Planning and Zoning Board

APPROVED MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PLAN COMMISSION AND ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS VILLAGE OF NILES COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS October 3, 2011 The Niles Plan Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals was called to order at 7:00 P.M. Chairman Kanelos asked everyone to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. Present along with Chairman Thomas Kanelos and Village Attorney Joseph Annunzio was Vice-Chairman Karen Dimond, Commissioners Thomas Surace, Angelo Troiani, Barbara Nakanishi, Robert Schulter and Morgan Dubiel. Also present was Charles Ostman, Director of Community Development and Richard Wlodarski, Assistant Director of Community Development. Chairman Kanelos asked if there were any additions, clarifications or corrections to the minutes of September 12, 2011. There were none. Commissioner Nakanishi moved to approve the September 12, 2011 minutes. Seconded by Commissioner Surace, on roll call the vote was: AYES: 6 Dimond, Surace, Troiani, Nakanishi, Schulter, Kanelos NAYS: 0 ABSTAIN: 1 Dubiel There being six (6) affirmative votes the motion carried. OLD BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS 11-ZP-16 Mr. Michael Bieniek, AICP – Zoning Director Lora, Chanthadouangsy & Castellanos, LLC [LCC Law] 606 Dundee Ave. Elgin, Illinois 60120 Requesting a Special Use to Section IX (B)(2)(d) to replace nine existing and install three new antennas on an existing monopole cell tower at 7007 Austin Avenue, Niles, Illinois. 11-ZP-17 Demetri Partalis – President/CEO 6720 N. Kenton Ave. Lincolnwood, IL 60712 Requesting a Special Use to Section IX (B)(2)(i) for an Automobile Page 1 of 17  APPROVED MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PLAN COMMISSION AND ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS VILLAGE OF NILES COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS October 3, 2011 Sales facility located at 5677 W. Howard Street, Niles, Illinois. 11-ZP-18 Jihye Choi – Owner 1741 Eastwood Ct. #8 Schaumburg, Illinois 60195 Requesting a Special Use to Section VIII (B)(3)(u) for a martial arts school located at 7956 N. Waukegan Rd., Niles, Illinois. 11-ZP-19 Charles F. Ostman – Director Department of Community Development 1000 Civic Center Drive Niles, Illinois 60714 Requesting to make recommendation to the Village Board of Trustees of the Village of Niles, a comprehensive plan per the Village of Niles Zoning Code Appendix B Section XI (C.1)(3)(a). Chairman Kanelos called for first item on the agenda. 11-ZP-16 Mr. Michael Bieniek, AICP – Zoning Director Lora, Chanthadouangsy & Castellanos, LLC [LCC Law] 606 Dundee Ave. Elgin, Illinois 60120 Requesting a Special Use to Section IX (B)(2)(d) to replace nine existing and install three new antennas on an existing monopole cell tower at 7007 Austin Avenue, Niles, Illinois. Richard Wlodarski stepped to the podium. Legal notice was published for all four (4) cases in front of you tonight on September 15, 2011 in The Bugle Newspaper. The comprehensive plan was only required to be published in the newspaper. For the first three (3) cases letters were mailed out to all properties located within 250 ft. of the subject property. This is case 11-ZP- 16. Subject property 7007 Austin Avenue. The 100 ft. monopole was erected in 2000. Since the erection of the tower three (3) carriers have installed equipment on it – Sprint, T-Mobile and AT&T. These three (3) new antennas and nine (9) replacement antennas are being installed on the existing AT&T portion of the monopole. MSA [Municipal Services Associates, Inc.], the communications consultant for the Village of Niles, has reviewed this request and has made a recommendation to approve. The Community Development Department also recommends approval with the following condition: that the equipment, antennas, microwave dishes and coaxial cable that extend from Page 2 of 17  APPROVED MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PLAN COMMISSION AND ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS VILLAGE OF NILES COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS October 3, 2011 the transmission equipment to the antennas shall be painted to match the color of the monopole to minimize any potential visual impact around surrounding properties. This Board is a recommending Board to the Board of Trustees. Chairman Kanelos asked if there were any questions for Mr. Wlodarski from the Commissioners. Commissioner Dubiel asked if this is a typical install as we’ve seen before throughout the Village. Mr. Wlodarski answered correct. Chairman Kanelos asked if there were any other questions from the Commissioners. There were none. Nor were there any questions from the public. He asked the packet given to the Board be entered as Exhibit A for 11-ZP-16. He then asked the petitioner to step to the podium. Michael Bieniek, LCC Law, 606 Dundee Avenue, Elgin, Illinois stepped forward and was sworn in. He added the fact that AT&T Mobility is doing what is called an LTE upgrade to the tower. That is the 4g