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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/22/2007 P&Z minutes MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION COMPREHENSIVE LAND USE PLAN UPDATE Hearing Date: February 22, 2007 PROPERTY ADDRESS: 50 South Emerson Street PETITIONER: Village of Mount Prospect MEMBERS PRESENT: Arlene Juracek, Chairperson Joseph Donnelly Leo Floros Marlys Haaland Ronald Roberts Richard Rogers Keith Youngquist STAFF MEMBER PRESENT: Judith Connolly, Senior Planner Ellen Divita, Deputy Director of Community Development Jason Zawila, Long Range Planner Chairperson Arlene Juracek called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m. Richard Rogers moved to approve the minutes of the January 25, 2007 meeting and Joseph Donnelly seconded the motion. Chairperson Juracek stated she had no corrections, but wanted to note that the Planning and Zoning Commission placed a condition of no over-night parking at the property for Case Number PZ-OI-07 and the Village Board removed the condition due to enforcement concerns. The motion was approved 7-0. Richard Rogers made a motion to continue Case PZ-30-06 to the March 22, 2007 Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting. Keith Youngquist seconded the motion. The motion was approved 7-0. After hearing three previous cases, Chairperson Juracek introduced the Comprehensive Land Use Plan update discussion at 8:40 p.m. Jason Zawila, Long Range Planner, stated that tonight's discussion will be regarding the draft of Chapter 5 that was sent in the Commission's packets. He said the Draft Implementation Program updates that found in the 1998 Plan by: reorganizing the strategies into the four Plan Elements; removing irrelevant or completed actions; and adding new strategies created from input received from the public, focus groups, and other meetings with Village Staff, the Planning and Zoning Commission, and the Village Board. Mr. Zawila stated that the Draft Implementation Program is sorted into the four plan elements that have been used throughout the update of the Plan: Housing and Residential Areas; Economic Development; Transportation and Infrastructure; and Community Facilities, Services, & Open Space Implementation Strategies are categorized into four different types: Action - which can be acted upon to produce a result; Village Board Action - which reflects a policy which must be adopted by the Village Board; Special Study Needs - which requires additional study to determine best course of action; and Coordination - which requires ongoing coordination with other parties outside Village Staff. The table also indicates from which goals and objectives each strategy is derived. In addition, the table indicates whether the strategy should occur in the short term - within 3 years; long term - within 4 - 5 years; or is ongoing. He stated that the Village department or any other agencies/groups that will lead implementation are then listed for each strategy. Mr. Zawila opened the floor for discussion. Arlene Juracek, Chairperson Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting February 22, 2006 Comprehensive Land Use Update Discussion Page 2 Chairperson Juracek asked how the new ideas were sorted into Chapter 5. Mr. Zawila stated they are sorted by similar relationship to the objectives in Chapter 3, and by the projected timing of the goal. Chairperson Juracek asked how the measurement of these goals is being tracked. Mr. Zawila stated that the reformatting of the objectives table essentially provides a check list for each department to track progress. Chairperson Juracek stated that the Commission is happy to see that so many of the suggestions from the focus group meetings held in the past several months have been added to the update. There was general discussion regarding timing and tracking of meeting the objectives. There was discussion regarding Goal A: "To provide a diverse housing inventory and attractive living environment that supports the local population and accommodates a reasonable level of growth and change. " Chairperson Juracek again asked if there were measures in place to ensure objectives are met. Ellen Divita explained that several of these objectives are on-going marketing tools, for example, when developers approach the Village seeking development projects staff is able to identify things the community would like to see such as senior housing. Others such as those related to the Village Community Development Block Grant Program are a regular course of action in administering the Community Block Grant and are required for the Village to receive federal funding. The Commission Discussed Goal B: "To create viable commercial districts throughout the Village which provide employment opportunities, needed goods and services, and diversified tax revenues which are sufficient to sustain Village services and minimize the reliance on property tax. " Mr. Zawila stated that several of these goals were generated from the focus group meetings. Chairperson Juracek asked if the River Road Corridor was going to be indicated as a commercial district. Ms. Divita stated the residents in that area indicated a need for more local conveniences. There was general discussion regarding the opportunities in the area, including recreation trails. Ms. Divita stated the Land Use Plan calls for the area to be a mix of uses. Joseph Donnelly suggested the wording be changed to "redevelopment" versus "commercial redevelopment" since the intention is mixed use. The group then discussed Goal C: "To develop an industrial base which provides employment opportunities and diversified tax revenues, which are sufficient to sustain Village services and minimize the reliance on property