urban farm, there will be a variety of training experiences. classrooms, shared workspaces, and offices will 28 Community Services AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT CASE STUDY: ARTHOUSE: A SOCIAL KITCHEN - GARY, IN in 2016, ArtHouse: A Social Kitchen opened a culinary incubator/art gallery in downtown Gary in hope of creating more food-related entrepreneurs. Gary, IN is a city of 76,000 with just 30 restaurants, many of which are fast-food joints that line Broadway and Grant Street. City officials credit the center, which has already hosted more than 100 programs, with sparking new life along the Fifth Avenue corridor. Now it’s expanding to a vacant lot across the street in what’s being heralded as a “major milestone.” ArtHouse: A Social Kitchen unveiled the new ArtHouse Patio, an outdoor area that includes a public sculpture by acclaimed South Side Chicago artist Theaster Gates, ArtHouse’s founder. The sculpture consists of three shingled walls that resemble gabled roofs, with a mulch floor on a newly sodded lot. The patio addition is meant to be a public gathering spot that will be incorporated into ArtHouse’s outdoor programing, which have included festivals, grilling sessions and movie screenings. ArtHouse also plans to plant gardens and add more public sculptures. ArtHouse has clearly brought residents from across the city together and energized downtown. ArtHouse has also provided business and professional development training to more than 30 entrepreneurs. Legacy Foundation President Carolyn Saxton said ArtHouse has been a catalyst for change in downtown Gary, where the sponsor, the John L. and James S. Knight Foundation, has also funded the City Methodist Church Ruins Garden and Steel City Salvage’s reclaimed building material warehouse. “We see this as a first step to the redevelopment of Gary, Indiana,” she said. “We want to be a major partner to help it flourish and grow in the future.” Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson said some questioned private foundations pumping $1 million into an arts center downtown when the city has many other needs, but contends it has helped bring Fifth Avenue back to life with new investments at 504 Broadway, the U.S. Steel Yard and the former Calumet Township site. “It was the result of the catalyst created by ArtHouse: A Social Kitchen,” Mayor Freeman-Wilson said. “That’s what development is all about. If you are able to get someone to be the first in, you find others who are willing to get involved, and to invest their money or time.” Gates, who had the vision for the community center to regularly host business seminars, cooking classes, yoga and visual art exhibits, said he wanted to ensure that the resources that came into the Steel City would have an impact, proclaiming “I’m proud to say the investments that have come have touched lives in Gary.” Sources: http://arthousegary.com/ https://www.nwitimes.com/business/lake-newsletter/arthouse-heralded-as-downtown-gary-catalyst-expands/ article_1e9a3986-b288-510e-a126-0d2c927c03ad.html Community Services AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT 29  POTENTIAL COMMUNITY CENTER E R IV O KD B RO GE ED FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY B2 CREATE A COMMUNITY CENTER PROGRAM include the development of a program of uses, size Community Center Programming should be requirements and parking needs for a new building. investigated and planned to propose services that If the City decides to retain the building (following a could be offered in the neighborhood if a building structural analysis), partners should be identified to or site for a community center is identified. Plans provide funding and management. More likely, the City for the Community Center program should include will look to clear the site and encourage community participating agencies, funding sources, staffing uses through the Planned Development process, requirements, volunteer recruitment options, and as the Zoning Ordinance does not currently have a other imminent resources that would need to be designation for community facilities. New development identified in order to pursue development. Planning should reflect the neighborhood character by orienting efforts should be conducted in cooperation with social the building towards Blackhawk Road with landscaping service agencies such as those already engaged with and screened parking along the eastern portion of the University Village. site. EVALUATION OF 912 EDGEBROOK Complexity Higher 912 Edgebrook is one potential location for a Estimated Cost $100k and above new Community Center. The 47-unit building was City of DeKalb, DARA, condemned in 2014 because of multiple safety DeKalb Park District, NIU, violations and was later purchased by the City. Due University Village Tenants to its central location, the property provides an Association, Hope Haven, opportunity to create a mixture of uses including NIU Child Development NIU Potential Lead Partners community services, neighborhood gathering space, Administration, Family Services and shared parking for surrounding residents. The Agency, Illinois Work Net, Plan recommends that the City work directly with Kishwaukee College, DeKalb potential partners to evaluate the viability of the County, Northwestern Medicine site as a Community Center. This evaluation should Kishwaukee Hospital 30 Community Services AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT CASE STUDY: FOWLER CENTER - BETHLEHEM, PA Located in the heart of Southside Bethlehem, near Lehigh Universtiy, the Fowler Center is a community hub offering a wide range of educational opportunities for 30,000 people every year. Northampton Community College (NCC) purchased the building, formerly housing offices for Bethlehem Steel, in 2005. At the time, NCC was taking a big gamble on the distressed Third Street corridor. Over the years, the building’s uses have morphed as the community’s needs have evolved. Featured programs currently include the Hospitality Career and Leadership and Executive Development Institutes, and programs in public safety, healthcare, adult literacy and workforce training. The Fowler Center is home to numerous non- credit classes that can be taken for enrichment and pleasure. The Center boasts art studios equipped for jewelry and glass-making, dance studios, and a theatre-style demonstration kitchen. Designers and entrepreneurs can take advantage of the 3-D fabrication studio (known as The Fab Lab) to develop prototypes and push the limits of their creativity. The Center also offers clinical services and community programs including dental care, literacy training, and learning how to plan a fundraiser. A $5 million renovation of the 30,000-square-foot center is slated to open in the fall of 2018. Modeled after tech companies, the design of the center seeks to maximize collaboration with open concept work spaces, incubation areas for brainstorming, private meeting rooms, and a prototyping facility. “Having a community college make a commitment to the revitalization, as the first entity, was a very big deal. It’s easy now, 10 years later, not to think much of it, but it was the first institution or company to take a leap of faith and was a catalyst to make things happen in South Bethlehem,” said Don Cunningham, president and CEO of the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp. The Center has spurred reinvestment in surrounding properties, including Five10Flats — a $20 million residential and retail building. Under construction directly across the street. The five-story Five10Flats is the first of three mixed-use buildings envisioned by the builder, Peron Development and includes 95 one- and two- bedroom units and commercial space. Sources: www.mcall.com/entertainment/restaurants/blog/mc-ent-starbucks-first-retail-tenant-five10flats-south-bethlehem- 20180718-story.html northampton.edu/admissions/campus-locations/fowler-center.htm Community Services AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT 31 B3 WORK WITH LOCAL HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS TO Federal regulations. ESTABLISH A WALK-IN CLINIC OR URGENT CARE • The new or expanded health clinic has met FACILITY WITHIN THE NEIGHBORHOOD all aforementioned requirements on or before Residents and Task Force members expressed a December 31, 2019. strong desire to increase health care offerings within the AGN area. As a recommendation, the City may wish Ideal locations for a health clinic could include the to stimulate the opening of a heath clinic within the City-owned property at 912 Edgebrook, the NIU project area by offering a small start-up subsidy to an School of Nursing, or other central, walkable areas organization that meets the following criteria: of the neighborhood. Clinic operators can potentially • The operator is establishing or expanding a receive funding through charities, fundraising, federal Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). Existing or state grants and local events. Clinics should health centers in the AGN area may become a determine eligibility for funding from sources like the FQHC to meet this requirement. Bureau of Primary Health Care (BPHC) or the National • The health clinic operates on a full-time basis (a Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC). minimum of 35 hours per week), in perpetuity. Existing health centers in the AGN area operating Complexity Medium less than 35 hours per week may expand their Estimated Cost $100k and above operational hours to a minimum of 35 hours per City of DeKalb, Northwestern week to meet this requirement. Kishwaukee, Hope Haven, • The new or expanded health clinic is licensed by Potential Lead Partners NIU School of Nursing, the State of Illinois. DeKalb County Health • The new or expanded health clinic is operating Department in compliance with all applicable local, State and 32 Community Services AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT  MEDIUM PRIORITY PROJECTS B4 PROMOTE ENROLLMENT IN TENANTS By first making the role of the Association clear to ASSOCIATIONS THROUGHOUT THE residents, they can be encouraged to attend meetings NEIGHBORHOOD and participate in community events. In addition, the This project is intended to improve communication Association can also take a proactive role in advocating between residents, tenants, and local landlords for, planning and implementing smaller projects that by promoting enrollment in the local Tenants can improve the quality of life for tenants and nearby Associations. Often times it takes the action of an residents. Projects with greater visibility will encourage organized group of tenants to make their voices greater participation and enrollment in the Association. heard. If organized, tenants can use collective political, economic, and social pressures to overcome recurring problems. A Tenants Association can collectively exert Complexity Lower more pressure for their views than an individual tenant Estimated Cost $0k - $50k can on their own. Tenants can work together for a University Village Tenants common goal, to make their lives and living situations Association, other apartment Potential Lead Partners better. Some common rental housing issues that can tenant associations, local be addressed through the Association include: churches • Shared repairs issues among neighbors • Emergency repairs: loss of essential services such as running water, hot water, electricity, or sanitary facilities • Loss of heat or inadequate heating • Utility shutoffs due to landlord nonpayment • Poor management; bad record-keeping, abusive and retaliatory behavior by management, privacy violations • Threat of loss of affordable housing Community Services AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT 33 B5 INVENTORY WORKFORCE TRAINING PROGRAMS B6 WORK WITH NIU, LOCAL CHURCHES AND OTHER AND EMPLOYERS LINKED TO THOSE PROGRAMS. PARTNERS TO IDENTIFY PROGRAMS THAT SURVEY RESIDENTS TO GENERATE A FEEDBACK PROVIDE DAYCARE, HEALTH CARE, AND OTHER LOOP ON PROGRAMS’ EFFECTIVENESS COMMUNITY SERVICES. DEVELOP A PACKET Linking residents to potential job opportunities in the OF RESOURCES, SERVICES, AND TOOLS, AND City and County is seen as a important goal by the DESIGN A PROGRAM TO MARKET SERVICES AGN Task Force. This project would identify partners Connecting the dots between residents and available and create an updated inventory of workforce training daycare, health care and other community services programs and local employers with job openings in will help create greater utilization of existing resources the area. This inventory could then be used to identify while preventing overlap between providers. This needed skills and gaps in existing training programs. inventory should be summarized in a packet or AGN residents that are already participating in local brochure that can be distributed to residents at training programs should be identified and surveyed community events, churches and other gathering to help gauge overall effectiveness and participation places in order to promote services. NIU students rates. NIU students could help lead the initial inventory could help lead the initial inventory effort as part of effort as part of related academic work. related academic work. Complexity Medium Complexity Medium Estimated Cost $50k - $100k Estimated Cost $100k and above NIU Jobs PLUS, DeKalb NIU, local churches, DeKalb County Community County Health Department, Development, Illinois Potential Lead Partners DeKalb Park District, City Potential Lead Partners Worknet, local staffing of DeKalb, Voluntary Action agencies, Kishwaukee Career Center Planning 34 Community Services AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT B7 REACH OUT TO NON-PROFIT GROUPS TO The Plan recommends developing an inventory of OFFER AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES FOR local programs and activities for kids and utilizing the NEIGHBORHOOD KIDS inventory to help promote available programs. NIU An after-school activity is any organized program students could help to lead the initial inventory effort that youth can participate in outside of the traditional as part of related academic work. school day. Some programs are run by a primary or secondary school, while others are run by externally Complexity Lower funded non-profit or commercial organizations. After- Estimated Cost $0k - $50k school youth programs can occur inside a school NIU, local churches, DeKalb building or elsewhere in the community, such as a School District 428, City of Potential Lead Partners community center, church, library, or park. Benefits of DeKalb, Voluntary Action