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1997-03-19 - Plan Commission - Minutes REGULAR MEETING BUFFALO GROVE PLAN COMMISSION March 19, 1997 Revision of Village Comprehensive Plan -Workshop#6 `./ Chairman Goldspiel called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. in the Lower level conference room, Buffalo Grove Municipal Building, 50 Raupp Boulevard, Buffalo Grove, Illinois. Commissioners present: Chairman Goldspiel Mr. Krug Mr. Rosenston Mr. Samuels Mr. Lundine Mr. Trilling Mr. Ottenheimer Commissioners absent: Ms. Howard Mr. Berman Also present: Jeffrey Braiman, Village Trustee Charles Cohen, School District 102 John Green, Village resident Michael Rylko, Buffalo Grove Park District Gregor Boysen,Director of Public Works Richard Kuenkler, Village Engineer Robert Pfeil, Village Planner APPROVAL OF MINUTES Moved by Commissioner Krug, seconded by Commissioner Samuels, to approve the minutes of the Special Meeting of January 29, 1997. The motion passed unanimously,with Commissioners Rosenston, Trilling and Ottenheimer abstaining. DISCUSSION OF COMPREHENSIVE PLAN REVISION Mr. Pfeil reviewed the transportation recommendations in the 1992 Village Comprehensive Plan. The recommendations included: widening Illinois Route 22 to four lanes from Route 83 east through the Village; widening Lake Cook Road to six lanes from east of Milwaukee Avenue to Hastings Lane; construction of a four-lane cross section from Milwaukee Avenue to Weiland Road on Busch Parkway/Deerfield Parkway; construction of a five-lane cross section on Route 83 Buffalo Grove Plan Comm-Regular Meeting-March 19, 1997, 1996-Page 1 from Buffalo Grove Road to the northern limits of the Village; widening of Milwaukee Avenue to six lanes through the Village, with dual left turn lanes at Deerfield Road for southbound to eastbound traffic; construction of a four-lane cross section for Buffalo Grove Road from Route 83 to the northern limits of the Village; construction of a four-lane cross section on Weiland Road from Route 83 to Aptakisic Road. Mr. Boysen reviewed the status of the Route 53 extension, noting that a Phase 1 study is in progress, and construction of the extension may be started by 2000 and take several years to complete. He explained the Illinois Department of Transportation's (IDOT) Strategic Regional Arterial (SRA) program, noting that Route 22, Route 21 (Milwaukee Avenue) and Route 83 are designated as SRA's. He said that a Phase 1 study is in progress for Route 22, and may be completed by 1998. The basic plan for improving Route 22 is to provide two through lanes for east and westbound traffic. He said that improvement of Route 83 south of Lake Cook Road is planned to provide two lanes for north and southbound traffic, but the final plan will probably be delayed until the issue of connecting Weiland Road to Buffalo Grove Road is resolved. Mr. Boysen noted that Route 21 is being improved in the Village of Wheeling, and the Lake Cook Road overpass is now in place. He said the SRA plan for the segment north of Lake Cook Road is to provide three lanes for each direction of travel, but no funding has been allocated by IDOT to implement this improvement. Chairman Goldspiel noted that several years ago the Village had been informed of a plan for Milwaukee Avenue that would have included frontage roads and scenic easements. He asked if these ideas are part of the current SRA design, and what actions the Village should be taking to encourage the improvement of Milwaukee Avenue. Mr. Boysen said that preservation of right-of-way for future improvements is the most important thing that the Village can do when new projects are reviewed. Commissioner Rosenston commented that Milwaukee Avenue would probably function similarly to Golf Road in Schaumburg, even when the widening is completed. He said a frontage road system doesn't appear to be feasible. Mr. Boysen reviewed the concepts of the agreement between Buffalo Grove and the Lake County Division of Transportation concerning various roads within the Village. He noted that the three main corridors addressed in the agreement are Busch Road/Deerfield Parkway, Buffalo Grove Road, and Weiland Road/Prairie Road. He explained that the County has agreed to pay for the construction costs of widening of Buffalo Grove Road, including the Prairie Road/Port Clinton Road intersection reconstruction. The County will also pay for