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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-01-25 Envision Elk Grove Steering-BLF Committee MinutesELK GROVE VILLAGE ENVISION ELK GROVE STEERING COMMITTEE/ BLF COMMITTEE MEETING January 25, 2024 Members Present: Stephen Schmidt, BLF Committee Chair Kathy Jarosch, 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 Members Absent: Tammy Miller, BLF Committee Member Village Staff Team: Sue Dees, Director of Business Development Caroline Gabiga, Assistant Village Manager Ron Raphael, Deputy Director of Community Development Bryan Kozor, Deputy Director of Community Development Bryan Grippo, Deputy Director of Public Works Ken Jay, Deputy Director of Public Works Consultant Team: Jackie Mich, Vandewalle & Associates Scott Harrington, Vandewalle & Associates John Mayer, Engineering Resource Associates Rich Olson, GRWA Jeff Cook, GRWA The meeting began at 9:05 a.m. Redevelobment Sites Site A - J. Mich provided an overview of the three draft concepts for redevelopment Site A. The Steering Committee expressed concern about keeping the existing hotel, or having any hotel directly next to residential. Village staff explained that there would be a high cost associated with acquiring the existing hotel and that the concepts showing the hotel remaining were intended to provide redevelopment options to pursue in case acquiring the hotel is not financially viable. The Steering Committee also discussed that relocating there would be a large cost associated with relocating the street. The Steering Committee requested that one of the concepts be revised to show more multi -family housing in place of the hotel. Sites B & C - J. Mich provided an overview of the draft concepts for Sites B & C. She explained that this area includes many successful businesses with buildings in fairly good condition, so the concepts are less detailed, provided more of a framework for long-term redevelopment possibilities. Members of the Steering Committee noted that they liked the idea of the extended green space, as well as the additional residential. The Steering Committee discussed demand for multi -family vs. single-family housing, though this site is only suitable for multi -family housing. The Steering Committee noted that drive-thrus have been very successful along this corridor. Site D — J. Mich provide an overview of the two draft concepts for Site D, which were intended to provide slightly higher and lower density options. The Steering Committee discussed concerns about whether there is enough retail, as there is a desire for residents in the Village to be able to get goods and services in town. Members of Village Staff noted that there is significant vacant retail currently in town, and the demand for Class A retail space may not be high enough to support much additional retail —the existing retail at this location is paying rent at far below market value due to the poor condition of the buildings. S. Harrington discussed current development trends and noted that generally speaking in these developments the multi -family residential is the profitable part of the project, which subsidizes the retail space as an amenity. S. Harrington noted that he is seeing a lot of vacant retail space in these developments currently. S. Harrington also discussed the general need to increase density when redeveloping an existing site in order to make the financial side work. It does not work financially to replace old single -story buildings with new single -story buildings due to the high development costs. Generally a redevelopment needs to provide two to three times the value of an existing development in order to work. The Steering Committee requested that for Concept 2, a unit or two be taken off the townhome buildings directly adjacent to both Newport and Devon, and that off-street parking be added off of the rear driveways to pull parking away from the street. Site E — J. Mich provided an overview of the draft concepts for Site E. She noted the primary feature of these concepts was to provide safe bicycle and pedestrian access across Devon Road to reach the Community Athletic Fields (CAF). She also noted that concepts included future connections to nearby trails, and the possibility of adding a small trail loop to CAF. The Steering Committee inquired about the costs of raising the Devon Avenue bridge to provide for the proposed pedestrian underpasses. Village Staff noted that the costs have not been projected, but that this is a county road and these changes could be requested when it is due for replacement. The height of the bridge will need to increase in order to meet standards for a pedestrian underpass. The Steering Committee discussed whether it would make more sense to put an overhead bridge on Site D to connect users to CAF. The bridge currently in development at Arlington Heights and Higgins shows it is possible, it would be more convenient for the intended users, and could be a nice amenity for the residential development at Site D. The Steering Committee requested that one of the Site D concepts be amended to include an overhead bridge from just west of Turner Avenue across to CAF. Site F — J. Mich provided an overview of the concepts for the industrial and recreational portions of Site F. Portions of Site F would require annexation. The proposed industrial along Site F includes larger setbacks to help provide a cleaner, better -looking corridor. The Steering Committee noted that the recreational portion of Site F is not very close to residential and that will likely be a complaint. However, no residential neighborhoods have been willing to have a dog park located nearby. Corridors Fencing — J. Cook provided an overview of the proposal for uniform fencing along the back yards of residential properties along major corridors. This will require a lot of engagement with homeowners. It is possible to construct the fencing in the right-of-way, which would not require permission from property owners, but it is also possible to request an easement from property owners and replace the existing fences in their current locations. The GRWA team will look into how this has been approached elsewhere, such as in Hanover Park and Carol Stream. The Steering Committee discussed the high costs, but also how the fencing would significantly improve the looks of these corridors. Additionally, many property owners would likely see the screen wall as a benefit, and the Village would be responsible for maintenance. Residential Neighborhood Signs - J. Cook showed two concepts for new residential neighborhood signs, to replace the existing wooden signs. The Steering Committee discussed that the use of the words "Residential Neighborhood" in the sign is likely unnecessary. The Steering Committee discussed that the placement of these signs isn't always consistent and requested that a review of current and recommended future locations be part of this planning process. Bus Shelters — J. Cook explained that replacement of bus shelters is recommended at high ridership locations, which Pace has provided data for. There are some limitations for new structures along Busse Road due to underground utilities, but a work -around may be possible by bolting to concrete. The Steering Committee discussed that these bus shelters are not just for riders, but also provide an opportunity to market the community, and they should be maintained, neat and tidy. Village Staff requested a map of all existing shelters to identify which ones are located in the TIF District. Street Lights — J. Cook explained that the proposed lighting would provide one common standard for all major corridors. The Steering Committee discussed certain areas where there are no street lights, such as Meacham Road, north of Biesterfield and on Arlington Heights Road, from the Jewel shopping center to Elk Grove High School. Some of these areas have limited right-of-way which makes placement difficult. For locations where there is no existing lighting it may be possible to get STP funding to fill these gaps. Embedded Logos at Major Intersections — J. Cook explained that these logos were intended as a decorative, but low -maintenance alternative to brick pavers and colored/stamped concreted, which have maintenance and slip issues. The Steering Committee requested to make it clear that these would only be at limited locations due to concern that the community might see them as wasteful. Overhead Pole Replacement — J. Cook explained that there are some areas where undergrounding power and communication lines may not be possible due to exiting underground utilities. In these cases, they are in the process of exploring the replacement of the existing wooden poles with a more stable alternative that is less unsightly and can raise lines that sometimes create traffic conflicts. J. Cook showed a similar project in Fish Creek using fiberglass and noted that the team is waiting to hear back from ComEd on what materials they would permit for this type of project. Utility Boxes — J. Cook showed concepts of vinyl wrapping for utility boxes which limits maintenance concerns, improves aesthetics, and provides a potential branding opportunity. ComEd does not currently permit vinyl wrapping, but can be approached with the possibility, as the Village would then take over maintenance responsibility. The Steering Committee liked the look of the vinyl wrapping options. Lighting — J. Cook discussed the proposed concepts of tree uplighting and lighting bollards as decorative elements for some gateway areas, which could include colored lighting for seasonal use. The Steering Committee liked the concept, and discussed that the main cost for the tree uplighting is getting the electricity to the right places. Update on Business Services and Business Park Concepts J. Mich noted that work is ongoing in the plan areas of Business Services and Business Park, which includes primarily undergrounding utilities and railways. The consultant team expects to bring something to the Steering Committee on these plan areas in the coming months. Public Input J. Mich discussed the next steps for public input on draft concepts for Corridors and Redevelopment Sites. The next step would be a presentation to the Village Board at a Committee of the Whole Meeting, potentially in February, followed by an Open House for the public and opportunity for online input, potentially in March. The Steering Committee discussed the need to address some FAQ up -front, particularly on the difference between long-term planning and actual development and the purpose of a plan/vision to be prepared for future opportunity. Other questions to address include the need for density, prioritization and costs. The meeting ended at 11:55 a.m. C: Mayor and Board of Trustees Village Manager Assistant Village Manager Department Heads Village Clerk