Building & Zoning Committee

“Where People Count” Community Development 1000 Civic Center Drive, Niles, Illinois 60714 Mayor Telephone (847) 588-8040 ● Fax (847) 588-8050 ● TDD (847) 588-8059 Robert M. Callero Trustees Chris Hanusiak James T. Hynes September 22, 2011 Joe LoVerde Rosemary R. Palicki Louella B. Preston Building and Zoning Committee Meeting 6:00 p.m. Andrew Przybylo Village Manager George R. Van Geem In Attendance: Robert M. Callero – Mayor Village Clerk George Van Geem – Village Manager Marlene J. Victorine Steve Vinezeano – Assistant Village Manager ______________ Joe Annunzio – Village Attorney Community Andrew Przybylo – Village Trustee Development Tom Kanelos – Planning & Zoning Committee Director Chuck Ostman – Community Development Director Charles Ostman Rich Wlodarski – Community Development Assistant Director Mary Ann Starzynski – Recording Clayton Jirak - Intern Courtney Kashima – Houseal Lavigne Associates Meeting called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Andrew Przybylo. Approval of Minutes: A motion was made by Andrew Przybylo for the minutes of the August 2, 2011 meeting to be approved. This was seconded by Steve Vinezeano. All were in favor. Comprehensive Plan update and presentation by Courtney Kashima of Houseal Lavigne Associates. She noted that this is a work in progress and some edits will still come at a later date most notably a table of contents, executive summary and an acknowledgements page once the document is vetted. Courtney stated that this is the Village Plan a community plan. The sub-committee asked for Guiding Principles to be included. Page 1 states “It is important to note that the Comprehensive Plan is structured around the following guiding principles:  Economic Vitality  Desirable Housing Stock  Strength in Diversity  Community Character and Identity  Reality Based Recommendations. www.vniles.com The Village of Niles’ comprehensive planning process incorporated a seven step program:  Project Initiation  Director Meeting and Tour  Project Initiation Workshop  Community Outreach  Press Releases  Project Web Site & Articles  Community Based Mapping  Questionnaires  Community Workshop  Business Workshop  Key Person Interviews  Focus Group Discussions  Existing Conditions  Past Studies and Plans  Zoning & Development Controls  Market & Demographic Analysis  Existing Land-Use  Opportunity Sites  Transportation and Mobility  Environment & Open Space  Urban Design and Character  Arts & Culture  Synthesis Report  Staff Review  CPAC (Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee) Review  Community Vision  Visioning Session/Charrette  Vision Statement  Goals & Objectives  CPAC Review  Corridor Sub-area Plans  Milwaukee Avenue  Touhy Avenue  Golf Road  Dempster Street  CPAC/Community Review  Community – Wide Plans & Policies  Land Use & Development  Transportation and Mobility  Open Space/Environment  Community Facilities  Urban Design & Character  Arts/Culture Framework  Implementation Strategy  CPAC Review  Community Review  Comprehensive Plan Document  Draft Plan Document  CPAC Review  Plan Commission  Village Board The Comprehensive Plan is divided into the following 11 sections:  Section 1: Community Profile  Section 2: Community Outreach  Section 3: Guiding Principles, Vision, Goals & Objectives  Section 4: Land Use and Development Plan  Section 5: Transportation and Mobility Plan  Section 6: Parks, Open Space and Environmental Features Plan  Section 7: Community Facilities Plan  Section 8: Urban Design and Community Character Plan  Section 9: Arts/Culture Framework Plan  Section 10: Key Focus Area Plans  Section 11: Implementation SECTION 1. COMMUNITY PROFILE The Village of Niles is a mature, established community which historically developed along the Milwaukee Avenue corridor, well-located within the Chicago region. SECTION 2. COMMUNITY OUTREACH As part of the Comprehensive Plan, several outreach activities were used to solicit input from the Niles Community including:  Project Initiation Workshop  Community Workshop  Business Workshop  Key Person Interviews  Resident Questionnaire  Business Questionnaire SECTION 3. GUIDING PRINCIPLES, VISION, GOALS & OBJECTIVES With the overall objective of improving the quality of life for Village residents and building on a foundation of community stewardship and support, five Guiding Principles were established:  Economic Vitality  Desirable Housing Stock  Strength in Diversity  Community Character and Identity  Reality Based Recommendations The Vision focuses on the following community components:  Quality Residential Neighborhoods  Strong and Attractive Commercial Areas  Thriving Industrial/Employment Sector  Effective Transportation and Circulation  Healthy Environment and Quality Recreational Amenities  Responsive Community Services and Facilities  Enhanced Village Image and Identity