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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/22/1996 MPPC MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE MOUNT PROSPECT PLAN COMMISSION AUGUST 22, 1996 CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Mount Prospect Plan Commission was called to order by Chairman Ponzi at 7:37 P.M. at the Senior Center, 50 South Emerson, Street, Mount Prospect, Illinois. ROLL CALL Present upon Roll Call: Absent: June Richards Michael Hoffman Frank Boege Edwin Janus William Reddy Louis Velasco Carol Tortorello Marshall Ponzi Angela Volpe Village Staff Present: William J. Cooney, Community Development Director Daniel Ungerleider, Planning Coordinator Kenneth Fritz, Planner Sgt. Dahlberg Sean Won APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mike Hoffinan asked the Commission if the number of clients for the Access to Care Program was correct. After some discussion, the Plan Commission confirmed that the minutes were correct as described. Ed Janus reminded staff that he had abstained from approving the minutes at the last Plan Commission meeting and therefore the vote number needed to be corrected from 8-0 to 7-0 with one abstention. A motion was then made by Frank Boege, seconded by Louis Velasco to approve the minutes of July 17, 1996, as amended. The minutes were approved by a vote of 7-0. SUBDIVISIONS None COMMITTEE REPORTS: None OLD BUSINESS - Rand Road Corridor Study Public Hearing Chairman Ponzi opened the public hearing for the Rand Road Corridor Plan at 7:42 p.m. Chairman Ponzi outlined the use of corridor studies as an integral part of the Village Comprehen- sive Plan. Rand Road Corridor Plan is a review and analysis of the Mount Prospect Rand Road corridor between Euclid Avenue and Central Road. The Plan Commission and staff held many workshops over the last nine months to discuss the Rand Road corridor with residents, business persons and other interested parties in the area. Everyone's input was invaluable for the development of the Plan. Plan Commission Minutes Page 2 Chairman Ponzi explained that notice was provided in the Mount Prospect Journal Newspaper. In addition, staff had forwarded letters and passed out flyers, with the assistance of residents, to many of the residents and businesses within the Rand Road corridor study area. Chairman Ponzi reminded the Commission and the audience that the Plan Commission is only a recommending body and will make their recommendation after the public hearing is closed. Their recommendation will then be forwarded to the Village Board for their review and approval. Ken Fritz introduced himself as the Village's Long -Range Planner. He explained that legal notice was placed in the Mount Prospect Journal as required by the Illinois State Statute. In addition, notices were passed out by staff to interested neighbors. Letters were also sent, although not required, to owners of properties adjacent to Rand Road. Mr. Fritz explained that there have been several updated versions of this plan circulated over the last month. He explained that the plan dated August 21, 1996 is the most recent version of this plan and all other versions should be discarded. A current draft is available at the library and Village Hall for review. In addition, copies have been distributed to representatives of larger organizational groups such as Prospect Meadows and Wedgewood Terrace Homeowner Associations. Mr. Fritz stated that the process has been ongoing since November of 1995. The Plan Commission has had at least eight open working sessions. Many residents have attended and provided much input and foundation for the plan being presented before the Plan Commission. Mr. Fritz explained that the corridor plan addresses traffic, land use and appearance issues for the Rand Road corridor study area. A copy of a portion of this plan was then distributed. The corridor plan addresses potential development and redevelopment of properties along the Rand Road corridor area. In addition, the plan provides recommendations for development of specific individual or groups of lots having potential for redevelopment. The plan addresses traffic issues along this corridor including the high level of traffic congestion at the Rand Road/Route 83 and Rand Road/Central Road intersections. Mr. Fritz explained that Rand Road is a designated SRA by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT). IDOT's most recent SRA plan for Rand Road, dated 1993, is preliminary and does not provide any overall cost estimates or timelines for the work proposed. One of the Plan Commission's roles in developing the corridor plan is to develop alternate ways to address the IDOT SRA Plan. One of the recommendations described in the Plan Commission's Rand Road Corridor Plan is that the Village increase access control along Rand Road. Increased traffic control would require elimination of redundunt curbcuts and driveways along Rand Road and the application of shared driveways and cross -access agreements. Chairman Ponzi opened the discussion to the audience for comment. The resident at 318 North Elmhurst explained that an open intersection at Gregory and Rand Road would create similar traffic on Gregory to that of Central and Route 83. Mr. Bill Cooney, Director of Community Development, explained that this would not be the case considering that Central Road has a daily traffic count of 16,700 vehicles and Kensington has 13,000. Isabella is currently experiencing only 3,500 vehicles per day. Mr. Cooney stated that each type of road designation has different right-of-way requirements; local streets having a right-of-way requirement of 66 feet while a r Plan Commission Minutes Page 3 collector street having a required right-of-way of 80 feet. The right-of-way includes the street pavement, parkway and the sidewalk. Mr. Cooney explained that although Gregory is not currently designated as a collector street, it is designed for and does have sufficient right-of-way to comply within the collector street