Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/14/2005 COW minutes MINUTES COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE JUNE 14,2005 I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:07 p.m., in the Village Board Room of Village Hall, 50 South Emerson Street, by Mayor Irvana Wilks. Present at the meeting were: Trustees Paul Hoefert, John Korn, Richard Lohrstorfer, Michaele Skowron and Michael Zade!. Absent from the meeting was Trustee Timothy Corcoran. Staff members present included: Village Manager Michael Janonis, Assistant Village Manager David Strahl, Finance Director David Erb, Community Development Director William Cooney and Deputy Community Development Director Ellen Divita. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of Minutes from March 22, 2005. A Motion was made by Trustee Hoefert and Seconded by Trustee Zade!. The Minutes were approved. Trustee Korn abstained. Approval of Minutes of April 26, 2005. A Motion was made by Trustee Zadel and Seconded by Trustee Skowron. Minutes were approved. Trustee Korn abstained. Approval of Minutes of May 24, 2005. A Motion was made by Trustee Hoefert and Seconded by Trustee Zade!. A request was made to add the name of Mark Miller as a Safety Commission member which was omitted from the Safety Commission list of the Minutes. Minutes were approved with modification. Trustee Lohrstorfer abstained. III. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD None. Village Manager Janonis announced the passing of Village Clerk Velma' Lowe and provided information regarding the times, locations and dates of the services. IV. TIF - SUB-AREA #1 REDEVELOPMENT OPTION DISCUSSION Mayor Wilks stated the Village Board is prepared to move forward in some direction, however, there will be no decision tonight regarding that direction and is intended only to start the process of discussion. 1 Village Manager Janonis stated that the work of the Board will likely take the next six to nine months to arrive at a final decision regarding this Area. The Village Board commissioned DLK Architects to review Sub-Area #1 which is bounded by Northwest Highway, Route 83 and Busse Avenue. He also stated that representatives from W. B. Olson have been invited to participate in the discussion regarding cost options and related up charges likely with each option presented this evening. Community Development Director Bill Cooney provided an overview of the Area and summarized the discussions in the Report of the Second Ad Hoc Committee. He stated discussions regarding the extension and expansion of the TIF are currently under way. He stated some of the attributes of the existing buildings include the oldest commercial buildings in the community, currently viable businesses and affordable rents. He said the challenges that await any redevelopment include minimal private investment, limited functionality of existing structures including structural obsolescence, stagnant property values and lack of parking. Charlie Freidlander of DLK provided an overview of all the options that had been drafted by DLK Architecture. Option A, which contains the most preservation and the most likely significant cost premiums, was presented. Dave Olson of W. B. Olson stated the cost impacts would be significant related to construction staging and the required steps to save the front of the buildings and support them from behind. Community Development Director Bill Cooney stated that Option A provides limited retail value and tends to maximize residential units. Option B includes a single, five story structure with underground parking with a basement next to the buildings that are recommended for saving under this Option. There is some retail included and this is the smallest overall change to the Area but highly the highest cost per square foot. Option C contains two main retail parcels with surface parking for retail. The underground parking would not be part of the support for the retail operations. There would be foundation retention expenses. Option D would have the same retail issues as Option C, however, it includes more retail in the small triangle and more underground parking. Option E includes a large retail operation in the small triangle and Busse would be the surface parking area. Option F is a combination plan but also limits the additional cost that would include cost for upgrades of the buildings that would be retained. There would also be issues with modifying the existing buildings versus building new and the additional costs associated with such modifications would be higher than building new. 2 Dave Olson also stated that the facades could be duplicated with new materials to get an old-time look versus trying to retain the existing materials and there would be some difference that would be noticeable. The ability to reconstruct with previous materials would most likely not yield positive results. General comments from Village Board members included the following items: There was concern voiced about the amount of surface parking for retail and the costs associated with protecting existing buildings. It was also noted that some businesses would be driven out due to likely higher rents and currently this area enjoys lower rents associated with the quality of buildings and location. Gavin Kleespies, Executive Director of the Mount Prospect Historical Society spoke. He provided historical background on the area and noted that this is the initial commercial area within Mount Prospect and feels it defines Mount Prospect character. David Lindgren, Chair of the Economic Development Commission spoke. He stated that the Commission is planning to meet this week to discuss development options and would forward the Commission's recommendation to the Board after the meeting. Jean Reibel, Four North Pine Street, a local architect, feels that the combining of Options A and B with all new along Northwest Highway could be an option to consider. Tom Neitzke, owner of the business at 22 West Busse, spoke. He would prefer that everything be left alone as is. He stated he has concerns that just because ~he buildings have limited architectural value does not mean they have no value and stated that this Area allows lower rents for small