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1991-08-26 - Village Board Special Meeting - Minutes 8193 8/26/91 MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE VILLAGE BOARD OF THE VILLAGE OF BUFFALO GROVE, ILLINOIS, HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS, VILLAGE HALL, AUGUST 26, 1991 President Sidney Mathias called the meeting to order CALL TO ORDER at 7 : 36 P. M. Those present stood and pledged allegiance to the Flag . Moved by Marienthal , seconded by Rubin . to appoint APPOINTMENT OF CLERK Shirley Bates , Clerk Pro-tem for this meeting . PRO-TEM Voice Vote - AYE Unanimously Roll call indicated the following present : President Mathias , Trustees Marienthal , Reid , Rubin and Braiman. Also present were : William Balling , Village Manager ; Lee Szymborski , Assistant Village Manager ; Robert Pfeil . Village Planner , and William Raysa , Village Attorney. President Mathias announced that Gayle Christofano ' s BLUE RIBBON COMMMITTEE name was inadvertently omitted as a member of the FOR RESIDENTS WITH Blue Ribbon Committee for Residents with Disabilities DISABILITIES that was appointed August 19 , 1991 . Moved by Rubin. seconded by Reid , to appoint Gayle Christofano to the Blue Ribbon Committee . Upon roll call Trustees voted as follows : AYES : 4 - Marienthal , Reid . Rubin and Braiman NAYS : 0 - None ABSENT: 1 - Kahn Motion declared carried . Trustee Rubin reported that he attended the first WHEELING TOWNSHIP Wheeling Township Committee for the Disabled meeting . COMMITTEE FOR THE Working together with other Villages in the Township DISABLIED is going to be very beneficial and he is looking forward to sharing ideas with them . 8194 8/26/91 Mr . Balling announced the 911 Emergency Communication 911 EMERGENCY SYSTEM System has been activated . He encouraged Buffalo Grove residents to use the 911 Number to call for Ambulance . Fire . and Police services . Public announcements will continue in the coming weeks and there will be a display during Buffalo Grove Days . Mr . Balling said the room is warm because of an A/C compressor failure . Emergency repairs were completed and the system is working . He apologized for the inconvenience . Charles Hendricks was inaugurated and sworn in to the APPOINTMENT OF VILLAGE position of Village Trustee . President Mathias TRUSTEE congratulated him. TRANSPORTATION PLAN UPDATE - PUBLIC HEARING President Mathias welcomed the members of the Plan Commission to this special joint meeting . Those present were : Ray Charlette . Arlene Geneii , Steve Goldspiei . George Krug , Alien Rosenston and Mike Samuels . Mr . Balling explained the purpose of the workshop is to review the 1991 Transportation Plan Update report prepared by James J . Benes and Associates of Oak Brook , IL. The presentation was made by Mr . Kenneth Carmignani . Village Traffic Consultant . Mark Lattner was also present . There have been some modifications of the 1987 Transportation Plan. The Plan Commission will study the update . hold public hearings and make a final recommendation to the \Tiiiage Board . Following the presentation . the public will be permitted to ask questions regarding the Route 83 expansion. Mr . Carmignani stated the two purposes of the update : 1 . What were the existing conditions in 1990? This was done by counting traffic at various intersections between the hours of 7-9 A. M. and 4-6 P . M. which are the peak periods . 2 . Study of new developments . intensity and type of land uses . in order to project what the future traffic would be . 8195 8/26/91 Mr . Carmignani summarized the Preliminary Report , dated July 1991 . using charts and diagrams to simplify the data . Accident statistics were not taken into consideration in the report . Plans of the adjoining villages were not used . Through trips external to Buffalo Grove were forecasted and are similar to the overall CATS (Chicago Area Transportation Study) traffic model . The traffic impact of the Walmart and Sam ' s Wholesale stores will be insignificant compared to the traffic impact of the office workers . President Mathias informed the audience that the report . including exhibits , will be made available to all residents . Questions from the Village Board were answered and some of the main issues were discussed . There are some differences between the IDOT recommendations and the Benes report . 1 Mr . Carmignani said they consider dual left turn lanes on Route 83 an option because dual lanes do not cut volume . Their purpose is to move traffic through an intersection faster . They recommend carrying the 5-lane cross section through because it gives people a safe place from which to turn at an intersection or into driveways and other entrances . Mr . Carmignani predicted that when Route 53 is extended to the north, traffic on Lake Cook Road will diminish as it did on Dundee Road . The extension will also affect Route 83 . Mr . Bailing observed that the report and the Village do not agree regarding the expansion of Lake Cook Road from Buffalo Grove Road east past Milwaukee Avenue . The Village has recommended the six lanes be terminated at Hastings Drive . Mr . Carmignani responded . He said their responsibility is to give the Village the best possible advice based on their opinion . They realize that more than just traffic is considered when evaluating specific situations and making final decisions . ,'resident Mathias asked Mr . Carmignani if he would make a comparison o , the State plans with his recommendations and submit a report to t e Village Board . Mr . Carmignani agreed . Questions from the Plan Commissioners were answered and issues discussed . Based on the