Village of Niles Electronic Informal Consideration Board of Trustees Met Jan. 26.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
A meeting of the Board of Trustees Informal Consideration was called to order at 6:10 p.m. by Village Attorney Danielle Grcic via Zoom audio/visual conferencing in accordance with Governor Pritzker's Executive Order 2020-07 “Stay-at-Home” directive due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The following Board members were present: Trustees George D. Alpogianis, John C. Jekot, Danette O'Donovan Matyas, Denise McCreery, Craig Niedermaier and Dean Strzelecki. President Andrew Przybylo was absent. Trustee Matyas made a motion to appoint Trustee Alpogianis as President Pro Tem, seconded by Trustee Niedermaier. On roll call, all concurred.
President Pro Tem Alpogianis led the pledge of allegiance.
PRELIMINARY REVIEW OF A PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT AT OAK MILL MALL - 7900 MILWAUKEE AVENUE PRESENTED BY PHILLIPS EDISON & COMPANY
Community Development Director Charles Ostman introduced representatives from Phillips Edison & Company, owners of Oak Mill Mall: Senior Construction Manager Quinn Gadow, Vice President and North Region Asset Manager Tom Myers, Senior Vice President of Design and Construction Tony Haslinger, to present a proposed development of an outlot building at the northeast corner of Oak Mill Mall located at the southwest corner of Oakton Street and Milwaukee Avenue.
Mr. Gadow stated that Phillips Edison is proposing construction of a 4,849 sq. ft. multi-tenant outlot building for up to three potential restaurant/retail tenants. A Special use approval will be requested to allow for a drive-through for their intended coffee-user. As maintaining an urban feel was noted by the Village to be a major concern, an alternative drive-through location along Oakton and Milwaukee is intended to be a shield from view using landscaping along the right of way. The unique geometry of the Oakton and Milwaukee intersection is the driving factor behind the challenges the development faces conforming to the Village's Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Gadow presented two layouts of a drive through for the Board's review and feedback. The first, and preferred, site plan shows a u-shaped drive-through, which allows for eight-car stacking, with a building close to the corner of Oakton and Milwaukee. The alternative wrap-around site plan provides for an additional five-car stacking for a total of 13 cars, which would increase traffic flow. The wrap-around drive-through would need to be shielded with landscaping to ensure the proposed building falls in line with the Village's Code. The goal is to make sure that the Village's guidelines are followed and meets the approval of the intended coffee-user. Both site plans call for an outdoor patio, as drive-throughs and outdoor dining are long term and a must have, especially during the current climate.
Phillips Edison representatives responded to questions and asked for input from the Board and direction regarding the two site plans.
Site Plan with U-Shaped Drive-Through: Trustee McCreery preferred the u-shaped drive-through and asked for Board support due to the number of variances to be requested under the alternative site plan. She is also concerned that the patio dining would be hampered by the wrap-around drive-through configuration. She stated that the u-shape drive-through currently works well at a coffee shop at Milwaukee and Touhy. President Pro Tem Alpogianis confirmed that he likes the u-shaped configuration as well. Trustee Niedermaier commented that this project does not meet the South Milwaukee Avenue Corridor Plan and the Village needs something pedestrian friendly. He stated that the u-shaped drive-through is probably the best because it has a shorter drive-through lane; however, he doesn't see this project as “future Niles”. Community Development Director Charles Ostman stated that Phillips Edison tried to get the buildings close to the corner in order to meet Zoning Code requirements and the u-shaped probably meets it the best.
Site Plan with Wrap-Around Drive-Through: Trustee Strzelecki and Trustee Jekot prefer the wrap around drive-through. Trustee Jekot likes the concept and suggested perhaps using small islands for landscaping or speed bumps to slow the traffic. Trustee Matyas was concerned with pedestrian and vehicular safety with the already busy traffic at Oak Mill Mall with their multiple entrances and exits. Addressing the safety issue, Phillips Edison stated that one of the merits of the wrap-around drive through is additional visibility and distance to avoid cars and at least two speed bumps and a stop sign are needed.
Since the Board was divided, Mr. Ostman was directed to reach out and poll the Board members after the presentation and deliver a consensus by the end of the week to Phillips Edison who are hoping to begin building soon.
2020 NILES STRATEGIC PLAN PRESENTED BY NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY (NIU) CENTER FOR GOVERNMENTAL STUDIES
C. Deputy Village Manager Hadley Skeffington-Vos introduced Mel Henricksen, Assistant Director, Public Management and Training, and Jeanna Ballard, Senior Research Associate from the NIU Center for Governmental Studies, consultants who conducted the facilitation and creation of the Village of Niles Strategic Plan. A Strategic Plan is a high-level planning document aimed at providing guidance and operational direction for an organization. Strategic planning is a preferred approach to guiding an organization's future rather than making decisions issue by issue. The Village of Niles engaged the Center for Governmental Studies (CGS) at Northern Illinois University (NIU) to facilitate a strategic planning workshop with Board and senior staff members in September of 2020. Prior to the two half day workshops, two online surveys were sent to the Finance and Planning and Zoning committees and a Village front-line staff focus group was conducted to gather input on the Village's future vision and goals.
The NIU-CGS team led the Village through a multi-phased approach:
Phase 1: Collected and analyzed stakeholder feedback
Strong government and quality resources Economic development
Beautification/Open space
• Communication/collaboration
• Safety
Infrastructure improvements Organizational development
Phase 2: Identified the future vision and direction of the Village and established goals and priorities during leadership workshops . Family-oriented . Inclusion and diversity
Development/redevelopment Communication/brand awareness
Become a destination
• Sustainability
Technology
Phase 3: Reviewed and prioritized the strategic goals
Short-term goals (top three) . Financial analysis to explore revenue enhancement options
Complete the Golf Mill Shopping Center redevelopment agreement Phase I construction
• Identify incentives and strategies to attract developers, specifically in the TIF Districts Long-term goals (top three) . Implement revenue enhancement strategies
Implement economic development strategies
• Finalize Grainger and Touhy Triangle redevelopment plans
Phase 4: Conducted an action planning launch to move forward and enhance accountability
. Diversified economic development
• Infrastructure planning and funding . Marketing and communication . Foster community identity
• Financial stability and transparency
A copy of Niles' 2020 Strategic Plan can be found on the Village's website, under Government - Transparent Government -Strategic Planning -2020 Strategic Plan.
Public Comments None
Trustee McCreery moved for adjournment, seconded by Trustee Niedermaier, and all concurred on roll call. The meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XDHDi3LWLRmj0M8nUhnxBKp0BZyGJrp3-Fuo4-6Sf0g/edit
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