Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee

Niles 2040 Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee Wednesday, July 22, 2020 6:00 PM FINAL Meeting Minutes Attendance: Project Steering Committee: Colin Baker, Michael DeSantiago, Tom Kanelos, Adam Konopka, Janet Lee, Joe Maccione, Denise McCreery, Dennis McEnerney, John Murphy, Craig Niedermaier, Scott O’Brien, Mike Shields Village Staff: Kate Lockerby, Staff Liaison/Recording Secretary, Charles Ostman, Nathan Bruemmer, Hadley Skeffington-Vos Consultants: Scott Ruhland (The Lakota Group), Mike Kritzman (The Lakota Group), Abigail Rose (The Lakota Group), Linda Goodman (Goodman Williams Group), Sarah Wilson (Goodman Williams Group), Christen Hayes (Goodman Williams Group), Darren Olson (Christopher Burke Engineering) Trustee McCreery called the meeting to order at 6:05 PM. A roll call was taken of the Committee. Trustee McCreery introduced the staff members. The consultants each introduced themselves. Trustee McCreery thanked not only the committee members for graciously given their time to be involved in something so important to this Village, but humbled by the number of applicants that we had. She appreciates the Committee members’ willingness for being open everyone that applied to be on the Committee. Trustee McCreery asked that each of the committee and staff members introduce themselves, which they did. Scott Ruhland gave a presentation about the project, outlining a project update and objectives, timeline/schedule, community engagement activities that are planned. (PowerPoint presentation was used and is attached to the approved minutes) After the objectives portion of the presentation, the following discussion occurred:  Mike D. (Question) – What does sustainability mean in the context of this Comprehensive Plan update? o Mike D. – Engineering Background and collaborates with the Cook County Forest Preserve and Century Conservation Plan – provided background/objectives – potential for partnership with this update o Discussion of the broad sustainability meaning – also incorporates social equity After the timeline portion of the presentation, the following discussion occurred:  Mike Shields (Question) – How will this update incorporate or build off of past 2030 Comprehensive Plan? How much information/content will carry over? o Lakota – Balance – in between – some still relevance but new polices needed o Goodman Williams – The market study/real estate assessment will be updated o Guidance from community and past committees and Village efforts o Needs to be dynamic with state of the world today – pandemic – understand opportunities and needed policies o Lakota – the plan needs to balance this – goals/priorities need to directly represent the needs/wishes of the community – how has they changed since 2030 plan? Many implementation lessons from past plan – 80%-90% of the plan has been implemented - need to address the rest of the plan that has not yet been implemented o Demographics are shifting – how do we reach new groups and underrepresented populations After the presentation concluded, a preliminary SWOT (Strengths/Weaknesses/Opportunities/Threats) analysis was completed, which involved a group discussion. Items of note were: Strengths (some of the best assets)  Location - 6 main roads, mobility for commuters, adjacencies to Forest Preserve, Chicago, and O’Hare  Diversity of real estate sectors and scale of retail sites  2 distinct trade areas – example two targets, etc.  Diversity of people and cultures – growing Indian population – great Korean restaurants and others – Ethnic diversity needs to be celebrated  Emerging corporations  Leaning Tower – identity/landmark – Something other cities/Villages would want  Good Schools  Increased service to homeowners – police, fire, and public works – innovated community – taking water service from Chicago – reroute to control/shape the future – investments in infrastructure  Build up, build out program – waives building and permit fees for residential re-modeling projects – successful program  Village Staff and residents of Niles are friendly and helpful Opportunities  Vacant lots and retail opportunities  Active sites for retail – triangle and golf mills  Identify other culture hubs or sites – public health of community  (Question) What trends are changing? And how does Niles fit into them?  (Question) How do we bring/house more employees? Niles 2040 Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee Page 2 of 4 July 22, 2020 Meeting Minutes   (Question) Have surrounding municipalities upped their games? What can we own?  (Question) What is unique to Niles? Try to lead/innovate  Challenge to use the vision – balance the demographics – younger families with older residents  This process is an opportunity to build on the momentum of the last 10 years of work done by the Village.  Continuing “strategic thought process” – “we want to do more”  Beautification – wanting people to linger  A little envy – be a better Niles – growing and moving upward  Metra stop? How do we utilize this to our best capacity?  