tax. " Mr. Zawila stated this Goal discusses the industrial aspect of the commercial development. He stated a key strategy in this section is to promote the Kensington Business Park. Chairperson Juracek asked how we can get a more global focus to benefit Kensington, but would also fall in the area outside of the Business Park. She suggested promoting other services that would benefit Kensington as a whole. Ms. Divita suggested adding a statement to Goal B that would promote or recruit commercial and retail business amenities such as restaurants and hotels. There was general discussion regarding locations outside of Kensington for business-related amenities. Height and massing of business oriented hotels in other communities were discussed and the Commission questioned if the zoning ordinance would allow such developments in the Village. There was additional discussion regarding hotel location and building height. Ms. Divita asked if the Commission specifically wished the implementation strategies to include a review of building heights allowed in the zoning ordinance with the upcoming update of the Zoning Ordinance. Chairperson Juracek stated it would be prudent to review building height so that the Zoning Code does not discourage a development. There was discussion regarding Goal D: Arlene Juracek, Chairperson Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting February 22, 2006 Comprehensive Land Use Update Discussion Page 3 "To provide a balanced transportation system which provides for safe and efficient movement of vehicles and pedestrians, supports surrounding land development, and enhances regional transportation facilities. " Mr. Zawila stated all of the focus groups provided great input on this Goal. Ms. Divita stated that Staff has been doing an excellent job writing grants for improvements. Chairperson Juracek asked if it is anyone Staff member's job to write grant applications. Ms. Divita stated that various members of the Public Works and Community Development Department write the grants as they come up. Ronald Roberts asked if there were any north-south bus routes in the Village. Mr. Zawila stated there is a portion of one route that runs into Kensington Business Park and continues along Wolf, but north-south service is a serious gap in bus service within the Village. He stated we have applied for a grant with RT A to fill some of the service gaps. Ms. Divita stated that the bus routes also lack a central transfer point in the Village. Chairperson Juracek asked if the Village disseminates bus route information. Mr. Zawila stated there is a link on the Village website. Mr. Rogers suggested making sure bus schedules are available at convenient locations such as Village Hall and the train station. Keith Youngquist stated that this area is the only part of the Plan that discusses pedestrian traffic and he wants to make sure it calls out access across the railroad tracks. He said most of this section deals with public transportation and does not really call out the importance of pedestrian traffic. Ms. Divita asked if he would like to see a specific statement regarding pedestrian traffic and safety in the downtown. The Commission agreed they would like an additional statement regarding pedestrian traffic downtown. Chairperson Juracek stated that she would also like to see signage regulations for downtown reviewed as well. She said it is sometime difficult to see signs on downtown businesses with the parkway trees. She suggested revisiting the use of sandwich signs elsewhere in the community outside of the downtown. There was general discussion regarding tree height and business signage. Several commissioners stated they wished the trees on Northwest Highway were allowed to grow tall and create a canopy - this would then allow for business signage to be seen underneath the tree canopy, rather than the trees blocking signs. Next, the group discussed Goal E: "To maintain a public infrastructure system that efficiently provides utilities, public improvements and flood control required by the Community. " Mr. Zawila said this section makes statements regarding flood control, Levy 37, and the Village supporting efforts for that project. He said this section also includes Public Works programs for public improvements. He stated this section also mentions the potential annexation areas and how public services would be provided to those potential annexation areas. There was general discussion regarding creeks in the Village. Lastly, the group discussed Goal F: "To provide a system of facilities that ensures for efficient delivery of public services and open space, enhancing the quality of life within the community. " Mr. Zawila stated this section had a lot of carry-over from the 1998 Plan and includes ideas brought forth during the focus group discussion. The Commission had no comments on this section. Chairperson Juracek asked what happens with the Comprehensive Plan Update now. Mr. Zawila said a final draft will be sent out to several people for comments. There is a regular scheduled review meeting on March 22, 2007 and then the final public hearing is April 12, 2007. After the April meeting, the Plan will go to the Village Board. There was no further discussion on the Comprehensive Land Use update. Arlene Juracek, Chairperson Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting February 22, 2006 Comprehensive Land Use Update Discussion Page 4 Richard Rogers made a motion to adjourn at 9:15 p.m., seconded by Joseph Donnelly. The motion was approved by a voice vote and the meeting was adjourned. Stacey Dunn, Community Development Administrative Assistant C:\Documcnts and Settings\kdcwis\Local Scttings\Tcmporary Internet Filcs\OLK6B\Minu\es 02-22..07 PZ doc