network you see on the commercials. They are swapping out those existing antennas and adding one (1) antenna per sector. That splits out the signal. There is telephone communications and wifi – Broadband, Iphone type uses. What is happening now with all the Ipads and Iphones is they are taking up a lot of bandwidth from the regular phone signal; by adding the LTE upgrades, you are splitting them off so the call signal with be more clear and support the wifi, Broadband, Iphones etc. That is the reason for the upgrades. You will be seeing it through all the carriers nowadays. Chairman Kanelos asked if there were any questions for the petitioner from the Commissioners. Commissioner Troiani asked Mr. Bieniek if the company would agree with MSA, Inc. that everything should be painted the same color. Secondly, in the event there is interference between his tower and Niles police, fire and public works radios, it would be at the expense of AT&T Mobility to correct that. Mr. Bieniek agreed to both. The interference problem would be governed by the FCC. If that were the case it would be corrected immediately at the Page 3 of 17  APPROVED MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PLAN COMMISSION AND ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS VILLAGE OF NILES COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS October 3, 2011 expense of AT&T. Commissioner Surace asked how many antennas can be put on a monopole. Mr. Bieniek stated it was something he could not answer. The capacity is based on the structural capability of the tower. Commissioner Nakanishi asked what 4g means. Mr. Bieniek replied fourth generation. The LTE [the other acronym involved] is long term evolution. Chairman Kanelos asked if there were any other questions from the Commissioners or from the public. There were none. At this time he entertained a motion. Vice-Chairman Dimond moved 11-ZP-13 - Michael Bieniek, Zoning Director of LCC Law, 606 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120 - requesting a Special Use to Section IX (B)(2)(d) to replace nine existing and install three new antennas on an existing monopole cell tower at 7007 Austin Avenue, Niles, Illinois be approved. As part of this Special Use the applicant be required to paint the dishes, coaxial cable, antennas and all other equipment to match the color of the monopole to minimize any potential visual impact on the surrounding properties; to insure it is in compliance with all FCC regulations particularly in terms of making sure there is no interference with our radio frequency and you will comply with all FCC regulations with respect to any potential conflict in the frequency. Further, as part of the motion, it is deemed necessary for the public convenience to have this Special Use that is for 4g service throughout this area; that this Special Use is designed, located and proposed to be operated so the public health, safety and welfare will be protected and that it will not cause any substantial injury to the value of other property in the neighborhood in which it is located. Seconded by Commissioner Dubiel, on roll call the vote was: AYES: 7 Dimond, Surace, Troiani, Nakanishi, Schulter, Dubiel, Kanelos NAYS: 0 There being seven (7) affirmative votes the motion carried. Chairman Kanelos called for the second item on the agenda. Page 4 of 17  APPROVED MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PLAN COMMISSION AND ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS VILLAGE OF NILES COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS October 3, 2011 11-ZP-17 Demetri Partalis – President/CEO 6720 N. Kenton Ave. Lincolnwood, IL 60712 Requesting a Special Use to Section IX (B)(2)(i) for an Automobile Sales facility located at 5677 W. Howard Street, Niles, Illinois. Mr. Wlodarski stated this is case 11-ZP-17. Subject property is 5677 W. Howard St. This space was previously occupied by Allstate Insurance Claims Center from October 2005 until closing in February 2011. The space has been vacant since that time. Per zoning code, auto sales are listed as a Special Use to allow staff to analyze if there would be any negative impact from this type of business in this location. With all sales via the internet and by appointment only, and all the vehicles being stored inside, staff has no concerns with this Special Use being approved in this location. The Community Development Department recommends approval for this Special Use with the following condition: no outside storage of vehicles shall be permitted. This Board is a recommending Board to the Board of Trustees. Chairman Kanelos requested the packet the Board was given be entered as Exhibit A for 11-ZP-17. He then asked if there were any questions from the Commissioners. Commissioner Dubiel questioned the ‘no outside storage of vehicles’ phrase. Shouldn’t it say ‘for sale’ also? Mr. Wlodarski stated that is their business – auto sales. Obviously people that come in to look at a car or people that work there have to park outside. Commissioner Dubiel said so no outside storage of vehicles for sale pertinent to this business. Chairman