Village of Northbrook Board of Trustees Committee of the Whole met Aug. 25.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
IMPORTANT NOTICE: VILLAGE BOARD MEETING - VIA WEBEX VIDEO CONFERENCE CALL
1. ROLL CALL
2. MINUTES APPROVAL
A. Board of Trustees - Committee of the Whole - Aug 11, 2020 6:00 PM
RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Muriel Collison, Trustee
SECONDER: Dan Pepoon, Trustee
AYES: Frum, Ciesla, Israel, Collison, Ross, Hebl, Pepoon
3. PUBLIC COMMENT TIME
President Frum read an email from Catherine Caporusso stating that Go Green Northbrook supports the importance of walkability in the area as the Village continues with their plans.
4. DISCUSSION TOPICS
A. Downtown Planning Efforts Update
Director of Development & Planning Services, Tom Poupard opened the meeting stating that four topics related to the downtown area would be presented during the meeting this evening: 1) traffic calming and parking on Cedar Lane; 2) streetscape enhancements on Meadow and Shermer; 3) possible redevelopment of the Grainger property; and 4) amendments to the Village Green Overlay district in the zoning code. A slide was presented showing the downtown area, highlighting the Cedar Lane area, the Meadow and Shermer Road area and its relationship with Village Green Park and the Grainger property.
The area on Cedar Lane in front of the Library and Village Hall is one of the highest concentrations of pedestrian activity in town. Cedar Lane is very wide and is in need of repair. Autos travel at high speeds when the train gate goes down on Shermer Road. Drivers do not view this as a pedestrian zone. Gewalt Hamilton Associates Inc. and Fish Transportation Group studied Cedar Lane and reported that the speeds of vehicles was alarming. They also looked at the intersection of Cedar and Cherry to see if a four-way stop configuration would work. Two design options were presented.
Option A offers the possibility of establishing a four-way stop sign at Cherry and Cedar. On the south side of Cherry, there would be a significant reduction in the lane width to twelve feet. Angled parking would be available on both sides. A ten-foot wide path for bicycles and pedestrians would be on the west side and a raised crosswalk would be installed to allow pedestrians to cross more safely from Greenbriar School to the Library and Village Hall.
The Library has had several incidents with oversized vehicles trying to drive around the building. They have run into the underside of the building passageway due to its low clearance. This design includes a proposed inter-connection between the Village Hall parking lot and the Library for delivery vehicles to use the parking lot at the back of the Village Hall to travel to the Library lot for drop-off and exit. It is currently the emergency outlet. The Library is seeking to avoid all delivery activity on Cedar Lane.
Option A offers a net increase of three parking spaces.
Option B offers a more modest change to Cedar Lane. The area in front of the Library would be a designated drop-off and pick-up area. The downside is that the pick-up and drop-off operation is exposed to the elements, which can be an issue during rain and snow
Option B results in a net reduction of parking.
Public Works believes that there is a need to repave Cedar Lane, so it is important that the re-design be factored in before the repaving occurs. A public outreach campaign is recommended given the number of vehicles that use Cedar Lane. Coordination with the Library and School District 28 will be very important as well President Frum likes the idea of changing Cedar Lane using Option A and favors a 4-way stop sign. She asked if Option B were selected, could the parking lot inter-connection still occur. Director Poupard responded that yes it could.
Trustee Ciesla asked if greenery and planters could be added in the center of Cedar Lane. She favors Option A and wonders what the public outreach campaign would look like.
Trustee Israel favors Option A with modifications. He is not in favor of closing the stairs leading to the Library. He is not sure of the handicapped parking spot location. He loves the raised crosswalks. He likes Option B transition better and wants it attached to this. The curve in the Option A design could be a problem. He likes the bicycle path.
Trustee Collision favors Option A. She states that it is difficult to cross Cherry and Cedar and would like to see the intersection made safer. She stated that it is important that the decisions made do not cause a problem down the line.
Trustee Ross asked if the bicycle lane is the same in Option A and B and if they both offer bicycle parking. The answer is that Option B can accommodate up to twelve feet, while Option A can only accommodate ten feet. Option B has bicycle parking. Director Poupard stated that there is the ability for the bicycle parking to be relocated to the east side.
Trustee Hebl is concerned that the narrowing of the road and the addition of angled parking could turn a dangerous situation into another dangerous situation. She does not like the swerve going towards Cherry and would like to eliminate. Trustee Hebl favors Option A with modifications and would like to see planters added to the middle.
