HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/02/1959 VB minutes MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE
PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES HELD
IN THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING, VILLA~GE OF
MT. PROSPECT, TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 1959
The meeting was called to order at 8:08 P.M. by President
Lams. Upon roll call, the following trustees answered "Present":
Airey, Casterline, Ekren, Gaw, Norris and Schlaver.
Ail trustees having previously received copies of the minutes
of May 26th, Trustee Casterline, seconded by Trustee Gaw, moved minutes
that the minutes be approved as submitted. The President put the
question, the Clerk called the roll, with the following response: Ayes,
TruStees Airey, Casterline, Ekren, Gaw, Norris and Schlaver. Nays,
none. Whereupon the President decl~ed the motion carried.
Trustee Gaw, seconded by Trustee Ekren, moved that the bi~s
be approved for the week ending June 2, 1959 as follows:
bills
General $17,044.47
Library 603.65
~ Water 5,297.69
%D Park. Syst. Rev. Fund 775.64
~ $23,721.45
~ The President put the question and the Clerk called the roll, with the
following response: Ayes, Trustees Afrey, Casterline, Ekren, Gaw,
Norris and Schlaver. Nays, none. Whereupon the President declared
the motion carried.
Trustee Schlaver read the Fire Department -report for April,
--- mentioning that seven of the seventeen calls were for resuscitation.
Trustee Norris read the following memo from Village Manager
Appleby, dated May 28th:
Louis Munao' s
"When the contractors started making the street excavation 1st Addition
for Emerson St. in Louis Munao's First Addition (south Of Weller (south of
Creek), a water main. was damaged by reason of insufficient cover Weller Creek)
thereto. A conference of the engineers, subdivider, and the Village
Engineers was ~called to determine the best way to handle this matter.
It was concluded that the street grade should be raised and the water
main lowered to provide sufficient cover and also to relieve certain
grade situations with the adjoining property.
"As a consequence, Consoer, Townsend & Associates have prepared
a revised plan for this street and have submitted the same for approval
at this time."
Trustee Norris then mo~ed, seconded by Trustee Casterline, that the
revised plan for Emerson Street dated May 6, 1959, prepared by Consoer,
Townsend & Associates for Louis Munao's First Subdivision (C.T. & A.
No. 59-51) be approved as submitted.
The President put the question and the Clerk called the roll, with
the following response: Ayes, Trustees Airey, Casterline, Ekren, Gaw,
Norris and Schlaver. Nays, none. Whereupon the President declared the
motion carried.
Trustee Norris read the following letter dated May 25th from
the .Department of Highways:
Dept. of Hiway
Mr. M. G. Appleby, Manager traffic signs
Dear Sir: Re: Lincoln Avenue, Arlington Hts. Road
to Elmhurst Road
On January 5, 1959, the Cook County Board of Commissioners adopteda
resolution designating a change in the County's State-Aid System by
June 2, 1959
the abandonment of Lincoln Street from Arlington Heights Road
to Elmhurst Road.
This resolution was forwarded to Mr. R. R. Bartelsmeyer, Chief
Highway Engineer, Illinois Division of Highways, for approval. In
his reply, dated January 29, 1959, approval was withheld. In a letter
dated May 18, 1959, this Department requested a reconsideration,
inasmuch as in the interim the Village Bogrd of Mount Prospect had
authorized the Village to assume maintenance of this roadway within
the corporate limits of the Village, and the Township Highway Commissioner
of Elk Grove had agreed to assume the maintenance responsibility for
the remainder of the section in the unincorporated area. We are
presently awaiting a reply to our latest communication.
A recent investigation made along Lincoln Street between Busse and
Elmhurst Roads by a staff engineer of our Traffic Engineering Division,
revealsed that the presently posted B~ MPH maximum speed limit is not
inconsistent with either safety or the law. Present statutes require
that motor vehicles be operated at speeds commensurate with conditions,
irrespective of the posted maximum sp~ed limit.