development projections . Mr . Carmignani predicted the Aptakisic corridor will have more traffic impact than Busch Road . even after Busch Road is connected to Deerfield Road . ,, 8196 8/26/91 If Route 83 is constrained and kept at two lanes , all parallel roads will be impacted . including Buffalo Grove Road . There are numbers by which to measure traffic today and Buffalo Grove can control the numbers within its borders by restricting growth, but cannot control other communities . What happens is that L/ the peak hours will be expanded and traffic will be more congested in all directions . Route 22 is a State Road and it is the State ' s responsibility to make any decision concerning its expansion . Three right turn lanes are recommended for the Arlington Heights Road and Lake Cook Road intersection. It might be helpful . but it is not necessary to have four (4 ) right turn lanes . The purpose of median strips is to divide traffic . The width is determined by speed and transition distance . A narrow median (minimum width is 4 feet ) can be very dangerous . Straight medians are recommended . Mr . Balling briefed the Village Board on the decisions pending on the transportation issues . A Transportation Plan will be accepted in the next few months in the course of the Comprehensive Plan review. Two issues that require more immediate attention are Route 83 and Busch Road . IDOT presented a proposal for Route 83 at a public hearing July 30 , 1991 . The Village has made no comment pending public comment and review of the plan. The State is ready to authorize design of Route 83 in October of this year , with bid letting in the late summer of 1992 . In order to meet this schedule , the design elements . i . e . noise abatement walls , the intersection design at Busch Road and Route 83 , and the treatment of commercial drives adjacent to Arlington Heights Road and Route 83 are needed as soon as possible . Another request is for the Board to take formal action and reaffirm its support for Route 83 in the near future . Midwest Consulting Engineers was commissioned to study the Busch Road link between Route 83 and Milwaukee Avenue including the Deerfield Road realignment ; and to do a study on a three lane improvement to the five lane . but there has been no recommendation on this road . Busch Road is a local roadway but Buffalo Grove is pursuing county funding and federal assistance funding for its improvement . It will take some time to complete the necessary applications to secure the funds that are available . 1 8197 8/26/91 One of the major findings of the Busch Road study is that there is subsurface deterioration , so there is a possible surface issue pending between Weiland and Route 83 in the next year . The Board was advised to take action soon. Regarding the major issues related to Route 83 from Highway 60 south to Palatine (Willow) Road . Mr . Bailing described three main links : 1 . Portions of the Buffalo Grove link have been improved over the years and the State is proposing completion of this project . 2 . The Long Grove link (Route 53 northward to Route 45/60 has been endorsed and construction should occur about same time as the B. G . link. A multi-year program assignment is expected within the next year because of the importance the District Engineer has placed on that link . 3 . The original recommendation of the improvement of Buffalo Grove Road between Arlington Hts . Road and Route 83 occurred as a result of a 1980 study . That project has been partially implemented in three ways : a . The widening of Route 83 from Lake Cook to Farrington Drive was a State supported project done in connection with the Town Center planning . b . The Spoerlein link was done as part of a mixed use Planned Unit Development going from Arlington Heights Road eastward to where it tapers , at Devlin Road . c . The realignment of Busch Road at Route 83 and Checker Road was a county sponsored project with B.G . participation . A fourth link has been the initial implementation of the bikeway and sidewalk system that has occurred basically on the northern link and also just north of Buffalo Grove Road at Route 83 . Elements of the Midwest Consulting Engineer ' s design recommendation plan have been implemented . Benes studies have twice recommended the widening of Route 83 and the IDOT study agrees . 8198 8/26/91 President Mathias announced that the Plan Commission will hold public hearings regarding the transportation study and will make a recommendation to the Village Board for action. The discussion was opened to the audience . President Mathias said the traffic study was not available when the 'DOT presentation was made . Sufficient information was not given at the first public hearing. The following residents asked Mr . Carmignani questions about the Transportation Plan or made statements : 1 . John Seigel , 1100 Lockwood Drive 2 . Richard Miller , 1141 Devonshire Road 3 . Mark Hopkins . 770 Woodhollow Drive 4 . Robert Sherman, 778 Stonebridge Lane 5 . Richard Prezant , 891 Bel Mar Lane 6 . Shelly Chiolak . 1215 Gail Drive 7 . Marvin Kushner , 1269 Devonshire Road 8 . David and Linda Hafft . 1137 Devonshire Road 9 . Earl Sabes , 634 Patton (Mr . Sabes is Chairman of the Transportation Commission) 10 . Gregory French , 910 Shady Grove Lane 11 . Harry King , 615 Harris Drive 12 . John Landy , 911 Bei Mar Lane 13 . Linda Taylor , 1031 Bel Mar Lane Mr . Carmignani explained the proposal to widen Busch Road to 4 lanes east of Buffalo Grove Road . He said the 4 lanes could terminate before Buffalo Grove Road . There would be dual left turn lanes , but there is always right on red . Since 1987 , 50% of the projected developments have been built in the Village and the projected traffic has been included in the 1990 report . The future forecast is based on the 1987 values and projections so the net volume increase is lower . Most of the intersections are operating as forecasted in 1987 . 