Village of Winnetka Village Council met April 3.
Here is the minutes provided by the Council:
1) Call to Order. President Rintz called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. Present: Trustees Andrew Cripe, Robert Dearborn, Scott Myers, John Swierk, and Kristin Ziv. Absent: Trustee Penny Lanphier. Also present: Village Manager Robert Bahan, Assistant Village Manager Megan Pierce, Village Attorney Peter M. Friedman, Public Works Director Steve Saunders, Public Works Analyst Matt Havlik, Director of Community Development David Schoon, Interim Police Chief Marc Hornstein, Economic Development Coordinator Mike Martella, and approximately 14 persons in the audience.
2) Pledge of Allegiance. Trustee Ziv led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
3) Quorum.
a) April 10, 2018 Study Session. All of the Council members present said they expect to attend.
b) April 17, 2018 Regular Meeting. All of the Council members present except President Rintz said they expect to attend.
c) May 1, 2018 Regular Meeting. All of the Council members present said they expect to attend.
4) Public Comment.
Patricia Balsamo, 1037 Cherry. Ms. Balsamo commended the Village on the latest edition of the Winnetka Report, the Village’s quarterly print newsletter.
5) Reports: [Trustee Lanphier arrived at 7:05 p.m.]
a) Trustees.
i) Trustee Dearborn reported on the last Landmark Preservation Commission meeting.
ii) Trustee Swierk reported on a recent International Convention of Shopping Centers event which he attended.
b) Attorney. None.
c) Manager. None.
d) Village President. None.
6) Approval of the Agenda. Trustee Myers, seconded by Trustee Cripe, moved to approve the Agenda. By voice vote, the motion carried.
7) Consent Agenda
a) Village Council Minutes.
i) March 13, 2018 Study Session.
ii) March 19, 2018 Special Meeting.
b) Approval of Warrant List dated March 16 – 29, 2018 in the amount of $533,407.95.
c) Resolution No. R-23-2018: Metropolitan Mayors Caucus Greenest Region Compact 2
(Adoption).
d) Resolution No. R-25-2018: 574 Green Bay Road - Easement for Streetlight Controller
(Adoption).
Trustee Ziv, seconded by Trustee Cripe, moved to approve the foregoing items on the Consent Agenda by omnibus vote. By roll call vote, the motion carried. Ayes: Trustees Cripe, Dearborn, Lanphier, Myers, Swierk, and Ziv. Nays: None. Absent: None.
8) Ordinances and Resolutions.
a) Ordinance No. MC-2-2018: Amending Liquor Code (Introduction). Interim Chief Hornstein reviewed this proposed modification to the definitions for the Class B liquor license, to include certain pharmacies. This would provide for the new Walgreens opening soon in Hubbard Woods to qualify for a Class B liquor license.
Trustee Lanphier expressed concern that any pharmacy would also qualify for a Class B liquor license under the proposed Code amendment. Trustee Dearborn agreed, and suggested an amendment to the Ordinance should better describe the Village’s intent for this Class B liquor definition expansion.
President Rintz called for public comment.
There being none, Attorney Friedman explained that he had prepared an amendment to the Ordinance to clarify that stand-alone pharmacies would not qualify for a Class B liquor license.
After more discussion, the Council was in favor of introducing the amended Subject Ordinance.
Trustee Dearborn, seconded by Trustee Myers, moved to introduce Ordinance No. MC-2- 2018, as amended by the Village attorney to permit certain pharmacy-related establishments to qualify for a Class B liquor license. By voice vote, the motion carried.
b) Ordinance No. M-5-2018: 860 Lamson Drive - Preliminary Plat Approval Sandra K. Crown Subdivision and Variations (Adoption). Mr. Schoon said he had nothing new to add, since the request has been discussed at two prior Council meetings. Responding to a question, he explained that the applicant asked for a continuance until the full Council was in attendance to vote on approval of the Ordinance.
There being no public or further Council comment, Trustee Cripe, seconded by Trustee Ziv, moved to adopt Ordinance No. M-5-2018. By roll call vote, the motion carried.
Ayes: Trustees Cripe, Dearborn, Myers, Swierk, and Ziv. Nays: Trustee Lanphier.
Absent: None.
c) Ordinance No. M-7-2018: 614 Lincoln Avenue (Winnetka Community House) Special Use Permit for Parking Lot Expansion (Introduction & Adoption). Mr. Schoon reviewed this request from the Community House for a Special Use Permit to allow the expansion of an existing parking lot. He noted that the materials for constructing the lot will be of a slightly temporary nature, since the Community House is in the process of completing a strategic plan which might affect the future of the space. The Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA), Plan Commission (PC) and Design Review Board all recommended approval of the request, with the ZBA and PC recommending placing a term limit of seven to ten years upon the special use, out of concern for the durability of the parking lot materials.
The Council asked a few questions and discussed the term limit recommendation from the ZBA and PC; most were in favor of eliminating it, as they trusted the Community House to continue to be a good neighbor. President Rintz asked the applicant if he had any comments.
Bob Thomas, Director of the Winnetka Community House, explained that access to the lot will not change with the new configuration, and he clarified that the lot surface was chosen to give the Community House five to seven years to complete a strategic plan and then raise funds in the event the lot needs rehabilitation work. He confirmed that the Community House intends to be a good neighbor and maintain the lot in good repair.
After more Council discussion, President Rintz called for public comment. There being none, he asked the Trustees if they desired to amend the Ordinance to eliminate the sunset provision. There was general consensus to do so, and to waive introduction.
