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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/27/2004 COW minutes MINUTES COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE JANUARY 27,2004 I. CAll TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m., in the Mt. Prospect Park District Community Center, 1000 West Central Road, by Mayor Gerald Farley. Present âtthe meeting were: Trustees Timothy Corcoran, Paul Hoefert, Richard Lohrstorfer, Michaele Skowron, Irvana Wilks and Michael lade!. Trustee Hoefert arrived at 7:06 p.m. Staff members present included: Village Manager Michael Janonis, Assistant Village Manager David Strahl, Community Development Director William Cooney and Deputy Community Development Director Michael Jacobs. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of Minutes from December 9, 2003. Motion made by Trustee Corcoran and Seconded by Trustee lade!. Minutes were approved. Trustee Lohrstorfer abstained. Approval of Minutes from January 13, 2004. Motion made by Trustee Lohrstorfer and Seconded by Trustee Wilks. Minutes were approved. Trustee ladel abstained. III. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD None. IV. STATUS OF VillAGE-OWNED PROPERTY AT THE CORNER OF EMERSON/CENTRAL Mayor Farley introduced the topic by stating this will provide an opportunity to enter into a dialogue regarding this matter and provide general information to the Village and audience through the broadcast. He also stated the meeting will consist of several parts including a staff overview, audience comment and Village Board comment. Mayor Farley requested that the comments not be repetitious from any speaker's. Community Development Director William Cooney provided general background on the properties in question and referred to the area as Sub Area 3 according to the Downtown Ad Hoc Committee report. He stated the northern three lots are owned by the Village with the center part of the block owned by Bank One and Wallace Busse owning two homes at the far southern edge. The 1998 concept plan for redevelopment targeted the area for 18 row- homes which includes nine units per acre, with the height of the homes similar to the homes on Maple with access off Central and Busse. He stated the current Ad Hoc Committee is meeting to further develop the remaining areas. of downtown pointing toward a recommendation for the Village Board to consider. He stated the Village-owned lots account for 25,568 square feet and were purchased for a total price of $382,042 and are currently valued at approximately $511,000. He stated that the three lots in question could accommodate up to 4.73 units and generate approximately $37,000 annually in taxes. 1 Bill Blaine, 319 North Emerson, spoke. He stated that his group, Save Open Space Mount Prospect (SOSMP), has at least eight speakers that will speak this evening. He stated that he appreciates the fact the Board put together a concise plan and would request consideration of making mid-course corrections regarding the plan. He stated the message that his group is here to convey is that they do not want more townhomes in the area and the vision of the group would like to have a park along the entire east side of Emerson but would consider a compromise of the park on the north side of the block. He stated the park option on the south side of the street concerns the group because of the projected availability of when that property would be reconstituted as a park. He said one suggestion would be to use the three corner lots at Central and Emerson for a park instead of the entire block and there would be a limited cost to develop the lots into a park due to its current configuration. The thought is to develop an area that is already owned instead of purchasing additional land to convert to a park at some point in the future. Carolyn Jarosz. 122 North Stratton, spoke. She stated the group has received commitments from over 300 residents interested in maintaining this property. She also stated that people in the downtown would like to have a spot for outdoor events and could honor the founding families by utilizing the property. She stated the group wants green space and not town homes and the green space can be used immediately and, if necessary, move the park to the sound end of the block when the property becomes available. Rachel Toeppen, 409 South Hi-Lusi, spoke. She wanted to read a letter from Henry and Viola Graef of 505 Berkshire supporting the use of the property as open space. She also stated that she personally feels that the land should be preserved for all to enjoy. Rita Walters, 109 South Maple, spoke. She stated the downtown redevelopment has brought more people to the downtown but green space has not been incorporated into the plan and feels that planters placed in the parkway do not count as green space. She stated there should be a balance between trees on the site and does not think that townhomes are worth the sacrifice of the trees. Kalli Mathios, 312 North William. spoke. She stated that she is speaking on behalf of the students in the community. She stated that a park at this location would encourage people to linger when they use the Library because of its convenient placement and the space is a relaxing interlude and would benefit the community directly. Ed Worden, 210 South Owen, spoke. He stated that adding additional townhomes would generate more traffic in the downtown and feels there is adequate population density already. Density would bring other issues which may be the unintended consequences of the redevelopment. He stated there is no open space for visitors to the downtown area and feels that the property would benefit the Library patrons. He also would encourage the Board to consider a property swap with Bank One and finally if the question cannot be resolved, it should be put forth to a Referendum vote. Dale Barbara Draznin, 220 South Hatlen, spoke. She stated that the park location makes a point about Mount Prospect as a gateway to the new downtown center and feels that the trees should be saved and utilizing the property shows vision by the Village Board to state it is necessary to look to the future and preserving the park is a fiscally conservative approach. 