Kanelos asked if there were more than just sales. Is there repair? Mr. Wlodarski stated no. Chairman Kanelos asked if there were any more questions from the Commissioners or the public. There were none. He then asked the petitioner to step to the microphone. Page 5 of 17  APPROVED MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PLAN COMMISSION AND ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS VILLAGE OF NILES COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS October 3, 2011 Demetri Partalis – President/CEO, 6720 N. Kenton Ave., Lincolnwood, IL, 60712 stepped forward and was sworn in. He had nothing to add to what Mr. Wlodarski presented. Commissioner Troiani asked how many outside parking spaces will be available for the public when there is a sale. Mr. Partalis said there are five (5) parking spaces available. Commissioner Troiani said the Board doesn’t want any street parking. Mr. Partalis said there is no street parking where this building is located. The parking is on private property. Chairman Kanelos asked Mr. Ostman if the parking complies with the requirements. Mr. Ostman stated yes, it does. Vice-Chairman Dimond asked how much room is inside for cars that will be stored pending their sale. Mr. Partalis stated 4,000 sq. ft. accommodating approximately twenty (20) cars. Commissioner Dubiel said you understand this is limited to just sales and everything will be stored inside, no advertisement outside. Mr. Partalis said yes. Vice-Chairman Dimond asked how the cars come in. Mr. Partalis said he buys cars at the auction, from private sellers, internet. Basically it is very simple. Just buy them, get them cleaned up at other facilities; bring them in ready to sell. They advertise on the web. There is no advertising outside the building. Mr. Ostman gave some information on this type of business. Two years ago he visited a similar type of business in Glenview. It works very well for these business owners to purchase these vehicles at auction and store them inside. Page 6 of 17  APPROVED MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PLAN COMMISSION AND ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS VILLAGE OF NILES COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS October 3, 2011 They advertise through the internet and it is by appointment. Vice-Chairman Dimond asked if Mr. Partalis has operated this business at a different location or does he own any other type of business. He stated no to both questions. Commissioner Dubiel asked if these cars are specialty cars. Mr. Partalis stated no, just general cars. Chairman Kanelos asked if there were any other questions from the Commissioners or from the public. There were none. At this time he entertained a motion. Commissioner Nakanishi moved 11-ZP-17 submitted by Demetri Partalis, President/CEO, 6720 N. Kenton Ave., Lincolnwood, IL 60712 - requesting a Special Use to Section IX (B)(2)(i) for an Automobile Sales facility located at 5677 W. Howard Street, Niles, Illinois be approved. That the Special Use is necessary for the public convenience; that the public health, safety and welfare of the public will in no way be jeopardized and that the Special Use will not cause any substantial injury to the value of other property in the neighborhood in which it is located. This is subject to the condition there will be no outside storage of vehicles permitted. Seconded by Commissioner Dubiel, on roll call the vote was: AYES: 7 Dimond, Surace, Troiani, Nakanishi, Schulter, Dubiel, Kanelos NAYS: 0 There being seven (7) affirmative votes the motion carried. Chairman Kanelos called for the third item on the agenda. 11-ZP-18 Jihye Choi – Owner 1741 Eastwood Ct. #8 Schaumburg, Illinois 60195 Requesting a Special Use to Section VIII (B)(3)(u) for a martial arts school located at 7956 N. Waukegan Rd., Niles, Illinois. Mr. Wlodarski stated this is case 11-ZP-18. Subject property is 7956 N. Waukegan Rd. This 1,485 sq. ft. space has been vacant since 2005. In analyzing the center as it is today and looking at the class size and hours of Page 7 of 17  APPROVED MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PLAN COMMISSION AND ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS VILLAGE OF NILES COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS October 3, 2011 the classes being offered, staff has no concerns there would be any parking issues with this center or in granting this Special Use to allow this martial arts school to occupy this space. The Community Development Department has reviewed this request and recommends approval. This Board is a recommending Board to the Board of Trustees. Chairman Kanelos asked the packet given to the Board be entered as Exhibit A for 11-ZP-18. He asked if there were questions for Mr. Wlodarski from the Commissioners or the public. There were none. He then asked the petitioner to step forward. Jihye Choi – Owner, 1741 Eastwood Ct. #8, Schaumburg, Illinois 60195 - requesting a Special Use to Section VIII (B)(3)(u) for a martial arts school located at 7956 N. Waukegan Rd., Niles, Illinois stepped forward and was sworn in. She