after-school activities can include: Center, DeKalb Park District • Positive use of time • Academic growth • Behavioral growth • Closing the achievement gap LOWER PRIORITY PROJECTS HOLD A JOB FAIR WITHIN ANNIE GLIDDEN NORTH Complexity Lower B8 TO PROMOTE LOCAL HIRING. Cost $0k - $50k A job fair, also referred commonly as a career fair or NIU, DeKalb County career expo, is an event in which employers, recruiters, Community Development, IL Potential Lead Partners and schools give information to potential employees. Worknet, Kishwaukee Career Job seekers attend these while trying to make a good Planning, NIU Jobs Plus impression to potential coworkers by speaking face- to-face with one another, filling out résumés, and asking questions in attempt to get a good feel for the work needed. In order to provide additional exposure for local employers and to connect residents to job opportunities, the Plan recommends quarterly job fairs at a convenient location within the AGN area. Community Services AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT 35 B9 INSTALL KIOSKS AND/OR COMMUNITY BULLETIN B10 PROVIDE VOTER REGISTRATION SERVICES IN BOARDS TO ADVERTISE SOCIAL EVENTS THE AGN NEIGHBORHOOD AND LINK RESIDENTS The lack of neighborhood communication is seen as an TO CLOSEST POLLING PLACES. ENSURE THE issue in the AGN area. Different groups communicate 2020 US CENSUS INCLUDES A FULL COUNT OF and take in public information in different ways, with ALL STUDENTS AND OTHER RESIDENTS students most likely to use online tools and older Civic engagement—best exemplified by voting—is residents used to more traditional means. Bulletin dependent upon an engaged and informed citizenry. boards serve an important community building Too often, the voting process undermines lower function. Posted fliers advertise services, events and income community of color, affecting proper people’s interests, and invite community members to representation at all levels of government. Another communicate, participate, interact and transact. The factor is that individuals living below the poverty line Plan recommends the strategic installation of digital are more likely to move requiring an extra step of kiosks or bulletin boards to help improve neighborhood paperwork to register, before even arriving to the polls. communication. These displays should be unobtrusive This Plan recommends assisting AGN tenants with and located in areas with a high volume of local registration and guidance to the nearest polling places, pedestrian traffic. Funding for these installations can so that registered and non-registered voters can have a potentially be derived from discreet advertising, catered better opportunity for civic engagement. In addition the to local businesses. Leadership Conference on Civil Rights has produced a series of fact sheets and data tables to encourage Complexity Medium an accurate record of people most often missed by Estimated Cost $0k - $50k the decennial count which includes communities of Potential Lead Partners City of DeKalb color, residents of rural areas, immigrants and young children. These tools are designed to help advocates and communities understand and bring attention to the factors that create persistent underrepresentation of certain groups in the census. Complexity Lower Estimated Cost $0k - $50k DeKalb County Clerk and Potential Lead Partners Recorder 36 Community Services AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT B11 ESTABLISH A LEGAL AID OFFICE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD Legal aid is the provision of assistance to people otherwise unable to afford legal representation and access to the court system. Legal aid is regarded as central in providing access to justice by ensuring equality before the law, the right to counsel and the right to a fair trial. A legal aid office is often a law school program providing hands-on-legal experience to law school students and services to various clients. Legal aid offices typically do pro bono work in a particular area, providing free legal services to clients. The Plan recommends the establishment of a legal aid office within the AGN area, in partnership with NIU. Complexity Medium Estimated Cost $50k-$100k Potential Lead Partners NIU Community Services AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT 37 - PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK -  NEIGHBORHOOD Safety and security were identified by residents as one of the highest SAFETY AND SECURITY priorities for neighborhood improvement. INTRODUCTION DESIRED OUTCOMES Concerns over safety and security potential solutions Desired Outcomes were developed by the were discussed in community meetings, youth Neighborhood Safety and Security working group at the meetings and working group sessions. Residents initial brainstorming session and include the following: proposed strategies and projects to create a safer environment including: reducing crime, promoting • Reduce crimes by ensuring greater incorporation community policing, building trust between residents of crime-free housing. and the Dekalb Police Department, discussing code • Add cameras and lighting while ensuring improved enforcement to address vacant lots and buildings, and property maintenance. improving lighting. Projects in this section focus heavily • Improve communication between property owners, on achieving the following Plan goals: City government, tenants, NIU, and network of neighborhood associations. • Developing a stronger sense of cohesion • Increase enforcement of minor quality of life internally and with the rest of the City infractions and build upon the Safe Streets initiative. • Reducing crime • Continue to support cooperation between the City of DeKalb and NIU police. • Ensuring that AGN is a “high choice” area for living that university and employers can use for recruitment • Enhancing the overall college experience Many of the other Plan strategies outlined in this document are intended to increase economic opportunity, which will have a • Changing the direction of AGN from surviving to direct effect on reducing future crime rates. thriving Neighborhood Safety and Security AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT 39  Pictured, Dwell DeKalb Property Owner Dave Grant, Security Camera Tech Jacob Santos, and DeKalb Police Chief Gene Lowery HIGHER PRIORITY PROJECT C1 IMPLEMENTATION OF SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS areas first lets police figure out how best to place FOCUSED ON IMPROVED LIGHTING AND cameras and monitor them before going to scale. SURVEILLANCE. • Consider location - While camera locations should Security cameras—when actively monitored— can be be guided by high-crime hot spots, practical effective at cutting down crime. Research shows that concerns will also play a role—such as how close the savings and benefits of fewer crimes generally the camera needs to be to a power source and outweigh the costs of the surveillance system. what natural and manmade barriers will have to be Police, policymakers, and others involved in criminal accommodated. justice largely viewed the cameras as a useful tool for • Consider investing in live monitoring - Actively preventing crimes, aiding in arrests, and supporting monitoring allows police to zoom into a scene to investigations and prosecutions. Guidelines for positive capture important details of a crime that may be application of security cameras include: missed if the camera is simply programmed on an automated tour, panning back and forth. • Balance utility with privacy - When deciding how to • Prioritize training - Detectives and prosecutors monitor the cameras, the Police Department must need to be trained on how to use camera footage balance privacy and utility—guidelines that are too and how to retrieve it. restrictive can limit what the system can do, but residents must be protected against invasion of A variety of grants are available to help Police privacy. Departments with technology needs. Many of the • Involve the community at the onset - Developing major law enforcement grant funding opportunities and disseminating written policies on how the come from either the Department of Homeland footage will be used and secured can go a long Security (DHS) or the Department of Justice (DOJ). way toward building public support. • Don’t underestimate costs - The cost of installation, Complexity Higher maintenance, and monitoring is typically much Estimated Cost $100k or above higher than the cost of the cameras themselves. DeKalb Police Department, Potential Lead Partners • Anticipate technology upgrades - Camera NIU technology is constantly evolving, offering greater resolution and more useful features with each new version. Plan and budget for such upgrades. • Start small - Installing cameras in one or two 40 Neighborhood Safety and Security AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT CASE STUDY: SECURITY CAMERA INSTALLATION IN HUMBOLDT PARK - CHICAGO, IL Chicago leveraged federal and state funds and committed their own resources to support a multimillion-dollar surveillance program with more than 8,000 cameras, including police, transit, and public school cameras. The Justice Policy Center of the Urban Institute focused on a subset of the 2,000-some cameras (called police observation devices, or PODs) operated by the Chicago Police Department in the Humboldt Park neighborhood. In August 2003, when the cameras were installed in Humboldt Park, the area experienced a brief spike in crime, with nearly 500 reported incidents in a single month. The crime rate dropped 20 percent the next month and stayed low on average. To weed out other factors that affect crime trends, the Justice Policy Center compared Humboldt Park with a similar neighborhood (matched on historical crime rates, demographics, and land use) and determined that the cameras alone were likely responsible for a nearly 12 percent drop in the crime rate. Average monthly crime counts for drug-related offenses and robberies fell by nearly a third (or over 30 fewer drug-related offenses and three fewer robberies per month). Violent crime was down 20 percent, with six fewer incidents per month on average. The numbers suggest that the cameras did their job in controlling crime, with no signs that criminals moved elsewhere as a result. Humboldt Park had a high concentration of cameras (about 53 per square mile), which could have influenced officers’ ability to interrupt crimes in progress, intervene, make arrests, and deter potential offenders. The crimes prevented in Humboldt Park saved the city $4.30 for every dollar spent on the surveillance system. Even taking the victims’ costs out of the calculation, the benefits of the cameras far outweighed the costs, with $2.81 in savings for every dollar spent. Two particular lessons from Chicago’s experience stand out. First, get public input. Officials involved in setting up the surveillance system said they could have benefited from early input from the mayor, law enforcement, and the community. Second, train prosecutors and defense attorneys on how to use and present camera footage as evidence in court. Source: www.urban.org/sites/default/files/publication/27546/412401-Evaluating-the-Use-of-Public-Surveillance-Camer- as-for-Crime-Control-and-Prevention-A-Summary.PDF Neighborhood Safety and Security AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT 41  MEDIUM PRIORITY PROJECT CREATE A GRADING SYSTEM AND DATABASE times based on these grades, landlords would have C2 FOR RENTAL PROPERTIES, ASSESSING SAFETY an incentive to maintain their buildings to a superior AND SECURITY OF APARTMENTS level. By awarding high ratings for well-maintained The City’s Crime Free Housing and Inspections properties, the City could extend inspection time Program is designed to form a partnership between frames to as long as five (5) years. This could reduce law enforcement and the residents and owners/ inspection costs for well-maintained properties and managers of rental properties in an effort to keep allow inspectors to focus on problem properties. drugs and other illegal activity off their property. This Additionally, properties with higher grades could be is an honest, direct, solution-oriented program that used in the landlords’ marketing plans to hopefully has proven to be an effective way to reduce crime in entice better tenants. The Plan also supports the residential rental properties in other communities. implementation of the Police2Citizen Software The City currently requires every landlord to register Program, which is intended to provide up to date its rental property annually. The Plan recommends public access to Police Records of reported incidents. that these programs be evaluated as a potential Training or educational aspects of existing or starting point in creating a grading system for the restructured programs, should be focused on informing condition and security of rental properties. The City tenants of their rights and City codes regarding rental may wish to investigate such a system in an effort to properties. entice or provide an incentive to landlords to achieve Complexity Medium highest level of maintenance in their rental properties. Estimated Cost $50k - $100k By grading buildings and associating re-inspection Potential Lead Partners City of DeKalb, DARA LOWER PRIORITY PROJECTS ARRANGE MEETINGS FOR SAFETY EXPERTS TO gathering feedback and comments. C3 ADDRESS RESIDENTS OF ANNIE GLIDDEN NORTH Officers from the DeKalb Police Department have Complexity Lower made a particular effort to reach out to Annie Glidden Estimated Cost $0k - $50k North residents at community events and maintaining City of DeKalb Police a high visibility in the neighborhood. This project is Department, City of DeKalb, Potential Lead Partners designed to continue to strengthen these connections NIU, University Village by educating residents on current safety initiatives and Tenants Association 42 Neighborhood Safety and Security AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT C4 RESEARCH AND, IF POSSIBLE, IMPLEMENT C5 ENCOURAGE PROPERTY OWNERS WITH COST-EFFECTIVE BACKGROUND SEARCHES FOR CAMERAS TO MAKE LIVE FEEDS AVAILABLE TO PROSPECTIVE RENTAL TENANTS THE DEKALB POLICE DEPARTMENT Several online tools are available to help landlords In order to augment project C1, the Plan recommends provide background searches for prospective rental connecting local property and business owners to tenants. Background searches can help landlords the DeKalb Police Department in order to potentially secure their investment and prevent evictions while make live feeds of private