Building & Zoning Committee

“Where People Count” Community Development 1000 Civic Center Drive, Niles, Illinois 60714 Mayor Telephone (847) 588-8040 ● Fax (847) 588-8050 ● TDD (847) 588-8059 Robert M. Callero Trustees June 9, 2010 Chris Hanusiak James T. Hynes Joe LoVerde Building and Zoning Committee Meeting 8:30 a.m. Louella B. Preston Andrew Przybylo In Attendance: Alan Weel Robert M. Callero – Mayor Village Manager Steve Vinezeano – Assistant Village Manager George R. Van Geem Joe Annunzio – Village Attorney George Van Geem – Village Manager Village Clerk Andrew Przybylo – Village Trustee Marlene J. Victorine Tom Kanelos – Planning & Zoning Committee ______________ James Hynes – Village Trustee Community Chuck Ostman – Community Development Director Development Rich Wlodarski – Community Development Assistant Director Director Bonnie Jacobson – Planning Coordinator Charles Ostman Mary Ann Starzynski – Recording Also in attendance was Tom - Business Owner of Brilliant Electric Heating and Cooling Absent: Chris Hanusiak – Village Trustee Meeting called to order at 8:30 a.m. by Andrew Przybylo. Approval of Minutes: Minutes were handed out for members to read at the beginning of the meeting. Andrew Przybylo summarized the minutes for all present. The Sign code was brought up as to the interactivity via the internet being able to have discussion on line. Chuck Ostman commented talking to George Van Geem, Village Manager, that a blog would be in violation of open meetings act. Andrew Przybylo commented that sign topics – outline- which Bonnie put together for the last meeting could perhaps be put online. Chuck Ostman again stated that this is in violation of the open meetings act. Andrew Przybylo then stated so therefore we will have to sit here for 6 -8 hours and discuss signs. Was hoping we could expedite the process with online discussion prior to meeting. Mayor Callero moved to approve the minutes, seconded by Chuck Ostman, all approved. Bonnie Jacobson stated that she made the changes to the press release and application for sub committee as requested at the prior meeting. Jim Hynes stated he felt the press release was a good idea, he asked who the applications for the sub committee members should be returned to, and would it be George Van Geem. Chuck Ostman stated all should be directed to Marlene the Village Clerk. Mayor Callero agreed. Bonnie asked if www.vniles.com there was a certain date for the applications to be returned by. Andrew Przybylo commented that this is presumably being passed in the last part of June so thought we could say by the last part of July. Jim Hynes stated how about 7/26, which is a Monday at the end of the month. Mayor Callero responded that Houseal LaVigne wants to get started as soon as possible and said make it July 15, 2010. Andrew Przybylo said okay so at the meeting there will be press and this will be 3 weeks after the board meeting. He also stated that as these are returned to Marlene that the documents should be time/date stamped and kept in order of receipt should questions arise later as to the receipt of applications. Chuck Ostman stated that the application will be available on the web so that it can be downloaded and filled out online. Bonnie Jacobson stated that she could do this today in the afternoon. Andrew Przybylo stated in the press release the 2nd paragraph last sentence the 2nd to last line stated “In Illinois, comprehensive plans may also consider municipalities”. Bonnie stated no municipality and the unincorporated areas as you can not consider other municipalities. Andrew Przybylo felt that what was being said was our plan would consider other municipalities and wanted to clarify that the word municipality refers to the Village of Niles. Bonnie responded correct. It was then agreed that the word “also” should be removed. Therefore it will read “In Illinois, comprehensive plans may consider the municipality and also the unincorporated areas within 1 ½ miles of its corporate limits.” Andrew Przybylo stated that sounds great. Andrew Przybylo then stated that in the 3rd paragraph we were saying why we chose Houseal Lavigne but what he thought was we also considered their previous work with surrounding municipalities but it did not state that. Jim Hynes suggested maybe work experience. Bonnie suggested that we say “Their selection was based on technical competence, expertise, and work in surrounding communities, cost- effectiveness and an extensive community outreach program.” Andrew Przybylo felt all that was good and should not be left out. Bonnie stated that she was going to put the same thing that was used on the application, date and time, into the press release. Andrew Przybylo responded that the press release says that we are considering passage of an ordinance to select Houseal Lavigne is it proper to say as we are assuming that we are going to do that – take applications – don’t want to put the cart before the horse. Jim Hynes stated that if it is not Houseal Lavigne it will be someone else therefore the Advisory Committee will be needed regardless if we approve the contract with Houseal or a contract with someone else eventually. Mayor Callero stated include in application pending approval. Bonnie then asked if the mission statement should be included in the application. Andrew Przybylo read the mission statement “The goal and mission of the comprehensive planning process is to assure that a plan will be created that will set a clear and positive direction for the Village of Niles to successfully move forward into the future.” Andrew Przybylo then asked is this a mission statement for the process or what a Comprehensive Land Plan is. Jim Hynes responded that he felt it should be for the process not the plan itself. Andrew Przybylo suggested that when things get rolling and the Village has their logo ready that there should be a different mission statement for the plan itself as that is the mission statement that we will be living with for 15 -20 years and that the mission statement for the entity is quite different than the process. Mayor Callero responded that it should specifically state Comprehensive Land Use Plan – be specific. Jim Hynes then asked if on the application hours were necessary. Bonnie responded no, so she will take that out of the application. Jim Hynes also stated that the commitment statement in the application was appropriate and needed. Andrew Przybylo responded that he felt it was a very good application form. 2 Slogans were discussed next. Andrew Przybylo asked for buzz words to use suggesting new, plan, beginning, future, vision. Something clear for families, residents and business owners. Andrew Przybylo stated that what he would like to see, just by taking a little bit of everything, is the date 2010 above then on the next line A NEW PLAN BEGINNING NOW, the next line 2030. 2010 A NEW PLAN BEGINNING NOW 2030 Land Use Policies for All Residents & Businesses He felt that the implication if you look at it is a NEW plan as opposed to the old plan and beginning now and this plan is for the future. He felt you could put A New Plan for the Future. He also felt a bi-line would be important because that in itself does not explain it. He would also put LAND USE POLICIES FOR ALL RESIDENTS & BUSINESSES. Bonnie Jacobson then read Mary Ann Starzynski’s suggestions 2010 NILES ENVISIONING TOMORROW TOGETHER 2030 Or 2010 NILES PLANNING FOR TOMORROW TOGETHER 2030 Rich Wlodarski stated that he liked A New Niles for Our Generation or Planning for Families and Businesses. A NEW NILES FOR OUR GENERATION Or NILES - PLANNING FOR FAMILIES AND BUSINESSES. Tom Kanelos stated that he would prefer to see “Vision” incorporated as he felt it was inspirational. Mayor Callero responded that whatever we choose has to be short and felt that a NEW PLAN could be said in one word and that is “Vision”. He liked NILES – VISION FOR THE FUTURE with 2010 above and 2030 below. 2010 NILES VISION FOR THE FUTURE 2030 Andrew Przybylo stated that he was not trying to be argumentative but that the key is there is a plan going on which is a process. Jim Hynes responded that we need to consider where this is going to be applied is it going to be on banners, on stationary, etc. Andrew Przybylo said it has to say Village of Niles and then there would be the logo and some kind of bi-line or description that would be self evident. Jim Hynes again stated that the slogan will be used on stationary. Andrew Przybylo responded that it will be used in all marketing. Tom Kanelos responded that for a cover sheet the logo and slogan would be appropriate but it is too much and that less is better. Tom Kanelos felt that A New Vision was appropriate and that Families and Businesses should also be incorporated therefore suggested, A NEW VISION FOR FAMILIES AND BUSINESS and 2010 on top and 2030 on the bottom. 2010 A NEW VISION FOR FAMILIES AND BUSINESS 2030 3 He felt this was a good visual and that the logo should be just pictorial/visual no words. Bonnie suggested that whoever designs the logo could incorporate the slogan into the logo. Andrew Przybylo stated that he felt that the slogan has to stand alone and that the bi-line has to be self evident. Tom Kanelos stated that on some things the slogan and the bi-line would be there but on other things it would just be the slogan. The slogan should be the reminder especially in the early stages the bi-line and all the information that goes out is key to reminding people what that slogan means. As times progresses the slogan will bring up these visions in people’s heads as to what is going on. There is a use for both. Bonnie responded that John Houseal in the initial process talked about getting community input and there was concern about what if they said something that wasn’t related