1990-01-17 - Plan Commission - Minutes REGULAR MEETING
BUFFALO GROVE PLAN COMMISSION
Santucci Property
January 17, 1990
Chairman Sheldon called the meeting to order at 7:32 P.M. in the Municipal
Building, 50 Raupp Boulevard, Buffalo Grove, Illinois.
Commissioners Present: Chairman Sheldon
Mr. Goldspiel
Mr. Krug
Mr. Rhodes
Ms. Howard
Mr. Braiman
Mr. Rubin
Mr. Rosenston
Mr. Charlette
Commissioners Absent: None
Also Present: Mr. Rick Campbell, Trammell Crow Residential
Mr. Mark Tennison, Trammell Crow Residential
Mr. Larry Peterman, By Design, inc.
Mr. Steve Leimer, Envirodyne Engineers
Mr. James Johnson, Envirodyne Engineers
Mr. G. Nicholas Textor, Envirodyne Engineers
Mr. Richard Kuenkler, Village Engineer
Mr. Robert Pfeil, Village Planner
APPROVAL OF MINUTES - None
COMMITTEE AND LIAISON REPORTS
Commissioner Goldspiel attended the Village Board meeting of January 15, 1990,
at which the following was discussed:
1) Creation of a municipal library;
2) Referral to the Plan Commission of an early learning center in Corporate
Grove east of the railroad tracks at Busch and Deerfield Parkway; and in
that connection, development of a route between Milwaukee Avenue and
Route 83, and the status of the Busch Road widening study.
Commissioner Goldspiel also noted information in a report issued by Metra
regarding their plans in the next decade to work with interested communities
for expansion.
Buffalo Grove Plan Commission - Regular Meeting - January 17, 1990 - Page 1
SANTUCCI PROPERTY, Milwaukee Avenue, South of Corporate Grove
Mr. Rick Campbell reviewed the updated plan noting the addition of bus stops on
both the north and south sides of Deerfield Parkway. He also noted there had
been minor changes to the parking area and indicated that based upon research,
they had decided to eliminate the tennis courts in the residential area. He
stated they will be adding some smaller ponds in front of the clubhouse as well
as in some of the open spaces along the south side of Deerfield Parkway.
With regard to the outlot situation on the Milwaukee Avenue frontage, Mr.
Campbell indicated they have added a curb cut between the two outlots in order
to give access to the corner parcel.
Mr. Campbell then noted they had now discovered there is a significant amount
of wetlands located on the property and they hope to mitigate that situation
through the treatment of their ponds.
Mr. Campbell also stated they had considered woking with the Park District to
make the lakes an active amenity and a possible income-generator for the Park
District, but they had determined to do so would require providing an
additional two acres of land area for the Park District to provide other
services to make the project feasible for them. This would, thus require more
ponding surface because of the wetland situation which they could not achieve.
Therefore, the lakes will be a passive amenity, privately maintained.
Mr. Campbell noted that they do not have information yet regarding emergency
and secondary access to the site as this will be impacted by how they handle
the wetlands situation.
In response to a question from the Chairman, Mr. Campbell reviewed the three
residential unit types they will be offering.
Commissioner Rubin expressed concern about reviewing the plan now with the
possibility of future unknown changes due to the wetlands situation. Mr.
Campbell stated that the questions concerning the wetlands would be with regard
to the materials to be planted on the perimeters of the lakes. The situation
would have no impact on the size or placement of the ponds.
Mr. Steve Leimer then reviewed the process for mitigating the existing wetlands
by providing new ones in the lake area, noting they will need to provide 20
acres of water less than 6-ft. deep in the lake areas to achieve that.
Chairman Sheldon asked how long it would take to establish those wetlands and
Mr. Leimer stated they could establish plants within the first growing season.
Mr. Larry Peterman further explained development of wetlands and how they
establish, stating that even in areas where plants had not filled in, visually
one would see only water areas, and noting that they are monitored in the first
five years to assure that the species are being properly established. He
stated there would be no negative visual impact.
Commissioner Rubin inquired about possible bridging or connecting of the water
bodies, and Mr. Leimer stated they had abandoned the concept since there would
Buffalo Grove Plan Commission - Regular Meeting - January 17, 1990 - Page 2
be no boating, and therefore no need for a connection. Commissioner Rubin also
asked about the road connection to the south residential area. Mr. Leimer
indicated on the plan where that connection would be but stated it is not shown
yet because they do not know what materials will be able to be used and thus
the type of access because of the wetlands situation.