1 8199 8/26/91 The system will operate more effeciently if Alternate A. between Buffalo Grove Road and Route 83 , is installed . but will not reduce the improvements that are needed at the other inter- sections , nor will it alter the cost . This link will be a convenience because it will eliminate turns and delays . President Mathias commented that Alternate A is through Wheeling and the improvment would have to be done by Wheeling . 'DOT has indicated they will make that improvement if Wheeling will purchase that right-of-way , but to date they do not want to . Even though some traffic is through traffic , the proposed improve- ments are based upon forecasted future trips being generated from within Buffalo Grove developments . Some traffic will start outside of Buffalo Grove , but will terminate at Buffalo Grove businesses . There were objections to the widening of the intersections because it is difficult for children and other pedestrians to get across the streets within the alotted time now. Mr . Carmignani said analysis of pedestrian movement is not part of the Transportation Plan. but is part of the planning process . Route 83 is a primary route and it is true that the improvements will attract more motorists . It is difficult to compare the safety of a 2-lane road with a 4-lane 1 road . What is counted? The number of accidents? The number of deaths? A safe crossing can be designed for a 4-lane facility just as for a 2-lane facility. As traffic is increased , there are less gaps , so it is more difficult for pedestrians to cross on the green light , because cars go first . An efficiently operating intersection has greater capacity and there is more green cycle time for pedestrians to cross . Regarding the procedure that will be followed , President Mathias said the purpose of this review is to inform the public about the Transportation Plan and the recommendations that have been made based on traffic . This is only one element that will be considered before the decision will be made with regard to how the roads will be built . The best time for the public to express their opinions would be at the public hearing before the Plan Commission. President Mathias said that residents who want to be notified of the Plan Commission ' s schedule for reviewing the Transportation Plan and the Route 83 improvement should give their names and addresses to Robert Pfeil , the Village Planner . All the public hearings will be announced through the newspapers and local cable TV . After the Plan Commission has completed its review , a recommendation will be made to the Village Board . However . before a recommendation is made to the State , the subject will be discussed at a another public hearing ,`' which will also be announced . 8200 8/26/91 President Mathias commented that the Village Board has not always agreed with Mr . Carmignani ' s past recommendations and have acted accordingly. An example is the decision made regarding Lake Cook Road and the same thing can happen with any road in Buffalo Grove . There are four (4) new Village Board members and they are not bound by any past decisions that have been made . Mr . Carmignani said his firm has done noise impact studies for segments of the Interstate and IL Toil highway Commission. He said there is the legal limit for noise and there are personal noise levels that can vary greatly . Various noise abatement methods were described . In his opinion , the best way to reduce noise is by the use of berms with landscaping . Evergreens are the better than trees , because trees lose their leaves in winter . Six (6 ) to one ( 1 ) slopes are possible . Secondly , wood or concrete wails have varying success . Some cause a refraction of noise , making it bounce around and essentially eliminating it at the wall . President Mathias asked Mr . Carmignani to include sound reduction alternatives when he submits the IDOT comparison report to the Plan Commission. He recommended that a consensus of the residents ' opinions , regarding their preferences , including berms and noise reduction , be given to the Village Board for consideration when the final decisions are being made . A suggestion was made that an environmental impact study be done by IDOT, or someone , to determine how all the improvements are going to affect the area. One objection voiced was about the whole study being based on four (4) peak hours of traffic : 2 morning periods and 2 evening periods . Buffalo Grove should not undertake any changes until the whole area is improved . Many of the residents were in agreement that the widening of Route 83 to four lanes will attract much more traffic to Buffalo Grove and they are against this happening . The residents expressed thanks to the Village Board for inviting them to hear Mr . Carmignani ' s presentation . It was much more informative than IDOT' s "cut and dried" recommendations . He was complimented . President Mathias asked the residents sign a sheet so they can be personally notified of all future public hearings . Their input is welcomed and important to the Village Board . lie thanked them for coming . r 8201 8/26/91 Moved by Reid , seconded by Rubin , to adjourn . ADJOURNMENT Voice Vote - AYE Unanimously . President Mathias adjourned the meeting at 10 : 30 P. M.77) Shirley Bates, lerk Pro-tem APPROVED BY ME THIS DAY OF , 1991. Villa P siden