1981-10-12 - Village Board Committee of the Whole - Minutes SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE OF THE PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES
OF THE VILLAGE OF BUFFALO GROVE, ILLINOIS, HELD MONDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1981 ,
AT THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING, 50 RAUPP BOULEVARD, BUFFALO GROVE, ILLINOIS.
President Clayton called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. Roll call indicated
the following present: President Clayton; Trustees Marienthal , Stone, O'Reilly,
Hartstein, Gerschefske, and Schwartz. Also present were: William Balling,
Village Manager; William Brimm, Finance Dif ector; James Truesdell , Village
Planner; and Ingrid Park, Staff Planner, ,&.., &t./ -�-
President Clayton recognized Mr. Martin Weiner of 457 Weidner Road, who
brought the following items to the Board's attention:
1 . There is no easily available wheelchair ramp from the parking lot to
the sidewalk at the polling place located in Buffalo Grove High School .
2. The recent repair of sidewalks at Raupp Boulevard and Bernard Drive
was not made wheelchair accessible.
President Clayton assured Mr. Weiner that the above items would be investigated
and remedied.
YOUTH COMMISSION
Trustee O'Reilly reported that the Youth Commission has asked that the Board
evaluate their duties as far as what other things they should be doing; the
Youth Commission does not feel that a Teen Center type of recreational facility
is what they were meant to do. They are more interested in getting into the
area of information gathering for the Board. The Youth Commission has asked
that the Board discuss their annual report to see if their authority should be
broadened. The Board will be evaluating the success of the Teen Center in the
early part of December, and it was thought best to evaluate the annual report
at that time also.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
Trustee Marienthal stated that Jim Truesdell has worked extensively on the
Comprehensive Plan. He stated that Mr. Truesdell will present the Plan, and
then entertain questions on same.
President Clayton thanked Trustee Marienthal , the planning staff and the Plan
Commission for the many hours of work which went into the preparation of this
document.
Mr. Truesdell first noted the changes made to the Plan as outlined in Ingrid
Park's memo of October 9, 1981 to Mr. Balling, MODIFICATIONS TO LAND USE PLAN
TEXT. Mr. Truesdell then gave some background on the Plan. A Public Hearing
and recommendation were made by the Plan Commission on July 1 , 1981 . Mr.
Truesdell reviewed various maps and tables which were used to compile the
Comprehensive Plan, and also reviewed the contents of the Plan itself. Mrs.
Park reviewed the figures and computations used to compile the Plan.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
OCTOBER 12, 1981
PAGE TWO
Mr. Thorn, President of School District #125, stated that they do agree with
the basic plan; however, he asked that the revision (reference Mrs. Park's
10/9/81 memo) be seriously considered because the district is now in a crunch
position. Mr. Thorn also noted that 70% of the land in their district is
currently undeveloped. The district is presenting a referendum to the voters
in the November 3, 1981 election, and Mr. Thorn stated that the need is to
expand Stevenson now, and not go to a second campus. In answer to a question
from the Board, Mr. Thorn stated that the district has not addressed itself
to the issue of the formation of a unit district. He did state that District
#125 has 6 or 7 elementary districts feeding into Stevenson, and they have
looked into the leasing of space.
Mr. Truesdell stated that the current incorporated area of the Village is
4.5 square miles , and the area in the proposed Comprehensive Plan is 11 .1
square miles. Trustee. Gerschefske asked that the staff look into the future
expansion of land for public and semi-public use. Trustee O'Reilly stated
that she is opposed to changing the piece of property at Old Checker Road
and Buffalo Grove Road, from its original commercial status. The reason
for her opposition is because of the fiscal impact, since that parcel is the
biggest piece of commercial property in District #96. Mrs. O'Reilly would
like to see a refresher for the Board of the Town Center Neighborhood.
Mr. Truesdell explained that there was a study done in 1976 by a team of
consultants for the Town Center, and their recommendation was to remove that
piece of property from commercial to increase the marketability of the Town
Center. Mr. Truesdell then pointed out the differences in the Town Center
Neighborhood Plan and the presented Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Truesdell and
Mr. Brimm explained how the fiscal projections were incorporated into the
plan. Mr. Truesdell stated that each of the taxing bodies were contacted
for their figures, and were informed of what was proceeding with the Compre-
hensive Plan. Mr. Balling agreed that the Plan does disadvantage District
#96 from a land use standpoint. He stated that virtually all residential
development creates a deficit for a school district. Buffalo Grove makes up
a minority of land area in the District #96 area, although not a minority
in assessed valuation.
Trustee O'Reilly questioned whether the Village should seek a goal of 61 ,000
residents in the community, and whether the proposed Plan enhances the community
and its goals, and she asked the Board to keep these points in mind. In
answer to a question from Trustee O' Reilly, Mr. Truesdell stated that they
used a 33 and 1/3% equalized value, since theoretically, all property should
be assessed at 33 and 1/3%.
Trustee Stone asked why the Johnson property is in the Master Plan, since it
is imminently to be annexed to Wheeling. Mr. Truesdell stated that it is
included in the plan because the annexation has not taken place yet; and
also, even if it is annexed to Wheeling, it will give Buffalo Grove a basis
from which to make comments to the Village of Wheeling.