added she feels it is a good place to open a martial arts school because it is near the library, a school and shopping center. It should be a positive influence to children and to adults for their health and self- defense. They will be open Monday through Saturday. She doesn’t think parking will be an issue because most of the students will be dropped off and picked up by parents. Vice-Chairman Dimond asked about the hours. Store hours will be from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. but classes don’t start until 4 p.m. Ms. Choi said from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. they will be taking calls or if parents want to stop by and see the facility. She needs to have hours before classes start. Commissioner Schulter asked if this would be limited just to Tai Kwan Do. Ms. Choi said it would be other martial arts also. Ages are from 3 to 65 years old. Chairman Kanelos asked if there were any more questions from the Commissioners or from the public. There were none. At this time he entertained a motion. Vice-Chairman Dimond moved 11-ZP-18 - Jihye Choi – Owner, 1741 Eastwood Ct. #8, Schaumburg, Illinois 60195 - requesting a Special Use to Section VIII (B)(3)(u) for a martial arts school located at 7956 N. Waukegan Page 8 of 17  APPROVED MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PLAN COMMISSION AND ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS VILLAGE OF NILES COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS October 3, 2011 Rd., Niles, Illinois be approved. In conjunction with making that motion the Board makes the finding this business is necessary for public convenience at that location and school children from Niles may take classes there; it appears to be designed and located and to be operated so the public health, safety and welfare will be protected and it does not appear it will cause any substantial injury to the value of other property in the neighborhood in which it is located. Seconded by Commissioner Dubiel, on roll call the vote was: AYES: 7 Dimond, Surace, Troiani, Nakanishi, Schulter, Dubiel, Kanelos NAYS: 0 There being seven (7) affirmative votes the motion carried. Chairman Kanelos called for the final item on the agenda. 11-ZP-19 Charles F. Ostman – Director Department of Community Development 1000 Civic Center Drive Niles, Illinois 60714 Requesting to make recommendation to the Village Board of Trustees of the Village of Niles, a comprehensive plan per the Village of Niles Zoning Code Appendix B Section XI (C.1)(3)(a). Mr. Ostman presented the following information: in front of the Board of Commissioners is the presentation outlining the Village of Niles 2030 Comprehensive Plan that has gone through many stages and many public hearings. This is one of the final public hearings required. If it is a favorable recommendation to pass this, it will go on to the Board of Trustees. This evening is the Commissioners opportunity to review the draft document and provide any comments before making a recommendation to the Board of Trustees. John Houseal stepped to the podium. His firm is Houseseal Lavigne & Associates. He is the project director for the Village of Niles 2030 Comprehensive Plan. They have been working on this project with various Village staff for approximately twelve (12) months. Attending with Mr. Houseseal is Courtney Kashima, a Senior Planner with the firm. She worked on this project as well. There has been a lot of community outreach, online activities, surveys and mapping. There have been workshops with the residents and business owners. One on one interviews were conducted early Page 9 of 17  APPROVED MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PLAN COMMISSION AND ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS VILLAGE OF NILES COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS October 3, 2011 on in the process. There was a public workshop a month ago to unveil this plan. There was a meeting a couple of weeks ago to discuss this plan with Plan Commission members present and now the public hearing to consider this and hopefully present a positive recommendation to the Village Trustees. He presented the entire plan briefly. It doesn’t dictate things; it is not regu- lation like a zoning or sign ordinance. It is a policy document by which you can evaluate proposals, have more informed capital improvement decision making, coordinate Village-wide efforts with both public and private sector; to achieve long-term objectives for the Village, its residents and its businesses. The Executive Summary at the beginning of the booklet outlines the entire document on one page. The introduction outlines the purpose and guide rules of the plan. It explains the seven (7) steps taken along the course of the year to develop the plan. There are eleven (11) sections in the plan: Community Profile Community Outreach Guiding Principles, Vision, Goals & Objectives Land Use Plan Transportation Plan Parks, Open Space & Environmental Features Plan Community Facilities Plan Arts and Culture Framework Plan Urban Design & Community Character Plan Key Focus Area Plans