2 She stated the park should be kept in its current state and a minimum cost wollldbe necessary to transform the property into a park. She also pointed out that she has concerns about why the Village would want to buy homes at the south end of the block when it already owns some land on the block. Hazel Jaehnke. 1200 West Milburn Avenue, spoke. She felt that the park could be designed in such a way to allow an adult park and by not putting play equipment could keep children out of the park. She feels the seniors deserve a place to rest. Ron Dillhardt. 121 North Emerson, spoke. He stated he is an architect by profession and has never voiced any kind of opposition to Board actions in the past but feels that the Board is making a mistake without considering this property for a park. He feels there is a need to have a park as a symbol in the center of downtown and there are many benefits to such open space in the future. Conrad Mazeski, 205 West Orchard. spoke. He stated that he is a 40-year resident and feels the pending completion of the LibraryNiliage Hall and Garage would be complemented by having a relaxing spot near the location for quiet contemplation. Mayor Farley stated that the Village Board has received considerable input on this matter and has also received viewpoints from individuals who could not be present this evening. He read several e-mails that he has received in support of town home developments on the block in question. He also stated that he feels the Village Board has done a good job in sheparding the redevelopment process and none of the Board would disagree with the need to have green space in the downtown. He requested staff to provide information regarding proposed green space that is under development at this time. Community Development Director William Cooney provided a summary of the existing open/green spaces in the downtown area. He described the streets cape and pedestrian enhancements throughout the downtown. He stated the condominium developments have included green space in the center block area. While these areas are considered private, they are accessible from the public sidewalk. He also stated the Village Hall block has open space planned for both the southeast and southwest corners of the development site. He also commented on the Moehling Park development next to the General Store rehabilitation project in addition to the Busse Avenue Plaza that is between two buildings. General comments from Village Board members included the following items: It was expressed that while green/open space is quite desirable, the location could be problematic at the far edge of the downtown area as proposed by this group. It was mentioned that the green space should be conveniently located for all to utilize from a central point of the downtown. It was also mentioned that the location closer to the central part of the downtown would allow for expansion for Village-sponsored activities in the downtown center. It was also mentioned that when the properties were purchased, it was the full intention of the Village Board to return the property to the tax rolls. It was noted that downtown density is necessary to create the energy within the downtown area. It was noted that citizen involvement and comment is welcomed and appreciated regarding the progress of the downtown redevelopment. The townhouse development along the block was based on a concept plan from the 1997 Ad Hoc Committee. 3 There was a concern noted that the proposed location is the furthest point from the downtown center and the location would not likely be usable by all individuals. The area is also not big enough to stage events and could not use adjacent areas for overflow purposes. It was noted that the proposed town homes would be limited to .two stQri~.sgnd would be in the same motif as existing single-family homes on the east side of the block. A comment was maderegarding the Village Board's concern about safety and park availability to all users. It was noted that the Village Hall design specifically includes open space and if the open space were located on the south end of the block, it could easily complement the Village Hall green space. Bill Blaine spoke. He is supportive of the Village Board's work throughout the downtown and felt there was a need for a respite area or quiet space. He feels that the location at the north end of the block welcomes people to the downtown and there would not be extensive investment to create the park now and transfer to a new location once the property on the south side becomes available if that is desirable. He feels that property values would be enhanced due to the park location and there are currently mature trees and they should be protected. General comments from Village Board members included the following items: A response was noted to previous comments about downtown housing. The housing in the downtown area is an alternative to single-family homes and many existing property owners are moving into the downtown area due to establishedçommunity roots. The variety of the different types of homes is based on the resid5mts'çJE;!sireançJ g J types of homes enhance the community. V. VILLAGE MANAGER'S REPORT Village Manager Janonis noted the Celestial Celebration is scheduled for February 7. VI. ANY OTHER BUSINESS None. CLOSED SESSION A Motion was made at 8:46 to move into Closed Session. . VII. ADJOURNMENT Meeting moved into Closed Session and returned to open session at 9:50 p.m. and immediately adjourned since there was no further business. DS/rcc Respectfully submitted, - I. / (} ~ ~(~~--cw DAVID STRAHL Assistant Village Manager 4 ~