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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/10/2020 COW MinutesMount Pax.417,7 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES — March 10, 2020 — V Floor, Village Board Room Village Hall, 50 S. Emerson Street ROLL CALL— CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. in the Village Board Room of the Village Hall, 50 South Emerson Street, by Mayor Arlene Juracek. Trustees present included Trustee Grossi, Eleni Hatzis, Paul Hoefert, Richard Rogers, Colleen Saccotelli and Michael Zadel. Staff present included Village Manager Michael Cassady, Assistant Village Manager Nellie Beckner, Assistant to the Village Manager Alex Bertolucci, Director of Public Works Sean Dorsey, Fire Chief Brian Lambel, Director of Community Development Bill Cooney, Deputy Director of Community Development Consuelo Arguilles, Development Planner Connor Harmon, Director of Building and Inspection Services Bill Schroeder, Deputy Director of Building and Inspections Mark Rysavy and Director of Human Services Julie Kane and Police Chief John Koziol. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Trustee Hoefert, seconded by Trustee Saccotelli moved to approve the minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting of February 25, 2020. The minutes were approved by unanimous voice vote. 3. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD None 4. DISCUSSION ITEMS 4.1 Responses to a Request for Proposals for the Police/Fire Building located at 112 E. Northwest Highway— Block 56 Redevelopment Director of Community Development Bill Cooney introduced the Block 56 redevelopment and provided background information on the process leading up to tonight's presentation. Mr. Cooney stated the Village issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) on September 5, 2019 for the Police/Fire property located at 112 E. Northwest Highway. Three proposals were received by the October deadline; one of these proposals was deemed incomplete. Mr. Cooney stated staff reviewed all three proposals. Staff invited the development teams of the two complete proposals to present their plans to the Board in closed session. Mr. Cooney stated Greystar was selected by the Village Board as the preferred developer. Mr. Cooney provided a review of all three proposals in detail. Village Manager Michael Cassady stated Greystar was able to include the Chase building into their proposal. The Chase building has been a challenge due to ongoing maintenance and leasing issues and incorporating this property into the redevelopment vision was a key component. Mayor Juracek noted that Chase is a tenant and does not own the building. Mayor Juracek stated discussions with Chase leadership have been productive and they have expressed Committee of the Whole Page 1 of 5 03/10/20 a strong desire to remain in downtown Mount Prospect. The downtown Mount Prospect location is a successful Chase branch. Mr. Cooney introduced two members of the Greystar development team, Yale Dieckmann and Christine Kolb. Mr. Dieckmann provided an overview of Greystar, detailing its portfolio and its team of professionals who worked on the Block 56 proposal. Ms. Kolb presented site demographics and reviewed the proposed development that includes 300 parking stalls, 250 rental apartments, onsite professional management, and an aesthetically pleasing, amenitized building. The proposed height of the building is four stories. Ms. Kolb shared several visual concepts and provided context of the development massing and design. Ms. Kolb stated the design has been evolving since November 2019. The development process includes a parking study. The proposed development provides parallel on -street parking designed to maintain parking along Maple Street, reorienting the plaza along Emerson Street, and plans to optimize retail location, scale and design to enhance efficiency. Ms. Kolb identified milestone dates with a tentative project schedule. In response to a question from the Board, Mr. Dieckmann discussed Graystar's vision for the retail component of this development. Mr. Dieckmann provided the following additional information in response to questions from the Board: • Important to keep the retail level activated and connected to the Emerson wing of the building with existing shops on Emerson and Northwest Highway. • Building will be built to accommodate a restaurant if opportunity presents itself • Apartment community would own and manage the plaza but would be open to residents and those visiting downtown to enjoy • Professional management will be onsite Amenities were discussed but final plans are still evolving Proposed construction method includes a wood frame building wrapped around a precast concrete garage with a mason fagade. Board Comments: • Proposal fits the vison of a step-down effect from multiple story buildings to single family residential. • Likes the concept of the project and the feel of the layout • The setback of this building allows for additional streetscape and will enhance the walkability of the area • Proposed building blends