The presently posted "Slow - local traffic only" signs were not
authorized by this Department and therefore are illegal. In addition,
they do not conform to the "Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices
for Streets and Highways, State of Illinois", and subsequently will be
removed and replaced with appropriate authorized signs°
Your interest in highway safety is greatly appreciated.
Yours very truly,
S/ William J. Mortimer
Superintendent of Highways
Cook County, Illinois
President Lams then inquired as to the reason why a large
delegation was in the audience. Mr. Karl Erembs, lB No. School, arose
Central Road explained that it was in regard to the proposed widening of Central
widening Road between Highways 14 and 12, adding that he represented the home-
owners along this section of Central Road. He thereupon submitted the
following report of the Northeast HomeOWners Association which he
stated was prepared after conferences with the County Highway Department
during the past two weeks:
June 2, 1959
"To the Village President and Board of
Trustees of the Village of Mt. Prospect:
"A~ a result of mar~ in~uiries made by members of the Northeast Home
Owners Association, regarding the widening and paving of Central Road,
a committee was selected to investigate all the aspects of this project
and to make a report to the members. At a special meeting on Wednesday,
May 2?, the following report was made by the Committee to the members
of the Association and to residents of the local area:
'The Cook County Highway Department took a traffic survey in 1956, and
on the basis of a projected traffic load estimate of 6BO0 cars per day
at the present time, they are proposing a four-lan~ highway, 47 feet in
width over the curbs, to extend from Northwest Highway to Rand Road?
This would be five feet wider than Rte. dB, north of Central Road.
The road west of Elm Street would be centrally located between the
existing sidewalks. From Elm to Owen, a distance of two blocks, the
road would be offset to the north by 9 feet. From Owen to approximately
Albert, the road continues straight and then must return to the present
center line at Rand Road. This off-set will save the Elm trees between
Owen and Albert. From Elm Street east to Rand the sidewalks on the
north side of Central will be moved north approximately l? feet. From
Elm to Owen on the ~o~th side of Central, the sidewalks will be moved
approximately ? feet to the south for no apparent reason and would result
June 2, 1959
in the set-back for these two blocks being approximately lB feet,
a violation of the building code. Attached hereto is a sketch
showinE the present road as wel2 as the proposed highway.'
"On the basis of this report, it was unanimously agreed by the group
to protest the present plans for Central Road for the following reasons:
1. To insure the safety of all children living in the area and the
approximately I700 children attending the three elementary schools;
Central, Busse and St. Paul's; and te protect all the children and
residents in the area using Owen and Lions Park, the Library, central
shopping district~ and school playgrounds during vacation periods,
weekends, and off-school hours during the week, inasmuch as no Central
traffic controls are planned between Rte. 83 and Rand Road, and Road
since the proposed speed limit set by the Cook County Highway Widening
Department will be an average of 80% of the existing speed limits
of highways within a ten-mile area. As a two-lane road, the
County now has a 35 mile speed limit on Central Road. As a four-
lane road, additional high-speed truck and passenger traffic will
be inevitable,
2. Since the Village for man~ years has been attempting to re-route
Highway 83 around the village, it is questionable w~ the village
has gone on record favoring a four-lane highway of this width passing
thru the heart of the village and thru an almost 100 percent
residential section.
B. A four-lane Central Road will divide Mt. Prospect into s~x sections
instead of the present four, presenting a problem and hazard for
children participating in youth activities such as Little League,
Midget Football, Scouting, etc.
4. Central Road extends only from Arlington Heights to Harlem Avenue in
Glenview, and the present traffic load is such that a four-lane
highway similar to Rte. 83, Northwest Highway and Rand Road is not
warranted.
"Therefore, the Northeast Property Owners Association proposed that:
1. The Village Board determine what traffic controls are needed for
the safety of children and residents along Central Road and request
the Cook County Highway Dept. make adequate traffic control
installation at the time of road construction.
2. Speed limits be established on basis of community requ~irements and
and not on the basis of statistics.
3. The Village go on record'as being opposed to parking~on Central
Road in particular in the area of Central School.