security cameras available identifying responsible tenants who will pay rent to law enforcement. In addition, it is recommended consistently on time, not break their lease and not that the City create a Camera Registry Program (CRP) damage property. to allow residents and business owners to register the locations of their video surveillance systems with the A background check will show a tenant’s criminal City. When a crime occurs, police will be able to identify record, if they’re a registered sex offender, if they’ve the locations of nearby video cameras and enlist the ever damaged any property, and whether if they assistance of the community to help officers collect paid rent on time. Under the FCRA, landlords must video evidence and follow up on leads. use an approved Consumer Reporting Agency to obtain a background check on a potential tenant. The Through the program, DeKalb Police will be able to Consumer Finance Protection Bureau has compiled directly contact CRP registrants who are using video in a list of approved CRAs for tenant screening. Tenant an area where a crime occurred. Police would ask CRP background checks can run anywhere from $20 to registrants to check their video surveillance system $50, depending on the items selected. Landlords can for a specific date and time for video that may show request tenants to pay an application fee that will cover activity involved with a crime, and identify getaway cars the cost of the background and credit checks. This or the direction that a person of interest was headed. project would promote online tools for use by local Complexity Medium landlords and help to advocate for their use. A list of Estimated Cost $0k - $50k approved Consumer Reporting Agencies is available City of DeKalb Police at: files.consumerfinance.gov/f/201604_cfpb_list-of- Potential Lead Partners Department, DeKalb Area consumer-reporting-companies.pdf Renters Association Complexity Medium Estimated Cost $0k - $50k Potential Lead Partners DARA Neighborhood Safety and Security AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT 43 C6 ASSIGN DEKALB STAFF TO MONITOR C7 SUPPORT DEKALB AREA RENTAL ASSOCIATION NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY AND SECURITY, AND (DARA) BY ENCOURAGING ETHICAL BEHAVIOR SERVE AS LIAISON BETWEEN NEIGHBORHOOD BY MEMBER PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATIONS DARA is a nonprofit, educational organization To help create and strengthen community connections, representing rental housing units in DeKalb and its the Plan recommends that a City staff member be immediate area, striving to provide the rental housing assigned as a liaison between local neighborhood public with quality service based upon high standards groups and tenants associations. This individual would of honesty and integrity. DARA Members agree to: have the responsibility of disseminating important information to residents while also receiving feedback • Promote, employ and maintain a high standard of from residents and connecting local partners with one integrity another. The role of the liaison would be to: • Maintain and operate rental properties with fair and honorable standards of competition • Report environmental safety issues like lighting, • Promote education landscaping, and property design to the City and • Provide better values landlords. • Establish a high ethical standard of conduct • Make contact with residents to educate, promote • Maintain properties in accordance with the neighborhood safety, and available community appropriate governmental authorities resources. • Provide the public with a convenient means of • Work on a camera campaign with the City, contacting landlords landlords, and NIU. • Ensure full compliance with Fair Housing Laws • Help with neighborhood watch groups. • Visit and support businesses in the neighborhood. The City of DeKalb and other local partners should support DARA in encouraging positive and ethical As part of recommendation D1, this Liaison may behaviour by member property owners, and also also serve as part of a Community Development promote the organization to other landlords that are Corporation Steering Committee. not currently members. Complexity Medium Complexity Lower Estimated Cost $0k - $50k Estimated Cost $0k - $50k Potential Lead Partners City of DeKalb Potential Lead Partners City of DeKalb, DARA 44 Neighborhood Safety and Security AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT  HOUSING AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT INTRODUCTION DESIRED OUTCOMES Housing and Commercial Development elements of the Desired Outcomes were developed by the Housing and Plan are intended to identify areas and actions related Commercial Development working group at the initial to physical reinvestment of private property within the brainstorming session and include the following: neighborhood. Projects in this section focus heavily on achieving the following Plan goals: • Create a neighborhood with a vibrant and managed mix of students, families, and Greeks • Developing a stronger sense of cohesion internally • Create efficient and well-located off-street parking and with the rest of the City • Promote well-maintained and managed properties • Develop a blend of retail and entertainment / nightlife • Ensuring that AGN is a “high choice” area for options attractive to students, local residents and living that university and employers can use for visitors recruitment • Ensure that public and private investment are aligned and coordinated. • Enhancing the overall college experience • Making the area more pedestrian friendly • Growing the local tax base with new residents • Creating an environment that provides residents with a foundation to thrive economically as long- term members of the community • Improving the return on investment for property owners • Changing the direction of AGN from surviving to thriving Housing and Commercial Development AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT 45  HIGHER PRIORITY PROJECTS D1 CONSIDER CREATION OF A COMMUNITY • Economic Development - CDCs create jobs and DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (CDC) TO FOCUS entrepreneurship opportunities, build individual ON IMPLEMENTATION OF REVITALIZATION and community wealth, and attract capital to EFFORTS disinvested communities. • Community Engagement - Through local The likelihood for success of Plan initiatives depends engagement, residents can take ownership of their on setting up an organization or agency that will community and make lasting changes through be responsible for the long term implementation of grass roots efforts. projects. The Plan recommends consideration for a • Financial Empowerment - CDCs provide Community Development Corporation (CDC), which education and asset building tools so low- and could serve as a mechanism to provide programs, offer moderate-income families can become financially services, and engage in other activities that promote independent, improve credit, reduce debt and and support redevelopment of AGN. foreclosure risk, and contribute to community stability. CDCs in Illinois have empowered communities to • Food Access - CDCs strengthen local food take local action to generate economic opportunities systems to improve access to healthy foods-- and improve the quality of life in underserved benefiting the community, the local economy, and neighborhoods. These non-profits provide a wide the environment. range of programs that have revitalized and stabilized disadvantaged communities throughout the state. To initiate a CDC, the following steps should be taken: These initiatives include: 1. Form a steering committee that includes key • Affordable Housing - CDCs revitalize distressed neighborhood stakeholders. This steering communities by building, rehabilitating and committee could include various representatives preserving affordable, safe homes and rentals of the AGN Task Force and help identify specific for Illinois families, senior citizens and veterans. such as marketing, communications, real estate Housing development and counseling help development, advocacy, legal and financial families and communities become more stable assistance, etc. and attract new jobs and businesses to allow the neighborhoods to thrive. 2. Define the community need, geographic boundaries, and initial focus areas envisioned to be 46 Housing and Commercial Development AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT  addressed by the new CDC. Create a working name local supporters can have a voice in community for the CDC. development decisions, keep their funds close to home, and share in the positive results. 3. Discuss and refine a “statement of need” and preferred focus areas. 9. Utilize the City Attorney to do some early work establishing the CDC. 4. Identify any existing organizations working on similar issues in the region and consider joining 10. Recruit and name an initial board of directors. efforts or expanding their services, geography or focus areas. If this is not a viable option, continue Guiding AGN renewal will require a full time, focused with efforts to create a new CDC. effort. If implemented, the proposed CDC should coordinate directly with the City and NIU, and should 5. Contact the National Alliance of Community include representation from both entities on the Economic Development Associations (www. Steering Committee, but for administrative and naceda.org) or the Community Law Project (www. financial reasons, should be separate from either clccrul.org) for potential technical assistance entity. in setting up the organization. The Law Project specifically offers training in Chicago for new Local banks have obligations for community nonprofit startups. reinvestment under the Community Reinvestment Act and could help jump start the creation of a CDC. Local 6. Share the CDC vision informally with key foundations could also be heavily involved in funding community-wide stakeholders and incorporate this effort. their comments and priorities. Complexity Medium 7. Provide a forum in which interested individuals Estimated Cost $10k - $50k are invited to learn the vision of the steering AGN Task Force, Local committee. Potential Lead Partners Banks, Regional Foundations, City of DeKalb, NIU 8. Estimate the funds needed to complete one or two early projects. By investing in local CDC projects, Housing and Commercial Development AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT 47  CASE STUDY: CITYWIDE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND THE GENESIS PROJECT - DAYTON, OH For over 40 years, the CityWide Development Corporation has served as a non-profit Community Development Corporation (CDC) with a mission to strengthen Dayton through strategic economic and community development. The Genesis Project is a cooperative effort of public and private organizations with a common goal of rebuilding and enhancing Dayton’s Fairgrounds Neighborhood and the adjacent Brown‐Warren Business District. Deteriorating physical conditions in the Fairgrounds Neighborhood surrounding the University of Dayton had led to the perception that the community was not safe. Residents, Miami Valley Hospital, the University and the City all shared the common concern that, without a stabilization plan, continued disinvestment would occur. This common concern led these major stakeholders to come together to form the Genesis Project. With leadership and management provided by CityWide, a vision for rebuilding and enhancing the Fairgrounds Neighborhood was launched. To effectively develop a strategy to improve the neighborhood’s civic and social environment the stakeholders developed a Neighborhood Life Team. Led by CityWide, the neighborhood life team included two community based police officers, a social worker employed by Miami Valley Hospital, a city housing inspector, a credit counselor to assist people in financially preparing for homeownership, and two community organizers from the Family Service Association’s Neighborhood Development program. One of the signature achievements of this effort was the formation of a formal neighborhood organization, which helped shape the long range plans for the neighborhood. Since the mid 1990’s over $14M has been invested in the neighborhood. In the first phase of the project, 68 residential and commercial properties were acquired and 41 demolished, 11 single - family homes were rehabilitated, and 23 new single-family units were constructed. Additionally, to spur interest in the housing that was planned, Miami Valley Hospital launched an employee benefit program called “homestead assistance,” which encouraged their employees to buy homes in the Fairgrounds Neighborhood by providing them with a $7,500 down payment assistance grant. This package proved very appealing and 14 Miami Valley Hospital employees purchased homes in the Fairgrounds neighborhood during the Genesis Project and many more joined a waiting list for future opportunities. The growth and success of the Fairgrounds neighborhood also led to significant private investment along the Brown-Warren Street corridor, as private sector developers were willing to risk their own capital in business development. Seven new townhouses were completed in 2012 and an 100,000 square feet of commercial space was added. The area is now a lively retail destination with a mix of both locally-owned retail shops and restaurants, and national chains such as Panera Bread, Chipotle, and Starbucks. Source: www.citywidedev.com/projects/community-development/genesis/ 48 Housing and Commercial Development AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT LUCINDA REDESIGN AND CREEKWALK LU C I N DA AV ENUE NIU CAMPUS FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY D2 CREATE A LUCINDA FOCUS AREA, PRIORITIZING a maximum build-out of three-story commercial/ REDEVELOPMENT THROUGH A POTENTIAL mixed use developments, or three-story multi-family PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP. residential developments. Compared to existing built Investment in the area of Lucinda and Annie Glidden structures, this is not a significant departure from what North adjacent to the NIU campus could greatly currently exists. improve neighborhood vitality and walkability, while providing a model for contemporary mixed-use The Plan recommends the creation of a public plaza or development that may be applicable in other parts of square at the center of the redevelopment, serving as the neighborhood. Near-term reinvestment within the a unique gathering place and gateway to the proposed Focus Area should be dedicated to redevelopment of creek