and John said that is okay I want to get everything out on the table. So maybe it is good if you don’t define it initially in your slogan and you just get people thinking about the visions for the future so when they come to that first meeting they can already be prepared with what they think Niles is in the future and be unencumbered to discuss. Andrew Przybylo stated that is fine. Chuck Ostman responded that if this was going to be published on the website and people look at it – a lot of people don’t even know what a comprehensive plan is – but if you had the bi-line at the bottom it just gives them an instant what it is for. Joe Annunzio stated that the slogan is a short cut for a much larger concept or action and that the slogan is a reminder of what you are trying to do not an explanation. Andrew Przybylo said okay so we like Vision and we like the tag line and then wanted to know what the thoughts were on 2010 and 2030 above and below. Jim Hynes stated that he liked the use on the top and bottom as that is a good visual and people will look at it and say oh they are starting now and planning for then – this is what someone will see. Andrew Przybylo then stated okay so this is it, we may tweak it now and then but here is what we have: 2010 NILES: A VISION FOR THE FUTURE 2030 A Plan for Land Use for Everyone Mayor Callero then stated that he is the least creative person but has an idea using a bridge in the logo. 4 Andrew Przybylo stated that John Houseal should take the slogan with the tag line and create a logo. A logo is going to be a lot more complicated, easier now that we have our slogan, and include everybody (business, residents, families) perhaps with houses, silhouette of factories, commercial property, etc. The ingredients here that we are talking about are travel, people movement, water, and the resources that Niles has to offer because that is what this is about, managing resources so that people and businesses benefit. Sign code next step. Andrew Przybylo stated that we should set up a meeting – the 6 hours meeting broken up into two 3 hour sessions and then asked if this is an open meeting. Chuck Ostman stated that he felt it would be appropriate, definitely it should be an open meeting, invite the businesses and chamber for the discussions. Andrew Przybylo suggested to create an agenda for two meetings, a six hour roundtable broken into two 3 hour or three 2 hour segments. A format where there is a big table and principals and board, trustees at the table. Chairs for the open meeting set up around the large table. Felt if it was simply in the council it becomes them and us. So put a large table in there and chairs all around, maybe 2 rows as in a town hall meeting setting. Jim Hynes said he agrees you can not have a 6 hour meeting and to schedule this for two 2 hour meetings and may end up with 3 hour meeting. Chuck Ostman stated and then if we have to bump it into yet another meeting we can decide after the second meeting. Jim Hynes stated that he felt a 2 hour meeting was about all people can take. Chuck Ostman responded you would be surprised how long discussions on signage can take, you would be surprised. Rich Wlodarski stated they have already had a 3 - 4 hour meeting and couldn’t decide anything. Mayor Callero stated 2 hours perhaps from 7 – 9 p.m. because you won’t get the seniors that will go beyond 9 p.m. Andrew Przybylo asked start time 7 p.m. or is 6 p.m. possible. He felt 6 – 8 p.m. and bring in pizza or some snacks and take a break. Felt that 9 p.m. is too late for a lot of people especially if it runs a little long. Stated there should be a strong agenda and a real strong objective and stay on topic. Chuck Ostman stated that they will be using the TV and visuals. Mayor Callero said the main key is a strong agenda, written down and stick to it. Chuck Ostman said we have the rough draft and these would be the loose ends. Andrew Przybylo then asked what the time frame, how critical is this? Chuck Ostman responded the first meeting should be perhaps 3 – 4 weeks from now. Mayor Callero stated that we are holding up the sign ordinance now so let’s do it right let’s not try to rush it. Andrew Przybylo stated his personal feeling is a Tues or a Thurs. Jim Hynes stated he does not like Tue or Thurs for him. Andrew Przybylo then suggested a Wednesday as that is middle of the week. He also asked when we say pictures do we mean a power point presentation. Bonnie responded yes, thinks we will need it because a lot of what is being discussed is how big, how much, will help visualize size. Chuck Ostman responded that we would be able to show all the different situations that really apply to the language that we are working on. Andrew Przybylo stated that if we are doing this for the benefit of the public then he is suggesting that it be started with a collage of everything that will be talked about. Put the