Economic Development Commission

Village of Skokie Economic Development Commission Wednesday, December 18, 2024 8:30 A.M. Skokie Village Hall, 5127 Oakton Street, Skokie IL, Conference Room D&E I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER / DECLARATION OF QUOURM II. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES FROM AUGUST 21, 2024 III. OLD BUSINESS a. Economic Vitality Strategy Update b. Main Street Plan Update IV. NEW BUSINESS a. Drive-Through Regulations - Feedback Requested (See Attached Memo) b. Downtown Development – 2024 Activity Update c. Old Orchard Redevelopment Plans V. COMMUNICATIONS a. Village Staff b. EDC Members VI. PUBLIC COMMENT VII. ADJOURNMENT The next regular meeting of the Economic Development Commission is scheduled for Wednesday January 15, 2025 at 8:30 A.M. in CONFERENCE ROOM D+E at Skokie Village Hall, 5127 Oakton, Skokie, IL Document Number: 621873  Draft/Not Approved Economic Development Commission Meeting Minutes Date: August 21, 2024 EDC MEMBERS PRESENT: Howard Meyer, Vice-Chair, Maegan Akers, Alexis Barbour, Marc Battista, Barbara Carley, Steve Franklin, Jeremy Gleason, and Nathan Norman EDC MEMBERS ABSENT: Michael Rosen, Chair, Scott Gendell, Brian Levinson, and Trustee Pure-Slovin STAFF PRESENT: Michael Lorge, Corporation Counsel Johanna Nyden, Community Dev. Director, Rodney Tonelli, Economic Vitality Director, and Marlene Bargamian, Administrative Asst. (I) CALL TO ORDER A quorum being present, Vice-Chair Meyer called the meeting to order at 8:32 AM. (II) APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES FROM MARCH 20, 2024 A motion was made to accept the draft minutes of the May 15, 2024 meeting. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote. (III) INTRODUCTIONS Members gave short introductions and welcomed Maegan Akers and Nathan Norman as the newest members of the commission. Richard Requena, a reporter from Pioneer Press, also attended the meeting. (IV) OLD BUSINESS a. Economic Vitality Strategy Update – Recap update process Rod Tonelli had several 1-on-1 meetings with members to determine what sub- group each commissioner would be linked to. He encouraged those who haven’t completed the worksheet to do so & send it to him. Business attraction is different to each sector and geographic area. If assistance and guidance is needed, refer to workforce stakeholders to join the table. Vice-Chair Meyer suggested Gina Speckman from Chicago North Shore Convention & Visitor Bureau to be added. b. Economic Vitality Strategy Update – Further Scope Discussion Rod will be having a meeting next week with Michael Rosen to finalize section liaisons and put the roundtables together. Last year the Village considered outsourcing the whole update, but we can believe it can be done in-house. Funds budgeted o the update can be used for more detailed analyses from specialized consultants. # 621824 Economic Development Commission meeting minutes August 21, 2024  Draft/Not Approved c. Skokie Green Business Program Update Guided by the Sustainability Plan best practices, the Village has partnered with SEDAC and a checklist has been created. They are in the final stages of assessment for the Skokie businesses that signed up. This is not a time- consuming certification program; even a small improvement can get a business recognized. Nathan Norman suggested as the final step, the Sustainable Environmental Advisory Commission and Village Board could recognize participants with a badge that can be placed in a business’s window. It was discussed that ballot boxes could be placed at various locations or something similar to the Business of the Year with voting online. Mr. Gleason added that McGrath Subaru participated and has made many changes especially to their lighting system. (V) NEW BUSINESS a. Out of Space Skokie – recap Originally held in Evanston at Canal Shores, this year’s outdoor event was moved to Skokie’s IS+TP as the Evanston site was not available. It was very successful and well attended by immediate area residents, and visitors from Chicago, Indiana, & Wisconsin. Turnout numbers (approximately 9,000) were similar when comparing the 4-day events held in Evanston to this year’s 3-day event in Skokie. Food trucks were added since there was more room to spread out and there was good presence at local area businesses as well as increased transit numbers. Skokie would like to consider the tech park location as an alternative or additional site in the future. Mr. Gleason commented that Subaru would like to partner for a music event with the IS+TP. Mr. Meyer reminded the group that Subaru used to be active with Wednesdays on the Green and maybe they will contemplate involvement again. b. Economic Vitality Division Recent Activity Report An agreement was made to turn the property at Babb Street and Louise into a 51-space parking lot for downtown businesses. A small business downtown merchant’s group to start to help them succeed by offering training sessions on social media and marketing. There are 16 new businesses downtown; 6 opened since the last EDC meeting including Enclave and Slyce. Track the Torch and Tour de Skokie events were aimed to attract foot traffic and engagement to downtown businesses. Re-imagining Main Street for redevelopment kicked-off with Meet Up on Main St. (VI) COMMUNICATIONS a. Village Staff # 621824 Economic Development Commission meeting minutes August 21, 2024  Draft/Not Approved Developing the area around the Swift and Skokie Boulevard re-branding it as “Swift District” including the buildings along Oakton and Searle Parkway. Rod discussed numerous