Sense of annual – cultural hats  Area where people can congregate – need to experiment/create “sense of place” throughout Niles  Park District Facilities/Programs are largely used by other communities – some cases 50 to 80% - City of Chicago or non-Niles Weaknesses  Concern with economic development – many times economic development is limited to facilitating programs, but not actually leading on reinventing or envisioning the local economy.  Tax (retail) services flat  Known for “underwear” retail – essential not luxurious  Large senior population (Also asset) but can be bad for economic development  Lack of events, large community spaces.  Parks – almost two Villages – a divide at Dempster  Schools –different Districts – need collective vision and better cooperation  Districts don’t talk to each other (school, library, parks, etc.) – need greater commitment to conceive a common goal and vision – greater effort – be accountable to one another – fix the silos  An “in between” suburb with “Function but no form”  Village grew around rail line with low taxes and “filled up the box” – decentralized  Identity crisis – “functional love” Threats  Pandemic – what does this mean for Niles?  Significant building and site vacancies and a potentially over-extended retail base There was further discussion about utilizing community facilities to ensure the focus group meetings and community workshop participation is robust from all communities within Niles. Trustee McCreery asked that the Strengths and Opportunities be re-visited at the next regularly scheduled meeting. Discussion about the next meeting ensued. Mr. Ruhland mentioned that it should happen after the focus group meetings have happened so the consultants can bring back great information that they get from the focus group sessions. It was estimated that it might be late August or early September. Kate Lockerby suggested that if there are any additional thoughts/suggestions from the committee after the conclusion of the meeting, send information to her via e-mail and she would it on to the consultants. Abigail Rose also suggested if there were suggested focus group participants to send them to Kate Lockerby. Niles 2040 Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee Page 3 of 4 July 22, 2020 Meeting Minutes Kate Lockerby read an e-mail from Mr. Fred Kudert that was provided as part of the public comment portion of the meeting. Trustee McCreery asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mike Shields made a motion and Adam Konopka seconded. All were in favor. The meeting adjourned at 7:50 pm. Niles 2040 Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee Page 4 of 4 July 22, 2020 Meeting Minutes & Attachment #1: Digital Presentation from the July 22, 2020 Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee Meeting STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING • JULY 22, 2020 WHAT WE’LL COVER TODAY: » Welcome and Introductions (10 min) » Project Update and Objectives (10 min) » Work Plan & Schedule (5 min) » Community Engagement (5 min) » Open Discussion, Questions/Answers (45 min) PROJECT SUMMARY » The Village seeking to update its 2011 Comprehensive Plan. » Purpose is to create a vision and long range plan for the continued improvement, growth and development throughout the Village. » We want your help to engage the community to create a vision for Niles with a focus on future land uses, housing options, mobility and connections, parks and open space, and infrastructure improvements that will encourage private investment along the corridors and in key opportunity areas. PROJECT OBJECTIVES 1» Reinvestment and redevelopment of under- utilized and obsolete commercial and industrial properties to ensure economic competitiveness.  PROJECT OBJECTIVES 2» Infrastructure improvements and strategic CL IFF ST. transportation planning that balances land use and community growth. ST. . CHURCH ST. ST TOL JONES ST. NORTH ST. S BU VINE ST. N. B M RIS LU CO ANGE LL ST . W. MAIN ST. E. M AIN ST. C CAN NER SQU Y RE SUN ARE PRAI UTILI RIE QUA TIES CAN NER Y - S W LANE ST E L ANE ST. . S. BRISTOL ST. MARKET ST. . R SOUTH ST. D D . ST U R EY E D NG N N LI KI . E PROJECT OBJECTIVES 3» Leveraging emerging technologies, advances in technology and planning techniques related to sustainability and smart growth to better serve the Village. PROJECT OBJECTIVES 4» Address an aging and diverse population with actions regarding future housing needs and neighborhood reinvestment. PROJECT TIMELINE PHASE 1 PHASE 2 PHASE 3 The first phase During this phase, In this phase, the establishes a the vision and Niles Comprehensive dynamic community goals of the plan Plan Update will planning process are outlined, and be drafted, refined and creates an concepts and and adopted with information base recommendations feedback from staff, to understand the for future land use community, Steering existing conditions and development Committee, and in Niles. policy are crafted. Village Board. PROJECT TIMELINE: PHASE 1 WE Project Start, Project Brand and Website, ARE HERE! APRIL - JULY and Initial Meetings Base Maps, Field Work/Analysis, and Existing JULY - AUGUST Conditions Review AUGUST Draft Technical Memorandums Complete AUGUST - SEPTEMBER Community Engagement SEPTEMBER Existing Conditions Summary Report SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER Steering Committee Meeting OCTOBER Begin Phase 2: Community Visioning COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Village and Project Website Comprehensive engagement through the project website, including questions, polls, plans, online surveys, graphics, draft reports, and outreach for workshops. The Bang the Table site also allows for opportunities for continuous and real time comments, questions, and feedback. www.Niles2040.com COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Stakeholder and Focus Group Project Start Field Work Fall 2019 Meetings: The team will Historic Preservation Commission Orientation The City of Bloomington has initiated a planning process to prepare a Community Preservation Plan. The central objectives of this plan are to update the 2004 Historic Preservation Plan, assess the City’s historic Preservation Plan Steering Committee/ Key Stakeholder Listening Sessions conduct interviews with preservation programs and policies, establish historic contexts for the Community Virtual City, make recommendations for identifying historic resources and Workshop #1 local leaders, property/ potential designations, assess preservation’s role in the broader planning (WE ARE HERE) process, and conduct a thorough community engagement process. With this Community Preservation Plan, the community desires to build on past Community Input Summary/State of successes while recognizing that additional efforts are needed to identify the City Report PHASE 1 STATE OF THE CITY priority areas for preservation, reinvestment, and economic development and to shape and enhance the City’s character. The City has engaged The City Staff Review Meeting/ Lakota Group, a preservation planning firm based in Chicago, Illinois to business owners, and Preservation Plan help create the plan. Steering Committee Meeting A well-researched and prepared community preservation plan is one Revised State of that is produced with the input and participation of the citizens and the City Report stakeholders of Bloomington. Along these lines, direct involvement by community members is welcomed and strongly encouraged. residents to discuss the We want your input! Summer 2020 Summer 2020 COMMUNITY PRESERVATION PLAN Draft Community The planning process is comprised of two major phases: Preservation Plan PHASE 1: STATE OF THE CITY PHASE 2: COMMUNITY PRESERVATION PLAN plan and downtown area. City Staff Review Meeting/ The two phases with related project milestones are depicted on the right. Preservation Plan Steering Committee Meeting To learn more about the Community Preservation Plan and engagement opportunities, please visit: Revision and We will make every effort to Adoption of bloomingtonilpreservationplan.com the Community Preservation Plan THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING! PHASE 2 Fall 2020 accommodate individuals recommended by the Steering Committee, including phone conversations and video conferences, as necessary. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Community Open Houses In coordination with the Village and led by Lakota, the team will conduct three workshops/open houses for the community to: » Introduce the plan process, gain input, and present initial findings; » Conduct visioning and design workshop; and, » Present the Draft Comprehensive Plan. OPEN DISCUSSION STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES OPPORTUNITIES THREATS OPEN DISCUSSION: STRENGTHS WHAT ARE NILES’ BEST ASSETS? OPEN DISCUSSION: WEAKNESSES WHAT’S MISSING OR NOT HAPPENING IN NILES? OPEN DISCUSSION: OPPORTUNITIES WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE GOLF MILL SITE AND OTHER POTENTIAL REDEVELOPMENT SITES? OPEN DISCUSSION: THREATS WHAT PROBLEMS OR CHALLENGES SHOULD WE ANTICIPATE IN CREATING THIS PLAN? OPEN DISCUSSION: PANDEMIC HAS THE PANDEMIC CHANGED YOUR THOUGHTS ON DOWNTOWN PLANNING, COMMUNITY BUILDING, ETC? WHAT BEHAVIORS/HABITS DO YOU THINK MAY CHANGE POST-PANDEMIC?  VILLAGE OF NILES: BASE MAP Glenview 294 21 Golf LeGEND Village Boundary 58 Muncipalities Golf Rd. Paved Surfaces Buildings Water Bodies Morton Grove Parks/Cemetery Forest Preserve Village TIFs Des Plaines Dempster St. 14 14 N. HarlemAve. N.. Ave. N N. harlem uu waa Miill w M e. Av kee Oakton St. Oakton 43 Park Ridge Howard St. Howar Skokie 94 e. Touhy Ave. Touhy Av rts Ha W.. W Lincolnwood Rosemont 14 294 Chicago  VILLAGE OF NILES: AERIAL MAP Glenview 294 21 Golf LeGEND Village Boundary 58 Aerial Imagery Golf Rd. (2019), Source: Village of Niles Morton Grove Des Plaines Dempster St. 14 14 N. Harlem Ave. N.. Ave. N N. harlem uu waa Miill w M e. Av kee Oakton St. Oakton 43 Park Ridge Howard St. Howar Skokie 94 e. Touhy Ave. Touhy Av rts Ha W.. W Lincolnwood Rosemont 14 294 Chicago  VILLAGE OF NILES: ZONING MAP Glenview 294 21 Golf LeGEND Village Boundary Muncipalities 58 Golf Rd. Paved Surfaces Water Bodies No Zoning R-1 Morton Grove R-2 R-2 (35A) R-2 (35B) Des Plaines R-3 R-4 Dempster St. 14 14 C-1 C-2 C-3 N. HarlemAve. N.. Ave. N N. harlem uu C-4 waa Miill w M C-5 e. Av ENT - MU kee M OR P-I Oakton St. Oakton 43 Park Ridge Howard St. Howar Skokie 94 e. Touhy Ave. Touhy Av rts Ha W.. W Lincolnwood Rosemont 14 294 Chicago & THANK YOU! QUESTIONS?