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Minutes - 08/23/2005 - Commercial Revitalization Task ForceMINUTES OF THE AUGUST 23, 2005 COMMERCIAL REVITALIZATION TASK FORCE OF THE VILLAGE OF OAK BROOK APPROVED AS WRITTEN OR AMENDED ON OCTOBER 25, 2005. 1. CALL TO ORDER: 2. 93 9 5. The Commercial Revitalization Task Force was called to order by President Quinlan in the Upper Level Conference Room of the Butler Government Center at 9:33 a.m. ROLL CALL: Village Clerk Linda Gonnella called the roll with the following persons PRESENT: President Kevin M. Quinlan, Trustees Jeffrey J. Kennedy, Robert G. Sanford, Plan Commission Chairman Lexi Payovich, Zoning Board of Appeals Chairman Champ Davis and Community Development Director Robert Kallien. ABSENT: None. IN ATTENDANCE: Richard B. Boehm, Village Manager. A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — None presented. UNFINISHED BUSINESS — None presented. NEW BUSINESS: A. Establishment of long term objectives & goals Trustee Sanford suggested discussing the scope of what should be included such as office buildings, expansion of shopping center and Enterprise Drive. He noted also that Oakbrook Terrace is in the process of developing some of their land which would impact the Village. Trustee Kennedy indicated focusing on the whole commercial area in Oak Brook as the end product of the goal. How does the Village facilitate and promote either major redevelopment or rehab of those properties. Consider a broad approach of these areas including traffic issues, revising the Comprehensive Plan, being open to relocating streets in the Enterprise and Commerce area, zoning and planning changes in terms of allowing more mixed use such as the hotel, retail, office, condominiums and theatre. What changes would need to be made in the building and fire codes to make it more user friendly to developers. VILLAGE OF OAK BROOK Page 1 of 6 August 23, 2005 Commercial Revitalization Task Force Minutes 5. A. President Quinlan explained that the Village Board heard a presentation of the Hitchcock Group last evening regarding the Village's beautification project. Discussions of esthetically improving the Village were discussed. A copy of their proposal will be given to the Committee members. He recommended that this should be part of the Committee's goal and address the commercial district concept from the beautification project. He asked if the Committee should define what areas they would want to address. Trustee Sanford suggested all Village areas but residential and Sports Core. Regarding traffic issues, he recommended addressing the commercial sector only. Manager Boehm commented that the Committee is discussing corridor planning and sub- area planning. 22nd Street is a corridor and Enterprise Drive /Commerce Drive is a sub - planning area as to what should be created in these areas. He suggested one outcome from these efforts is to show the development community what the Village is willing to allow or what type of sub -area plans we would like created. Detailed sub -area plans could be developed and shown to developers. Trustee Kennedy, in speaking with Oakbrook Center Manager Chuck Fleming, suggested how flexible does the Village want to be in some of its restrictions when the Center requests redevelopment. There are some synergies between what happens at the shopping center and what would occur between the Enterprise /Commerce areas. Manager Boehm explained that Community Development Director Kallien and he have met with Chuck Fleming and representatives of the new owners of the Center and what changes they wish to address. He presented to Mr. Fleming that the Village would like them to consider updating the exterior of the shopping center such as the parking areas and pedestrian linkages refined. The new owners are considering these areas now while they would like the Village to consider allowing them additional development on that site such as out lots, restaurant pads, etc. President Quinlan reiterated is the objective of the Committee to develop some type of Lohan Plan that encompasses the commercial district in Oak Brook. Trustee Sanford commented that the Lohan Plan was a concept and he believes that the Village should encourage builders to come and redevelop the land. If the Committee develops a concept as to how much flexibility is allowed, then one can gage any redevelopment within the context of that concept. He suggested that if multi -use buildings are to be considered, that the Village be aware what areas could be considered for this and what ability is there to enhance this so that builders will be encouraged to do this. Director Kallien suggested that the Committee consider why Oak Brook is the way it is today. He recommended addressing the following factors: Is Oak Brook still relevant to the market? Is the Village's position in the market due to competition from area VILLAGE OF OAK BROOK Page 2 of 6 August 23, 2005 Commercial Revitalization Task Force Minutes 5. A. communities? Is there availability of land? Since the answer is no and the Village is land locked, what should be done. Are there any available buildings on the market or planned or are they outdated. Are there site constraints which does not allow a builder to expand or are the Village's regulations limiting the expansion on property. Are there code issues that prevent re- investment or tax considerations that impact the Village? Is traffic congestion an issue or are there infrastructure problems? If expansion occurred, would the water, electric or sewer system be able to support larger buildings? Is there a perception that the Village has an unfriendly business climate? Is the Village impacted by trying to get labor to the expanded commercial area? Trustee Kennedy indicated that young or single people should have the availability of urban lifestyle housing for them. Manager Boehm also noted the ease of transportation into the community as the Village centers in the hub of the transportation network of the region. The Village is working with different groups and there are grants to study the transit system in Oak Brook connecting the train stations into the commercial buildings. A water rate study is being done to identify the need for additional storage of the Village's water system that will be brought before the Village Board in the near future. If the Village is going to do a revitalization to allow for larger buildings, there will be a need to supply those buildings with the proper water, pressure, etc. Peripherally staff is addressing some of the issues such as the transit system is approximately a year away, the water system upgrades a year to two at minimum. President Quinlan indicated that these questions need to be answered. Director Kallien indicated that Downers Grove recently hired a firm that basically did a financial feasibility for the community for paving the way for new development. He suggested retaining a consulting firm that could assist in these matters. He remarked that a consultant may have to contact developers to determine what it is they need to