Trustee Marienthal asked if there has been any conversation with the grade
school districts with regard to a unit district. Mr. Balling stated that
he meets with the school superintendents on a regular basis , and although
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COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
OCTOBER 12, 1981
PAGE THREE
there has been no active discussion with respect to a unit district, they are
very cognizant of each other's facilities. President Clayton pointed out
that, because of the assessed valuation difference between the counties, she
would be concerned about the school district crossing the county line. Trustee
Marienthal stated that he thinks the Village should investigate the water and
sewer rates . He also thanked the Plan Commission members for their time and
effort in this Plan.
Trustee Marienthal stated that he understood Trustee O'Reilly's concern with
the Village growing to 60,000 residents; however, since there will ultimately
be development on this land, the Village would benefit by having some control
over that development. Trustee Hartstein agreed with Trustee Marienthal re-
garding development, and also thanked the staff and the Plan Commission for
all of the time and effort that was put into the preparation of this Plan.
Mr. Hartstein then commented on the importance of the consolidation of the
school districts. He also commented on the Town Center concept.
RECESS
President Clayton declared a recess from 9: 15 to 9:38 P.M.
Mr. Truesdell then presented an open space alternative which was discussed
by the Plan Commission, although it was not part of the recommendation. The
alternative would be to have the area bounded by Route 83, Buffalo Grove Road
extended, and Busch Road set aside as a central park for the Village. There
are some natural wetland areas , as well as drier areas , and there is natural
drainage through the area. When Buffalo Grove Road is extended, it will
displace some wetland area; this proposal would replace some of the required
storage area. The main concern with this proposal would be funding for same.
President Clayton pointed out that the recommendation for a community park is
on page 87 of the Plan.
Trustee Marienthal stated that he had two concerns regarding the open space
proposal :
1 . With Buffalo Grove Road extended, there will be some movement with
regard to the alignment of the road, and that would open up some of
that because it is a flood plain.
2. The number or acres in the proposed area.
Mr. Truesdell stated that there is approximately 80 acres in the area, 50%
of which lie in the flood plain. He also stated that the source of the
revenue for this parcel has not been identified at this time, since federal
grants are almost non-existent right now. Trustee Marienthal stated that
he does not think that the residents should be over-taxed. President Clayton
stated that she agreed with Trustee Marienthal 's statement; however, in the
past, when open space has been identified on the Master Plan, financing has
not been identified along with it. If it is not identified on the Master Plan,
'`/ there is no chance at all for the community park to become a reality. Park
District President Knaackstated that she has walked the land and it is a
beautiful piece of property. She thinks it would be nice to plan for this park,
but she understands the financing constraints.
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COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
OCTOBER 12, 1981
PAGE FOUR
Trustee Marienthal stated that there should be a Master Plan for the Park
District. Mrs. Knaack stated that there will be one forthcoming in the near
future. Mrs. Knaack pointed out that this parcel would open up a green belt
from the north to the south of the Village.
There was discussion as to whether the area of Buffalo Grove Road and Checker
Road should be identified as commercial or multi-family. Trustee Hartstein
stated that he would like to review the Town Center Neighborhood Plan before
making that decision. Trustee O'Reilly stated that it is not difficult to
go from multi-family to commercial , but it is difficult to reverse from
commercial to multi-family. Trustee Gerschefske asked for an evaluation of
the Schwind farm. Trustee Gerschefske stated that Buffalo Grove should be
aware of what lies in the development planning areas for surrounding munici-
palities.
President Clayton polled the Board: "Yes" indicates the need for a separate
review of the Town Center Neighborhood Plan; "No" indicates opposition:
YES : Marienthal , Stone, O'Reilly, Hartstein, Gerschefske, Schwartz
NO: None
It was determined that all options should be reviewed regarding the alternate
open space plan before a polling is taken on that subject.
President Clayton polled the Board: "Yes" indicates favor of including the
Schwind Farm in the Master Plan; "No" indicates opposition :
YES: Marienthal , Stone, O'Reilly, Gerschefske, Schwartz
NO: Hartstein
It was decided that the land use for the Schwind Farm should be discussed at
the same time that the Town Center Neighborhood and the community park are
discussed.
Trustee Gerschefske wishes to pursue possible acquisition of the land adjacent
to the Golf Course to enlarge that facility. This land is already in the
Village, and is zoned multi-family.
President Clayton polled the Board: "Yes" indicates favor of further study
of the Golf Course expansion for the purpose of the Master Plan; "No" indicates
opposition:
YES: Stone, Hartstein, Gerschefske, Schwartz
NO: Marienthal , O' Reilly.
Mr. Balling stated that staff is conducting a study for expansion of the Golf
Course facilities , but this study would not be ready for at least two months.
The Board wishes to see the whole public facility evaluation before the
Master Plan, as well as the Wheeling plan for the Arlington Country Club.
Staff will present this study as soon as possible.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
OCTOBER 12, 1981
'•v PAGE FIVE
Trustee O'Reilly asked how this plan will be presented to the community for
a clear understanding of what the Village is planning. Discussion followed
on informational seminars which could be held. Trustee Hartstein agrees with
Trustee O'Reilly that the community should be made well aware of what the
plan is for the Village. President Clayton stated that the Plan Commission
should be responsible for presenting this plan to the public. Plan Commissioner
Sheldon stated that it is felt that the Village Hall should be the focus of
these informational meetings, rather than scattering them throughout the Village.
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by O'Reilly, seconded by Stone, to adjourn the meeting. The motion was
unanimously declared carried by voice vote. The meeting was adjourned at
10:24 P.M.
F ot�, i� •&Ark-utit
Janet( 1. Sirabian, Village Clerk