walk heading north along the existing stream. the commercial area in order to strengthen this key Framing the plaza would be three to four-story mixed node as a campus gateway and to provide a center for use buildings to the west and east. These buildings student retail, housing and services. should include flexible first-floor spaces that can be utilized for a variety of active retail, restaurant, service The Lucinda Focus Area is currently zoned LC (Light or community functions. Upper stories could include Commercial) and MFR-2 (High Density, High Bulk residential or office uses. Parking for the developments Multiple Family Residential District). Existing uses should be located to the rear of the sites, and accessed on Lucinda include two-story commercial structures, from Lucinda Avenue. Due to its central location within two to three-story multi-family residential structures, easy walking distance to campus and other amenities, and parking. Current zoning regulations allow for on-site residential parking should be limited. Housing and Commercial Development AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT 49 Redevelopment of these properties would provide a D3 CREATE A HILLCREST/BLACKHAWK FOCUS vibrant and attractive gateway to the Annie Glidden AREA, PRIORITIZING MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT Road corridor, while also greatly enhancing the THROUGH A POTENTIAL PUBLIC/PRIVATE northern edge of the NIU campus and creating new PARTNERSHIP spaces and places for both students and other local The Hillcrest/Blackhawk area provides a potential residents to congregate. location for a significant mixed-use redevelopment that can help provide shopping, services, and other In order to initiate redevelopment efforts in the area, community amenities to both surrounding families the Plan recommends the creation of a public-private and the local student population. Currently, Hillcrest/ partnership and joint development agreements Blackhawk has a blighted appearance, due to large between major stakeholder organizations and a surface parking lots, poor sidewalks and infrastructure, selected developer. If created as considered and single story commercial structures and the large outlined in project D1, a local Community Development vacant Campus Theaters that dominate the area. The Corporation could also play a key role in reinvestment Plan recommends focused reinvestment in this area of this area in a way that will catalyze additional to make it significantly more attractive, walkable and improvements in surrounding blocks. supportive of businesses and services that can benefit area residents. Complexity Higher Estimated Cost $100k or above The Hillcrest/Blackhawk Focus Area is zoned LC (Light City of DeKalb, NIU, Local Commercial). Current zoning allows for significantly Potential Lead Partners Property Owners higher densities compared to existing built structures. Zoning regulations allow for a maximum of three- story commercial/mixed use developments, which is a significant density increase over the existing built environment on Blackhawk and Hillcrest. Due to the focus area’s location and densely populated surroundings, it is recommended that the City focus investment in public service infrastructure, including transportation, health care services, and enhanced security. 50 Housing and Commercial Development AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT HILLCREST / BLACKHAWK REDESIGN R OA D WH WK ILL C KHA CRE ST BLA DRI VE FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY The Plan envisions a two to three-story mixed Complexity Higher use building anchoring the corner of Hillcrest and Estimated Cost $100k or above Blackhawk with flexible ground floor space geared City of DeKalb, NIU, Local Potential Lead Partners towards community and entertainment uses. North of Property Owners this development, attached townhomes could provide attractive medium-density development for the area and help strengthen Greek Row. West of the Campus Cinema’s property, the existing strip mall could be reinvisioned as a “main street” environment with single- story retail or mixed-use buildings adjacent to Hillcrest Drive and parking to the rear of the site. If created as considered and outlined in project D1, a local Community Development Corporation could play a key role in reinvestment of this area in a way that will catalyze additional improvements in surrounding blocks. This project should be aligned with project B1, Establish a Community Food and Education Center Housing and Commercial Development AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT 51  MEDIUM PRIORITY PROJECTS D4 EXPLORE BENEFITS AND PROMOTE D5 EXPLORE THE CREATION OF A TAX INCREMENT D4 OPPORTUNITY ZONE DESIGNATION FINANCING (TIF) DISTRICT COVERING ONE OR The AGN neighborhood has recently been designated BOTH OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AREAS an Opportunity Zone by the Internal Revenue Service. In order to facilitate changes in the two Focus Areas An Opportunity Zone is an economically-distressed identified in D2 and D3, the City should explore the community where new investments, under certain creation of a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District. conditions, may be eligible for preferential tax DeKalb currently has two TIF Districts, the Central treatment. Opportunity Zones are designed to spur TIF District and the TIF 2 District. TIF is an economic economic development by providing tax benefits development tool that helps local governments to investors. First, investors can defer tax on any restore run-down and blighted areas and/or jump- prior gains until the earlier of the date on which an start economically challenged parts of town. TIFs can investment is sold or exchanged, or December 31, help finance public infrastructure improvements and, 2026, so long as the gain is reinvested in a Qualified in certain circumstances, residential rehabilitation. Opportunity Fund. Second, if the investor holds the Payments derived from the increased assessed value investment in the Opportunity Fund for at least ten of any improvement to real property beyond its base years, the investor would be eligible for an increase in amount are deposited in a separate fund to finance the basis equal to the fair market value of the investment construction of public infrastructure or provide other on the date that the investment is sold or exchanged. assistance as defined within the TIF legislation. Local A Qualified Opportunity Fund is an investment vehicle jurisdictions seeking to establish a TIF district must: that is set up as either a partnership or corporation for • Establish the proposed redevelopment project area investing in eligible property located in an Opportunity meets the statutory eligibility requirements Zone and utilizes the investor’s gains from a prior • Determine that redevelopment through private investment for funding the Opportunity Fund. investment is most likely to occur without public intervention • Set forth redevelopment plan goals, a general land use Complexity Medium plan and a project budget Estimated Cost Low - $50k • Assess the potential financial impact on other taxing City of DeKalb, Local districts Potential Lead Partners Property Owners • Meet other statutory requirements Complexity Medium Estimated Cost Low - $50k City of DeKalb, Local Potential Lead Partners Property Owners 52 Housing and Commercial Development AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT CASE STUDY: EDDY STREET COMMONS - SOUTH BEND, IN Eddy Street Commons is part of a “College Town” development program immediately adjacent to the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. Built in an area owned by the University, the project grew out of a robust community planning process that identified Eddy Street as a good candidate to foster a brand new, mixed-use community designed for a variety of tenants and retailers serving the University, the Northeast Neighborhood, and the surrounding area. The project is a key component to a larger vision for the neighborhood, involving an intimate collaboration between the University, the City, and other stakeholders to improve Northeast through strategic investments in “education, housing, and infrastructure.” Phase I of Eddy Street Commons opened during the aftermath of the 2008 recession and was able to weather that period which is now currently 100% leased. This phase boasts numerous features, including 170,000 square feet of retail/restaurant/office space, 266 apartment units, 123 condos, 78 row/townhomes, and a parking garage with 1,276 spaces. Also located on site are two hotels with over 280 rooms. Phase II has recently been approved for construction. The design has incorporated feedback from the University, the City, nearby businesses, and residents. Phase II will add 8,500 square feet of restaurant space, 433 apartment units, 22 single-family homes, a community center, a grocery store, and 17 “flex” units. The flex units have been designed to accommodate either residential or commercial uses depending on the demand. Their inclusion is a response to requests for more retail/office space for local businesses. Per data from Notre Dame, the two phases represent nearly $300 million in investment for the Northeast Neighborhood. Phase I • 170,000 square feet of retail/restaurant/office space • 266 apartment units • 123 condo units • 78 row/townhomes (100% leased) • 1,276-vehicle multi-level parking garage • 119-room Fairfield Inn & Suites • 164-room Embassy Suites Phase II • $90 million mixed-use project • 8,500 square feet of restaurant space • 17 “flex” units • Modest street-level units that can be adapted for commercial or residential use depending on demand • Small, local specialty shops, small cafes or coffee shops or insurance or law offices • 433 apartment units • 22 single-family homes • Robinson Community Learning Center • Stand-alone grocery store • Source: news.nd.edu/news/kite-notre-dame-break-groundS-on-eddy-street-commons-phase-ii/ Housing and Commercial Development AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT 53 D6 FOCUS ON ENFORCEMENT OF BUILDING AND D7 RELOCATE UNIVERSITY PLAZA’S PARKING LOTS PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODES TO EAST SIDE OF PROPERTY, CONVERTING TO A The City of DeKalb operates in compliance with locally COMMERCIAL FRONTAGE adopted codes that are designed to maintain a healthy, As outlined in project A10, the Plan recommends that safe, and clean environment and to preserve the quality the owner of University Plaza evaluate a redesign of life that residents and businesses enjoy in the of their property to shift parking to Crane Drive and community. Safety is achieved through proper design Russell Road. Doing so would open up a prime site and construction practices, issuance of permits, and on Annie Glidden Road for commercial or mixed-use inspections that verify compliance with building codes. redevelopment while providing the opportunity to The Building and Code Enforcement Division currently create a semi-public open space amenity for University has several duties including: Plaza residents. The property owner should work directly with the City to evaluate the feasibility of this • Inspecting construction work proposal and a potential public-private partnership. • Issuing building permits Funding for these improvements could come through • Providing technical assistance to residents and the implementation of a tax-increment financing contractors district (TIF) as well as other sources. New parking • Reviewing building permit applications at Crane Drive and Russell Road could be utilized • Enforcing local Property Maintenance codes as as a shared lot for Welsh Park activities through a well as responding to citizen concerns. partnership with the DeKalb Parks District. The Plan recommends a focus of additional City Complexity Higher resources on enforcement of building and property Estimated Cost $100k or above maintenance codes. Improvements for further Private, City of DeKalb, Potential Lead Partners evaluation include dictating more frequent exterior DeKalb Park District inspections for multi-family dwellings, increasing the use of technology to improve and streamlining inspection processing and communication, and potentially hiring an additional inspector if needed. Complexity Lower Estimated Cost $50k - $100k Potential Lead Partners City of DeKalb 54 Housing and Commercial Development AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT D8 EVALUATE THE LONG-TERM VIABILITY OF OLDER units. The prices are representative of the “going rate” APARTMENT COMPLEXES WHILE ENCOURAGING in the rehab field as of June 2012. The cyclical nature MIXED-INCOME REDEVELOPMENT AND THE of the construction industry, the fluctuation of energy CREATION OF NEW OPEN SPACES AND PARKING prices, varying costs of commodities with time, and In order to evaluate the long-term viability of older the specific conditions present in a specific building apartment complexes, the Plan recommends that will determine whether actual costs will be higher or property owners consult The Rehab Checklist - An lower. Apartment Building Owner’s Guide by the Community Investment Corporation(CIC) (www.cicchicago. If a building owner finds that costs for improvement com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/RehabChecklist. are too high, and is not interested in pursuing English.2013.pdf). The Checklist includes rough cost redevelopment, the Plan recommends they begin estimates for many of the components in a rehab conversations with the City regarding potential sale project and can help an owner decide whether it and acquisition of the property for open space and or makes sense to improve, redevelop or sell a property shared parking. that may be in need of repairs. The costs attached to Complexity Medium the items represent averages or ranges that CIC sees Estimated Cost $0k - $50k in contractors’ proposals for buildings of five or more Potential Lead Partners City of DeKalb, DARA Housing and Commercial Development AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT 55  LOWER PRIORITY PROJECTS D9 EMPLOY ACTIVATION AND PLACEMAKING The Plan recommends that the City dedicate a STRATEGIES TO CREATE EXCITEMENT AND small portion of funding to implement a micro-grant ENTHUSIASM WHILE STRENGTHENING placemaking program (less than $5,000/grant) for CONNECTIONS AMONG THE COMMUNITY the AGN area. Funds distributed through this program Placemaking is a multi-faceted approach to the can provide local organizations and neighborhood planning, design and management of