Trustee Pepoon wants to extend the scope of the project south towards Walters Avenue. He stated that the bicycle path stops before the sidewalk and feels that the property should have a sidewalk for the school children to use. He favors a 4-way stop sign at Cherry and Cedar and likes converting the emergency access behind the Village Hall for Library use. He is a fan of greenery and believes a swerve calms traffic.
Director Poupard stated that he would look further out down to Walters and investigate making a transition with the pavement. Director Poupard thanked Public Works staff for helping to develop creative solutions.
President Frum stated that consensus was Option A, including greenery, a transition from North to South, concern about removing the stairs, and relocating the bicycle parking.
Streetscape Enhancement on Meadow and Shermer Road
Director Poupard provided a recap of the pre-pandemic work provided by Hitchcock Design Group, Bridget Lane of BDI when asked to look at downtown activity. The desire was to take streetscape amenities in the downtown to the next level. Progress on this project was slowed due to the pandemic. The staff and consultants recently reviewed the Meadow/Shermer area. The team looked at the Meadow from the river south to St. Norbert church, and Shermer from Walters to the river at the Village Green Park. The findings noted that the trees on Shermer in front of the Landmark Inn were quite old and past their prime. The curbs surrounding those trees are an impediment to pedestrians and cyclists. Walkable grates can be incorporated when replanting occurs with added greenery.
Findings stated that sidewalks and streets should be looked as multipurpose areas. Permanent tables and chairs were suggested in front of carryout restaurants - or in the park. The consultants suggested that the Village explore more programmed events and areas to congregate to give reasons for people to come downtown and gather in more informal ways. They suggested the implementation of murals in design elements, and to look at the downtown under a microscope for opportunities that exist. A gateway element was suggested on land by Edward’s Florist and to introduce artwork at the triangle on Shermer. Added greenery was suggested to a new proposed bicycle shelter. Additional trees on Shermer Road were suggested by 31 Flavors towards Lou Malnati’s, both located across from the Village Green. The area by Walters and Meadow Road in Village Green Park was suggested as a possible site to host Village events, if an arrangement can be reached with the Park District. The downtown parking lots were suggested to be used as areas to host public events.
Director Poupard stated that a sum of money could be programmed annually in the budget to make modest improvements and continually improve the area. He suggests collaborating with the Park District to reimagine the Village Green Park as an integral part of the downtown.
President Frum was very supportive of many of the suggestions. She favors pedestrian connections and wants the tree curbs removed for better navigation. She would like to work with the Park District to hold more community events.
Trustee Ciesla asked for creative ways to accommodate outdoor dining in winter. She questioned if an RFP for tree lighting had been released. She is in favor of adding murals. She likes the lighting design elements and unique artwork. She is in favor of adding trees across the street from Village Green by Marcus Selwyn’s property. Trustee Ciesla would like a line item in the budget that goes out 3-5 years in order that some of the initiatives mentioned could be implemented. She would like staff to research if grant money were available for any of these improvements.
Trustee Israel agrees that trees should be added across from the Village Green by Marcus Selwyn’s property. He is in favor of artwork and murals. He would like to have local artists involved with the project.
Trustee Collison liked many of the ideas. She wants more lighting at night and wants to make the area more welcoming. She favors adding more tables and chairs on the sidewalk and likes the idea of adding trees across from the Village Green. She favors permanent solutions. She believes the area across from Trattoria Oliverii is a good area for announcements for community events. Trustee Collison believes Meadow Road in front of Sherwin Williams is an ideal spot to host community events with cooperation from the Park District.
Trustee Ross would like to act on the smaller budget items that would make a difference. She would like to incorporate sustainability issues and add community involvement. She is in favor of bringing residents and local artists together. She stated that outdoor dining occurs in cooler environments and believes that the Village should help the private businesses.
Trustee Hebl would like to plant the trees across from the park first. She then would like to focus on the least costly items that give the biggest bang for the buck. Trustee Hebl is interested in enhancing the roadway that leads from downtown to the Anetsberger Golf Course.
Trustee Pepoon stated that the roadway, next to the railroad tracks leading to the Anetsberger Golf Course is a very popular walkway. He would like to see more streetscape added to help bring these areas together.
President Frum stated that the Board would like to move ahead with improvements over time and that a long-term master plan needs to be adopted. She wants the plan to include lighting for community events, signage, sustainability, and the connection to the new activity center.