Goals and Objectives have been established for:  Residential Areas  Commercial Areas  Industrial Areas  Infrastructure and Development  Transportation and Circulation  Community Facilities and Village Services  Parks, Open Space and Environmental Features  Image and Identity  Economic Development  Sustainability SECTION 4. LAND USE PLAN The Land Use Plan provides policies and recommendation for land use and development decision-making in the Village. SECTION 5. TRANSPORTATION PLAN The Transportation Plan focuses on strategic improvements to the Village’s existing network of roads, public transit, and pedestrian and bicycle facilities. SECTION 6. PARKS, OPEN SPACE & ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES PLAN This presents the plan for preserving and protecting parks, open space and environmental features in Niles. SECTION 7. COMMUNITY FACILITIES PLAN The high quality of life in the Village of Niles is due in part to its excellent community facilities. This section presents policies and recommendations for ensuring high-quality community facilities remain in the Village. SECTION 8. ARTS AND CULTURE FRAMEWORK PLAN The Village of Niles celebrates its culture through a variety of facilities and programs, many of which are provided by the public sector. In order to maintain and enhance these amenities and elements, there are three general recommendations:  Embrace and Celebrate Diversity  Improve Access to Public Art  Use Arts and Culture to foster Economic Development SECTION 9. URBAN DESIGN & COMMUNITY CHARACTER PLAN  The Key Planning Concepts include:  Parking Lot Screening and Buffering  Parking Lot Landscaping  Dumpster Enclosures  Consolidate Curb Cuts (Access Management)  Internal Cross- Access  Sidewalk Connectivity  Bury Utilities  Pedestrian Refuge Islands  Bump Outs  Signage  Gateways and Key Intersection Improvements SECTION 10. KEY FOCUS AREA PLANS  Golf Road Corridor Plan  Dempster Street Corridor Plan  Touhy Avenue Corridor Plan  Milwaukee Avenue Corridor Plan Following the Key Planning Concepts, each of the four Key Focus Areas is discussed in detail including:  An overview of planning influences and a vision for the area;  Key concepts for urban design enhancements and transportation; and.  Recommendations for redevelopment opportunity sites. Courtney Kashima stated: Concept vs. Recommendation – the difference is not what you SHOULD do but what you COULD do. SECTION 11. IMPLEMENTATION For the Comprehensive Plan to be successful, it must be based on support and participation between the Village, other public agencies, various neighborhood groups and organizations, the local business community, property owners, developers, and residents. The Village should be the leader in promoting cooperation and collaboration with these and other community stakeholders to implement the Comprehensive Plan. This ended Courtney Kashima’s presentation. Andrew Przybylo then stated that the benefits of a comprehensive plan for him are: 1. Ability to obtain grant money 2. Basis for improving zoning ordinance. He also can see great urban planning within the Village. Courtney Kashima replied that there are 2 crucial points: 1. Capital improvements with State Government usually request and require items be in a Comprehensive Plan - makes a compelling argument. 2. Comprehensive Plan by its nature is a policy document which is a proper tool to affect change. Andrew Przybylo then asked if there were any questions. Gentleman asked if widening Milwaukee Corridor would require purchasing private/commercial property. Houseal Lavigne responded no. Another Gentleman asked if TIFF’s were still on the table as a discussion item. George Van Geem responded 5 different TIFF districts in Niles have performed well. Hope it will go forward as in past. Can’t speak as to how the Village Board will handle this. Mayor Callero commented that all members have made sub committee meetings. Put in a lot of time and effort on the plan. This is the 5th revision. We are not just saying here is a comprehensive plan, is has been worked on for over a year. Andrew Przybylo concurred with the Mayor. Courtney Kashima with Houseal Lavigne commented that the Comprehensive Plan should be a working plan. If things change the plan can be approached again. Steve Vinezeano asked if any residents should have questions can they address them to Houseal Lavigne or should he himself collect any comments/questions. Courtney responded it would be fine for them to give these to Steve. Andrew Przybylo then made a motion to present the comprehensive plan to the Plan and Zoning Board with the Committee’s approval. Chuck Ostman 2nd the motion and all agreed. Andrew Przybylo thanked everyone for their dedication and time to the Comprehensive Plan process. A motion to adjourn was seconded by Steve Vinezeano, all in favor. Meeting adjourned at 6:35 p.m.