public spaces. groups with empowerment and financial support for Placemaking capitalizes on a local community’s activities that promote citizen engagement, enhance assets, inspiration, and potential, with the intention of neighborhood beautification, improve safety, encourage creating public spaces that promote people’s health, economic development and/or address neighborhood happiness, and well being. It is political due to the needs and aspirations. This can be integrated with NIU nature of place identity. Placemaking is both a process Arts engagement programs and augmented by other and a philosophy that makes use of urban design grant opportunities including the National Endowment principles. It can be either official and government led, for the Arts - Our Town Grant or a National Association or community driven. A grass roots tactical urbanism of Realtors (NAR) - Placemaking Micro-Grant. approach can include extending sidewalks with chalk, paint, and planters, or hosting an open streets events. An example placemaking project, Build a Better Park Good placemaking makes use of underutilized space Event, could be held at Welsh Park to activate and bring to enhance the urban experience at the pedestrian attention to the potential of the space while engaging scale. the community in a series of conversations about long- term park improvements. Complexity Lower Cost $0k - $50k City of DeKalb, NIU Office of Student Engagement, Potential Lead Partners Community Education Food Center 56 Housing and Commercial Development AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT D10 ENCOURAGE NIU TO DEVELOP FACULTY / STAFF D11 PRIORITIZE MIXED-INCOME SINGLE-FAMILY HOUSING ON PARKING LOT AT ANNIE GLIDDEN OR TOWNHOME DEVELOPMENT TO CREATE ROAD AND CRANE DRIVE A LARGER AND MORE DIVERSE RESIDENTIAL In order to increase the supply of faculty and staff POPULATION housing within the AGN area, the Plan recommends As apartment buildings in the AGN reach the end of that NIU consider developing the parking lot at Annie their lifespan, the Plan recommends shifting residential Glidden Road and Crane Drive known as Lot X. This site investment to lower and medium-density building types is strategically located along the proposed creek walk compatible with traditional neighborhood development and contains frontage along Annie Glidden that could (TND) principles and townhome and small-lot single be attractive to retail or services. Future development family building types. TND refers to the development of this site should be urban and pedestrian-oriented of a complete neighborhood or town using traditional in character with parking at the rear of buildings and town planning principles. To qualify as a TND, a project complete with wide sidewalks for pedestrians. should include a range of housing types, a network of well-connected streets and blocks, public spaces, and Complexity Higher have amenities such as stores, schools, and places Estimated Cost $100k or above of worship within walking distance of residences. Potential Lead Partners NIU This strategy may also include the potential rezoning of some MFR-2 (Multi Family Residential 2) areas to MFR-1 (Multi-Family Residential 1) or TFR (Two Family Residential) Complexity Higher Estimated Cost $100k or above Potential Lead Partners City of DeKalb Housing and Commercial Development AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT 57 D12 AS REDEVELOPMENT OCCURS, BRAND THE • AGN: A Global Neighborhood ANNIE GLIDDEN NORTH NEIGHBORHOOD TO • Annie Glidden Fields HELP IMPROVE PERCEPTION • Credence Quarter Any successful community needs to have a positive • Varsity Heights image among its current and potential residents, and • Northern Heights building a strong, positive image for a neighborhood is • Doorstep Heights often critical to its success. Image means two different things: Rebranding should only happen after tangible positive changes begin to occur in the community. This effort • The visual impression of the neighborhood from may be led by a local Community Development residents and visitors. Corporation as outlined in project D1, in collaboration • The neighborhood’s “brand” – the idea of the with the City of DeKalb and local residents and property neighborhood that people have in their heads. owners. Both images feed off and reinforce one another. As Complexity Medium part of the revitalization effort, the Plan recommends Cost $100k or above evaluating and potentially rebranding the AGN area to Potential Lead Partners City of DeKalb promote positive changes that are occurring. When asked to create a name for the area at Community Meeting 2, attendees submitted the following ideas: • DeKalb Village • Campus Heights • Glidden Square • The Village • Northern Commons • Huskey Gate • University North • Annie Glidden North • Annie Glidden Horizons • Glidden Glen • West Welsh Park • Uptown • Communiversity North 58 Housing and Commercial Development AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT  MARKET STUDY SUMMARY OVERVIEW As part of the AGN Plan, a Market Study was prepared to • Most of the businesses’ annual revenues and to profile the residential and commercial market within the employment numbers are declining project area and to identify opportunities for development • Declining revenues and employment are linked to and redevelopment. The planning team reviewed a variety limited sales/revenue and a lack of clients, specifically of data, including demographics, household expenditures, a declining student consumer base NIU enrollment, commercial properties for sale or lease • AGN’s workforce is predominantly composed of part- and zoning. The team also conducted a local business time workers survey. • Top recommendations for how the City of DeKalb could improve the AGN business environment are The planning team analyzed demographic data for AGN increasing area safety, planning events for large and compared it to the City of DeKalb. The total area of groups, increasing the visual marketing of NIU events, AGN is 0.86 square miles compared to 14.81 square miles and engaging with businesses to offer guidance on for the City of DeKalb. Despite the relatively small total improvements. area, AGN has an estimated 2017 population of 9,893, approximately 23% of DeKalb’s total population of 43,445. The planning team identified commercial properties 1,758 residents in this area are enrolled at NIU. AGN’s for sale and lease in the AGN area and analyzed zoning 2017 median household income is $17,689 compared for potential redevelopment opportunities. AGN is to $39,643 for DeKalb. The average amount spent predominately zoned Light Commercial (LC), which allows annually per AGN household in 2017 was $27,036. The a variety of retail and commercial uses, including grocery top expenditures include housing (32.9%), food (13.1%), stores, restaurants, general retail stores, among others. transportation (12.0%), and health care (6.2%). BUSINESS SURVEY The team researched AGN’s business community and conducted a business survey with the City of DeKalb. AGN contains 28 businesses: 43% retail, 39% restaurant, 11% real estate, and 7% service. Of the 28 businesses, 13 businesses (46%) responded to the business survey. Key survey results included the following points: Market Study Summary AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT 59 RECOMMENDATIONS Key recommendations of the Market Study have been incorporated into the AGN Plan and include: • Separate AGN into two distinct commercial sub- markets for redevelopment, including the Lucinda Ave corridor and the Hillcrest/Blackhawk zone. • Prioritize the commercial property in the Lucinda Ave corridor for potential redevelopment. • A planned development or upzoning parcels should be considered along the Lucinda Ave corridor to attract higher density development. Explore investment from NIU in this area. • Invest in public service infrastructure, such as transportation, health care, and security, in the Hillcrest/Blackhawk zone. • Explore the creation of a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District • Prioritize the redevelopment of commercial property within the Hillcrest/Blackhawk focus area. • Launch business engagement programming to connect the City of DeKalb with businesses on a regular basis to support business development and address business owners’ needs. • Develop a customer attraction strategy, such as a shop local campaign to create awareness and generate new customers for AGN’s businesses. 60 Market Study Summary AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT  COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT The AGN Plan process began in August 2017 and has central to the planning process were structured to break included participation of local residents and stakeholders. down barriers and build trust so that entities responsible A primary goal was to ensure that all participants had for project implementation are prepared to succeed. A the tools and information needed to actively participate. timeline of the planning process is shown below and Conversations and community engagement activities described on the following pages. KICK OFF VISIONING FOR THE FUTURE LISTENING + LEARNING AGN REVITALIZATION PLAN STRATEGIES PROGRAMS + PROJECTS W O RK S IN NG GG TI ROUP MEE Community Engagement AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT 61 TASK FORCE MISSION The AGN Task Force was created consisting of • Generate and vet ideas in order to prioritize the community residents, property owners and managers, strategies and projects that merit consideration for local business representatives, service providers, inclusion in the AGN Plan educational leaders and public officials who are all • Review deliverables and provide comments and stakeholders in the improvement of the Annie Glidden feedback before they go to the larger community North neighborhood. The role of the Task Force was to: • Help identify potential partners and guide post Plan implementation • Identify resources regarding conditions within the • Provide overall Plan recommendations to City neighborhood Council • Provide information regarding conditions within the neighborhood Task Force members were asked to review • Assist in promoting larger Community Meetings to materials provided to them and attend meetings a broad range of community members to discuss the issues raised in these materials by • Provide information about agencies, businesses the planners and by other Task Force members or other entities that could assist in neighborhood in order to provide direction to Plan development. improvement Meetings of the Task Force are working meetings • Reflect concerns and issues from neighborhood to address issues of planning implementation, data and citywide residents, businesses and collection, and Plan development. stakeholders • Identify project recommendations Task Force proposals and directions are considered as guidance • to the City and planning team in the development of the Plan, but are not binding upon the final content of the Plan. PROJECT INITIATION - KEY PERSON INTERVIEWS The initial phase of the planning process included departments of NIU, the Dekalb County Housing interviewing stakeholders, creating a project Task Authority, New Hope Baptist Church, the DeKalb Police Force, and reviewing base materials and previous Department, and many others. These sessions were plans. Key person interviews involved selected designed to gain local insights into the project area, agencies and service providers, such as various its history, existing conditions, planned improvement 62 Community Engagement AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT initiatives, and other topics to be addressed in the through those discussions. Attendees were then asked to development of the AGN Plan, and to begin to build local identify the City’s assets, issues, and opportunities. For the support for implementation. This phase helped establish final activity, audience members proposed potential early the community context, and provided the Planning action projects to be completed during the AGN planning Team important information on the assets, issues, and process. opportunities present in DeKalb. NIU STUDENT MEETING COMMUNITY MEETING 1 University students are often underrepresented in The first community meeting was held on September traditional planning processes. The AGN Plan was 27, 2017. The Planning Team introduced themselves, structured to include student engagement, including provided an overview of the AGN Plan schedule of tasks, representation on the Task Force. The Planning Team was and had attendees vote on a logo for the project. The invited to a City / Student Leadership meeting to engage Team explained the purpose of the AGN Plan and its students on the Plan. Results from that meeting showed relationship to previous planning efforts. The Planning that students are concerned about crime as well as the Team summarized their own observations of the project lack of entertainment and nightlife amenities in the local area and interviews with people from key agencies and area. The majority of attendees believe that students and organizations, highlighting issues that were identified families can co-exist in the neighborhood. VISIONING The Visioning phase involved working with neighborhood the results of the first community meeting. Attendees residents and stakeholders to define a broad outlook for were then asked to think about the future of the AGN the future of the community. Neighborhood and the ways its improvement could manifest over the next 10-15 years. The visioning exercise COMMUNITY MEETING 2 identified five smaller areas within the larger project Community Meeting 2 took place on November 2, area that generated discussion about more targeted 2017 and provided an analysis of assets, issues, and improvements. These “focus areas” exemplify challenges opportunities identified at Community Meeting 1, within their immediate context, and attendees were asked highlighting common themes for each category and to offer their vision for each through a visual preference specific examples that showed up repeatedly. The concept survey. of early action projects was reintroduced and community members ranked 10 options that were developed from Community Engagement AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT 63 STRATEGIES PROGRAMS + PROJECTS The strategies, programs and projects phase involved the creation of four Working Groups from the Task Force focused around the following topics: • Transportation, Infrastucture and Open Space • Community Services • Neighborhood Safety and Security • Housing and Commercial Development Each Working Group met three or more times over spring 2018, identifying desired outcomes and defining specific project ideas. Results from the Working Groups were brought back to the Task Force for summary, review and refinement. COMMUNITY MEETING 3 Community Meeting 3 took place on April 16, 2018 and focused on providing local residents and stakeholders a summary of Working Group ideas, as well as a review of Draft Alternatives as described in the Recommended Projects and Initiatives section. Feedback from the meeting was used to refine the projects of each initiative, and to create the Project Reference Map for the AGN area. 64 Community Engagement AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT  COMMUNITY FEEDBACK ASSETS / OPPORTUNITIES / ISSUES As an initial step in development of the AGN Plan, community members identified specific assets, issues, and opportunities for consideration at Community Meeting 1. The elements listed on the following pages reflect the feedback received at that meeting and established a starting point for crafting neighborhood strategies. A timeline of the planning process is shown below. 