Implementation He then gave a brief description of each section. Chairman Kanelos asked that this packet be entered as Exhibit A for 11-ZP-19. Vice-Chairman Dimond asked Mr. Houseal if his company had done this type of plan for other villages in the past. Have you received feedback on how to use this plan on a day to day basis after it is adopted? Mr. Houseal said he has done this before. He was at a meeting at PACE headquarters in Arlington Heights recently. The manager from Prairie Grove was in attendance. She told Mr. Houseal they needed new comprehensive plan booklets because they wore them out. The manager from Geneva said they needed new booklets as well because they use them Page 10 of 17  APPROVED MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PLAN COMMISSION AND ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS VILLAGE OF NILES COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS October 3, 2011 so frequently. They just adopted his plan in Harwood Heights and will soon be adopting a brand new zoning ordinance his firm wrote. The firm has been around for seven (7) years; he has been in the industry for twenty (20). The reason for their success is they write plans that can be implemented and in a fashion that help villages attain the objectives they have set forth. The plan written for Niles has things that his firm thinks can be and should be implemented and then they showyou how you can get there. Vice-Chairman Dimond was looking over the plan, particularly the Key Focus Area Plans. There are many suggestions for the improvements of several different corridors throughout the Village. The chart indicates you would need partners in private property owners. One of the things you mention is the possible widening of Milwaukee Avenue between Monroe and Oakton. That involves private property. How do you suggest Niles enlists the help of private property owners if it is something they might not be inter- ested in doing? Mr. Houseal stated when they write these plans they are not proposing condemnation. They illustrate concepts. It is not a proposed plan. This is not a recommendation or site plan. It is a concept. Villages usually have to partner with property and business owners to get anything done. His firm approaches these things with what could be; not saying it has to be. This is a policy document. It is a foundation to make decisions. Ms. Kashima stated there is also more right of way beyond where the street currently is. The concept is accounting for that too. Commissioner Nakanishi stated on page 81 it is suggested to create a permanent urban planner position to oversee this plan. That would be the one to take the lead on the plan and make sure all the recommendations are implemented. Mr. Houseal said municipalities can’t come in and say we are going to re-do everything and start over. You do these things incrementally. You move the ball gradually over ten (10) years. Commissioner Dubiel said one element you want us to focus on is economic vitality. The first comprehensive plan for Niles was in 1969. He feels that plan may have been put by the wayside and Niles was allowed to develop Page 11 of 17  APPROVED MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PLAN COMMISSION AND ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS VILLAGE OF NILES COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS October 3, 2011 naturally. Forty-two (42) years later it was voted the best, most affordable place to raise a family. This new plan mentions Niles has too much commercial space for Niles’ population density. It was reflected in the fact people from other communities shop here subsidizing the tax base. His concern is not to destroy that vibrancy or add another layer of bureaucracy. We want to make sure this document is not a burden to the Village of Niles but an opportunity. We are not going to implement this plan step by step to make sure everything comes together. Mr. Houseal said the plan should be updated on a regular basis. It is not meant to be a static document. This plan will help you know what to ask for, what your benchmarks should be, what your thresholds for quality ought to be. There is a tremendous amount of retail and commercial square footage and acreage, which is a huge asset. This is a regional shopping destination. This plan is meant to help you revitalize and make it better going forward, not put another layer of difficulty on. Vice-Chairman Dimond questioned the funding. Grants were sited. Is there someone in Niles government responsible for looking and applying for grants? Mr. Ostman replied. It was inaudible as his microphone was not on. Mr. Houseal said as a tool for funding, comprehensive plans play an important role. Commissioner Troiani asked what are you [Mr. Houseal] trying to get out of this. Are you saying this is the plan the Village Board should go through and implement? Or is this a guideline and we can possibly use parts of? It has no teeth. Mr. Houseal said the latter. A lot of the recommendations say you should do this ten (10) years out. This isn’t something that is to be rolled out