Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/26/2011 P&Z Minutes 11-11MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION CASE NO. PZ -11 -11 PETITIONER: PUBLICATION DATE: REQUEST: MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT: STAFF MEMBER PRESENT: INTERESTED PARTY: Hearing Date: May 26, 2011 Village of Mount Prospect May 11, 2011 Northwest Highway Corridor Study Richard Rogers, Chair William Beattie Joseph Donnelly Leo Floros Keith Youngquist Theo Foggy Ronald Roberts Consuelo Andrade, Development Review Planner Ruta Veitmanis Chairman Rogers called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. The minutes of the April 28, 2011 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting were approved 4 -0 with Mr. Beattie abstaining. After hearing two cases, Chairman Rogers introduced Case PZ- 11 -11, Northwest Highway Corridor Study, at 9:23 p.m. Ms. Andrade stated Northwest Highway has historically played a vital role in the development of the Village. It was the first commercial corridor in Mount Prospect and the primary vehicular linkage to other communities in the Northwest Suburbs. Ms. Andrade said that Northwest Highway continues to be one of the primary roads in the Village connecting the central business districts of several communities along the Union Pacific Northwest train line and providing a mixed use environment. Ms. Andrade stated the importance of the corridor and the direction of the Village Comprehensive Plan calling for the development of a strategic plan for Northwest Highway and Prospect Avenue. She mentioned that the Northwest Highway Corridor Study was developed in order to promote the area as a commercial corridor for development and redevelopment. The study serves as a guide for future development and addresses issues and opportunities within the corridor. Ms. Andrade said the study area included Northwest Highway from Mount Prospect Road to Waterman Avenue, and Prospect Avenue from Central Road to School Street. The study area was broken down into three distinct areas: East Northwest Highway, Downtown Northwest Highway, and West Northwest Highway. Ms. Andrade stated the Northwest Highway Corridor Study was created based on input from a steering committee and the public. The Steering Committee consisted of Village Staff members from various departments, including Public Works, Fire, and the Building Department. The public was involved through several forums, which included interviews and surveys completed by businesses currently located within the study area. In addition, there was an open house that was held in May 2010 as well as an online comment period, and a public meeting held in November 2010. Richard Rogers, Chair PZ -11 -11 Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting May 26, 2011 Page 1 of 4 Ms. Andrade said the Northwest Highway Corridor Study was comprised of four (4) principal sections: An Existing Conditions Report, Issues & Recommendations, Vision Goals & Objectives, and Implementation Program. The Existing Condition section discussed the characteristics of the Northwest Highway Corridor as where within the past year. The Issues & Recommendations section identified issues that residents and businesses identified and provided recommendations for addressing them. The Vision Goals & Objectives Section outlined the vision and future direction for the corridor study. Finally, the Implementation Program provided specific strategies targeted to address the issues identified. Ms. Andrade stated the Northwest Highway Corridor consisted of a mix of land uses, including commercial, residential, institutional, and industrial. Approximately half of the land area is zoned commercial. Land zoned for residential makes up approximately nineteen percent (19 %) of the total land area. This includes single family and multi- family residential. Meadows Park and the Aquatic Center is zoned CR Conservation Recreation and occupies twenty -two percent (22 %) of the land area within the study area. Finally, approximately six percent (6 %) of the study area is zoned industrial. Ms. Andrade said according to Costar (a commercial real estate information company), approximately seventeen percent (17 %) of commercial, office, or retail space within the corridor is available for lease. The vacancies are not limited to one area along the corridor study area, but are scattered throughout the study area. Ms. Andrade stated the study area was divided by the railroad tracks and Northwest Highway. Northwest Highway, Central Road, Elmhurst Road, Emerson Street, and Mt. Prospect Road are the primary means of vehicular and pedestrian circulation. The corridor experiences traffic delays during the morning and evening peak hours when demand and train services are increased. Ms. Andrade said the public and Staff identified seven (7) focus areas and created recommendations to address issues. The public reported a lack of public awareness for some of the businesses, public transportation, and public parking available. The study recommended using signage and marketing mediums to let people know what is available in Mount Prospect. In regards to land uses, the public expressed a desire to see a wider array of uses such as entertainment and family - friendly businesses within the corridor. The Village would continue to work with brokers and local entrepreneurs to establish desired land uses in the corridor. Ms. Andrade stated the public mentioned they would like to see consistent streetscape throughout the corridor and programs for improving storefronts. The study called for the completion of the streetscape improvements along the corridor. Since some of the buildings within the corridor are aging structures in need of updates, the Village would work with property owners and prospective businesses to understand the cost of retrofitting older buildings. The public identified traffic and circulation related issues caused by the railroad lines. Village Staff would work to