well with the area • Scale and feel of the building fits the project area • Pleased that a retail component is part of this project; would like to see more retail opportunities • Overall look and feel of the development will be a welcomed asset to this area; first responders memorial and plaza are nice additions Public Comment Louis Goodman 310 N. School St. Committee of the Whole Page 2 of 5 03/10/20 Expressed concerns regarding parking; Chase lot is currently being used for festival and commuter parking. Village Manager Michael Cassady responded, stating commuters should not be parking in the Chase lot and will work with the existing owner to enforce; there is ample space in the parking deck for festival parking. Mike Zalinsky 100 S. Emerson • Prefers angled parking; allows for more spaces and is easier for patrons of the retail stores to navigate. Mayor Juracek stated some angled parking spaces are in the proposed plans. • Questioned if there is a stormwater reservoir under the Chase building. Mr. Dieckmann responded, stating there is not a reservoir but a dry, empty file vault exists. Stan Hillstrom Resident • Questioned how the RFP was distributed and when the cost of the project will be determined. Bill Cooney responded, stating the Request for proposals were sent to thirty (30) development teams; two complete submittals were received along with one incomplete submittal. Mr. Cassady added that as this project evolves and develops over the next three months, a better understanding of the cost will emerge. The process will be transparent. Jeff Nejdl Resident • The inclusion of a general store or grocery store will improve the overall walkability of this area. Mayor Juracek responded, stating a full-size grocery store may not be feasible downtown due to the market and available parcels but an opportunity for a smaller grocer with an urban concept might be more realistic. Marco S. Louis Street • Questioned how this development will impact schools Mayor Juracek responded, stating the size of the units will not attract a large number of children and added a student impact study will be conducted and evaluated. Mr. Cassady stated this is a requirement in the TIF Act amendments. Mr. Cassady noted the 20West development, at 25% full, and Park Terrace, nine of twelve units occupied have not impacted the schools. Mr. Cassady added there is a developer impact fee paid to the school districts. 4.2 Census 2020 Update Connor Harmon, Development Planner for the Village of Mount Prospect Community Development Department, presented the Village's plan to raise awareness and facilitate participation in the 2020 Census. Committee of the Whole Page 3 of 5 03/10/20 Mr. Harmon provided details on the upcoming Census and the importance of executing a successful campaign to ensure all residents are counted accurately. The 2020 population numbers will dictate how federal and state tax dollars are shared for the next 10 years. Mr. Harmon stated the Village successfully applied for and was awarded $40,000 in grant funds for Census related efforts. Grant dollars were used to execute initiatives to encourage and assist residents with completing the census accurately, safely and conveniently. The initiatives include: c Census kiosks will be available at Village Hall, RecPlex, and the Weiss Community Center. A fourth, rotating kiosk will be available at the Hanul Family Alliance, Centennial/Ardyce senior housing facility, Alden, and Huntington Towers. Mr. Harmon noted the Village's south side is a historically under -counted district and efforts are focused on reversing this distinction. o Computers dedicated to the Census will be made available at various locations in the Village for those who may not have a computer at home. These locations include the Mount Prospect Main Library, South Branch Library, the Community Connections Center and Prospect High School. o Mass mailings, social media outreach and a census video dedicated to providing our residents with information, tools and resources. o The Village and the Mount Prospect Public Library have provided community outreach opportunities, including an Open House at Village Hall, to prepare our residents for successful completion of the Census form. Board Comments • Pleased the Census Bureau is aware of our undercounted districts and supports efforts to increase awareness and participation in those areas • Census programs/presentations throughout the Village have been informative. Mr. Harmon provided the following in response to questions from the Board: • The census can be completed online or by phone in 13 different languages. The Census Bureau also offers webpages and guides in 59 non-English languages 5. MANAGER'S REPORT None 6. ANY OTHER BUSINESS Trustee Grossi reminded everyone that Saturday's Coffee with Council is cancelled due to early voting in the Community Room. 7. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m. by unanimous voice vote of the Village Board. Respectfully submitted, Committee of the Whole Page 4 of 5 03/10/20 Karen Agoranos Village Clerk Committee of the Whole Page 5 of 5 03/10/20