designation. Mr. Cooney explained that, when implemented, IDOT's SRA Plan may require road intersections and driveways to be closed. In the case of Rand Road, the right-of-way would be widened. Ken Fritz reviewed the history of Gregory Street and its closure at Rand Road. An outline of that history is attached to the minutes. Mr. Fritz explained that closing Gregory Street has resulted in increased traffic volumes on other local streets. The corridor plan before the Plan Commission recommends further study be made before decisions are made regarding opening Gregory Street to Rand Road or closing other streets along Rand Road. A resident at 321 N. Russel explained that he lives at the corner of Gregory and Russel. He was very concerned about child safety given that there is a new school and playground located off of Gregory Street. He stated that opening Gregory to Rand Road would change Gregory into a raceway. A resident at 401 N. Fairview explained that he had concerns regarding the safety of children. A resident at 310 Oak Street stated that Gregory should remain closed. He felt that all left turns at Isabella should be stopped during rush hour traffic. East/West traffic should be contained on Kensington and Central Roads. He expressed that the Police Department needs to increase their enforcement within his neighborhood given the number of speeders and traffic sign violators he has witnessed. A resident at 401 North Maple explained that an increase in traffic would be detrimental to the church, park and school properties. She was concerned that the parking on Gregory would be negatively impacted by the opening of Gregory to Rand. She had family members that were in accidents on Gregory and she was concerned that more may occur if Gregory were opened to Rand. A resident at 416 North Pine expressed his concern that if Gregory were opened to Rand Road, it would then be used by trucks. Bill Cooney explained that Isabella has a posted load limit. However, he did agree that this is something that should be reviewed at the time of the consultant's overall study. A resident at 400 N. Eastwood explained that pedestrians and bicyclists should be considered when reviewing whether or not Gregory should be opened to Rand Road. The resident further explained that there was a person known as the Fairview flasher in their area. The opening of Gregory to Rand Road would attract this type of person to this area. The resident further Plan Commission Minutes . Page 4 explained that opening Gregory to Rand Road would split the neighborhood into two por- tions -north and south, and increase the amount of garbage in the neighborhood. Chairman Ponzi then summarized the comments presented by those in attendance up to that point. A resident at 303 N. William explained that the Village should be attempting to reduce the amount of traffic using William and Isabella rather than looking for additional ways to increase traffic through his neighborhood. The resident expressed that the Village should consider reviewing the opening of Thayer to Rand Road. Mr. Ponzi asked if the neighborhood would support closing all roads from their neighborhood to from Rand Road. The audience showed a consensus by their applause. A resident at 309 N. William explained that the best solution would be to administer additional restrictions during rush hour. The resident then submitted a petition to the Plan Commission in opposition of the Rand Road Corridor Plan being presented. This petition is attached to the minutes. Mr. Ponzi explained that the Plan Commission members were not traffic engineers. The Plan proposed at this time only identifies the problems and issues that the Village needs to address. One of the action steps in the plan recommends that the Village hire a private traffic consultant to review the whole Rand Road corridor area and make recommendations on how the Village should address the traffic issues identified. A resident at 801 W. Isabella explained that the traffic signs on Isabella and the adjoining streets are not consistent. The traffic consultant should be required to review the traffic in their neighborhood at early hours and at weekends. A resident at 300 N. School Street expressed that stop signs do not work in his neighborhood. Drivers do not tend to follow rules. By opening Gregory Street to Rand Road traffic will increase. The resident stated that he felt that non-residents are using his streets for their convenience and are in turn creating a danger for the children in the neighborhood. He explained that the Village should stop all infiltration of traffic in his neighborhood. A resident at 312 Oak Street explained that she grew up in Mount Prospect and moved back to Mount Prospect because it was a safe place and that Gregory was a safe road to raise a family. If Gregory is open, her family will consider leaving Mount Prospect. A resident at 319 N. Elm Street asked staff if the street would need to be widened if it were open to Gregory Street. Staff explained that further review would have to be made before any plans were committed to by the Village. Plan Commission Minutes Page 5 A resident at 300 N. School Street expressed that the Village should work to divert all traffic from their neighborhood to Central and Kensington. Chairman Ponzi reviewed Action Step #10 which states "since the closing of Gregory Street from its connection with Rand Road, Isabella Street has taken on the characteristics of a local collector street." The action step: "It is proposed that the intersections of Rand Road, Business Center Drive, Isabella and Gregory Streets be reexamined alternatives shall circulate potential realignment, closure or restricting access to Isabella an impact on residents and possible accident reduction. Additional studies should be taken to examine the impacts of linking Gregory Street with Rand Road and Business Center Drive." A resident at 409 N. Russel expressed that a better public notice should have been provided. A resident at 709 N. Forest explained that she