2011-02-16 - Plan Commission - Minutes Board or Commission: ❑ Plan Commission
Document Type: 0 A e
g nda 0 Minutes
Meeting ate: 02/16/2011
Type of Meeting: ❑ Regular Meeting
REGULAR MEETING
BUFFALO GROVE PLAN COMMISSION
February 16, 2011
Chairman Ottenheimer called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Village Council Chambers,
Buffalo Grove Municipal Building, 50 Raupp Boulevard, Buffalo Grove, Illinois.
Commissioners present: Mr. Ottenheimer
Ms. Bocek
Mr. Khan
Mr. Stark
Mr. Weinstein
Commissioners absent: Mr. Cohn
Ms. Myer
Also present: Ms. Beverly Sussman, Village Trustee
Mr. Martin Sussman
Mr. Michael Terson
Mr. Robert Pfeil, Village Planner
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by Commissioner Weinstein, seconded by Commissioner Stark to approve the regular
meeting minutes of December 15, 2010. The motion passed unanimously with Commissioner
Ottenheimer abstaining.
COMMITTEE AND LIAISON REPORTS
Commissioner Bocek attended the Village Board meeting on February 7, 2011 and noted that the
Village's Economic Development Work Plan for 2011 was reviewed and approved by the Board.
Commissioner Weinstein attended the Village Board meeting on January 3, 2011 and noted that
the Board approved an amendment of the special use for off-track betting at Adam's Roadhouse
concerning the change in operator of the betting facility from Inter Track Partners to Hawthorne
Race Course. The Board also approved an ordinance amendment concerning the child day care
facility at the Torah Academy at the Beth Am property.
VILLAGE ZONING MAP—ANNUAL REVIEW
Mr. Pfeil presented the annual revised official Village Zoning Map. He noted that the revisions
primarily pertain to child day care homes that were granted special uses. The Commission
unanimously recommended approval of the map as revised.
VILLAGE 2011 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WORK PLAN
Mr. Pfeil noted that the Village Board recently approved the 2001 Work Plan.
The Commission discussed various projects relating to the Village's economic base and possible
upcoming developments.
Commissioner Stark noted that the Village worked with Leica Microsystems on site plan
changes to support the leasing of building space in the Aptakisic Creek Corporate Park.
Commissioner Bocek noted that Cambridge Commons is listed in the Plan as a probable
redevelopment that may be initiated in 2011.
LAKE COUNTY SUSTAINABLE BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
Mr. Pfeil noted that the draft report prepared by Lake County was distributed for review by the
Plan Commission. Lake County has been coordinating a task force of municipalities and other
agencies to review standards concerning building construction and land development. The basic
intent is fostering energy conservation and reducing the environmental impacts of development.
He suggested that some of the ideas that may be useful in guiding amendments of the Village
Zoning Ordinance and Development Ordinance.
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY REGULATIONS
Mr. Pfeil provided an update concerning Lake County's amendments to the Unified
Development Ordinance relating to wind energy. The County has decided that large "wind
farms" will not be allowed. The maximum height of poles for turbines will be 200 feet or less.
He noted that regulations used by the Village of Mt. Prospect to regulate wind and solar energy
systems were distributed to the Plan Commission.
Commissioner Weinstein noted that the Mt. Prospect regulations do not address abandonment of
wind energy systems. He said that this is an issue that should be addressed in Buffalo Grove's
draft amendments to ensure that systems no longer in use are removed.
Chairman Ottenheimer commented that large scale wind farms have been constructed in Indiana
and Illinois, but these are typically agricultural areas rather than suburban locations.
TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT(TOD)PLANNING AND DESIGN STANDARDS
Mr. Pfeil reviewed the Village's previous work concerning planning for transit oriented
development. He noted that a study for the areas adjacent to the Prairie View and Buffalo Grove
Metra stations was completed in January 2007. The 2009 Comprehensive Plan Update
incorporated some of the recommendations concerning land use and housing density for sites
near the train stations. He suggested that the Commission begin working on zoning regulations
and design standards to guide development projects that may be coming in the next several
years.
The Commission concurred that updated regulations should be considered.
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
Chairman Ottenheimer noted that Howard Teplinsky has resigned from the Plan Commission,
and Eric Smith is now serving on the Village Board.
FUTURE AGENDA SCHEDULE
Mr. Pfeil indicated that the regular meeting for March 2 will be canceled, and the next meeting
after that is scheduled for March 16.
PUBLIC COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS
Mr. Sussman commented that he thinks the Village needs to enhance the appearance of buildings
and developments in areas such as the Dundee Road corridor. He noted that buildings such as the
Sunset Foods store in Long Grove are very attractive.
Commissioner Bocek noted that Buffalo Grove has an appearance review process for new
development, and the Village review team works with developers to enhance the appearance of
buildings and site plans.
Chairman Ottenheimer commented that the Village tries to balance appearance objectives with
the financial issues that developers cite when they are asked to add architectural features and
other enhancements.
STAFF REPORT—None
NEW BUSINESS—None
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Commissioner Bocek, seconded by Commissioner Weinstein, and carried
unanimously to adjourn. Chairman Ottenheimer adjourned the meeting at 8:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert Pfeil, Village Planner
APPROVED BY:
LESTER OTTENHEIMER, Chair