2nd Community Draft of Meeting 3 Plan 1st Key Person Task Force Task Force Task Force Draft of Task Force Interviews Meeting 2 Meeting 3 Meeting 4 Plan Meeting 5 2017 2018 Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Project Community Community Working Draft Final Kickoff Meeting 1 Meeting 2 Group Plan Plan Meetings Review Task Force Student Meeting 1 Meeting Community Feedback AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT 65 ASSETS / OPPORTUNITIES What we heard from the community A community asset is anything that can be used to improve the quality of community life. Once assets are identified, they can be nurtured into opportunities through a combination of community support, dedicated resources, and strategies structured to enhance their transformative properties. The following were identified by residents and stakeholders as assets of the AGN Neighborhood: GREEK ORGANIZATIONS The presence of Greek organizations and their homes is highly regarded. Some even considered them and Greek row as a stabilizing force for the neighborhood. Attendees noted that they have a long tradition of volunteering for good causes, which could assist in addressing some of the issues in the neighborhood. NIU NIU is the anchor institution, contributing much to the neighborhood: resources, employment, and a student population. They are also heavily invested in the health of neighborhood and the success of the larger community as that allows them to attract more students, a better workforce, and elite faculty. DIVERSITY A major asset of the Annie Glidden North is the variety of residents with different backgrounds living within such a small area. This diversity is appreciated by many and should be maintained and harnessed to improve neighborhood conditions. PLACES OF WORSHIP The faith community provides many resources in addition to spaces for worship, including community facilities, social services, and programming that engages a variety of residents. The faith community is a fixture that supports many residents in need and helps provide a mission for those residents that want to serve the community. VACANT MOVIE THEATER While also regarded as an issue, Campus Cinemas was seen as a major opportunity by many residents. It is currently vacant and centrally located for residents, including both Greek and non-Greek students. Many are excited about the potential reuse of this building and see it as a catalyst for additional development. 66 Community Feedback AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT The Annie Glidden North Neighborhood was recently designated as an Opportunity Zone by the Internal What we heard from the community Revenue Service. This designation is seen as a major opportunity for revitalization and is summarized in project D4. ROOM FOR GROWTH The neighborhood is large and is able to accommodate additional development that can meet resident needs and could add diversity to the existing housing stock. Others see an opportunity to transition to a lower-density environment that could result in a more livable neighborhood. YOUNG POPULATION Students and other young residents contribute a youthful energy to the area. They support existing businesses, help stabilize the community, and offer unique perspectives alongside established residents and homeowners. PARKS Parks and open space areas are highly valued. They offer opportunities for youth recreation as well as opportunities for relaxation and respite for other residents. They could be used as an organizing force for neighborhood improvements and a venue for residents to gather. If nurtured with expanded recreational facilities, they could be a major asset to attract and maintain residents. COMMUNITY GARDENS Community gardens provide numerous benefits to residents. They not only offer residents access to fresh produce, they are also great venues for interacting, physical exercise, and may be a source of income for some residents. Community gardens are also viewed as a potential beautifying element for the neighborhood. HEALTH DEPARTMENT The DeKalb County Health Department is identified as a major asset for the neighborhood. In addition to providing necessary health care, it also offers high quality employment and could act as an anchor for the north side for the community. Community Feedback AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT 67 ISSUES What we heard from the community An issue represents a liability that is lowering the community’s quality of life. If left unabated for too long, its impact can grow and adversely impact the larger city or region. The following were identified by residents and stakeholders as the most critical issues to address in the AGN Plan: CRIME Crime and or the perception of the lack of safety is a major concern of neighborhood residents. Some residents have direct experience, others are reacting to news and community discussions. Safety concerns are highest over weekend nights. TRANSPORTATION/TRANSIT SERVICE Transportation within the community and between neighborhoods is difficult for many, which is designed for auto owners over those that rely on other modes of transportation. This condition is especially difficult for those with limited means to access employment opportunities and grocery stores, the latter being the hardest to access on weekends. PEDESTRIAN/BIKE INFRASTRUCTURE The pedestrian environment needs improvement throughout the area, with specific areas exhibiting unique challenges. Sidewalk conditions along Russell Road were highlighted as being particularly distressed. Attendees noted that Annie Glidden Road is a very unwelcoming pedestrian and biking environment, with limited crossings, high- speed/volume traffic, and multiple lanes to cross. There is little bike infrastructure for a young student/resident population with limited means of transportation. VACANT MOVIE THEATER This vacant building at West Hillcrest Drive and Blackhawk Road blights the immediate area and is an eyesore for residents and students. LACK OF ENTERTAINMENT/NIGHT LIFE AMENITIES In addition to the vacant Campus Cinemas, many criticized the lack of entertainment options and night life amenities within the neighborhood, particularly those suited to the student population. 68 Community Feedback AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT  What we heard from the community LACK OF HEALTH AND RECREATION FACILITIES There are a limited number of health and recreation facilities that appeal to students and other younger adults. Students would prefer a fitness facility that is more accessible than what is available on the NIU campus. Other residents expressed concern about the lack of health care facilities, including medical and dental clinics available within or near the neighborhood. INADEQUATE ACCESS TO FRESH HEALTHY FOOD Fresh food is hard to access because large grocery retailers are not located in the neighborhood and there are no small fresh produce sellers in the area. Because of this limited access to fresh food, poorer residents with limited mobility options are especially burdened, compromising their quality of life and limiting them to patronize fast food establishments and convenience stores on Annie Glidden. POOR PROPERTY CONDITIONS Some properties are blighted, which adversely impacts the greater neighborhood area and supports its negative perception. Some attendees noted positive momentum with the rehabilitation of University Village, but think more work is needed for other properties. Some suspected that code enforcement is too lax in adequately addressing overcrowding in residential units. Some residents, lamented the lack of internet infrastructure within buildings. POOR LIGHTING Lighting is seen as inadequate, which is contributing to unsafe conditions in certain parts of the neighborhood. Some residents noted that trees were not being properly maintained and this neglect was obscuring existing lighting. NO SPACES FOR SOCIALIZING With such a large population that is young (including 1,758 students living in AGN neighborhood), there is a notable lack of spaces for residents to meet and socialize with one another. This condition may feed into the perception of isolation within the neighborhood and contribute to tensions between homeowners, renters, and students. Community Feedback AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT 69 - PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK -  ZONING REVIEW INTRODUCTION This analysis – informed by both an independent review of the relevant regulatory documents in January 2018, as well as by staff comments – is intended to suggest This review focuses upon current conditions within the a series of actions that the City may take to modify Annie Glidden North neighborhood and is intended to current zoning requirements in an effort to improve provide a broad review of the current regulatory structure quality of life and ensure the long-term viability of the impacting development within the neighborhood. As such, economic and built environment of Annie Glidden North. parcel-specific recommendations are not included here, Though recommendations made here are specific to the though specific rezoning actions are recommended as conditions and issues identified within the Annie Glidden part of the larger Annie Glidden North Revitalization Plan North neighborhood, some suggested actions may have where appropriate. larger applicability within the community and should be evaluated for their usefulness in light of the manner in which specific districts and regulations are applied City- wide. DEFINITIONS Any adjustment of the zoning ordinance should contain • “Density” - Staff have suggested that adjusting density a careful assessment of the range of current definitions, calculations to include a per-bedroom standard may modifications to existing terms, or inclusion of new terms be desired as a means to more closely regulate actual to ensure consistency and clear applicability. In focusing population densities. We would recommend against on the Annie Glidden North neighborhood, it is critical this approach. Most modern ordinances have moved that housing types be well defined and any terms used to away from per-bedroom standards, as these types calculate permitted housing are carefully evaluated and of standards are not necessarily any more accurate clarified where needed to ensure the effective application than per-unit standards. This is because bedrooms of the ordinance. This review has identified a number of are often a poor indicator of occupancy; a two preliminary areas where adjustment may be needed: bedroom unit may be occupied by three people, or a three bedroom unit may be occupied by only one or Zoning Review AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT 71  two people. Switching to per-bedroom standards recommended that the definition be adjusted to a can also create additional complications in terms unified standard. There are also questions as to the of calculating and recalibrating additional items legality of defining household differently within the such as required open space (where applicable), same municipal boundaries. Zoning regulations and parking. Rather than switching to a per- should be applied consistently across the City. bedroom standard, the City may want to evaluate and recalibrate the permitted densities based upon required lot area in the current districts • “Rooming House” - Similar to the “household” mapped within the AGN neighborhood. Often these definition, “rooming house” is defined in two standards, paired with adjusted bulk and setback different ways based upon geography. There are regulations, parking, open space, and landscape two conflicting definitions of “rooming house:” requirements can be the simplest, most effective one within the zoning ordinance, and one within tool to control density. chapter 14 of the City’s Municipal Code. Chapter 14 defines a “rooming house” as a single dwelling unit occupied by no more than three or four unrelated • “Household” - The current definition of household individuals. The zoning code does not specify is split into two thresholds based upon geography. a single unit but allows four or five unrelated The intent of this “split” approach would appear to individuals based upon geography. Further, the regulate density differently in the areas in proximity City should consider revising the definition of to Northern Illinois University; a goal which may “rooming house” to remove any stipulations on be more effectively achieved by evaluating and unrelated individuals, as this creates conflicts or fleshing out definitions for other housing types inconsistencies with the definition of “household” permitted in these areas. This geographically split and definitions for types of dwellings that approach is uncommon, and may unintentionally should not be defined by occupancy. It may also create a lack of consistency or clarity in terms unintentionally allow increased occupancy by of how it is applied across the ordinance. It is virtue of a relation. 