Village of Niles Niles 2040 Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee met Oct. 6.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
Attendance:
Project Steering Committee: Colin Baker, Michael DeSantiago, Adam Konopka, Janet Lee, Joe Maccione, Denise McCreery, Dennis McEnerney, John Murphy, Craig Niedermaier
Village Staff: Kate Lockerby, Staff Liaison/Recording Secretary, Charles Ostman, Nathan Bruemmer, Hadley Skeffington-Vos
Consultants: Nicholas Kalogeresis (The Lakota Group)
Other Attendees: Jane Grover (CMAP), Michelle Agunloye (CMAP)
Absent: Steering Committee Members: Tom Kanelos, Scott O’Brien, Mike Shields
Trustee McCreery called the meeting to order at 7:11 PM.
A roll call was taken of the Committee.
Kate Lockerby welcomed and introduced Jane Grover, Principal with the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning.
Jane Grover thanked the Village of Niles for inviting CMAP in at the beginning of the comprehensive planning process to share the regional plans for the area as it typically does not happen.
Ms. Grover gave a presentation, outlining the demographics of the region, stating that Chicago Metro area is the third largest metropolitan area in the country, behind New York and Los Angeles. She also outlined the roadways that service the region, and the metro areas train and transit lines. She noted as an aside that ridership has been significantly affected by the COVID 19 pandemic with Metra being the hardest hit and Pace being the least impacted. The Chicago metro area also is a significant hub for freight train activity
Ms. Grover explained the history of CMAP and its offices location. She noted that some years ago, the federal government mandated that, if you live in a metropolitan area with more than 50,000 people, an agency would need created to handle the federal funding that was filtered into an area. The Chicago area had 2 planning groups already – Chicago Area Transportation Study and the Northeastern Planning Council. The State of Illinois, by legislation, combined the two agencies to create CMAP, which would house the region’s transportation and planning efforts. She continued to outline the funding programs and explained some of the projects in the process and past in Niles that have taken advantage of the CMAP funding programs.
Ms. Grover continued to explain that the On to 2050 plan is a long range transportation plan that regional commissions are required complete/update every 8 years for regional planning. The plans must include a fiscal plan and long term recommendations on housing, stormwater management, economic development, etc. CMAP is not a legislative body that can pass ordinances. Their power is in how the funds are spent. In order for a municipality to participate in the LTA, the plan must comply with the On to 2050 plan.
Ms. Grover outlined some of the relevant macrotrends that are incorporated in the plan and how some communities are dealing with these trends: changed climate, tech-enhanced transportation, walkable communities (Walk Score.com rates Niles as a 62 in walkability). As part of the community engagement portion of the plan, the macrotrends were tested.
There are three guiding principles in the plan: Inclusive Growth, Resilience, and Prioritized Investment. Ms. Grover went over some of the data in the area, and that the Chicago metro area is approximately 50% of other metropolitan areas in economic growth. One of the reasons is due to racial and economic segregation.
Ms. Grover also explained how CMAP assist communities, such as the Community Data Snapshots, flood susceptibility index, water demand study, sidewalk inventories, Local Technical Assistance Program, virtual webinars (CMAP Talks).
Kate Lockerby thanked Jane Grover for the presentation.
Mike DeSantiago asked about racial diversity and connection to jobs, and what is CMAP doing to help bridge the gap in schools. Ms. Grover stated that unfortunately it is out of CMAP’s range of ambit. Trustee McCreery asked about the budget and the number of communities served. Ms Grover responded that they serve all 284 municipalities in the 7 county region and Chicago neighborhoods. The annual budget is roughly $18-$20 million.
Kate Lockerby asked about the LTA program and how many applicants typically they get on an annual basis. Ms. Grover stated that it is a competitive program with a limited amount of money. 180 projects completed in the 10 years of the program. Fewer than 80 projects apply on an annual basis and not all are successful.
Adam Konopka asked what makes an application stick out in the process. Ms. Grover stated that the projects must meet the three principles that guide the On to 2050 plan and more successful applications help to implement the regional comprehensive plan.
Mike DeSantiago asked if CMAP collaborates with the Cook County Forest Preserve District. Ms. Grover mentioned that they so, and they just collaborated on a webinar about equity. The forest preserve has been a great partner.
John Murphy asked for an example of a municipality that has had success in addressing the extreme conditions issues. Ms. Grover mentioned a project with Lake County Stormwater Management Commission and that the LTA projects are all listed on the CMAP website and can be sorted.
Trustee Niedermaier asked about the “death of the indoor mall” which is something that we know will be a feature of our comprehensive plan. He thinks it would be really helpful to see several case-studies that outline good and bad examples. Does CMAP have any information about this “death of the indoor mall” phenomena? Ms. Grover mentioned she didn’t have any information off-hand but she would ask around to see if her colleagues knew of any information.
Mike DeSantiago asked if the walkability score of 62 good and how does that compare to Chicago and other communities. Ms. Grover mentioned the Metra is important, typically, but we’re not sure how residential projects near train stations will be affected by Covid.
Kate Lockerby asked if there has been any discussion amongst the CMAP employees about the affects COVID may have on certain components of the On to 2050 Plan? She noted that open meetings are likely permanently changed as well as working from home. Ms. Grover mentioned that it is still early to predict, but there are 2 futures that weren’t shared tonight are more like reality right now: changing economy (shift from labor-intensive industry to service-based industry) and constrained resources.
Joe Macchione asked how CMAP is governed. Ms. Grover explained the CMAP governance (bifurcated governance).
Trustee McCreery thanked Ms. Grover for appearing before the Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee. Ms. Grover states she would send information to Kate Lockerby regarding the websites mentioned, and the death of the indoor mall and what municipalities are doing about it.
Kate Lockerby noted that no public comments were received for this meeting.
Hearing no further questions from the committee, Trustee McCreery asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Adam Konopka made a motion and Dennis McEnerney seconded. All were in favor. The meeting adjourned at 8:05 pm.
https://www.vniles.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_10062020-1998
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