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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-04-14 CRMP Steering-BLF Committee MinutesELK GROVE VILLAGE ENVISION ELK GROVE STEERING COMMITTEE/ BLF COMMITTEE MEETING April 14, 2023 Members Present: Stephen Schmidt, BLF Committee Chair Tammy Miller, BLF Committee Member John Glass, Plan Commission Chair Matthew Roan, Village Manager Maggie Jablonski, Deputy Village Manager Colby Basham, Director of Public Works Jared Polony, Director of Community Development Consultant Team: Jackie Mich, Vandewalle & Associates Scott Harrington, Vandewalle & Associates Jeff Maloney, Vandewalle & Associates John Mayer, Engineering Resource Associates Steve McClure, Opportunity Alliance Andy Hamilton, Opportunity Alliance Carl Peterson, GRWA Chairperson Schmidt called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m. Deputy Village Manager Jablonski began the meeting by introducing the Consultant Team to the Steering Committee and inviting J. Mich to provide an overview of the project schedule and guide discussion on existing conditions related to the Envision Elk Grove project areas. Overall Project Goals/Objectives The Steering Committee discussed overall goals and objectives for the Envision Elk Grove project, including: • Revitalize aging areas of the Village • Maintain low taxes • Keep Business Park full • Address need for more housing of all types • Encourage reinvestment in aging housing • Prepare for electric vehicles • Improve walkability, especially near Town Center/Village Hall area • Keep small town feel • Create a more coordinated plan for development, instead of current piecemeal approach • Improve aging/rundown areas of Business Park Corridors The Steering Committee discussed the corridors included in the Envision Elk Grove project. Discussion centered primarily around Higgins Road, which the Committee noted was in the need of the most improvements. Aside from the Technology Park and the project at Arlington Heights Road, the Higgins Corridor is a hodge-podge of commercial and industrial, which looks old and tired. The Committee discussed that Higgins Rd & Elmhurst Rd should be a key gateway. In terms of uses, the Committee noted that retail would be tough, as the area is dead on weekends. The Committee agreed that industrial is the Village’s bread and butter, and we don’t want to move away from that--we just need to be the best at it. The Committee discussed that Higgins Road could be a good corridor for showrooms (countertop/flooring, etc.). These uses are a nice mix of industrial, but the showroom component could fit well along the corridor as a more inviting and visible space. The Village is already a destination for these types of uses, but they are currently scattered throughout the Business Park. Redevelopment Sites The Committee reviewed the sites identified for redevelopment and discussed current conditions at each of the sites Site A (Bonaventure Drive) – The Committee discussed that people are always asking for more restaurants, but restaurants at the shopping center across the street to the west have failed twice. The Committee discussed the potential for more multi-family with small-scale commercial/retail to serve the neighborhood/employees. Sites B/C (Town Center/Elk Crossing) – The Committee discussed that this is the center of town and liked the idea of figuring out a way to connect these two sites. These sites are near to connections to Busse Woods, Marshall Park, and Alexian Brothers Medical Center. The Village Green is packed when there are events. The Committee discussed the possibility of condos or senior independent living within walking distance of shops and services. Discussion noted that seniors are not the only population who is attracted to a walkable living area. The Committee acknowledged that the town center of Elk Grove Village would not be competing with downtowns like Arlington Heights as a regional destination, but that there is a desire to have some nice walkable/inviting gathering place for Village residents—a town square bordered by development. Site D (Turner Ave) – The Committee noted that this area is run down and could use reinvestment. There are some establishments that are able to be successful, but overall the buildings are in poor condition, there are vacancies, and it is underutilized. The Committee discussed that in the past, such as the redevelopment at Tonne & Devon, when decisions were made around retaining individual tenants, those tenants decided to retire and vacate before the development was completed. Site E (Devon Ave/Salt Creek) - The Committee discussed wanting to use Salt Creek as an asset. Site F (Higgins Rd/Nicholas Blvd) – The Committee discussed that this area is in very poor condition, with no aesthetic appeal. The Committee discussed whether residents would travel to this area if it was developed into a destination, like a dog park. There was discussion that Wood Dale tried to do something similar with a dog park, but it is not well-used. C: Mayor and Board of Trustees Village Manager Assistant Village Manager Department Heads Village Clerk