opportunity sites that could be redeveloped over time as mixed-use, transit-oriented projects. Other area improvements might include making Skokie Boulevard more pedestrian friendly, developing a micro-transit mobility hub with buses, EV charging stations, bike trail, and vehicle parking; possibly for carshares too. b. EDC Members Barbara Carley announced that UL had their grand opening at IS+TP and Singerman completed the remodel. Alexis discussed that the hospital is growing and hiring. The $4M ER remodel project will be done by September 2025. Steve Franklin commented that a traffic count at Old Orchard was listed as 8.7M. Macy’s is investing in an interior remodel now and will be moving forward with exterior improvements. Barbara added there will be a Sip & Shop event in September offering 5 free drinks. New businesses are opening at Old Orchard. Nathan talked to residents at a Devonshire block party to get some perspective from their point of view as he emerges into Skokie. Howard Meyer spoke about the Chamber having a busy calendar this summer. There are grand opening events every week. They are celebrating their 100-year anniversary. Marc offered that SBEC classes will be offered at the Des Plaines campus. New health care classes for radiology and surgical technicians as well as a non- coding AI program. Jeremy spoke about Subaru looking for property to expand their service department. Commissioners wanted an update on the hotel and Annie’s Restaurant property. Litigation is still on-going but getting the hotel back on track is the focus. The Annie’s building is coming down when the site is redeveloped. (V) ADJOURNMENT Vice-Chairman Meyer adjourned the meeting at 9:51 AM. Respectfully submitted, Marlene Bargamian, Administrative Assistant # 621824 Economic Development Commission meeting minutes August 21, 2024 Memorandum Community Development Department TO: Chair Michael Rosen and Members of the Economic Development Commission FROM: Johanna Nyden, AICP, Director of Community Development DATE: December 11, 2024 SUBJECT: Consideration of Feedback on Drive-Throughs in the Village of Skokie Staff seeks feedback from the Economic Development Commission on drive-throughs in the Village of Skokie. Over the past few years, there is growing interest to address how the Village considers the addition of new drive-throughs in the Village – balancing new business development while also ensuring our sustainability goals are met. The Village’s adopted Environmental Sustainability Plan calls for a 35% community-wide reduction in greenhouse gas emissions below 2020 levels by 2030 and achievement of carbon neutrality by 2050. Summary: The establishment of new drive-throughs are presently regulated through the Village’s special use process. Drive-throughs are one of the most frequent special uses reviewed by the Village. New drive-throughs are reviewed by staff and the Plan Commission. A recommendation is established by these entities that is then presented to the Village Board; the Village Board is the final determining body as to whether or not to allow a new drive-through. Within this special use process, conditions are often placed on the proposed drive-through that could include hours of use, location of the drive-through, direction on site-specific characteristics such as landscaping, loudspeakers, lighting, etc. Additionally, the conditions are often established to help a project meet the zoning code’s standards for a special use. Presently the following standards are applied to all special uses: 1. The request is consistent with the intent of the Comprehensive Plan. 2. The request will not adversely affect adjacent properties. 3. The request is compatible with the existing or allowable uses of adjacent properties. 4. The request demonstrates that adequate public facilities, including roads, drainage, utilities, and police and fire protection exist or will exist to serve the requested use at the time such facilities are needed. 5. The request demonstrates adequate provision for maintenance and use of the associated structures. 6. The request has considered and, to the degree possible, addressed the adverse effects on the natural environment. 7. The request will not create undue traffic congestion. 8. The request will not adversely affect public health, safety, and welfare. 9. The request conforms to all applicable provisions of this code, except where relief is granted with the request. Document Number: 623638 Page 1 of 4 Staff and the Plan Commission review these standards and indicate if they have been met through the drafting of a Findings of Fact that is enclosed in the staff report to the Plan Commission and to the Village Board. In furtherance of addressing issues regarding new drive- throughs, while maintaining a process that is supportive of new businesses, staff recommends establishing a guidebook that builds on the Village’s existing standards for special use for drive- through applicants that incorporates concerns regarding the impact of drive-throughs. The attached document provides an initial framework for how this could be accomplished. Concurrent to the Village’s present review of drive-throughs, the market conditions associated with drive-throughs are changing. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, drive-throughs continue to be a popular manner to purchase food from fast casual restaurants – as such new restaurants are being designed or retrofitted with this in mind. Examples of this include:  Drive-throughs are oriented to better support movement of cars through drive-throughs. This is accomplished through new restaurants with smaller dining areas and larger areas devoted to parking pick-up areas for drive-through customers as well as interior areas designed for pick-up orders; and  Apps on phones are designed to facilitate ordering in advance, thereby supplanting traditional menu boards and converting drive-throughs to predominantly pick-up windows. Background: The Village Board directed the Plan Commission to study drive-throughs in 2023 and consider potential changes to support mitigating their impact in commercial areas. Additionally, drive- throughs were studied within the context of emissions production through idling activities while cars wait for order pick-ups. At its September 18, 2023 and November 6, 2023 meetings, the Village Board reviewed Case 2023-19P: Zoning Chapter Amendment to address drive-through facilities in the Village. The amendment to Chapter 118 proposed to:  Adopt specific language that defines a drive-through facility;  Require drive-throughs to be screened from the street and placed behind buildings;  Remove food-related drive-throughs as allowed use from the mixed-use districts;  Reduce the parking requirement at drive-through establishments from 1 parking space for each 100 square feet of net floor area to 1 spot per 150 square feet of net floor area; and  Require that no mature trees can be removed to accommodate a drive-through; and for every trip generated by a drive-through, one new tree must be planted on-site or a fee-in- lieu shall be paid to the Village to off-set emissions from drive through activities. The discussion by the Village Board focused on whether to officially codify the suggested amendments in the Village’s Zoning Code or to direct staff to utilize these proposed amendments as a suggestion for conditions to new development that includes drive-throughs on a case-by- case basis. Following the tabling on the November 6, 2023 meeting, the staff worked to address outstanding concerns and answer questions as well as conduct additional due diligence on the matter. The drive-through industry continues to evolve with technology facilitating an easier process order food and thereby allowing a swifter movement of vehicles through restaurants. Notably, a recent drive-through approved at 5440 Touhy Avenue for Cava restaurant by the Document Number: 623638 Page 2 of 4 Village Board allows for only pick-up and no on-site ordering, which will reduce car stacking and idling. Additional discussion at the Village Board has surfaced to consider the potential changes contemplated in Plan Commission Case 2023-19P. Attachments: -Guidelines for Drive-Throughs Document Number: 623638 Page 3 of 4  Conditions for Special Use (Bold and underline indicates recommendations and elements of the proposed zoning changes) Standard How condition might be met through additional conditions, site plan amenities, and other planning. 1. The request is consistent with the intent of the -Identify elements of the plan that are met (includes elements of the Environment Chapter). Comprehensive Plan. 2. The request will not adversely affect adjacent -Considerations are present for screening and buffering of the property from other uses and the properties. public right of way. 3. The request is compatible with the existing or - Considerations are present for screening and buffering of the property from other uses and the allowable uses of adjacent properties. public right of way. -Use demonstrates that it is similar in nature to commercial activity that is auto-oriented. 4. The request demonstrates that adequate public -Inclusion of rain gardens and native plants to support drainage to reduce demand on public or onset facilities, including roads, drainage, utilities, and accommodations. police and fire protection exist or will exist to serve -Utilization of renewable energy to offset the need for public services related to utilities. the requested use at the time such facilities are needed. 5. The request demonstrates adequate provision for -Inclusion of an operational plan for managing drive-throughs to ensure that the property is not maintenance and use of the associated structures. creating additional stacking or traffic. 6. The request has considered and, to the degree -Incorporate elements of the sustainability plan such as off-setting emissions through tree possible, addressed the adverse effects on the planting on-site and off-site of the property. natural environment. -Ability to demonstrate that it will not hinder Village’s 2030 and 2050 greenhouse gas emission goals as identified in the adopted Environmental Sustainability Plan. -Require preservation of mature trees when possible. 7. The request will not create undue traffic -Inclusion of an operational plan for managing drive-throughs to ensure that the property is not congestion. creating additional stacking or traffic. -Demonstration through a traffic study the real traffic impact of the proposed use. -Utilization of phone apps to encourage shorter wait times from ordering and promoting drive- throughs as pick-ups. 8. The request will not adversely affect public health, -Conformance to traffic and site planning elements. safety, and welfare. -Demonstrated effort to reduce/off-set emissions through reduction in idling and tree planting. 9. The request conforms to all applicable provisions -Limited relief needed, with exception to relief necessary to accomplish constructing a more of this code, except where relief is granted with the sustainable drive-through restaurant. (e.g. reducing required parking to support more green space). request. Document Number: 623638 Page 4 of 4