had met with the Safety Commission to install a stop sign adjacent to her home. The Safety Commission determined that this stop sign was not appropriate. The resident asked staff how long will this future study take and how many people will be involved. Mr. Cooney stated that a consultant would be hired under the direction of the Village Board of Trustees. A thorough analysis would be taken at that time. A resident at 320 N. Elmhurst expressed that notification was not given to everyone affected by this plan. Mr. Fritz responded by explaining that the Village has fulfilled their State Statute obligations and in addition had mailed and handed out flyers inviting residents and business persons to attend the public hearing. Mr. Cooney stated that all those in attendance who have signed the attendance sheet will receive notice for future meetings regarding the Rand Road Corridor Plan. Mary Regan of Wedgewood Home Association stated that her Association has worked closely with the Village throughout the review of the corridor plan. The Association has passed out the flyers provided by the Village to residents throughout their subdivision and further passed on the information by word of mouth. A resident at 401 N. Forest explained that they live across from Fairview School. Over time the traffic has increased along Gregory Street. People have become less cognizant of the laws. Gerri DelBoccio, Principal of Fairview Elementary School, introduced herself. Ms. DelBoccio presented a letter to the Plan Commission which expressed the School Board's concerns with regards to the Rand Road Corridor Plan. She expressed that the Village should consider peak children times. She stated that she has previously contacted the Mount Prospect Police and has received outstanding service in addressing some of the traffic issues along Gregory. Ms. DelBoccio explained that children need to be our number one priority and that only by active involvement of the residents can we truly ensure that this plan be developed with the community and schools in mind. Plan Commission Minutes Page 6 Larry Perrone at 1114 Thomas More is the President of the Thomas More Homeowner's Association. He asked that his Association be added to the list of Associations being contacted as part of the Rand Road Corridor Plan and that Thomas More be added to the list of subdivisions highlighted in this plan. A resident at 320 North Russel stated that property values will be affected by increased traffic along Gregory. Further, this traffic may hinder appropriate property maintenance and therefore may have a greater negative impact on the neighborhood. A resident at 413 N. Maple said the current proposal is a band aid solution. The Village should be attempting to retime the traffic lights along Rand Road at Central and Kensington. Chairman Ponzi explained that the Plan Commission felt that the IDOT's SRA Plan was outdated. The Illinois Department of Transportation did have a representative attend one of the Plan Commission's workshop meetings. At the present time, no current funding has been budgeted by IDOT. Mr. Ponzi reminded those in attendance that public input had a major impact on the Route 83 SRA Plan. The Rand Road Corridor Plan is a pro -active attempt to address Mount Prospect issues before IDOT acts upon their SRA Plan. Hal Ettinger, 415 N. Maple asked staff if a precedent had been set to increase the road designation of a road within a Village. Mr. Cooney explained that 80 feet of right-of-way is required for a collector street and that Gregory Street presently complies with this requirement. Mr. Ettinger stated that he was concerned that the action plan provided only identifies the Gregory Street opening and does not identify other alternatives. A resident at 601 Wilshire expressed that people living in the Gregory Street area should organize and get involved at the beginning of the future traffic study. This method would make them more effective in their presentation and would give them the opportunity to have a bigger impact on the overall plan. Marshall Ponzi closed the public hearing for a five minute break. Marshall Ponzi reopened the public hearing at 9:30 p.m. A resident asked for regular police protection within their neighborhoods. He expressed he has concern regarding the UPS and TCI trucks using the local streets. Sean Won, Project Engineer, stated that signs are posted prohibiting business vehicles and cut -through traffic. Sgt. Dahlberg introduced himself. He said that the Police Department cannot promise additional police at this time. The Police Department will investigate areas of concern if calls are made with descriptions of specific violations. Ticket writing will determine where problems and issues are occurring. Mount Prospect does not have traffic officers per se. Each of the police officers field Plan Commission Minutes Page 7 all crimes including traffic violations. Sgt. Dahlberg stated that he will report these issues to the Deputy Chief for further review. Steve Polit of 601 Wilshire reviewed the Rand Road Corridor Plan and presented some ideas that he feels the Plan Commission should consider. He stated that the Village should create a TIF District for the Kensington/Rand Road triangle area. This triangle area should have one shared access road. The Village should consider closing Highland Road at Rand Road. The neighborhood has sufficient access to Kensington Road and such closing would prevent cut - through traffic from Kensington to Rand. The Village should prevent narrow lot leftovers. He stated that traffic will increase as commercial businesses increase. Although businesses cutting through residential areas is an issue, he stated that he understands that residents of these areas are cutting through their own neighborhoods and creating some of their own problems. Mr. Polit also asked that the Village review the tax impacts of the commercial properties along Rand Road and ask that they review whether or not it is truly necessary to have a majority of the tax