widening Weiland Road. County funding for improvements to Busch Road are tied to Buffalo Grove being able to secure federal funding for a portion of the costs. He noted that the County's share of costs for all of the roads addressed in the agreement is for pavement, not other items such as lighting, landscaping bikepaths or right-of-way acquisition. Buffalo Grove Plan Comm-Regular Meeting-March 19, 1997, 1996-Page 2 Chairman Goldspiel inquired if the extension of Buffalo Grove Road north of Route 45 via Prairie Road is being actively planned. Mr. Boysen said that a joint study has been done by Buffalo Grove and Vernon Hills, and the road extension would go through the former Nike site and connect to Route 60 in Vernon Hills. He indicated that there is no schedule set for making the improvement connecting to Route 60,but portions of the road may be constructed as various developments are completed in Vernon Hills. Chairman Goldspiel asked if the four-lane improvement for Buffalo Grove Road is scheduled, and if Deerfield Road east of Milwaukee Avenue will be widened.. Mr. Boysen indicated that the widening of Buffalo Grove Road is not scheduled. He noted that Deerfield Road is shown as a two-lane section of Lake County's transportation plan. Commissioner Samuels inquired about the status of Deerfield Road in relation to plans for re- doing the tollway spur to the Edens expressway. Mr. Boysen said that the Toliway Authority is holding the plans in abeyance until further discussions are completed with communities affected by the re-design of the spur. Mr. Boysen noted that the modification of the curve at Busch Parkway and Deerfield Parkway is scheduled for a bid letting in 1997, but right-of-way acquisition has delayed the project. Chairman Goldspiel asked about the prospects for the widening of Route 22, and he inquired about the western limit of the planning area for the improvements . Mr. Boysen said that since the Phase 1 study is underway, it appears that IDOT is giving the project some serious consideration. He noted that a"no build" alternative has to be evaluated as part of the Phase 1 analysis. He said that IDOT's planning area extends west to Lake Zurich. Commissioner Rosenston commented that if Route 22 is improved to the west of Buffalo Grove, it will result in even more traffic passing through the Village than is currently occurring. Chairman Goldspiel noted that a considerable amount of development is occurring west of Buffalo Grove, so it is reasonable to expect a continuing increase in traffic using Route 22. He commented that if Route 53 is connected to the Waukegan area via Route 120, it would relieve some of the congestion now being experienced within Buffalo Grove, and truck traffic in particular may be shifted away from the Village. Mr. Boysen said the connection of Route 53 to the Waukegan area is on the CATS regional plan. He noted that the Cook County five-year plan has no funding for adding lanes on Lake Cook Road west of Hastings Lane, and this may indicate that the County is anticipating a shift of traffic off of Lake Cook when the Route 53 extension is in place. Buffalo Grove Plan Comm-Regular Meeting-March 19, 1997, 1996-Page 3 Chairman Goldspiel asked if intersection improvements at Route 83 and Buffalo Grove Road along Lake Cook Road are planned. Mr. Boysen said that the Weiland Road connection to Buffalo Grove Road was part of the Phase 1 study for Lake Cook Road, but Cook County has recently indicated that it will not be the lead agency in making this improvement. This improvement would relieve some of the congestion at the Route 83 and Buffalo Grove Road intersections. Chairman Goldspiel commented that some type of by-pass on Lake Cook Road between Route 83 and Buffalo Grove Road would provide better access to the Town Center. Commissioner Rosenston suggested that if there was a by-pass, the Lake Cook Road driveway to Town Center could be closed. Commissioner Samuels commented that Lake Cook Road should be widened from Hastings Lane to Weiland Road. He noted that a lot of traffic is diverting from Lake Cook to Weiland Road via Armstrong Drive, and residents in this area will probably seek relief of this situation as the traffic volume increases on Armstrong. Chairman Goldspiel said that the stretch of Lake Cook Road between Buffalo Grove Road and Arlington Heights Road shouldn't be widened. He said that other road