signs up there and identify them so that the people understand what we are talking about, monochromatic, full color, flashing. Chuck Ostman stated we will have that by topic. Andrew Przybylo stated because then they are introduced to it and then see it and now we discuss. So open the meeting by 5 minutes defining what the topics are so that people can see and understand. Bonnie stated that previously there was a memo with topics to cover in the two meetings. Rich Wlodarski stated we don’t want to drag it out it is just that there will be some good discussion. Mayor Callero then stated before the meeting is closed we have a guest attending today, Tom with Brilliant Electric Heating and Cooling, 7501 Waukegan Road, Niles, IL 60714. He is a business owner who is concerned about the code, 100 foot minimum frontage to have a sign and municipalities around us don’t have that same requirement, they have it on a basis so if you are on 100 feet you just reduce the signage size by a prorated amount that the municipality would agree upon and I think if Niles would consider that it would be advantageous based on the fact with the current economy the way it is if you 5 are in the residential market which we are having a sign out in the front of your location to attract business when business is down at the bottom barrel right now it would be advantageous if we could have some type of signage for the residents of Niles. Andrew Przybylo asked are you saying that it is your understanding that unless you have 100 linear feet frontage you can not have any signs. Chuck Ostman stated a free standing pole sign. Andrew Przybylo stated okay because I know you can have a sign, anybody can have a sign, but you are saying that you want a monument sign. Tom responded not so much a pole monument sign just a ground. Andrew Przybylo stated more than just on the building. Tom said right due to the fact that we are on Waukegan Road and there is traffic up and down Waukegan Road and unless you are coming down the side street and looking at the front of the building the signage is naught. So if you had a free standing sign then people driving up and down Waukegan Road would see it. Andrew Przybylo stated he doesn’t disagree. He thinks that the philosophy of this committee and the entire board is that we acknowledge we are your partners. We need to make you work harder and better so that we can benefit in terms of our property tax, the whole economic engine of the village depends upon you and it is best if we can help you. On the other hand we will try to put some logic and some aesthetic into the signage. Tom stated he fully agrees with that based on the fact that he knows of other instances where people have put up signs that are esthetically unpleasing beyond belief and it is very important that this board, committee, puts together standards and regulations but on the other side it is a bureaucracy and to hear that the first thing is that the meeting is going to be 4 weeks down. This sign issue may not get approved for 6 – 7 months and businesses are trying to keep their doors open now and feels it will be an issue having to wait that long and was hoping it could be fast tracked. Chuck Ostman stated that he always has the opportunity to go before the Sign Board, the Zoning Board of Appeals and ask for a variation. Tom responded he fully understands all the regulations the Board needs to set in place because in fact you want the Village to maintain its integrity and its beauty and don’t want signs sticking out like sore thumbs. He fully understands what needs to be accomplished but it would be helpful if it could be expedited in some type of fashion. Chuck Ostman responded that they will work with him to guide him. Jim Hynes stated that there must be consistency too, if you go before the Zoning Board and get your signs approved and the next business goes in and doesn’t, there must be a strict set of guidelines used for everyone, so if everyone comes in with the same thing then everyone gets the same results and those results enhances the Village and it enhances the business. Mayor Callero stated that Rich Wlodarski and Chuck Ostman would assist him. Andrew Przybylo then stated so meeting next for the signs will be in the evening on July 14, 2010 at 6 p.m. and the second meeting then August 4, 2010 at 6 p.m. The agenda will be set for both meetings. Mayor Callero was concerned because business wants NOW not too far out. He stated that there is not an ordinance yet but business can make a special application. After being in the paper a lot of businesses will start thinking about it so felt the meetings should only be 3 weeks apart. Chuck Ostman then stated he will let the Chamber know and get the notice on the web. Andrew Przybylo then motioned to adjourn. Mayor Callero stated motion made and seconded by Rich Wlodarski. All in Favor. Meeting Adjourned at 9:35 a.m. 6