tomorrow. It is meant to be informed decision making over a long period of time. The comprehensive plan gives you ideas and recommendations on how to do things and help guide your decision making. It is not regulation. It is not zoning. It does have teeth. The state enabling acts give municipalities the right to develop comprehensive plans. They can be used to inform and decide on zoning decisions, zoning ordinance amendments, zoning map amendments and regulations or decisions placed on development being proposed. It is an official policy document for the Village. Page 12 of 17  APPROVED MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PLAN COMMISSION AND ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS VILLAGE OF NILES COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS October 3, 2011 Chairman Kanelos asked Mr. Ostman to explain if this plan passes this Board and the Village Board of Trustees, the next step would be the re- writing of the zoning ordinance. This is guiding us toward that. Commissioner Troiani said this now is nothing but paper until the Village Board of Trustees approves it. After approval, the Zoning Board must use it as part of the guidelines. But it must be approved by the Village Board of Trustees or it’s nothing but a bunch of paper. Mr. Houseal said if the Village Board of Trustees does not adopt it, it has no legal merit. Chairman Kanelos said the Board’s role for tonight is to make a recommendation to the Village Board of Trustees to pass this plan - not just the concept but the entire document. Commissioner Surace asked if Mr. Houseal had a good response to the various meetings during the course of the year when putting this plan together - from the community and the businesses in particular. Mr. Houseal said some events were heavily attended, others were not. There was a vision workshop at the Rec Center and over one hundred (100) people attended. Other workshops had ten (10) people. They posted flyers, had internet advertising, hundreds of people went to the website. They did surveys and mapping online. There were interviews of small groups, large groups and they did as much as they possibly could. The participation was fairly typical. Commissioner Surace wants to make sure everyone [especially businessmen] know about this plan. He doesn’t want people coming back and saying they wish they would have known about it. Did the Committee do everything they could to make sure people were notified about the various meetings? Mr. Houseal reiterated the Village did everything they could to make sure the notices were out there. Some people simply don’t engage. Commissioner Nakanishi stated they have been working on this for over a year. None of the meetings were kept a secret. Tonight’s meeting is no secret and as you can see there are two (2) new people in the audience. Page 13 of 17  APPROVED MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PLAN COMMISSION AND ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS VILLAGE OF NILES COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS October 3, 2011 Commissioner Dubiel asked since Mr. Houseal’s firm has been doing these types of plans for over seven (7) years, does he know how municipalities have measured their success? For instance, they’ve implemented these many items; there was a tax increase and now more revenue; has the population grown. Mr. Houseal said comprehensive plans typically don’t have benchmarks and indicators. Downtown plans do have those things. Indicators are typically put into place after a plan is adopted. Value of the plan is that it educates and informs things on an incremental decision making basis. As develop- ment is proposed, is it being done correctly measured against the objectives of the plan. This plan helps in incremental day to day decision making. That is the biggest value. He went on to explain all types of variables. Commissioner Dubiel said as a recommendation he thinks the Commissoners should encourage the Village Board of Trustees to look at setting a series of benchmarks that will reflect successful or failed implementation of this. Chairman Kanelos ask if there were any other questions from the Commissioners. There were none. There was a question from the public. Trustee Louella Preston, 9267 Maryland, Niles, IL approached the podium. She said Commissioners Dubiel and Nakanishi were on the Comprehensive Plan Committee and also sit on the Zoning Board of Appeals. She wants to know if those two (2) Commissioners are satisfied with what is in this document and the process they went through to get here tonight. Commissioner Nakanishi said she is satisfied with the document. She does urge the Village Trustees to hire a permanent full time urban planner to make sure this document is implemented; that it is not just put on the shelf and forgotten. Commissioner Dubiel said he felt a little different. He thinks the document is a sketch. As a benchmark to see how it fits, he thinks it is excellent. He doesn’t want it to be something the Board looks at and say this is written in stone. They need to retain their nimbleness, particularly