improvements in the region should be made to relieve some of the congestion that is occurring on Lake Cook Road in Buffalo Grove. Commissioner Rosenston commented that improved timing of traffic signals on Lake Cook Road, particularly at Route 83 would relieve some congestion. He suggested that a one-way road system around Town Center should be evaluated, with Route 83 being designated for northbound traffic and Buffalo Grove Road for southbound traffic. Chairman Goldspiel inquired about the status of funding for improvements to Weiland Road north of Lake Cook Road. Mr. Boysen said that no funding is currently allocated. Mr. Cohen commented that the Busch Road/Weiland Road intersection improvement has created a difficult lane situation on Weiland in front of Aptakisic Junior High School. He noted that the road narrows from two northbound lanes to one lane just south of the school's driveway, and this confuses motorists who want to turn into the school property. Commissioner Samuels noted that a similar situation exists on Busch Road for westbound traffic at the Highland Grove Road intersection. Motorists wanting to turn north to Highland Grove have to wait because Busch Road narrows to one lane near the intersection. Buffalo Grove Plan Comm-Regular Meeting-March 19, 1997, 1996-Page 4 Mr. Cohen inquired if the traffic signal at Thompson Boulevard and Weiland Road is scheduled for installation. Mr. Kuenkler indicated that a signal won't be scheduled until a warrant study is done after the Twin Rinks Ice Pavilion is in operation. Mr. Cohen commented that School District 102 will lose funding for busing when the sidewalk system along Weiland to Thompson is completed, and it is important that a signal be installed to provide a safe crossing for students. Commissioner Rosenston suggested that a pedestrian crossing light could be installed on Weiland Road in front of the junior high school. Mr. Cohen said that this type of signal is dangerous because motorists wouldn't be expecting to stop at that location. He said this type of signal was regularly violated in front of the school on Rand Road at Arlington Heights Road when the building was being used by District 102. Commissioner Samuels said that a pedestrian signal works well on Sanders Road in Northbrook in front of a school. Chairman Goldspiel noted that if the Village were to annex areas such Dunlo Highlands, road and drainage improvements would be needed, and he asked if it would be difficult to implement these improvements. Mr. Kuenkler indicated that upgrading the streets would be relatively simple. He said that to improve stormwater management for the area, a better outlet is needed. He commented that planning for connection to the sanitary sewer would need some study, because the area would probably need to be connected to the interceptor at Hintz Road. Chairman Goldspiel commented that improvements needed to bring the area up to the Village's standards could be financed with a special assessment program or an installment loan program by the Village. Commissioner Samuels said that an installment loan program could create some problems for the Village in the event that some property owners were unable to make their payments. Chairman Goldspiel asked for some discussion concerning the Village bikepath system. Commissioner Krug suggested that an 8-foot sidewalk be considered for Raupp Boulevard and Golfview between Lake Cook Road and Dundee Road. Chairman Goldspiel said one drawback for this type of bikepath is the number of residential driveways. He commented that an on-street bikepath may be feasible along St. Mary's Parkway Buffalo Grove Plan Comm-Regular Meeting-March 19, 1997, 1996-Page 5 to Raupp to Lake Cook Road. Mr. Rylko indicated that the Park District and the Village have been working on a grant for a bikepath along the White Pine strip to Bernard Drive. A Class II(on-street) bikepath may be the most feasible way to connect a path from Bernard to Raupp Boulevard. Mr. Rylko indicated that the Park District is also studying the feasibility of a pedestrian overpass on Route 83 near Farrington Drive. Chairman Goldspiel asked how such an overpass can meet ADA standards concerning access for persons with disabilities. Mr. Rylko said that a spiral system is used to provide an accessible ramp. Mr. Cohen said that an overpass with this type of ramp is used in Iowa City at the University of Iowa. Chairman