base along Rand Road. Nancy Bobikewicz, President of the Wedgewood Subdivision Homeowner's Association, asked that the Plan Commission omit Action Step 1A, and further asked if staff can further describe what traffic calming strategies are. Mr. Fritz described how traffic calming strategies may be used. He provided illustrations of different types of traffic calming strategies. Nancy Bobikewicz raised other concerns. Her Association does not want to break private covenants and restrictions for their neighborhood. Private driveways may raise some safety issues and therefore deserve additional review. Mr. Fritz explained that the Village will continue to stay in contact with Wedgewood Terrace Subdivision in the future when proposals for developments arise. A resident explained that Rand Road needs a middle turning lane. This would provide a resting place for residents turning left out of their driveways. The resident agreed that shared driveways are a good idea and that the Village should work to eliminate gravel driveways whenever they can. A resident at 1605 Wedgewood asked if the described frontage road would have impacts on future home setbacks in that area. Mr. Fritz explained that frontage roads may increase some of the setbacks along Rand Road or rear yard setbacks depending on where this road is placed. Members of the Prospect Meadows Association asked that the Village consider closing Rand Road access to Prospect Meadows Subdivision. The closing of this road should be included in Action Step #16. The members of the Plan Commission agreed to include this issue within the scope of future traffic studies. Jane Conrad stated that she agreed with many of the comments shared tonight and presented in the Rand Road Corridor Plan. She further stated that she and her husband are researching the Plan Commission Minutes Page 8 need for emergency vehicle access points into the Prospect Meadows Subdivision and the effects of closing Prospect Manor Road at Rand Road. Steve Polit asked that sidewalks and bike path access points not be forgotten as part of this plan. These types of public access areas should always be considered. Mr. Boege made a motion, seconded by Louis Velasco, to close the public hearing. Chairman Ponzi closed the public hearing at 10:20 p.m. Frank Boege asked that the action step plan be modified so that a private drive at the rear of the Wedgewood properties be removed and that the wording for the Gregory Road action step be changed. Louie Velasco responded by stating that he didn't feel that the language should be changed for Gregory Street. As written this action step does not propose anything specifically. All issues are listed to be addressed. The Plan Commission discussed Action Step #10 further. After getting the Commission's consensus, Chairman Ponzi asked staff to strike the last sentence of Action Step #10 and make the noted changes. June Richards stated that the people have brought many good ideas and have provided good insight which should be considered. No solutions have been presented for the Gregory Street/Business Center Drive intersection. She stated that by closing all road access points to Rand Road, all the traffic will be relocated to other areas and therefore is not an acceptable solution to the problem. Louie Velasco stated that no matter what, people will always be inconvenienced. Isabella Street's traffic problem must be corrected. Ms. Richards stated that she believes most cut -through traffic in that neighborhood is created by the residents themselves. Marshall Ponzi asked that Action Step #10 be modified by replacing alternatives with detailed studies. Carol Tortorello stated that the Safety Commission should have more input in future studies. Michael Hoffman stated that he felt that this was a good report and analysis for the Rand Road corridor area. Future plans should be more aggressive in nature. He asked that staff add a preface at the beginning of the text similar to the Central Road Corridor Plan. He also asked that staff include the priority ranking for the action steps when submitting this plan to the Village Board for their review. r Plan Commission Minutes Page 9 Mr. Hoffman asked that on Page 29 in the visual action step that the following be added: 1. Mount Prospect develop entry signs and banners for Rand Road 2. Mount Prospect should work to pave all parkways along the Rand Road corridor area 3. All attempts should be made to remove asphalt and gravel from driveways and parkways along Rand Road 4. The Village should work to remove or relocate overhead utility lines. These utility lines should be relocated below grade or behind properties. Mr. Hoffman asked that staff provide an additional map illustrating the location of businesses and subdivisions affected by the action plan. This plan should be included as part of the Appendix. Mr. Hoffman asked that in Action Plan #10, under responsible parties, an individual traffic consultant be added. He asked that a map be considered to provide graphics illustrating locations of each of the action steps. In addition, he provided staff with a copy of his marked up plan with other minor modifications he would like to see made part of the final draft of the Rand Road Corridor Plan. Chairman Ponzi stated that he was concerned and disappointed of the lack of public feedback regarding the two busiest intersections in the corridor: Kensington/Rand and Central/Rand. He does not feel that this plan appropriately deals with these issues. Mr. Ungerleider, Planning Coordinator, explained that staff will put together the recommended revisions and present the resulting draft to the Plan Commission at the next meeting. Although this next meeting will not be a public hearing per se, notice will be provided to all those on the attendance list. Chairman Ponzi tabled the Rand Road Corridor Plan discussions for the next meeting. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned by Chairman Ponzi at 11:20 p.m. Respectfully Submitted Daniel Ungerleider Planning Coordinator