72 Zoning Review AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT ZONING DISTRICTS An initial review of the zoning districts within the AGN in the multi-family districts. The scale of development neighborhood yields a few areas in which strategic within the multi-family districts, particularly the adjustments may benefit future development and bring MFR2 district, may warrant this type of adjustment. the physical form of the neighborhood closer in line Standards for site design, such as for required building with the City’s goals. separation, site landscape, the location of building entrances, driveways and parking can help to alleviate GENERAL STANDARDS concerns related to multiple structures on a lot. It is recommended that the City evaluate current Further, new residential development will continue development standards within the base districts to be subject to the site plan review standards in currently mapped to the AGN neighborhood to the current ordinance, allowing the City to review all verify where inconsistencies between the regulatory relevant aspects of the development for functionality requirements and the built environment exist. If there and compliance with the ordinance. are a high number of substandard lots, this may indicate that district standards need adjustment, BASE ZONING DISTRICTS VS. PLANNED or that new districts are needed to accommodate DEVELOPMENT development and redevelopment within the Generally, it is recommended that the City adjust neighborhood. Often, when lot sizes and widths permitted densities within current districts (if are built out-of-sync with the requirements of the appropriate) or create new base districts to zoning districts, it can lead to a ripple effect in terms accommodate the desired uses and development of accommodating other site elements such as forms within the AGN neighborhood. This approach required setbacks, parking, common open space, and would yield the greatest amount of predictability landscape. Evaluating and adjusting these standards for future development within the neighborhood, where needed can help to ensure a rational and and would allow the City to craft new regulations effective combination of bulk and area standards specifically to achieve the future vision for the that may help to alleviate some of the difficulties neighborhood. Further, per the current site plan review encountered with physical development in the requirements, the City would still have a level of neighborhood. review to ensure quality new development within the neighborhood. Additionally, the City may want to consider allowing more than one principal structure per lot without the Focusing new development on the PD process need to move through a planned development process can often become burdensome on staff and Zoning Review AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT 73 the development community, and can lead to a or redevelopment would be required to come in development environment where property owners through the PD process to allow for smaller projects, have a diminished ability to predict what uses or or those with fewer impacts to occur by-right. Such a building forms might locate adjacent to them--as requirement might read as follows: all development coming into the neighborhood is essentially negotiated from the ground up, and not “Planned development is prohibited in Single-Family occurring within a predetermined set of parameters Residential Districts in all circumstances. In all other “by-right.” It can also create administrative issues over districts, any development of 20,000 square feet time for staff, as each PD becomes its own individual or more in gross floor area that requires relief from zoning district requiring city staff and enforcement zoning regulations is required to go through the officers to remember which unique rules apply to each planned development process. In all other districts, any PD. development with a minimum of 10,000 square feet and up to 20,000 square feet in gross floor area that Planned Development is best used as a tool to requires relief from zoning regulations has the option, encourage innovative and creative development at the applicant’s request, to undergo the planned or redevelopment, by allowing for flexibility in the development process.” use and development of land and the design of structures that may not be achievable through a strict Such a provision would require that larger projects application of the ordinance. As such, it is typically undergo the Planned Development process when reserved for unique or innovative development types requiring relief from zoning regulations and would that may need relief from certain requirements of provide the option for smaller developments to the zoning ordinance, and which the City is willing to undergo the process if desired. offer in exchange for high-quality amenities or other community benefits. The DeKalb County complex east ROOMING HOUSES of Annie Glidden Road may be the best example of The City has identified a number of issues related such a development within the neighborhood, offering to rooming houses as a use within the AGN a mixture of uses and densities that would not be neighborhood, focused primarily upon the density that achievable through strict application of the district such uses create, as well as their potential conversion requirements. to other types of residential units. In addition to the issues identified with the definition of the use above, If the City wishes to pursue an approach that Chapter 14 of the City’s Municipal Code contains prioritizes Planned Development within the AGN specific square footage regulations for rooming houses neighborhood, it is recommended that a sensible based upon occupancy, with thresholds at 20, 30, 40 threshold be established, at which, new development and 50 residents. These square footage requirements 74 Zoning Review AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT seem to be aimed toward ensuring that there is enough “Residential conversions of rooming houses into multi- area both within the structure and subsequently on family dwellings within the ___ Districts are permitted, a lot to accommodate the density of occupants that and must meet the following standards. Residential such uses create. However, these thresholds seem conversions require approval of a special use permit. quite high given the impacts that these types of uses Construction drawings and plans that describe the can have on the surrounding neighborhood. proposed conversion are required as part of the application. Currently, any rooming house with greater than 50 residents requires a special use permit from the City. It (a) The existing rooming house must be a minimum is recommended that the City should consider revising of 3,000 square feet or more in gross floor area. This the existing square footage thresholds in Chapter gross floor area calculation does not include any 14 and lower the number of rooms/occupants that basement area. triggers a special use permit. Currently, the MFR1 District limits the number of residential units within (b) Upon conversion, the unit mix must meet or exceed any building to a maximum of eight, which may be a the gross floor area as calculated by the unit types logical place to start thinking about a new threshold for below: rooming house occupancy. Eight to ten units should be permitted without the use of a special use permit, but i. Efficiency Unit: 500 square feet the City may want to carefully evaluate the impacts of any new rooming house with a number of occupants ii. One Bedroom: 800 square feet that is higher than ten. iii. Two Bedroom: 1,000 square feet Further, conditions for residential conversions of rooming houses should be evaluated to ensure that iv. Three or More Bedroom: 1,250 square feet these types of uses are allowed to convert where it makes sense, and that the requirements for conversion (c) The building must conform to the applicable are simple and reasonable. The City should consider dimensional standards for the district in which the revising standards for residential conversions to building is located. allow for a variety of unit types, with square footage requirements for each, and may want to consider (d) No residential conversion may violate any specific standards to ensure the integrity or original occupancy regulations.” appearance of the structure and its relation to the public environment in the neighborhood is maintained or improved. Such a set of standards may look like the following: Zoning Review AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT 75 NONCONFORMITIES PARKING + LANDSCAPE The City should evaluate how nonconforming A review of current parking and landscape regulations situations are handled within the ordinance, to ensure for the districts within the Annie Glidden North rational, clear triggers for when developments must neighborhood is needed. The density of residential be brought into conformance with current ordinance uses within the neighborhood appears to be creating requirements, and in what cases they may be exempt. a situation where the amount of off-street parking The City’s current ordinance contains provisions for required by the ordinance is often unable to be nonconforming lots of record, nonconforming uses of accommodated on individual development sites. lots, nonconforming uses of buildings and structures, This generally indicates that ordinance requirements and nonconforming buildings and structures. However, may be out of sync with the practical realities of the more modern ordinances often include a range of development pattern within the neighborhood. Given nonconforming situations (including nonconforming this situation, the City may want to pursue one the uses, nonconforming lots, nonconforming structures, following directions: nonconforming site elements, and nonconforming signs) with specific requirements for each. With 1. Adjust dimensional standards such as required particular attention toward the current number of setbacks and buffering to make more room for nonconforming parking lots in the AGN neighborhood, additional parking on-site, and increase required the City may want to move to an approach that parking amounts (such as to 2 spaces per dwelling treats such lots as nonconforming site elements, unit for multi-family or 1.5 spaces per occupant for with specific requirements for when conformance rooming houses). is required. Such an approach typically allows for normal maintenance and incidental repair of the 2. Require fewer parking spaces for development nonconforming lot, but would require it to come into within the neighborhood to reduce the number conformance when: of nonconforming situations. New development and redevelopment will continue to provide • The existing principal structure is demolished and the amount of parking deemed necessary, but a new one is constructed. the ordinance should not require amounts that • A new principal structure is constructed on the lot. cannot be realistically accommodated within the • The existing principal structure is increased in neighborhood. As part of this strategy, the City building footprint by 30% or more. may consider a provision that would allow both • When the parking lot is fully reconstructed or residential and nonresidential uses to count on- repaved, or when the lot is expanded by 50% or street parking spaces located in front of their sites more. toward required off-street parking amounts. 76 Zoning Review AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT 3. Leave parking requirements as-is and consider residential development within the neighborhood. The the creation of a tool such as an administrative standards should be evaluated and revised to ensure variation that would allow the Community that the following elements are addressed relative to Development Director to adjust ordinance new residential structures within the neighborhood. dimensional and parking requirements by up to 10%. This would give the City the flexibility to either • Building orientation and massing (orient buildings administratively reduce the amount of required toward streets, not parking lots) parking for sites that do not need it and are unable • Principal entry location (buildings should contain a to provide it, or to reduce required setbacks and principal entry from the street) landscape on sites that may need to provide more • Fenestration (multi-family buildings can require a parking but cannot do so and continue to meet minimum transparency on the ground floor and these standards. upper stories if desired) • Building articulation / blank wall area (ensure that The current ordinance’s landscape requirements recesses and projections, changes in material, should also be evaluated to ensure that a pleasant and inset or projected windows, awnings, canopies, walkable pedestrian environment is maintained within balconies, and other architectural features are the neighborhood. Many residential developments are utilized to provide a rhythm and visual interest to currently providing surface parking lots immediately the façade) adjacent to the right-of-way with no screening or • Roof design (rooflines in excess of 75 feet should separation from existing sidewalks and the public require an element of variation in height or a right-of-way. Further, the threshold for requiring interior prominent repeated design element) parking lot landscape may need to be lowered from 60 • Driveway design and access should be spaces. A typical threshold for this type of landscaping addressed, particularly for duplex and townhouse requirement is 20-30 spaces. developments that currently provide access to individual garages from the street. DESIGN • Building materials may also be addressed, to The City’s current set of residential design standards ensure high-quality, durable materials are used in should be evaluated to ensure they are effectively new development or significant exterior alterations. improving the appearance of the neighborhood as redevelopment occurs. The current set of design standards seems to be heavily oriented toward ensuring residential compatibility for new single- family homes, but may not be adequately addressing design issues specific to multi-family or other types of Zoning Review AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT 77 - PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK -  IMPLEMENTATION • The CDC or other organization potentially leads the INTRODUCTION process and adjusts the implementation agenda Successful neighborhood plan implementation is typically over time in response to new development, market the result of strong municipal leadership combined changes, and community feedback. with other stakeholders fulfilling important roles. In • The City enact development regulations customized implementing community plans, the municipality has the for neighborhood redevelopment. broadest perspective and interest, which is to improve • The City undertakes public improvements within the community and enhance public welfare. Other