Milwaukee Avenue Corridor Committee

MILWAUKEE AVENUE CORRIDOR COMMITTEE MARCH 8, 2018 MEETING SUMMARY CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Co-Chair McCreery at 1:33 p.m. ATTENDANCE The following Committee members were in attendance:  Denise McCreery, Village Trustee  Ross Klicker, Economic Development Coordinator  Bob Pilat, Admin. Asst. to Director of Public Services  Tom Powers, Village Engineer  Bruce Sylvester, Senior Planner Others in attendance were:  Mary Anderson, Director of Public Services  Tim O’Brien, Civil Engineer II  Jason Fluhr, Baxter and Woodman  Lucas Foresman, Baxter and Woodman  Mike Wood, Hitchcock Design Group  Tim King, Hitchcock Design Group APPROVAL OF MEETING SUMMARY A motion was made by Ross Klicker, seconded by Bob Pilat to approve the July 11, 2017 meeting summary notes. The motion carried unanimously. STREETSCAPE PROJECT UPDATE - ITEP V Bob Pilat provided an update on the ITEP V project. Giving some background, the Village’s first ITEP award in 2006 completed Phase I engineering on Milwaukee from Albion to Monroe, and a project construction area from Albion to Neva based upon the available funding. Completion of the Phase I also helped define future project applications, and lead to four additional ITEP awards. In 2012 and 2016 we submitted two ITEP applications each cycle, one for a construction project and one for ITEP V, which was Phase I engineering from Monroe to Greenwood. Each time the ITEP V application for engineering work was not approved. Therefore we budgeted funds to complete the engineering work on our own, which will help us develop future ITEP applications. Page 1 of 4 ESI Consultants was hired to complete the Phase I engineering and should complete their Phase I report this spring. It will be submitted to IDOT for approval and we currently anticipate IDOT’s approval this October. While the next ITEP grant cycle dates have not been announced, completion and approval of the report should tie in nicely with the next application cycle. It was discussed to hold a meeting to discuss future application priorities when it has been completed. Bob Pilat said he was going to take the next item out of order of the agenda. STREETSCAPE PROJECT UPDATE ITEP - VII In December we submitted an application, known as ITEP VII, for an improvement at the intersections or Milwaukee and Waukegan, and the intersection of Oakton and Waukegan. The application requested $698,230 in funding for the improvements. IDOT plans to announce project awards this spring, however no exact date has been provided. Any updated information will be forwarded to you. STREETSCAPE PROJECT UPDATE – ITEP VI As mentioned before, we submitted two ITEP applications in 2016. One was for engineering work under ITEP V, and the other was for streetscape enhancements on Milwaukee Avenue from Howard Street to Jonquil Terrace. Basically this is the strip center with Schmeisser’s and the Village owned parking lot in the middle of the area. After successfully completing improvements in ITEP IV with limited parking, we wanted to take a second look at this project area and replicate that type of improvement in this area, and also improve the Village owned parking lot. The area has almost no streetscape enhancements. Bob Pilat said Baxter and Woodman was hired to create a design for this area and was here to make a presentation regarding the project and obtain feedback from the Committee. Jason Fluhr opened the discussion by stating since the last time the Village completed a streetscape project, IDOT had a change in policy and is more concerned about maintaining ADA compliance. Therefore if the existing sidewalk along Milwaukee Avenue is being removed in lieu of using the sidewalk in front of the businesses, we will need to reestablish access to the sidewalk in front of the businesses. This poses some unique challenges. Baxter and Woodman looked at two main alternatives for the project. The first was to put a landscape area adjacent to the existing sidewalk along Milwaukee Avenue. Due to vehicle constraints, the parking spaces would need to be reconfigured and actually Page 2 of 4 cause a net loss of ten parking spaces. Therefore this alternative was not considered further. The second alternative provided sidewalks that redirected pedestrians to the front of the businesses, added an additional right in and right out access along Milwaukee, closed the exit to Jonquil Avenue, added a great deal of landscaping improvements and reconfigured the municipal parking lot. The parking lot would use permeable pavers for construction. This project actually results in a net increase of seven parking spaces. Ross Klicker felt the project as presented was fantastic and with the increase of parking spaces was great for the businesses in the area. He also thought the right in – right out access on Milwaukee Avenue provided much greater access. Currently there is only one entry point on Milwaukee Avenue. Denise McCreery asked how the project would gain seven parking spaces. It was stated with the closing on the Jonquil Avenue exit and striping of the parking lot it provided more area and a better definition of parking spaces, increasing the number of spots. There was discussion about who could use the municipal parking area. It was stated it is open to the public and could be used by all visiting businesses in the area. The Village purchased this lot several years ago to provide off-street parking. There was general discussion about the landscaped area between the municipal parking lot and Schmeisser’s. As of now it is shown as turf grass, however Public Services is researching whether or not there is any agreement in place for the lot. If there is, it could alter what can be done in this area, however it is not needed for parking. There was mention made there are no trees shown along Milwaukee Avenue with this project. This is due to IDOT site restrictions. Trees along Milwaukee Avenue could restrict a motorist’s vision therefore they are not allowed. However there are several other trees located within the site. Bob Pilat asked if irrigation was included in the plan and it is. Tim King asked if we had it in other streetscapes areas because they found it provided a great deal of benefits to landscaping, especially reducing salt after the winter season. It was stated irrigation is in place north of Oakton Street. Bob Pilat also mentioned he would recommend we install accent lighting and electrical outlets to the areas with trees to illuminate the area and provide us with the opportunity to decorate the trees with holiday lights. There was discussion about handicapped spots and decided the proper number and location were shown on the plans. Page 3 of 4 Ross Klicker said some signage might be needed in the future to direct motorists due to the new traffic flow. The next step would be for Baxter and Woodman to incorporate any modifications discussed today and then meetings would be held with the property owners for their feedback. IDOT is not requiring an public hearing but were fine with individual meetings. Ross Klicker felt the property owners would support the program enthusiastically. A motion was made by Ross Klicker, seconded by Bruce Sylvester, to endorse the project. The motion carried unanimously. OLD BUSINESS There was no old business. NEW BUSINESS Ross Klicker mentioned there was some discussion about making Oakton Street from Waukegan Road to Milwaukee Avenue a “boulevard” type roadway. Bob Pilat stated the current application pending at IDOT has the improvement at Waukegan Road and Oakton Street and if it is approved, could be the genesis for future projects in the area. Denise McCreery said she would like to concentrate on other business areas first before Oakton Street. Mary Anderson stated we have funding in the budget for brick pavers repairs and cleaning, as well as additional planting along Milwaukee Avenue. Denise McCreery asked if this was for the current or upcoming budget and it was explained it was in both budgets. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2:15 p.m. Page 4 of 4