Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/13/2005 COW agenda COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE AGENDA Meeting Location: Mount Prospect Village Hall 50 South Emerson Street Meeting Date and Time: Tuesda~December13,2005 7:00 p.m. I. CALL TO ORDER - ROLL CALL Mayor Irvana K. Wilks Trustee Timothy Corcoran Trustee Richard Lohrstorfer Trustee Paul Hoefert Trustee Michaele Skowron Trustee John Korn Trustee Michael Zadel II. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 8, 2005, COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE SPECIAL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 15, 2005 AND MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 22,2005 III. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD A. Holiday Decorating Awards IV. RETAIL RECRUITMENT PROPOSAL The recruitment of destination retail and entertainment is a major goal in our strategy for the health of downtown Mount Prospect. Retail is a difficult business, often dominated by national chains. Regionally, there is a growing base of locally owned ("mom and pop") stores that are carving niches for themselves in the competitive retail world. These stores often become local landmarks, adding to a community's "sense of place," and helping create an image of the community to others. Prime examples in downtown Mount Prospect include Continental Bakery, Keefer's Pharmacy, Busse Flowers and Capannari's Ice Cream. To date, the Village has pursued a mix of local and national retailers. It is easierto find the national tenants because the commercial brokers attend certain conventions such as the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and their news is reported in a variety of trade journals. Identifying successful locally owned stores is a harder process, but there is a proven process that can reap results. In an effort to attract such niche retail and entertainment uses, staff is proposing to hire a "Retail Recruitment Specialist" on a contractual basis. Appropriate staff will be on hand to answer questions and facilitate discussion. NOTE: ANY INDIVIDUAL WHO WOULD LIKE TO A TTEND THIS MEETING BUT BECAUSE OF A DISABILITY NEEDS SOME ACCOMMODATION TO PARTICIPATE, SHOULD CONTACT THE VILLAGE MANAGER'S OFFICE A T 50 SOUTH EMERSON, MOUNT PROSPECT, ILLINOIS 60056, 847/392-6000, EXTENSION 5327, TDD #847/392-6064. ,..".", ~.'~".'~'.".'~~'''''~.'~''~''''"''''''''~''''-'=''"''''~~C'''''~''',=,~_,IT'''_S-~~";O:'7'o-"='".',n""";"",~-::.'~_'I;:;".;;;:e,;",".'"__"'"("r~:;'.f".'"."'''''''',""?;"""""''''''''=~'''~~~.~___''~_~''''''='''--='='''_'"''''''''''~;'''''''''',,_,_'''_e~__".', "~~"'~_"_'''__'''_>"'_''''__"__'_____'____'__ v. LIGHTING REGULATIONS The Village Board discussed modifications to the Village's outdoor lighting regulations at the September 27,2005 Committee of the Whole meeting. At that time, staff recommended modifying the Zoning Ordinance to require only flat lens fixtures be used. In addition, the Zoning Ordinance could further be modified to specifically state that wall pack lights must be fully shielded. The purpose of these changes is to minimize glare as much as possible. Staff also suggested allowing "task focused lights" when requested for gas stations, banks or similar uses. The fixture will extend past the plane of the canopy; however, it will be directed in a manner that would not create light spillage or glare. Therefore, additional lighting may be provided without creating adverse impacts on the environment (light pollution) or adjacent properties (glare). As requested by the Village Board, the Planning Division reviewed proposed lighting modifications with the Crime Prevention Bureau (CPB). The CPB was in favor of the changes because light levels would remain uniform, glare would be minimized and an alternative type of light fixture would be permitted where a higher level of lighting would be necessary but does not create "dark spots." The CPB stated the proposed changes would be an asset to the community and create well-lit environments. Attached is a draft of the Ordinance staff would present to the Planning and Zoning Commission for their review and recommendation as a Text Amendment. The Ordinance would then require final review and approval by the Village Board. VI. CIRCULAR DRIVES The Village has received an increased number of requests for circular driveways in the past several years. The majority of these requests have been in conjunction with residential tear down and top-off projects that are occurring throughout town. The Village's current regulations require that property owners obtain a conditional use permit prior to constructing a circular driveway. This issue was discussed at the Committee of the Whole meeting on September 27. Staff prepared exhibits that depicted circular driveways on various lot widths. The exhibits were intended to illustrate the impact of circular driveways and help identify situations where a circular driveway would and would not be appropriate. The objective was to ascertain whether new standards for approving circular driveways should be used when reviewing requests. The Village Board asked staff to revisit the scenarios that were presented to include: 1) circular drives with a 12' width, instead of 9'; 2) turning radii that met industry standards; and 3) visualizations with vehicle placement. The consensus from the September COW meeting was the circular driveway requests should: 1) not be required to provide landscaping; or 2) be constructed of decorative materials and 3) should continue to be a Conditional Use that would require Village Board approval. Attached are new scenarios that illustrate when circular driveways could be feasible and practical in residential zoning districts, pending changes to the criteria for approving requests. Appropriate staff will be on hand to answer questions and facilitate discussion. VII. ADMINISTRATIVE ADJUDICATION PROCESS At the October ii, 2005 Committee of the Whole meeting the Community Development Department staff proposed the addition of an alternative due process commonly referred as Administrative Adjudication. This alternative due process requires the use of a hearing officer and stringent notice requirements and serves as an alternative to the housing court call at the Cook County Court - 3rd District. The Village Board directed the staff to move forward with the development of the Administrative Adjudication process at the conclusion of the October 11 discussion. Staff undertook additional research with the assistance of the Village Attorney in charting the process and tailoring the process to the enforcement needs of the Village. Staff also undertook field trips to several other municipalities to observe the Administrative Adjudication process live and had the opportunity to discuss the process with the respective staffs of the communities observed. Furthermore, staff had the opportunity to discuss the process with a hearing officer to gather insight into the process and its value from a hearing officer's perceptive. This research has resulted in the packet presented for consideration at this time. Staff is requesting the ability to define violations as one of two tiers depending on the severity and whether the offender is a first time offender. The opportunity to utilize the two tier approach will allow a measured response. Samples of notices of violations are provided for informational purposes along with a flow chart of the inspection and Administrative Adjudication process. Staff has also received a proposal from a computer programmer that has created an automated tracking and notice systems to assist in the Administrative Adjudication process. A similar program was in place at the other communities that were visited by staff and there is substantial value in having such a system available. The proposed computer program will also link with existing databases to create a record of all relevant information related to any violation logged by address and all necessary back-up data. Staff is requesting Village Board direction to complete the Administrative Adjudication draft ordinance based on the processes that are outlined in this packet and the authorization to enter into a contract to purchase computer programming services for an automated tracking and notice system. Staff would further request direction as to the proposed recruitment of the potential hearing officer. Appropriate staff will be on hand to answer questions and facilitate discussion. VIII. VILLAGE MANAGER'S REPORT IX. ANY OTHER BUSINESS X. ADJOURNMENT CLOSED SESSION PROPERTY ACQUISITION 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (5). "The purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body." LITIGATION 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (11). "Litigation, when an action against, affecting or on behalf of the particular public body has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative tribunal, or when the public body finds that an action is probable or imminent, in which case the basis for the finding shall be recorded and entered into the minutes of the closed meeting."