business to start out and survive. Mike Reese, owner of the business at 50 West Busse, spoke. He owns His and Hers Hobbies. He stated he picked downtown Mount Prospect for his business because of the character of the buildings but did acknowledge they are getting rundown. He stated himself and several other business people in the Area have been reluctant to invest in the buildings because they are uncertain of the future of the properties. He suggested utilizing TIF money to upgrade the buildings. Jim Uszler, Executive Director of the Mount Prospect Chamber of Commerce, spoke. He stated it is necessary to get a certain amount of density to make the project work and felt that preservation of historical buildings could be accomplished through relocation. George Busse, 111 South Maple Street, spoke. He stated he is the former Chair of the Economic Development Commission. He stated the EDC felt the most significant redevelopment Option was to avoid a canyon effect and maintain some historical appearance where possible. He stated there is a need to move forward and change. The Area cannot grow and prosper without change. Tim Gear, Historical Society Board member and resident, spoke. He stated he is questioning how an Area is measured as viable and how it is defined. General comments from Village Board members included the following items: 3 It was noted that some of the Options have positives which could be combined into elements of other plans to create hybrid plans. There was also a question regarding the cost of bringing the buildings up to Code and the ongoing maintenance costs. The Village Board determined to eliminate Option E from further consideration. Village Manager Michael Janonis stated that discussion will continue regarding what could work for the entire area. V. UTILIZATION OF SIGNS IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA Community Development Director Bill Cooney provided a summary of the available options regarding some changes in downtown signage. Planning Intern Christine Park presented the information summarizing all the downtown sign recommendations. The sign types that are recommended are the use of pedestrian level oriented signs along the sidewalk, extended signs from the buildings in the B5 and B5C areas and kiosk signs which would include area information about businesses. She stated the downtown businesses have less opportunity for signage and staff is recommending the use of projecting signs extending from the buildings so that the business is more noticeable. The kiosk option is recommended for the train station which would identify businesses in the area and general interest items. She stated that most comparable towns do not allow A-frame signs but larger downtowns use A-frame signs under special circumstances. She stated the recommended criteria would include one A-frame sign per street side door adjacent to the building with a maximum 12" from the building and a minimum of five feet of sidewalk unobstructed. These signs are pedestrian oriented and would only be out during business hours and not during adverse weather conditions. They would need to be considered high-quality and professionally constructed and would require a Permit only if on public property. General comments from Village Board members included the following items: A concern was voiced regarding the safety of A-frame signs and the need to clearly define the quality and design requirements that illustrate the necessary quality. It was also recommended that a trial period be undertaken and then the program be re- evaluated after the trial. It was also stated that some clarification may be necessary regarding the number of signs allowed for businesses that happen to be on corner property. Ken Fritz, Mount Prospect resident, spoke. He stated he was involved in drafting the original Sign Code and felt that these recommendations standardizing the appearance of signs in the downtown was worthwhile. Katie Dix, owner of Capannari's Ice Cream and the Chair of the Downtown Merchants Association, spoke. She stated that utilizing the sign package that is recommended would encourage a branding concept for the area. Consensus of the Village Board was to consider the Ordinance as presented by staff if subsequent and sufficient oversight is included for maintaining the professional appearance. 4 VI. VILLAGE HALL ENTRANCE ENHANCEMENTS Assistant Village Manager David Strahl provided an overview of the proposals drafted by DLK for Board consideration.. These enhancements include installation of banners on the east wall of the Village Hall including a banner above the main entrance doors of Emerson Street and the Route 83 side. Another option would be the installation of a glass panel above the main entrance door. These options also include {he installation of paneling and a camouflage paneling on the fire panel wall in the main stairwell. . General comments from Village Board members included the following items: It was noted that the building functions extremely well and the overall block turned out very well. A shortcoming that has been commented on from constituents has focused on the entrance and the main stairwell. It was suggested that the porch area be considered a grand entrance which could incorporate the stairwell depending on Code limitations. Consensus of the Village Board was to postpone the decision regarding these proposals presented this evening and to request a design for review and pricing from DLK regarding main entrance enhancements including improvements of the portico area. Village Manager Mike Janonis requested a couple of Elected Officials participate in the design discussions. Trustee Hoefert and Mayor Wilks volunteered to participate in those discussions. VII. VILLAGE MANAGER'S REPORT Village Manager Mike Janonis stated the Farmers' Market is running on Sundays now. The Lions Club 4th of July Festival is scheduled to begin on June 29 and continue through July 5. He also stated there is no need for a CIOl:?ed Session this evening. VIII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further discussion, the Committee of the Whole meeting adjourned at 10:39 p.m. Respectfully submitted, _ /;J ~~~~V DAVID STRAHL Assistant Village Manager DS/rcc 5