Goldspiel asked Mr. Kuenkler to review the Checker Road reconstruction project. Mr. Kuenkler indicated that the road would be built to a standard collector width and an 8-foot sidewalk would be provided along the north side. Parking will be allowed on the north side of the road. Commissioner Samuels asked if the bikepath on the south side is part of the project. Mr. Kuenker said that drainage and the proper elevation of the bikepath haven't been resolved, so the bikepath on the south side won't be part of the current project. Commissioner Samuels asked if the discussion of transportation issues was going to conclude with some specific recommendations. He suggested that issues such as looping Route 83 and Buffalo Grove Road at Lake Cook Road, revisiting the widening of Lake Cook Road and connecting Weiland Road to Buffalo Grove Road should be addressed in the Comprehensive Plan. Chairman Goldspiel commented that the Plan should address specific issues, and he suggested that the Route 53 extension, improvements to Route 22 and improvements to Weiland Road should be included as recommendations. Commissioner Rosenston concurred that improvement of Weiland Road to a four-lane section with a signal at Thompson Boulevard should be a recommendation. Commissioner Trilling said improvements to the Pauline/Weiland intersection should be considered, as well as the Prairie Road/Port Clinton Road improvement, intersection improvements (dual left turn lanes) on Lake Cook Road to northbound Arlington Heights Road Buffalo Grove Plan Comm-Regular Meeting-March 19, 1997, 1996-Page 6 and the Weiland Road/Little Aptakisic Road improvement to relieve congestion on Lake Cook Road at Route 83 and Buffalo Grove Road. Commissioner Samuels commented that the Lake Cook Road issue, including congestion at the intersections at Weiland Road, Route 83, Buffalo Grove Road, Raupp Boulevard and Arlington Heights Road needs a detailed study, including assessment of alternatives such as using one-way by-passes, intersection improvements and alternate routes. Chairman Goldspiel said that improvements to Lake Cook Road could result in additional congestion if improvements to other roads in the regional system aren't done first. He said improvements to Lake Cook would just draw more traffic traveling between 294 and Route 53. He commented that the Comprehensive Plan should also identify situations such as the Farrington Drive/Route 83 connection, future collector streets such as through the Didier property north of Aptakisic Road, and the Pauline/Weiland intersection. Mr. Boysen indicated that a signal is being studied for the Pauline/Weiland intersection. Commissioner Trilling commented that a by-pass lane on the east side of Weiland might be a better solution than a signal at the Pauline intersection. Commissioner Samuels said that a left-turn lane for northbound traffic on Weiland to turn west to Pauline is another alternative. Mr. Kuenkler noted that more right-of-way would be needed to make these types of improvements. Commissioner Rosenston suggested that some study be done of making a connection from I II Inverrary Lane east of the Wisconsin Central railroad tracks through Horatio Gardens to Weiland. Commissioner Samuels said this would create a huge cut-through from Milwaukee Avenue. Chairman Goldspiel said that perhaps Inverrary could be connected from Deerfield Parkway. Mr. Cohen said that the residential area around Inverrary would favor a street connection, and commented that he doesn't think there would be a problem with cut-through traffic. Chairman Goldspiel asked for other comments. Mr. Green pointed out that the Lake County Framework Plan addresses redevelopment incentives such as density bonuses. He said that he suggested P.U.D. bonuses at the January 29 workshop for water amenities for development along the Des Plaines River. He commented that the Village should consider allowing reduced right-of-way for private streets to encourage innovative subdivision design. Buffalo Grove Plan Comm-Regular Meeting-March 19, 1997, 1996-Page 7 ADJOURNMENT Moved by Commissioner Samuels, seconded by Commissioner Rosenston and carried unanimously to adjourn. Chairman Goldspiel adjourned the meeting at 9:30 P.M. Li Respectfully submitted, Robert E. Pfeil, Village Planner APPROVED BY: C S E N XGOLDSPIEL, hairman Li Buffalo Grove Plan Comm-Regular Meeting-March 19, 1997, 1996-Page 8