Commissioner Rubin also asked about landscaping along the road and if any
waterfalls or other treatment of the water areas is planned. Mr. Leimer stated
they could not establish a landscape plan until they know how far the wetland
area might intrude on the buffer area, and noted they will probably provide a
fountain, especially near the residential area.
Commissioner Rubin then raised the issue of the number of outlots, the L-shaped
concept for that area, and planned uses for the property as it would affect
traffic, parking and safety. Mr. Leimer indicated they had only considered the
L-shape as it maximizes use of the available space, and noted they would like
to see a bank facility, a gas station-type use, and a full service family-type
restaurant. They do not have an intended use for the fourth outlot but would
not intend to include a fast food restaurant.
Commissioner Rhodes asked if petitioner was entertaining the idea of a carwash
facility in connection with the gas station use, and Mr. Leimer noted they were
considering primarily a convenient store/pump operation. Commissioner Rhodes
also asked if they would consider reducing the number of outlots from four to
three, but Mr. Leimer stated they feel very strongly about the marketability of
four lots.
Commissioner Rhodes then commented that he feels there are too many curb cuts
proposed on both Milwaukee Avenue and Deerfield Parkway creating a safety
hazard.
Commissioner Rubin remarked that because this location marks the entrance to
the Village from the east, he would like to see something creative established
on the outlots. Commissioner Rhodes concurred, restating the significance of
what uses would be allowed and the need for review of the treatment of the
center.
Commissioner Rhodes suggested a concrete pad be provided at the bus drop-off
point by the residential area.
In response to comments from the Commission, Mr. Leimer indicated they are still
hoping to find some sort of active use for the lake area which the Park
District might agree to participate in.
Commissioner Howard expressed concern regarding an overabundance of retail on
the outlots and the attendant traffic.
Commissioner Howard inquired about buffering of the residential property to the
south. Mr. Leimer indicated they would present plans for that buffering at a
later date.
Buffalo Grove Plan Commission - Regular Meeting - January 17, 1990 - Page 3
Commissioner Charlette suggested that the number of outlots be reduced to three
by eliminating the middle lot designated along Milwaukee Avenue, and replacing
it with a green landscaped area. He also indicated his concern with the number
of curb cuts as a safety matter, especially along Deerfield Parkway, suggesting
that they remove the restaurant curb cut and use the one in the back of the
center instead. Mr. Leimer stated they would not want to mix that traffic with
service traffic at that entrance.
Commissioner Charlette asked about sidewalks along Milwaukee Avenue and the
bike path along the creek.
Commissioner Goldspiel stated he would be favorable to the outlot configuration
if it was landscaped, bermed and planted in a first-rate manner, citing Plaza
Verde as an example. He noted the placement of buildings along Milwaukee
Avenue provides an opportunity to mask the parking area.
Commissioner Goldspiel then discussed the combination of service drives with
access drives, as previously suggested in relation to the restaurant, as a
solution to the curb cut problem.
Commissioner Goldspiel noted Mr. Pfeil's suggestion that the two drives for the
retail center be combined and lined up with a combined drive for the hotel and
office area, stating this would provide better flow in and out of the center.
Brief discussion followed regarding traffic flow through the center and the
difficulty of traffic flow off of Milwaukee Avenue.
Commissioner Goldspiel then asked about possible street connection with the
property to the north. Commissioner Braiman suggested the possibility of
moving some commercial use to the north, thereby eliminating some of the
outlots.
Commissioner concern Goldspiel expressed regarding the residential setbacks
P P g g
from the parking lots and major driveways.
Commissioner Goldspiel noted the necessity for defining and noting on the plan
the bike path on the south side of Deerfield Parkway and also along Milwaukee
Avenue, as these are essential to the Village's bike path system. Commissioner
Goldspiel then asked about the bike path running along the creek, and Mr.
Leimer indicated it would be incorporated along the perimeter of the ponds.
Commissioner Goldspiel then requested information regarding storm water
detention and flood management and the location of the dam, which Mr. Leimer
stated would still be located on the south property line. Mr. Leimer, with the
assistance of Mr. Textor and Mr. Johnson, explained at length the construction
of the dam and the methods for detention and flood management, as well as the
basis for their calculations.
Brief discussion followed regarding how this related to Village ordinances
and Mr. Kuenkler stated their plan meets the intention of the flood plain
ordinance.
Buffalo Grove Plan Commission - Regular Meeting - January 17, 1990 - Page 4
Mr. Textor indicated their intention was that the downstream area would not
receive anything different than what they are now and it would be of benefit to
the downstream user.
