Economic & Community Development Committee

Village of Lombard Village Hall 255 East Wilson Ave. Lombard, IL 60148 villageoflombard.org Minutes Monday, November 9, 2020 7:00 PM Village Hall Economic & Community Development Committee Anthony Puccio, Chairperson Reid Foltyniewicz, Alternate Chairperson Dennis McNicholas, Garrick Nielsen, Matthew Pike, Paula Dillon, Laine Vant Hoff, Gregory Ladle, Alan Bennett and Patrick Kennedy Staff Liaison: William Heniff Economic & Community Minutes November 9, 2020 Development Committee 1.0 Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance Trustee Puccio called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited 2.0 Roll Call Present 6 - Anthony Puccio, Dennis McNicholas, Matthew Pike, Paula Dillon, Gregory Ladle, and Patrick Kennedy Absent 3 - Garrick Nielsen, Laine Vant Hoff, and Alan Bennett Also present: William Heniff, AICP, Director of Community Development 3.0 Public Participation None 4.0 Approval of Minutes On a motion by Mr. McNicholas, and seconded by Ms. Dillon, the minutes of the October 12, 2020 meeting were approved by the members present. 5.0 Unfinished Business None 6.0 New Business 200370 Downtown Retail Business Grant; 14 W. St. Charles Road (Nacho Rita) The Community Development Department has received an application for the Downtown Retail Business Grant for Nacho Rita located at 14 W. St. Charles Road. The applicant is seeking to do wall repairs, tiling, floor repair, decorative paneling, painting, countertop build, decorative trim, and lighting modifications. All work consists of interior improvements. (DISTRICT #1) Mr. Heniff stated that the second grant associated with the Nacho Rita if for a Downtown Retail Business Grant for Nacho Rita located at 14 W. Village of Lombard Page 1 Economic & Community Minutes November 9, 2020 Development Committee St. Charles Road. The applicant is seeking to do wall repairs, tiling, floor repair, decorative paneling, painting, countertop build, decorative trim, and lighting modifications. All work consists of interior improvements. The total cost of the project is $9,580.00 and is grant eligible up to $4,790 (up to 50% of the eligible project costs; not to exceed $20,000. As the grant request is under $10,000, it does not need to go before the Village Board for final approval. He noted the past actions and noting the proposed improvements including adding two new bathrooms, a kitchen prep area, new flooring, installation of a new hood and oven, and updated electric. Nacho Rita will be owned/operated by the Moreau’s who own/operate Babcock’s Grove House, Lilac League, and Florence + Ice Cream. Retail businesses who receive the Retail Business Grant dollars shall be subject to a lien on the property in an amount equal to their proportionate share of capital costs paid upfront by the Village for the following five (5) years. Staff recommends approval of the grant request, subject to conditions in the report. Ms. Dillon confirmed that the grant request was for $4,790. The members also confirmed that the five-year lien provisions associated with the previous Balkan Bakery use were met and would not be applicable to this project. Mr. McNicholas noted that these requests illustrate the benefits of the grant program. While the Village approved past grants for the property, the current applicant was able to take advantage of the work previously done on the site and utilize it for their purpose. This helps keep start-up costs for new businesses low. Mr. McNicholas also noted that latest business effort is a great story to tell and it should be highlighted as a success in Downtown Lombard. He stated that this is the fourth restaurant concept opened by the Moreau’s and it reflects well that Lombardians are investing in Lombard. Mr. Heniff concurred and noted that these stories as well as the larger redevelopment projects like the Lilac Station project at 101 S. Main Street, tell the story of both small and large capital investment Village of Lombard Page 2 Economic & Community Minutes November 9, 2020 Development Committee activity in the downtown. A motion was made by Patrick Kennedy, seconded by Paula Dillon, the ECDC unanimously approved the Downtown Retail Business Grand. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 5- Dennis McNicholas, Matthew Pike, Paula Dillon, Gregory Ladle, and Patrick Kennedy Absent: 3- Garrick Nielsen, Laine Vant Hoff, and Alan Bennett 200371 Downtown Improvement & Renovation Grant; 14 W. St. Charles Road (Nacho Rita) The Community Development Department has received an application for the Downtown Improvement and Renovation Grant Program (also known as the Facade Grant Program) for Nacho Rita located at 14 W. St. Charles Road. The applicant is seeking to install exterior improvements: remove the awning, fix façade, paint, repair stone work, add new entrance to patio, stain patio, lighting modifications, new signage, and a new commercial door. (DISTRICT #1) Mr. Heniff introduced the staff report associated with the request. He noted that the applicant associated with the proposed Nacho Rita is seeking two possible grants in order to open a new carry-out and fast-food Mexican restaurant. The Downtown Renovation & Improvement Grant request, also known as the Façade Grant Program, is for exterior improvements, including remove the awning, fix façade, paint, repair stone work, add new entrance to patio, stain patio, lighting modifications, new signage, and a new commercial door. Nacho Rita leased the property at 14 W. St. Charles Road. The first floor is currently vacant, formally occupied by Balkan Bakery and Coffee. In the past, Balkan Bakery received a façade grant of $24,050 for install exterior improvements of a new wood deck (to the east of the building), a sliding glass door leading to the deck, and a new canopy sign. Nacho Rita will be owned/managed by the Moreau’s who own/manage Babcock’s Grove House, Lilac League, and Florence + the Ice Cream. The property is located in the Downtown TIF and the program provides for up to 50% of the eligible project costs; not to exceed $50,000.00, unless specifically approved by the Village Board. As the grant request amount is less than $10,000, it can be approved by the ECDC. He referenced the submitted plans, noting that the project is consistent with the Guidebook and will help in downtown revitalization efforts. He also referenced the submitted quotes in the report. Staff is supportive Village of Lombard Page 3 Economic & Community Minutes November 9, 2020 Development Committee of the request, subject to the conditions in the report. Ms. Dillon sought clarity on the total grant request amount, noting inconsistencies. Mr. Heniff computed the dollar amounts and noted that the request is actually in the amount of $4,267, which is 50% of the total of the three lowest quotes for the eligible work ($8,537). Mr. McNicholas noted that these requests illustrate the benefits of the grant program. While the Village approved past grants for the property, the current applicant was able to take advantage of the work previously done on the site and utilize it for their purpose. This helps keep start up costs for new businesses low. A motion was made by Dennis McNicholas, seconded by Paula Dillon, the ECDC unanimously approve the Downtown Renovation and Improvement Grant. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 5- Dennis McNicholas, Matthew Pike, Paula Dillon, Gregory Ladle, and Patrick Kennedy Absent: 3- Garrick Nielsen, Laine Vant Hoff, and Alan Bennett 7.0 Other Business 8.0 Information Only 9.0 Adjournment On a motion by Mr. Pike and a second by Mr. Kennedy, the meeting adjourned at 7:19 p.m. Village of Lombard Page 4