enhance the pedestrian and vehicular environment in downtown. Finally, in regards to infrastructure, the public pointed out street and sidewalk deterioration in some areas of Northwest Highway. Since Northwest Highway is under the jurisdiction of IDOT, the Village would proactively work with IDOT on long range improvement plans for Northwest Highway. Ms. Andrade said a vision statement for the corridor was created based on the community input. To "Enhance the economic viability of the Northwest Highway Corridor by making it more attractive and accessible place for conducting business and living" is the vision statement that was created for the Northwest Highway Corridor. This statement captures what residents and businesses envisioned the Northwest Highway Corridor to be. Economically viable and accessible for not only the businesses, but for residents that live or visit the corridor were key items expressed as important. Ms. Andrade stated the goals and objectives of the study relate back to the Village's Comprehensive Plan. For Economic Development, the goal was to create a viable commercial corridor that consists of a mix of desired land uses and services. Objectives for Economic Development include maintaining current businesses and attracting new businesses, such as kid friendly uses and a grocery store. Richard Rogers, Chair PZ -11 -11 Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting May 26, 2011 Page 2 of 4 Ms. Andrade said regarding transportation, the goal was 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. Promoting and encouraging alternative modes of transportation is one objective for transportation. Ms. Andrade stated in terms of infrastructure, the goal was to maintain a public infrastructure system that efficiently provided utilities, public improvements and flood control. Objectives for infrastructure included protecting natural water retention and drainage where possible and ensuring new development does not have an adverse impact on flood control. Ms. Andrade said the goal of housing and community facilities was to provide housing and amenities that supported the population and enhanced the quality of life within the corridor. Ms. Andrade stated strategies were developed to meet each goal and objective similar to the Implementation Program of the Comprehensive Plan. Each strategy has a related objective which refers to the goal and objective to which it is addressing. Each listing would identify the Village Department or other agency /group that would lead the implementation of the strategy. There would be a defined timeline for completing a strategy: five (5) years is short-term, five (5) to fifteen (15) years is long -term, and there would also be an ongoing timeline as well. Finally, each listing would provide a type of strategy which could be an action, study, or coordination. Ms. Andrade said based on the direction of the Village Comprehensive Plan, Staff recommended that the Planning and Zoning make a positive recommendation for the Northwest Highway Corridor Study. Chairman Rogers stated how comprehensive the study was and commended Staff for their time and effort in putting the study together. Mr. Donnelly asked if Staff looked into making the corridor more bike friendly. Ms. Andrade responded the study included recommendation regarding biking within the corridor, and added that the Village was in the process of finalizing a bike plan, which included more detailed information for making the Village overall more bike friendly. Mr. Donnelly asked if there was any consideration for tunnels to go under the railroad tracks so the trains would not cause traffic interference. Ms. Andrade stated one of the recommendations was to explore potential grants to see what the feasibility would be in either creating a pedestrian bridge at a minimum or some type of bridge to improve circulation. Mr. Donnelly discussed the need for traffic congestion relief so residents could get North or South of the tracks without trains holding up traffic. Chairman Rogers said that the study did discuss bike traffic along the railroad tracks and a beautification program along the tracks. Mr. Youngquist stated the study was a great plan. Chairman Rogers swore in Ruta Veitmanis, 104 Mac Arthur, Mount Prospect, Illinois. Ms. Veitmanis stated that her property was in the western area of the proposed study. She wanted to know why a small residential section was included in the study when the commercial areas seemed to be the areas of improvement. Ms. Veitmanis said she would like to know what the Village's long term plans were regarding her property. Chairman Rogers stated that the entire section of Northwest Highway that runs through Mount Prospect was included from boundary to boundary. He said that since Ms. Veitmanis' property was residential, it would most likely stay as residential. Mr. Floros and Mr. Youngquist agreed that the residential sections included in the study would remain as residential. Richard Rogers, Chair PZ -11 -11 Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting May 26, 2011 Page 3 of 4 Ms. Veitmanis discussed other issues regarding evergreen trees along the right -of -way. It was determined that Ms. Veitmanis would need to contact the Public Works Department regarding the trees. Mr. Donnelly made a motion, seconded by Mr. Beattie for the Planning & Zoning Commission make a positive recommendation to the Village Board to amend the Official Comprehensive Plan to include the Northwest Highway Corridor Study. UPON ROLL CALL: AYES: Beattie, Donnelly, Floros, Youngquist, Rogers NAYS: None Motion was approved 5 -0. The Village Board's decision is final for this case. Mr. Donnelly made a motion, seconded by Mr. Beattie to adjourn at 9:41 p.m. The motion was approved by a voice vote and the meeting was adjourned. Ryan Kast, Community Development Administrative Assistant Richard Rogers, Chair PZ -11 -11 Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting May 26, 2011 Page 4 of 4