Commissioner Goldspiel asked if the design as described would negatively impact
the fish and wetlands, and Mr. Leimer indicated not. Commissioner Goldspiel
then asked if there were any problems with their design in relation to the Des
Plaines River and any backing up or other problems. Mr. Leimer indicated they
had included downstream sections in their modeling, but had not visually
inspected it for any need for clean-up. Commissioner Goldspiel suggested the
need to do that.
Commissioner Goldspiel confirmed that no parking lot detention is planned and
asked how the water service would be looped and the sanitary sewers would run.
Mr. Leimer indicated they would be working with the Village Engineer regarding
the sewer system.
Commissioner Krug stated he would like to see landscape treatment of the
outlots and restated the necessity for the bike paths to be put in place.
Commissioner Rosenston agreed with the need to extensively and appropriately
landscape the outlot area. He suggested that if the land to the north were
available and petitioner could create a larger parcel, there would be a better
opportunity to create a better retail center.
Commissioner Rosenston stated the number of curb cuts proposed is too extensive
and he feels a gas station on the corner is not an acceptable use, no matter
how it is presented visually. He further stated the site could not support
three restaurants.
Commissioner Rosenston then indicated he would like to see renderings of what
the center would look like, or at least have detailed descriptions provided.
Commissioner Howard inquired about the appearance of the weir and Mr. Leimer
indicated it needs to be protected from corrosion, and discussed different
means to accomplish that.
Commissioner Braiman noted the need for a description of what the planned
buildings would look like, and inquired about the type of hotel planned. Mr.
Leimer stated they are planning a full service hotel with banquet facilities
and a restaurant within the hotel, and indicated they would be willing to
include that in the annexation agreement.
Commissioner Braiman asked how approval for the uses of the outlots would be
handled, and Mr. Pfeil stated the Commission would have the ability to put
restrictions on the use of any of the outlots and review plans for each one.
Commissioner Goldspiel asked how petitioner plans to meet their obligation for
providing park space. Mr. Leimer stated they would be asking for credit for
open space and have not talked about providing park land.
Buffalo Grove Plan Commission - Regular Meeting - January 17, 1990 - Page 5
Commissioner Charlette asked if the flood management design would have any
effect on the homes to the south, and Mr. Leimer indicated that under no
circumstances would it create a worse situation for those homes.
Commissioner Braiman asked about the impact of development of the outlots on
the other retailers in the center as far as visibility from the main roads.
Brief discussion followed.
Chairman Sheldon called for comments from the audience members present. Ms.
Mary Layva asked about setbacks and height of the apartment building as it
relates to the residential. Also, Ms. Layva inquired about the calculations
for determining the flood plain and expressed concern that if the property is
raised there will be ponding by their homes downstream.
Ms. Layva also asked about putting a lake on top of the sewer line and Mr.
Leimer explained the design and how access is provided for the sewer line on
islands. Ms. Layva then requested further information regarding the storm
water detention. Mr. Leimer presented a hydrograph and further explanation.
Commissioner Braiman asked if Police and Fire Department review had been
concluded. Mr. Pfeil stated no comments had been received from the Police
Department and noted the Fire Department had some concerns regarding the
turning radius in some of the parking areas, but stated more detailed drawings
would need to be provided for sufficient review of the parking areas in the
future.
Mr. Pfeil then explained that there had been designation at the corner of the
site for a fire station and that the Fire Chief has envisioned a 7-8 acre area
for a fire training facility as well, but there is no emergency access to the
designated area except through the petitioner's site. Mr. Pfeil explained
possibilities for reconfiguring the area or moving the location. Commissioner
Goldspiel asked if the park donation requirement could be traded to provide the
additional acreage needed by the Fire Department. Brief discussion ensued on
the topic.
Discussion then followed regarding proceeding to public hearing or workshop and
further needs for review.
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT - None
FUTURE AGENDA
Mr. Pfeil indicated there would be no meeting on January 24, 1990, and the
January 31, 1990 meeting will cover Striker Lanes and the Pace Park and Ride
facility.
PUBLIC COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS - None
Buffalo Grove Plan Commission - Regular Meeting - January 17, 1990 - Page 6
STAFF REPORT - None
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Commissioner Charlette, seconded by Commissioner Howard, and
unanimously carried, to adjourn. Chairman Sheldon adjourned the meeting at
10:15 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted,
/la,e-71A-
ROSEMARY ALLEN, cording Secretary
APPROVED BY:
BARBARA SHELDON, Chairman
Buffalo Grove Plan Commission - Regular Meeting - January 17, 1990 - Page 7