Trustee Myers, seconded by Trustee Ziv, moved to amend Section 3(A) of Ordinance No. M-7-2018 to strike subsection (ii), and to waive introduction. By roll call vote, the motion carried. Ayes: Trustees Cripe, Dearborn, Lanphier, Myers, Swierk, and Ziv. Nays: None. Absent: None.
Trustee Ziv, seconded by Trustee Cripe, moved to adopt Ordinance No. M-7-2018 as amended. By roll call vote, the motion carried. Ayes: Trustees Cripe, Dearborn, Lanphier, Myers, Swierk, and Ziv. Nays: None. Absent: None.
d) Resolution No. R-24-2018: Sidewalk and Curb Replacement Contract (Adoption). Mr. Havlic reviewed this annual bid award for the Village’s Sidewalk and Curb replacement program.
There being no Council discussion, Trustee Myers, seconded by Trustee Ziv, moved to adopt Resolution No. R-24-2018. By roll call vote, the motion carried. Ayes: Trustees Cripe, Dearborn, Lanphier, Myers, Swierk, and Ziv. Nays: None. Absent: None.
9) Old Business. None.
10) New Business.
a) Downtown Master Plan Task Force - Streetscape & Signage Update (Policy Direction).
Task Force member Meg Benson reviewed the work of the Task Force since its last Council appearance on February 6, noting that Council direction is needed on the issues of parking and tree losses that would occur if the recommended Streetscape and Signage Plan is adopted. She explained that many of the trees in the downtown area are not healthy, and replacement trees would be planted in areas where they could thrive and create a canopy. In addition, recommended intersection bumpouts and handicapped parking requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) would eliminate some on-street parking spaces.
Jodi Mariano, Teska Associates consultant, explained that the focus of the Task Force has been enhancement of the shopping and dining areas, to support downtown shops and businesses. She reviewed site furnishings, lighting, gateway and wayfinding signage, and streetscape character typologies. She illustrated the impacts of a bump-out at the intersection of Chestnut and Elm Streets, as well as a proposed mid-block bump-out on the west side of Chestnut Street between Spruce and Elm Streets. She gave a detailed review of recommendations for the West and East Elm areas, noting that each proposed project area has been broken down into smaller quadrants, for ease of phasing.
Trustee Scott Myers reviewed the budget of each quadrant, and said the estimated cost of all the proposed improvements is approximately $8.6 million. He noted that the creation of gathering spaces at the intersection bump-outs would sacrifice some parking. He explained that the Council needs to develop policies that would recoup some of that parking; for example, moving commuter parking away from shopping areas to provide more spaces for shoppers and visitors. The next step for the Council is to consider approval of the structural streetscape recommendations, and then form the policies that will enable implementation of the plan.
President Rintz called for public comment.
Vicki Hofstetter, owner of Oui Madame. Ms. Hofstetter said a reduction in parking would have a very negative impact on the retailers. She noted that the restaurants have sidewalk seating which serves as a gathering place, and she cautioned against creating bump-outs at the cost of parking spaces.
Stephanie Hoff, owner of The Book Stall. Ms. Hoff also expressed concern that a reduction in parking spaces will result in a loss to her business, especially since elderly people and young children need proximate parking to the stores.
Pat Balsamo, Winnetka resident. Ms. Balsamo expressed concern that the recommended benches have sharp corners that might be hazardous for children and the elderly. Ms. Mariano explained that the surfaces are more rounded than they appear in photos.
Debbie Gillett, 1301 Forest Glen. Ms. Gillet said no on-street parking spaces in East Elm should be lost until One Winnetka is constructed with its accompanying commuter parking. She noted that residents go downtown to shop, not for streetscape elements, and she added that the Elm Street Metra station has the best schedule, which is why many commuters prefer it to Hubbard Woods and Indian Hill.
Terry Dason, Director of the Winnetka-Northfield Chamber of Commerce. Ms. Dason echoed Ms. Gillett’s comments about the Elm Street Metra station, and she cautioned against decreasing on-street parking, since customers want parking adjacent to businesses, especially in cold weather.
The Council discussed their options for sequencing streetscape projects in a way that wouldn’t reduce parking in East Elm until One Winnetka is completed. It was suggested to complete road and drainage projects first, and then do other improvements such as bumpouts, lighting, and planting at a later time. However, such an approach may be more costly and cause undue disruption to businesses. Other drivers of the sequencing process include supporting infrastructure, lighting, and funding.
Trustee Myers explained that it is the responsibility of the Council to determine where streetscape fits in with the priorities of flood control and other community issues. He noted that the Village has been discussing business district revitalization for over 15 years, with no results. He opined that doing nothing is a disservice to the Village, and that the Task Force has presented a plan that can be phased in pieces, so improvements can begin while the Council develops a coherent policy for future development. He suggested the Council first examine parking policies and make determinations on how the commuter spaces are allocated. He recommended starting work on the intersection bump-outs to activate those areas, and then think about mid-street bump-outs at a later date, when the impacts of One Winnetka and Post Office site are better known.
Ms. Mariano noted that conduit for the lighting is a major consideration in costs and phasing, as it is difficult to do a lighting project in a patchwork fashion.
President Rintz explained that water mains are also an all-or-nothing type of project, and he recommended that infrastructure projects be contemplated in terms of doing the whole block at once. Next, he requested the Task Force do more research on parking and infrastructure and report back to the Council in the near future.
11) Appointments:
a) Trustee Cripe, seconded by Trustee Ziv, moved to re-appoint Matthew Bradley to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a full term. By voice vote, the motion carried.
12) Closed Session. None.
13) Adjournment. Trustee Dearborn, seconded by Trustee Cripe, moved to adjourn the meeting. By voice vote, the motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m.
http://www.villageofwinnetka.org/assets/1/20/2018_0403_rm1.pdf
Alerts Sign-up