4. The road widths be established at 38 feet over the curbs in accor-
dance with present curb width, and a 5 foot off-set be incorporated
in the road east of Owen to eliminate necessity of removal of Elm
trees on south side of road. This would result in a less hazardous
road and eliminate necessity for relocating sidewalks on north side
of road.
§. That any alteration in the construction of the highway that would
necessitate the relocation of sidewalks on either side of Central
Road be opposed.
6. The Village consider dedication of the road to the village and
arrange for improvements with state gas tax funds in order for the
· illage to have full control of the Road."
Mr. Krembs also submitted a skethh showing the proposed changes by the
County. Mr.. Lams pointed out that it will be a year before these
plans are put into effect. There was discussion between homeowners an'd
the Board, in which Mr. John Pohlmann of 1 So. Owen stated that he
approved of the changes but did not want the highway quite as wide as
planned. Mr. Lloyd Jo.~nson, 15 N. Elm, rai~ed the question that some
of the homes on Central were allowed to be built without proper setback
and that the sidewalks have been built on County property.
June 2, 1959
The Board agreed to meet with a committee from the Northeast
Homeowners at a later date to further discuss this matter.
Central
Road Trustee Airey stated that he felt that a signed petition from the
Widening homeowners would add weight to any ~equest for a change in plans~
Mr. Krembs indicated that they would submit such a signed petition.
Mr. Krembs also stated for the record that the Northeast Homeowners
Association was in favor of widening Central Road but with definite
consideration for the proposals made in their report.
Mr. Harry L. Rasmussen, 2 So. School St., explained the method used
by the County in determining road widths. In 1956, the County did a
traffic survey durin~ the Arlington racetrack racing season. They
projected the use of this road over future years based on population
growth of the area. The projected auto load for 1959 is 6300 cars
per da~. Any traffic, load over 6000 cars per day automatically
demands 4 lanes. Mr. Rasmussen felt that the Village should request
an additional survey of traffic load on Central Road.
Trustee Airey stated that the plat for the Country Club has not
as yet been received so that the petition for annexation cannot be
Country Club reviewed. He was, however, in receipt of survey of Country Club
fence plat showing the p~oposed fence lines. This fence is to be of chain
link, no horizontal finishing bar at the top, portions to be finished
with barbed wire. The fence height will be 6 ft. without topping,
seven ft. where there are no homes, with the top foot of barbed wire.
Trustee Airey, speaking of the need for the enlargement of
public library facilities, read portions of an option agreement between
the Village and the owner of the property at 20 So. Emerson immediately,~
to the north of the present library property, in which the village is
Public allowed six months with right of renewal for additional ninety days
Library if the Village gives notice of its desire to so extend, within 150 days
of the signing of the agreement; price of property, SBO,O00. Trustee
Airey then moved to authorize the President and Clerk to sign this
option agreement on behalf of the Village regarding the property
located at 20 So. Emerson St. Trustee Schlaver seconded the motion,
the President put the question, the Clerk called the roll, with the
following response: Ayes, Trustees Airey, Casterline, Ekren, Gaw,
Norris and Sohlaver. Na~s, none. Whereupon the President declared
the motion carried.
Street lights Trustee Casterline submitted a lighting survey By the Country
Country Blub Club Terrace Homeowners' Association which showed that, after
Terrace questioning the residents of the area as to whether they wanted
regular street lights, ornamental street lights or no street lights
at all, the conclusion was that sentiment of the community against
regular street lights is not strong enough to allow effective action
by the Association to keep them from being installed. The Village will
therefore proceed to put in regular lights the same as in the rest of
the town.
Trustee Schlaver again brought up the subject of additional
parking provisions on Prospect Avenue. He expressed the thought that
diagonal parking might be allowed on Prospect Ave. west of Main Street.
No action was proposed at this time.
Trustee Airey left the room temporarily at 9:35.
Trustee Norris stated that in regard to last week's case 59-15,
Case 59-15 Mell & Paul's Restaurant, wherein request was made to allow an
M~ll & overhang, that he had second thoughts on the matter, and moved that
Paul's last week's motion allowing this variation be reconsidered. This
Restaurant was seconded by Trustee Ekren. The President put the question, the
Clerk called the roll, with the following response: Ayes, Trustees
Casterline, Ekren, Gaw and Norris. Nays, Schlaver. Absent, Airey.
