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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/13/1991 COW minutes MINUTES COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE AUGUST 13, 1991 I. ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order at 6:05 p m Present at the meeting were: Mayor Gerald L. Farley; Trustees Mark Bnsse, George Clowcs, Timothy Corcoran and Paul Hoefert. Absent from the meeting were: Trustees Leo Floros and Irvana Wllks Also present at the meeting were: Acting Village Manager David Jepson and Village Attorney Everette Hill. There was a Motion to go into Executive Session at 6:02 p.m The Executive Session adjourned at 7:25 pm. At 7.35 p.m., the regular Committee of the Whole Agenda was addressed. Also present for this portion of the meeting were: Director of Public Works Herbert Weeks, Pubhc Works Street Superintendent Melvyn Both, Director of Planning and Zoning David Clements, Director of Inspection Services Chuck Bencm and Mount Prospect Park District Superintendent Walter Cook; approximately 15 persons in the audience and three persons from the print media. II. MINUTES The Committee of the Whole Minutes of July 23, 1991 were accepted and filed. III. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD There were no citizens present who wished to be heard. IV. DISCUSSION OF ACCESS TO MAPLE TRAILS PARK Director of Planning and Zoning David Clements provided an overview of the issues relating to access from the Harvest Heights Subdivision to Maple Trails Park He stated that current tentative plans are to install an extension to an existing sidewalk system on Harvest Lane, past the residential properties and then make a turn into the Kensington Business Center office complex. This would necessitate making an opening in the existing fence and then obtaining easements from the Cummins-Allison business and from the office center at 411 Business Center Drive. These easements would be needed so that the Mount Prospect Park District could install a four-foot wide paved surface to connect to an existing jogging/bike trail and to the Maple Trails Park area Walt Cook, of the Mount Prospect Park District, stated that they had verbal assurance from Cummins-Allison and the Property Manager that easements could be granted pending legal descriptions and the'location of the path on a Plat of Survey. Mr. Cook stated that, once everything is in place, the construction work could be completed within a week to ten days. It was explained that the entire area within the Kensington Business Park is served by the River Trails Park D~stfict. The Harvest Heights SubdMsion, however, is in the Mount Prospect Park District. Through intergovernmental agreement, the Mount Prospect Park District had agreed to develop a park on the land donated by Opus Corporation and maintenance of the park (once established) would be assumed by the River Trails Park District. The Mount Prospect Park District has stated that they will complete the bike/jogging path connection from the Harvest Heights Subdxvasion entrance to the existing b~ke/jogging path. Trustee Corcoran was concerned about the length of time that it would take to install the walks. Planning and Zoning Director David Clements stated that the property at 411 Business Center Drive is owned by a syndicate based in Minneapohs. In his opinion, it may take time to obtain the easement from this organization Mayor Farley stated that the Vdlage's first option was to extend the jogging path due north from an existing walkway immediately accessing the Kensington Business Park area. Although th~s would have eliminated the need to secure an easement form the owner of 411 Business Center Drive, the homeowner on Harvest Drive (where we would need an easement) was unwilling to provide same to the Village. There was a discussion on installing a gate, approximately four feet wide, in the ex~sting fence surrounding the Kensington Business Center property. Mount Prospect Park District Superintendent Walt Cook stated that, if a gate were not reqmred, they would install a single post in the center of the four-foot opening to deter use by motorized vehicles. Several Harvest Heights residents commented that they would hke the Village to intercede on their behalf and have the barbed wire removed from the top of the existing fence. Trustee Corcoran commented that the Cummins-Allison existing parking lot is currently being used by park patrons. As parr of the agreement to provide an easement for the jogging path, they are requesting Mount Prospect Police assistance in monitoring use of their parking lot including the poss:ble installation of No Parking s~gns. Trustee Corcoran also suggested that parking be allowed on Feehanville Drive adjacent to the park. Imtml discussion centered around parking on both sides of Feehanville Drive, but this was modified to one side at the present time, with the possibility of parking on both sides at a later date. On behalf of the administration, Acting Manager Jepson will be subnutting a report back to the Mayor and Board of Trustees on a total Village cost and feasibihty of the project as discussed. The resident at 1215 Wildwood (which is near th~ dead-end of Westgate Road) (77)~ told the Board that there holes in the which are existing fence, are being used to gain access to the park. He also stated that there is another hole at Marcella and Gregory that is being used for accessing the business park.~ He felt that these access points should also be included in a formal walkway system intersecting w~th the ex~sting jogging path. P~other resident of the Harvest Heights Subdivision stated that the newly constructed Aldi Food Store created considerable problems with traffic at Business Center Drive He felt that the access point as recommended earlier should be accepted. He also stated that he is concerned about the barbed w~re on the existing fence and he would prefer to have the fence removed from the westernmost part of the Harvest Heights Subdivision where it abuts to the 411 Business Center Drive property. He felt that grass and weeds growing into tins fence make it very unattractive as an entrance to their Subdlvaslon He also suggested extending the walk adjacent to Harvest Lane all the way to Business Center Drive There were other residents speaking on behalf of the project they feel that access to the jogging/bike path would be extremely desirable and would offer all citizens of the community the opportunity to enjoy the amenities in the business park Trustee Corcoran also stated that he would like staff to rexaew the possibility of additional pathways connecting the subdivisions to the south of the park where openings are already present. He further suggested that access points be made for the subdivision north of Kensington. The access points could be marked crossings on Kensington Road as well as a paved surface walkway connecting to 'the existing walkways throughout the park. Trustee Hoefert commented that access to the park from the residences north of Kensington was also requested at a recent meeting by the residents V. MANAGER'S REPORT There was no Manager's Report. VI ANY OTHER BUSINESS No other business was discussed VII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:46 pm. Respectfully submitted, S/HERBERT L. WEEKS ~, HLW/rcw Director of Public Works -3-