Industrial & Commercial Development Commission

APPROVED MINUTES OF THE VILLAGE OF NORTHBROOK INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION Village Hall Terrace Room October 23, 2012 Members Present: Chairman Patrick Lederer, Curt Wilens, Larry Herskovitz, Richard Rushkewicz, Susan Elfant, Mark Freeman, David Gottlieb, Dick Leopold, Jill Narens and Tensley Garris. Members Absent: Brian Lee. Staff Present: David Schoon and Colleen Brunner. Call to Order & Introductions Chairman Lederer called the meeting to order in the Terrace Room of Village Hall at 7:30 a.m. Review of Minutes: On a motion made and seconded, the minutes from the September 25, 2012 ICDC meeting and October 16, 2012 special meeting were approved as presented. Public Comment- Hear from the Audience None Community Planning and Economic Development Coordinator Report A written report was provided. Schoon’s additional comments included: 1) A proposed 32-unit townhome development, located at Willow/Landwehr will be presented to the Board of Trustees at tonight’s meeting; 2) presentation of a 30-second Shop Northbrook commercial produced by the Village and the Chamber that will air on various cable stations during the upcoming holiday shopping season. Retail sales are important as approximately 30% of the Village’s general fund budget is funded by sales tax revenues. Recap of Industrial Building Tour and Continued Discussion of Potential Changes to Class 6b Guidelines and Procedures ICDC members toured four vacant industrial properties located at 1885 Holste, 1808-1850 Holste, 3005 MacArthur and 237 Melvin. The members found it very helpful to view them and better understand the condition of a property. The members feel it is absolutely necessary for the Board to view each 6b applicant’s property to better understand the need and potential qualification for the program. Members expressed the opinion that the Village Board and staff may want to pre-identify potential properties that may qualify for the 6b incentive. The Commission discussed a draft purpose statement prepared by staff concerning the Village’s use of the Class 6b program and voted to recommend that the Ad Hoc Economic Development Committee use this purpose statement as a guide for its discussion regarding the use of the Class 6b program. The ICDC does feel the Village is receptive to the general guidelines of the program, but still must weigh each application on a case by case basis. ICDC Meeting Minutes October 23, 2012 Update and Discussion Regarding Creation of Industrial and Commercial Services District The Commission reviewed the Plan Commissions current work on the proposed Industrial and Commercial Services (ICS) District. The Commission’s discussion focused on allowing accessory retail sales and allowing accessory outdoor storage in the ICS District as well as the I-1 and I-2 districts. The Commission discussed the appropriate forms of screening for accessory outdoor storage, in particular if chain link fences with privacy slats or mesh covers would be appropriate forms of screening. Commission members expressed the opinion that this was an appropriate form of screening in the industrial districts. A motion was made and seconded, that the Commission recommends that accessory retail uses and accessory outdoor storage be allowed in the proposed ICS District, as well as the existing I-1 and I-2 districts, as follows. 1. Retail sales of items manufactured, processed, assembled or warehoused, provided that such retail sales area does not exceed ten (10) percent of the gross floor area of such business use. 2. Accessory Outdoor Storage shall meet the following additional conditions: a. Shall be enclosed by a screening fence, (which may include chain link fences with privacy slats or mesh covers), wall or densely planted evergreen hedge of a height of no less than 8 feet & sufficient to screen such proposed use from view from adjoining properties and public or private streets. b. Shall not be located between any principal structure & either its front or corner side lot line. c. Shall not contain material stored higher than 8 feet in height. d. For each tenant located on a zoning lot, its outdoor storage area shall not be larger than 10% of the tenant’s total building floor area located on the zoning lot. e. Shall not be allowed on a zoning lot abutting a residentially zoned property. If the proposed use cannot meet any of the above conditions, it shall require a special permit. The motion was unanimously approved. Discussion Regarding Property Maintenance in the Downtown Due to time restraints these items will be discussed at the November 27 meeting. New Business Member Garris announced that the Chamber annual auction is October 29. Old Business - None Next Meeting The next ICDC meeting had been scheduled for November 27, 2012. Adjourn On motion made and seconded, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 a.m. Respectfully Submitted – Colleen Brunner