as it comes to economic vitality to the community. Chairman Kanelos said he generally agrees with Commissioner Nakanishi. Page 14 of 17  APPROVED MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PLAN COMMISSION AND ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS VILLAGE OF NILES COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS October 3, 2011 He is pretty satisfied with this document. And he agrees with Commissioner Dubiel because he doesn’t think his comment is in conflict with that. As long as the Board accepts and understands what this document is and its purpose, he is satisfied with the document. Trustee Preston asked if this is adopted, will the Board look at this document when zoning matters come up? They collectively answered yes. She then asked will you carry it around with you as a guide. Chairman Kanelos said for him, absolutely. In preparing for these meetings as he is going through the paperwork, this is the document [along with an eventual new zoning ordinance] that will be at his side. Commissioner Dubiel went on to say he would still look at an empty space, and if someone wanted to move into it, he would not deny that if it was fine with the zoning laws but not perfectly within the comprehensive plan. Commissioner Troiani said he was appalled with this. You [Trustee Preston] are asking these people how they are going to vote. This document is brought before this Board as a general board, not that they have worked on the committee. Chairman Kanelos said that is not necessarily what Trustee Preston was asking. He said they are definitely going to vote on this plan today. He understood Trustee Preston to ask if the Zoning Board is going to use this document when planning for the future. Commissioner Troiani said anything passed down by the Village Board to the Zoning Board will be used as a guideline. Trustee Preston asked what is the next step to revise the zoning code and put it in place. Mr. Ostman answered the question but it was inaudible since his microphone was not working. He did say the zoning code is outdated and that is one of the things the Zoning Board will recommend to the Board of Trustees to budget for. Commissioner Dubiel asked if the movement is to streamline the system. Page 15 of 17  APPROVED MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PLAN COMMISSION AND ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS VILLAGE OF NILES COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS October 3, 2011 Chairman Kanelos stated respectfully this is really not part of this discussion. The zoning code changes will be addressed when it is presented to this Board. Mr. Houseal made reference to the cases heard before the Board this evening. The comprehensive plan is not that specific to any one of those cases. It would be more about vacancies along Milwaukee or Waukegan – making sure those areas provide a diverse range of retail, professional services and entertainment uses. It is not meant to hamstring; it is meant to accommodate. Chairman Kanelos asked if there were any other questions from the Board. There were none. He then asked if there were questions from the public. There were none. At this time he entertained a motion. Commissioner Troiani asked what would the motion be - to approve this document as a document or a guideline. Chairman Kanelos said he would entertain the motion and that would explain what the motion is. Commissioner Dubiel moved to adopt the Niles 2030 Comprehensive Plan as presented before this Board. This motion was seconded by Commissioner Schulter. Vice-Chairman Dimond made a friendly amendment: to make a recommendation to the Board of Trustees of the Village of Niles to adopt the Comprehensive Plan as presented tonight. This was accepted. Commissioner Nakanishi also made a friendly amendment: to suggest this Board recommends to the Village Trustees if this is adopted that a permanent urban planner position be filled to oversee implementation of the comprehensive plan and to administer development approval. Chairman Kanelos stated he is in favor of that but it is in the report. He doesn’t think it needs to be a separate amendment. He feels it is covered. Commissioner Dubiel said he does not accept Commissioner Nakanishi’s friendly amendment. Page 16 of 17  APPROVED MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PLAN COMMISSION AND ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS VILLAGE OF NILES COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS October 3, 2011 There was no more discussion on the motion. On roll call the vote was: AYES: 6 Dimond, Surace, Nakanishi, Schulter, Dubiel, Kanelos NAYS: 1 Troiani There being six (6) affirmative votes the motion carried. Chairman Kanelos entertained a motion to adjourn. Vice-Chairman Dimond moved to adjourn. Seconded by Commissioner Surace, on roll call the vote was: AYES: 7 Dimond, Surace, Troiani, Nakanishi, Schulter, Dubiel, Kanelos. NAYS: 0 There being seven (7) affirmative votes the motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m. Kathleen Janessa, Recording Secretary Page 17 of 17