the AGN area to enhance the attractiveness of stakeholders, such as property owners, developers, other development sites. units of government and nearby residents each have • The City provides financial incentives to encourage their own sets of interests and goals for neighborhood developers to build desired projects while improvement. safeguarding community values and resources. • Landowners understand and support the land use/ The AGN Revitalization Plan was undertaken to chart a development policies of the Plan, and value their land course for achieving the community vision for the Annie consistent with these policies and current market Glidden North area. This Plan represents the initial step in conditions. realizing that vision. Implementation is a fluid process that • Developers recognize the potential of the AGN area requires adapting to a range of changing conditions. as a unique neighborhood within the City, and act to maximize the appeal and value of building sites within While the City of DeKalb should ultimately oversee the neighborhood. revitalization efforts, successful implementation of the • The financial sector, including community AGN Plan will likely require consideration for the creation development financial institutions (CDFIs), is willing of a Community Development Corporation (CDC) or to invest in new and different forms of development, similar organization to drive the process. This organization which at least initially, are not represented in the local should posses an understanding of the respective market and reflect a higher level of risk. interests and roles of all stakeholders. These interests • Local residents, businesses and community include: organizations make a commitment to stay informed and participate in public forums to make sure their values and priorities are included in neighborhood planning and project reviews. Implementation AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT 79 • Innovative and “out of the box” strategies for • Local partner agencies identify programmatic gaps building design, parking, public amenities and and begin working together to implement projects financing are often part of successful projects. related to community services and neighborhood Partnerships involving the public and private safety and security. sectors, including Northern Illinois University make these new approaches possible. NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION FORMATION In addition to consideration for the development of a CDC or similar organization, the Plan recommends the formation of a local neighborhood group or association to represent the AGN community. Neighborhood groups play a vital role in representing the interests of residents and enhancing the local community. A well-organized neighborhood can wield powerful influence when addressing the needs and problems of local residents. Steps to create a neighborhood association or group are listed below. 1. Define the issues. Using the AGN Plan as a 4. Hold core group meetings. The core group acts starting point, talk to residents to find out what as the temporary steering committee until the they think the important issues are and what general membership meeting is held. When should be done. the core group meets, it should come up with ideas for projects to kick off the organizing 2. Research the community. Define the geography drive. of the community and identify if there is a particular grouping — tenants, homeowners, 5. Plan a general meeting. Leaders should decide students, parents — who are most concerned on a time, date and place that are convenient and most likely to join the organization? for people in the neighborhood. When an agenda is prepared for the first general 3. Build a core group. Leaders should recruit meeting, the goal should be to come out of the a handful of people to help launch the meeting with an agreement on the issues and organization. A group has more credibility than priorities that the organization will take on. an individual and one individual cannot do all the work. Candidates can be found for the core 6. Reach out to the community. Getting the word group by talking to neighbors and looking for out is crucial to create a well-balanced, fully people who are committed to the community. representative organization. 80 Implementation AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT - PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK -  TRANSPORTATION, INFRASTRUCTURE AND OPEN SPACE A Ensure efficient transit service is available to neighborhood residents and Annie Glidden Road is safe for both motorists and pedestrians. Street trees should be plentiful, shading residents and beautifying the neighborhood. Efficient, safe, and well-located off-street parking should be provided. Improved lighting will allow residents to safely enjoy the neighborhood. Redesign Welsh Park and other available green space for all ages, to accommodate passive and active uses. Make AGN a desirable area for the entire community to visit or live in by providing quality living standards, adding useful park and recreation space, and creating interconnectivity between the neighborhood and the rest of the City. Projects are further detailed in the Transportation, Infrastructure and Open Space Chapter, on Page 11 PRIORITY COMPLEXITY EST COST PROJECT POTENTIAL LEAD PARTNERS Commun Govt Private Neigh Orgs Identification of local transportation improvements A1 Higher Lower $0k - $50k and direct integration with X X X DSATS Study. Redesign Welsh Park $100k and A2 Higher Medium above as a local and regional X X destination. Develop bicycle route to A3 Higher Lower $50k - $100k High School utilizing Normal X and Dresser Roads. Develop sidewalk connection to Health Department A4 Higher Lower $50k - $100k utilizing Annie Glidden and X Dresser Roads. Develop streetscape and gateway improvements for $100k and A5 Medium Medium above the Greek Row area in order X X X to help improve its identity and perception. Redesign NIU Nursing School green space as $100k and A6 Medium Medium above neighborhood park and X X incorporate into open space network. Create a dedicated A7 Medium Lower $50k - $100k pedestrian path from the end X X X of High Terrace. Improve and enhance pedestrian crossings at $100k and A8 Medium Medium above Annie Glidden Road and X Lucinda Avenue, Hillcrest Drive and Lincoln Drive Reduce density when opportunities arise and $100k and ensure that plans for new A9 Medium Higher above or redeveloped properties X X X X include provisions for increased parking and open space. 82 Implementation AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT  PRIORITY COMPLEXITY EST COST PROJECT POTENTIAL LEAD PARTNERS Commun Govt Private Neigh Orgs Develop hike / bike trail $100k and along creek from Lucinda A10 Medium Medium above Avenue to Lorusso Lagoon X X X X and Regent Drive. Recommend connections to City parks outside of A11 Lower Lower $0k - $50k the neighborhood through X DSATS Study. Redesign University Plaza parking lot as neighborhood $100k and A12 Lower Higher above square and relocate parking X X X to shared lot on Crane Drive and Russell Road. Distribute and post transit A13 Lower Lower $0k - $50k route maps to broaden X visibility of system. Improve Boardman and Pappas Parks with running $100k and A14 Lower Medium above paths circling detention X X ponds, creating more usable spaces for residents. Develop community gardens on vacant parcels A15 Lower Lower $50k - $100k at Greenbriar and Russelll X X Roads. Create new street $100k and A16 Lower Higher above connection from Twombly X Road to W Hillcrest Drive. Develop new street network $100k and between W Dresser Road A17 Lower Higher above and Ridge Drive to facilitate X infill development Implementation AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT 83  COMMUNITY SERVICES B Foster increased civic participation by neighborhood residents. Increase local daycare services and alternatives to help current families and attract new families. Promote greater awareness of community-focused services already in place. Ensure AGN residents are able to access employment opportunities and resources. Build and link partnerships between organizations that are located and/or operate in the neighborhood. Projects are further detailed in the Community Services Chapter, on Page 27. PRIORITY COMPLEXITY EST COST PROJECT POTENTIAL LEAD PARTNERS Commun Govt Private Neigh Orgs $100k and Establish a Community Food B1 Higher Higher above and Education Center X X X $100k and Community Center Program B2 Higher Higher above Planning X X X Work with local health care providers to establish $100k and B3 Higher Medium above a walk-in clinic or urgent X X X care facility within the neighborhood. Promote enrollment in Tenants Association B4 Medium Lower $0k - $50k throughout the X X neighborhood. Inventory workforce training programs and employers linked to those programs. B5 Medium Medium $50k - $100k Survey residents to X X generate a feedback loop on programs' effectiveness. Work with NIU, local churches and other partners to identify programs that provide daycare, health $100k and B6 Medium Medium above care, and other community X X X X services. Develop a packet of resources, services, and tools, and design a program to market services. Reach out to non-profit groups to offer after-school B7 Medium Lower $0k - $50k activities for neighborhood X X X kids. 84 Implementation AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT  PRIORITY COMPLEXITY EST COST PROJECT POTENTIAL LEAD PARTNERS Commun Govt Private Neigh Orgs Hold a job fair within Annie B8 Lower Lower $0k - $50k Glidden North to promote X X X local hiring. Install kiosks and/or B9 Lower Medium $0k - $50k community bulletin boards X X to advertise social events. Provide voter registration services in the AGN Neighborhood and link residents with closest B10 Lower Lower $0k - $50k polling places. Ensure the X 2020 US Census includes a full count of all students and other residents. Establish a legal aid office in B11 Lower Medium $50k - $100k the neighborhood. X X Implementation AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT 85  NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY AND SECURITY C Reduce crimes by ensuring greater incorporation of crime-free housing. Add cameras and lighting while ensuring improved property maintenance. Create better communication between property owners, City government, tenants, and NIU along with a network of neighborhood associations. Increase enforcement of minor quality of life infractions and upon the Safe Streets initiative. Celebrate cooperation between the City of DeKalb and NIU police. Projects are further detailed in the Neighborhood Safety and Security Chapter, on Page 39. PRIORITY COMPLEXITY EST COST PROJECT POTENTIAL LEAD PARTNERS Commun Govt Private Neigh Orgs Implementation of safety $100k and improvements focused C1 Higher Higher above on improved lighting and X X X surveillance. Create a grading system and database for rental C2 Medium Medium $50k - $100k properties, assessing safety X X X X and security of apartments. Arrange meetings for safety C3 Lower Lower $0k - $50k experts to address residents X X of Annie Glidden North. Research and, if possible, implement cost-effective C4 Lower Medium $0k - $50k background searches for X X prospective rental tenants. Encourage property owners with cameras to make live C5 Lower Medium $0k - $50k feeds available to the DeKalb X X X Police Department. 86 Implementation AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT  PRIORITY COMPLEXITY EST COST PROJECT POTENTIAL LEAD PARTNERS Commun Govt Private Neigh Orgs Assign DeKalb staff to monitor neighborhood C6 Lower Medium $0k - $50k safety and security, and X X serve as liaison between neighborhood associations. Support DeKalb Area Rental Association (DARA) C7 Lower Lower $0k - $50k encouraging ethical behavior X X X by member property owners. Implementation AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT 87  HOUSING AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT D Create a neighborhood with a vibrant and managed mix of students, families, and Greeks. Create efficient and well-located off-street parking. Ensure annual increases in local property values. Promote well-maintained and managed properties. Develop a blend of retail and entertainment / nightlife options attractive to students, local residents and visitors. Ensure that public and private investment are aligned and coordinated. Projects are further detailed in the Housing and Commercial Development Chapter, on Page 45. PRIORITY COMPLEXITY EST COST PROJECT POTENTIAL LEAD PARTNERS Commun Govt Private Neigh Orgs Consider creation of a Community Development D1 Higher Medium $0k - $50k Corporation (CDC) to focus X X X on implementation of revitalization efforts. Create a Lucinda Focus Area, $100k and prioritizing redevelopment D2 Higher Higher above through a potential public/ X X X private partnership. Create a Hillcrest/Blackhawk Focus Area, prioritizing $100k and D3 Higher Higher above mixed-use development X X through a potential public/ private partnership. Explore benefits and D4 Medium Medium Low - $50k promote Opportunity Zone X X X designation. Explore the creation of a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) D5 Medium Medium Low - $50k District covering one or both X X X of the redevelopment areas. Focus on better enforcement D6 Medium Lower $50k - $100k of building and property X maintenance codes. Relocate University Plaza’s parking lots to east side of D7 Medium Higher $0k - $50k property, converting to a X commercial frontage. 88 Implementation AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT  PRIORITY COMPLEXITY EST COST PROJECT POTENTIAL LEAD PARTNERS Commun Govt Private Neigh Orgs Evaluate the long- term viability of older apartment complexes while D8 Medium Medium $0k - $50k encouraging mixed-income X redevelopment and the creation of new open spaces and parking. Employ activation and placemaking strategies to create excitement D9 Lower Lower $0k - $50k and enthusiasm while X X X strengthening connections among the community. Encourage NIU to develop $100k and faculty / staff housing on D10 Lower Higher above parking lot at Annie Glidden X Road and Crane Drive. Prioritize mixed-income single-family or townhome $100k and D11 Lower Higher above development to create a X larger and more diverse residential population. As redevelopment occurs, $100k and brand the Annie Glidden D12 Lower Medium above North Neighborhood to help X X X X improve perception. Implementation AGN Neighborhood Plan DRAFT 89