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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/09/1999 COW agenda COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE AGENDA Meeting Location: Meeting Date and Time: Mount Prospect Senior Center Tuesday, March 9, 1999 50 South Emerson Street 7:30 p.m. I. CALL TO ORDER - ROLL CALL Mayor Gerald L. Farley Trustee George Clowes Trustee Richard Lohrstorfer Trustee Timothy Corcoran Trustee Daniel Nocchi Trustee Paul Hoefert Trustee Irvana Wilks II. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 9, 1999 III. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD IV. ABOVEGROUND TANK ORDINANCE This year marks the culmination of a ten-year state and federal initiative to upgrade all existing Underground Storage Tank (UST) systems that are not already protected against spill, corrosion, overfills, and leaks. As a result of this initiative, many businesses have been faced with expensive upgrades and have had to spend thousands of dollars removing tanks and cleaning up contaminated soil and groundwater. Due to the cost of retrofitting old tanks or installing completely new systems, many operators have chosen to abandon such facilities altogether. As an alternative to underground tank systems, many businesses are now considering the installation of aboveground storage tanks. Our current Village Code prohibits the installation of such facilities. Given both the long-term environmental concerns of underground tanks and advances in safety and technology of aboveground equivalents, staff feels that this type of application is worthy of consideration in certain circumstances. At this time, staff is proposing changes to the Village Code that would allow aboveground storage systems in certain limited circumstances. The attached information from the Fire Prevention Bureau outlines the circumstances under which aboveground tanks would be allowed. A draft proposal for Code changes is also included. Staff is seeking direction from the Village Board regarding the proposed modifications. Appropriate staff from the Fire Department will be available to answer questions and facilitate discussion. V. FRONT PORCH ENCROACHMENT REGULATIONS Over the past several years, the Board has expressed a strong consensus to severely limit front-yard setback encroachments occasioned by porch additions in residential neighborhoods. Depending on location and zoning district, residential front-yard setback requirements range from 25 to 30 feet. Currently, front stairs are a permitted encroachment into this setback. In recent years, as part of the remodeling wave that is sweeping many older communities, people have, on a more regular basis, sought to add, enlarge, or enclose front porches. This has resulted in a marked increase in requests for variations. NOTE: ANY INDIVIDUAL WHO WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND THIS MEETING BUT BECAUSE OF A DISABILITY NEEDS SOME ACCOMMODATION TO PARTICIPATE, SHOULD CONTACT THE VILLAGE MANAGER'S OFFICE AT lO0 SOUTH EMERSON, MOUNT PROSPECT, ILLINOIS 60056, 847/$92-~000, EXTENSION 5327, TDD ~47/$92-~0~4. Currently, the Zoning Board of Appeals is final on all variation requests of 25% or less. Most front porch variations fall within this area. The Village Board has requested staffto research ways to further limit or control these types of requests. Based on staff's analysis, there are a number of ways to approach the subject. The attached memorandum from the Community Development Department outlines the issue and offers a number of ways to address same. Staff is seeking direction from the Village Board on a desired approach before submitting the necessary amendments to the Zoning Code. Appropriate staff will be in attendance to answer questions and facilitate discussion. VI. DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT - REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR PHASE lb Staff has completed drafting of a solicitation for requests for proposals for the redevelopment area commonly referred to as lb. This area is generally bounded by Main Street on the west, Emerson Street on the east, Northwest Highway on the south, and the Village Hall and Sakura Restaurant properties on the north. The area subject to the RFP does not include the Village Hall site, Continental Bakery, or Sakura Restaurant. Staff anticipates that property acquisition in the subject area should be completed early this year. Now is the appropriate time to solicit proposals from the development community for projects suitable to this site. General guidelines have previously been established by the report of the Ad Hoc Downtown Strategic Plan Committee issued in February 1998. Staff seeks the Village Board's review and comments on the RFP document and would recommend authorization to undertake a solicitation for proposals. Appropriate staff will be in attendance to answer questions and facilitate discussion. VII. MANAGER--$ REPORT VIII. ANY OTHER BUSINESS IX. ADJOURNMENT CLOSED SESSION LAND ACQUISITION: 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (5) -"The purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body, including meetings held for the purpose of discussing whether a particular parcel should be acquired." H:\GEN\Cow~genda\3999 COW AGENDA.doc