develop in Oak Brook. President Quinlan inquired into how the Village addresses types of developments. He indicated that on 22° Street there are one story buildings that could be converted into other types of businesses. Director Kallien explained that the Village's Zoning Code is very explicit in that if a business is listed it is allowable and if not listed, then it is not permitted. He noted that there is a whole segment of businesses that have not been considered by the Village such as car dealerships while the shopping center has any traditional out lots. There aren't any stand alone big box retails except for Costco. Is that something to be considered including drive thru's, as this has to go through an extensive review. He recommended a code analysis of what uses are being missed by the Village. Trustee Sanford noted that car dealerships do not generate a large amount of traffic, they are relatively clean, normally attractive and generate great sales tax revenue as the Village VILLAGE OF OAK BROOK Page 3 of 6 August 23, 2005 Commercial Revitalization Task Force Minutes 5. A. needs to generate revenue. Trustee Kennedy explained that the residents need to know what is happening in this process, in the Village newsletter, press and Civic Association newsletter so that they can have an opportunity for input. Trustee Sanford indicated there are two approaches to this. One is by developing panels that meet with builders, resident builders or developers. The other approach is to hire a consulting firm that would study this. The Oak Brook Chamber of Commerce is having ComEd do an infrastructure study for their Economic Development Committee and the Village could gain information from this. It would be beneficial if someone would give a report once a month of what is being done by this Committee. Director Kallien remarked that more information is needed and possibly a selective survey could be done for the business community and then another survey to the residents. Give them examples of what uses could be instituted in economic terms. Manager Boehm distributed the Hitchcock Group's presentation of the beautification project. President Quinlan asked that this document also be e- mailed to both the chairmen of the Plan Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals. Trustee Sanford noted that the budget will be discussed shortly and a consultant firm should be included. Director Kallien indicated that a consultant could be retained now to work with the Task Force and other selective groups to orchestrate the whole process. Director Kallien indicated that the Hitchcock Group does this type of consulting. President Quinlan indicated that the Promenade is the starting point of Oak Brook's revitalization. While Director Kallien noted that the Oakbrook Center wants to do major redevelopment of the mall. Manager Boehm indicated that Inland also would like to do redevelopment on their property and John Buck would like to create an office and cultural /entertainment on their property. Trustee Sanford asked if the first step is to do an RFQ for consulting firms of who is available, what ideas they offer as a catalyst to get the Committee to determine what is appropriate within the Village. It was a consensus of the Committee to place an RFQ for a consulting firm to develop concepts of revitalization of Oak Brook for Village Board approval. The Task Force Committee will interview the firms. He asked if it could be announced at the Village Board meeting this evening that it was a consensus of the Task Force to offer an RFQ and then have Manager Boehm and Director Kallien prepare an RFQ for Village Board approval. Manager Boehm explained that it could be handled by consensus vote at the Village Board meeting this evening and then ratified at the next Village Board meeting on the Consent Agenda. Director Kallien and Manager Boehm will go ahead with getting consulting firms for the corridor and sub - planning areas. VILLAGE OF OAK BROOK Page 4 of 6 August 23, 2005 Commercial Revitalization Task Force Minutes 5. A. Manager Boehm then explained the display from the Illinois Department of Transportation's 22nd Street improvement project of widening that street. Director Kallien noted the poor cross connections between buildings on this street where the Village could in the future create cross connections between buildings. Trustee Sanford indicated that Smart traffic lights are a solution to alleviate to some extent traffic congestion. Manager Boehm serves on a committee that is considering this and Oak Brook is on the top of list to receive these types of improvements. Trustee Kennedy suggested that maybe the Village could contribute partial funding for some type of enhancements of Smart intersections. Manager Boehm indicated that enhancements of the program would include signal timed coordination, transit priority lanes for buses that could move more quickly for linkage and Smart signage that directs vehicles around problem areas. They are discussing a county -wide transportation center that coordinates the major streets and networks in DuPage County. President Quinlan asked if the Task Force is comfortable with the list of questions Director Kallien gave to the Committee. If so, could it be included in the ComEd survey by the Oak Brook Chamber of Commerce. The list will be given to Tracey at the Chamber. Zoning Board of Appeals Chairman Davis asked if the Committee could review the Lohan Study. Manager Boehm will have the Executive Summary for each member to review. Director Kallien suggested he would like to find how Lohan was retained and what they were asked to do. Chairman Davis felt that that the firm was to assist the Village in a new comprehensive plan. Director Kallien noted that the Lohan Study had pictures of how things should be in Oak Brook but there weren't any implementation stages. Chairman Payovich suggested that the enhancements of signal coordination could be something that the Village could address now with funding to demonstrate some progress. President Quinlan noted that all of the newer buildings are filled and haven't any vacancy which indicates that commercial entities want to be in Oak Brook. Trustee Kennedy suggested that the inventory of older buildings is the problem in Oak Brook as the modern Class A office buildings are full. President Quinlan noted that McDonald's is retaining their property in Oak Brook if expansion is possible and have also ordered a face lift to their Plaza building. Director Kallien will e -mail any additional items to Trustee Kennedy to be included in his working document. B. Discussion of methods to achieve goals — None discussed. VILLAGE OF OAK BROOK Page 5 of 6 August 23, 2005 Commercial Revitalization Task Force Minutes 6. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Trustee Kennedy, seconded by Plan Commission Chairman Payovich, to adjourn the Task Force meeting at 10:47 a.m. VOICE VOTE: Motion carried. ATTEST: Linda K. Gonnella, CMC Village Cleric VILLAGE OF OAK BROOK Page 6 of 6 August 23, 2005 Commercial Revitalization Task Force Minutes