The President declared the motion carried and the subject re-opened.
Mr. Stamis, acting as agent for Mr. Caltagirone (Mell.& Paul's) stated
that he could not understand why the Board would first agree to.
June 2, 1959
permi~tsuch a variation and now one week later bring up the matter.
The question was also asked as to why the permit was not issued to
begin construction after the Board had given approval for such a
variation. Village Manager Applehy replied that the permit was not
refused, but with knowledge of a discussion to be held at this evening's
meeting, he had suggested that they wait a day for this permit.
Village A%torney Downing stated that the Board action of last week on
this matter was legally a nullity. He stated that such a variation
(any extension beyond property line in B district) cannot be granted
except by ordinance.
Trustee Airey returned at 10:00 and was brought up to date regarding
the present discussion. Trustee Airey, seconded by Trustee Casterline,
then moved that the matter under discussion, ie. overhangs from buildings
over ded{cated right-of-way, be referred to the Judiciary and Building
Committees. The President put the qu~tion, the Clerk called the roll,
with the following response: Ayes, Trustees Airey, Casterline, Ekren,
Gaw, Norris and Schlaver. Nays, none. Whereupon the President declared
the motion carried. Mr. Caltagirone stated that he is willing to put
in § ft. paved area for sidewalk if that is desired. Trustee Schlaver
stated that his negative vote registered against reconsidering the above
matter was given before he had any knowledge of improper Board action
taken at the last meeting.
Application was made by owners for wood woven fence 6' to 8'
on north edge of adjoining lots on Busse Avenue which back up to fence
Central Road. It was brought out that permission for same has been permit
gr&nted where property abuts a highway or business district. Trustee
Airey, seconded by Trustee Casterline, moved that permission be granted
for erection of an 8' fence on Lots 282, 28B, 28§ and 286, all in Unit #B,
WeGo Park. The President put the question, the Clerk called the roll,
with the following response: Ayes, Trustees Airey, Casterline, Ekren
GaW, Nerfis and Schlaver. Whereupon the President declared the motion
carried.
A question raised by the homeowners living on Busse Avenue about
traffic being detournd down Busse Avenue, an unpaved street, due to the
construction on Central Road west of Northwest Highway, was referred to
the Village Manager for handling.
VillAge Manager Appleby brought out final plat of Annen & Busse's
BelAire Estates, immediately south of Methodist Church property Subdivisions
recently annexed, south of Golf Road. Trustee Norris, secnnded by outside
Trustee Casterline, moved that this plat be referred to the Plan Village limits
Commission for study and recom~endation. This motion carried by
acclamation.
Mr. Appleby also brought forth final plats of First Addition to Bluett's
FairviewGardens and Moellenkamp's subdivision for Baptist Church.
Trustee Ekren, seconded by Trustee Airey, moved that these plats be
referred to the Plan Commission for study and recommendation. This motion
carried by acclamation.
Village Manager Appleby stated that at the present time the
Village maps are entirely inadequate. Every day the street and water Preparation of
departments look for details on underground facilities that are not Village mmps -
shown. The Village needs an accurate up-to-date sectional map of a Mr. Dresser
large enough scale to shew details. Mr. Dresser, who is now retired,
is able and availabl~ for this work. It is estimated that the research
and actual preparation of the base maps will run about $2,500. To have
these duplicated and the details of the water system platted on one set
will probably require $1,000 more.
Trustee Casterline, seconded by Trustee Airey, moved that the
Village Manager be authorized to retain the services of Mr. Dresser to
complete a map project as outlined in memo from Village ManagerApPleby
dated May 29th, for an amount not to exceed $B,500.
Trustee Ekren, seconded by Trustee Casterline, mc~ed for adjourn-
ment, this motion carried by acclamation, and the meeting regularly
adjourned at lO:B2 P.M.
ReSpectfull~ S i ted,
June 2, 1959 ~