Grainger Property Connection
Director Poupard began by stating that moving the Metra Station to the Grainger Property or moving Public Works and/or the Police Station to Grainger are not viable options. If the goal is to sell the property, Director Poupard stated that pre-planning the uses on the property before the property is put up for sale is prudent. If the Village chooses to sell the property, the Village could retain the northern two acres separated by a utility easement. There is the possibility of creating a better walkway system. He stated that a longer-term project would be a pedestrian/bicycle underpass that would go under the railroad tracks and would re-enforce activity on Lorenz Drive. The Board should think about land uses and putting limitations on the property. The underpass option would be very expensive, so might only be a viable project if the Village were able to get a grant. Director Poupard suggests moving ahead with an RFP for a development and developer that scores the highest in terms of meeting Village criteria (affordable housing, design, and sustainability) but not necessarily the one that is willing to pay the most.
President Frum liked the idea of an underpass if grant funding is available. She is in favor of going out for a RFP, being able to look at the plans, and pick the developer.
Trustee Ciesla agrees with President Frum. She would like the RFP to highlight and include a home for folks with disabilities, include a sustainability initiative, increased density, and believes the Board should work with Director Poupard to come up with criteria for the proposal.
Trustee Israel agrees with the RFP for the best value for the community. He believes the underpass is a far reach. To achieve connectivity, Trustee Israel raised the idea of an overpass that would accomplish the same thing.
Trustee Collison agrees with President Frum. Trustee Collison wants to highlight the opportunity to have housing for people with disabilities. She likes the underpass idea. She is not opposed to keeping a portion of the property for the Village to have event space, if an agreement cannot be reached with the Park District.
Trustee Ross would add the idea of an overpass as another way to achieve connectivity. She is in favor of housing for people with disabilities and the Village holding on to that part of the project.
She asked if there were tax credits that the Village could pursue for adding housing for the disabled.
Trustee Hebl agrees with the overpass idea so more people can access the activity center. She believes a RFP is a good idea.
Trustee Pepoon believes the Grainger site is an outstanding location for housing those with disabilities. He agrees with planning for either an overpass or underpass.
President Frum directed Director Poupard to explore either an over or underpass solution. She wants to see a RFP before it goes out. She is not sure of the affordable and disabled section. She is not sure about keeping a piece of the property.
Plan Commission Amendments to the Village Green Overlay District in the Zoning Code
Director Poupard stated that there are special controls for the downtown area that includes designated parking areas in the Village Green overlay. A team of consultants suggested using a form based code several years ago, but the Board that viewed that approach as too prescriptive. Staff was asked to work on a simpler approach for promoting redevelopment in the downtown. The Plan Commission and the Village staff made great progress, but found two important issues required direction from the Board: 1) a policy decision on how restrictive we should be on requiring ground level retail; 2) would the Grainger property purchase result in the construction of a parking garage on the main Metra parking lot.
Director Poupard stated that we need to come to grips on the parking downtown. Plan Commission and staff found that five-story tall buildings could be acceptable in parts of the downtown. In particular, a well-designed five-story building can work on the Meadow Shopping Plaza if it were to become a mixed-use development. Director Poupard asked if the Board had ideas on ground level retail.
President Frum does not want to require retail on the first floor at this time. She is not sure how to answer if we should resume work on the downtown code amendments.
Trustee Ciesla her recent discussions with a colleague about an experience in Skokie has caused her to rethink requirements for first floor retail. Retail is disappearing due to the pandemic. She wants to finish up with affordable housing. Trustee Ciesla would like it made clear that the Village is willing to work with developers to redevelop the downtown.
Trustee Israel stated that we should signal we are open for business. He is concerned about requiring ground level retail in the short-term, but believes we should focus on it for the long term. He wants to make downtown more walkable and pedestrian friendly. He believes we need ground level retail.
Trustee Collison stated that given the pandemic, she does not want to require first floor retail. She agrees that affordable housing is the number one issue and wants developers to know that the Village is open for business.
Trustee Ross agrees with Trustee Israel that without retail, it limits people congregating. She wants to prioritize finishing the affordable housing ordinance while it is fresh on everyone’s minds before turning back to the zoning amendments.
Trustee Hebl does not want to require first floor retail now but in the future. She wants to focus on affordable housing. She wants to beautify the Metra parking lot to entice people to use it on off hours.
Trustee Pepoon stated that mandating use of retail now is an overreach but does not want to lose focus on creating a vibrant downtown. He is comfortable with five-story buildings but wants setbacks and green space built in. He wants to make developers aware that the Village will work with them and allow density in the Village Overlay District.
President Frum stated that consensus is to finish up with affordable housing and no retail required on the ground floor. The next COW meeting will focus on accessory dwellings and fee-in-lieu. At that, time direction can be sent to the Plan Commission. President Frum thanked Director Poupard for his efforts.
5. REMARKS FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER
6. CLOSED SESSION
7. ADJOURN
Trustee Collison moved, seconded by Trustee Pepoon to adjourn the meeting at 7:33. On voice vote, all were in favor.
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