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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/04/1996 MPPC MinutesMINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE MOUNT PROSPECT PLAN COMMISSION DECEMBER 4, 1996 CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Mount Prospect Plan Commission was called to order by new Chairman Michael Hoffman at 7:30 P.M. at the Village Hall, 100 South Emerson Street, Mount Prospect, Illinois. ROLL CALL Present upon Roll Call: June Richards Louis Velasco Michael Hoffman Carol Tortorello Frank Boege Edwin Janus Angela Volpe Bill Reddy Village Staff Present: Daniel Ungerleider Michael Sims Kenneth Fritz Carrie Davis APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Boege made a motion to approve the October 2, 1996, Plan Commission minutes, with the inclusion of an amendment concerning the 610-616 ShaBoNee Trail Condominium conversion. Mr. Boege stated that while Planning staff suggested approval of the project by the Commission, the following amendment is necessary: "Several members of the Plan Commission expressed concern regarding approval of this project since the Commission had not received material in advance on this issue and the item was not listed on the meeting agenda." The October 2 minutes, with the amendment, were approved by a vote of 8-0. Chairman Hoffman requested that the October 23, 1996, minutes of the special meeting of the Plan Commission be approved. The minutes were approved by a vote of 7-0. Mr. Reddy abstained since he was not at the meeting. SUBDIVISIONS: None COMMITTEE REPORTS: None OLD BUSINESS: None Plan Commission Minutes Page 2 NEW BUSINESS: Annexation Study Area BackLMnd Informatim Mr. Fritz presented a number of materials concerning the annexation study area at the south end of Mount Prospect. Documents distributed to the Commission included a draft annexation study report to the Plan Commission dated November 22, 1996. Exhibit #1 was a generalized Land Use Map of the annexation study area. Exhibit #2 was a series of maps and charts of the annexation area including: a Cook County 1990 Average Daily Traffic Map, a Cook County 1994 Average Daily Traffic Map, a USGS map, a map of flood prone areas by FEMA, and the relevant sections of the Cook County Zoning Ordinance and Cook County Zoning Map. Exhibit #3 was a series of photographs depicting current conditions. Mr. Fritz stated that this is a preliminary study of existing conditions in the proposed study area and asked the Commission for comments or questions. Mr. Fritz suggested that input from all Village Departments will be important for the Commission to gain insight as to what the ultimate responsibility of each Department will be in the study area. Presentations would be made to the Commission by Public Works, Police, Fire, Finance, Building, Engineering, etc. to discuss issues such as current infrastructure conditions and possible improvements; the number of additional Village employees needed to accommodate this new area; and the financial implications of expansion. Mr. Ungerleider stated that the first presentation should be at the Plan Commission's second meeting. Chairman Hoffman asked that staff invite more than one department per meeting. General questions and comments were raised about the annexation study. One issue concerned how to notify businesses in the annexation area. Mr. Janus asked how to sell annexation to businesses especially if some are reluctant to become part of Mount Prospect. Mr. Ungerleider and Mr. Fritz mentioned that this will depend on the Village strategy in assessing advantages and disadvantages of this action. It is important to assess liabilities, such as site and building deficiencies before establishing the Village's stance. Chairman Hoffman suggested that businesses could come in and talk with the Plan Commission but Mr. Fritz stated that some businesses have already been reluctant to cooperate. Mr. Ungerleider discussed a separate proposal to annex United Airlines. The Village is currently in discussion with United Airlines. The Planning Division is concerned primarily with the annexation area as a whole and not just United Airlines. Mr. Velasco commented that the biggest concern to all businesses will probably be taxes charged by the Village. Chairman Hofftnan asked about Park District involvement in this annexation proposal. Mr. Fritz suggested that the Park District is likely to lease part of United Airlines property (east of Linneman Road between Dempster Street and Algonquin Road) and use it for recreation. Plan Commission Minutes Page 3 Ms. Tortorello was concerned about all the different zip codes in the area and how that might impact the annexed community. Mr. Ungerleider stated that the Planning staff would talk to the Postmaster about creating a continuity of zip codes and addresses for Mount Prospect, which would help foster a greater sense of community. Chairman Hoffman asked staff to coordinate a group van tour of the area in January for the Plan Commission. Mr. Sims discussed the need to revise the current Generalized Land Use Map. When completed, the map should be simple and easy to use. He stated that alterations are possible, such as including road names, parks, intensifying or changing colors, or removing lot lines to keep the map simple. Corridor studies, such as the downtown plan, could be highlighted to the side of the main map. Overall, the map should be a policy statement, providing both a long and short term vision of what the Village should look like. According to Mr. Sims and Mr. Ungerleider, a Printer would be hired to revise the map. Most likely, the map will include a main map and small sub -maps. At this point, Planning staff will work with the Printer to devise a map for the next Commission meeting. Because no changes will be made, just revisions, there is no need to consult the Village Board with the new map. Mr. Sims encourages comments and questions from the Commission about possible inclusions or revisions to the map. Numerous comments were brought up by the Commission members. Mr. Velasco reiterated the need to keep the map simple. Mr. Boege suggested that adding private streets would also be helpful. Chairman Hoffinan discussed a number of possibilities. One was a fold -out map with sub -maps of corridors and thoroughfares on one side, with a text summary on the other side. Furthermore, he mentioned that it might be helpful to label just the major roads and not all roads. Also, it could be important to include significant lots, non -Mount Prospect communities, bright colors and significant public areas. He showed an Arlington Heights map, which was highly favored. Mr. Reddy emphasized that unincorporated areas should be shown with the non -Mount Prospect sections. This would help property owners a great deal. Plan Commission Minutes Page 4 QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS: Mr. Ungerleider announced that the Community Development Open House will be held at the Senior Center on Monday, December 9, 1996, at 6:00 p.m. He invited all Commission members to attend. Mr. Ungerleider stated that the downtown plan was temporarily put on hold because of the budget meetings. The Committee -of -the -Whole will be reviewing the proposed streetscape program December 10, 1996. At that meeting, the Committee -of -the -Whole will be shown progress in the streetscape program. Phase I of the improvements will occur two blocks west of the Pontarelli development and include pedestrian lighting, parkway trees with holiday lighting, lights for banners and a welcome sign in a landscape park nearby. Mr. Ungerleider urged all Commission members to come by the Planning Division if they have comments or questions about different projects or if they want to see maps of plans. Mr. Ungerleider stated that the Rand Road Corridor Study is tentatively scheduled to go before the Village Board in January. Mr. Sims mentioned that the CDBG Consolidated Plan was submitted. The Village will receive approximately $373,000, $7,000 less than last year, from the HUD. To make up for this shortfall, some funds will most likely be redistributed from single family rehabilitation projects. Mr. Boege mentioned the retirement of former Plan Commission Chairman Marshall Ponzi and suggested that the Commission get together with him. Mr. Sims stated that he had tried to arrange a meeting with Mr. Ponzi and the Commission but Mr. Ponzi had scheduling conflicts. Mr. Sims expressed the goodwill of the Plan Commission to Mr. Ponzi. All Plan Commission members wish to thank the Village Manager's Office for the Fannie May Candy. The Plan Commission also wishes to thank Mr. Velasco's daughter for the Rosettes. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned by Chairman Hoffman at 9:05 p.m. Respectfully Submitted Carrie Davis