04-08-2004 Special Meeting166
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DES
PLAINES, ILLINOIS HELD IN THE ELEANOR
ROHRBACH MEMORIAL COUNCIL CHAMBERS, DES
PLAINES CIVIC CENTER, THURSDAY, APRIL
8, 2004
CALL TO ORDER: The Special meeting of the City Council of the City
of Des Plaines, Illinois, was called to order by
Mayor Anthony W. Arredia at 7:00 p.m. in the Eleanor
Rohrbach Memorial Council Chambers, Des Plaines Civic
Center on Thursday, April 8, 2004.
ROLL CALL: Roll call
Beauvais,
Aldermen
Alderman
Brookman
indicated the following aldermen present:
Murphy, Sayad, Becker, Smith, Argus.
Christiansen and Brookman were absent.
Christiansen arrived at 7:02 p.m. Alderman
arrived at 7:05 p.m.
Also present were City Manager Niemeyer, Assistant City Manager
Schneider, Civil Engineer LaBerg and City Attorney Wiltse.
ZONING CASE
03-42-PUD-A
PLANNED UNIT
DEVELOPMENT
AND REZONING/
LEE-PERRY-
D. P. RIVER-
MINER/
METROPOLITAN
SQUARE:
MAYOR ARREDIA DECLARED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL WAS NOW
RESOLVED INTO A COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Alderman Becker, Chair
Alderman Becker reviewed request from Tucker Development
Corporation and Joseph Freed and Associates LLC, f or
preliminary and final approval of Planned Unit
Development ( PUD) and rezoning of property bounded by Lee
Street-Perry Street-Des Plaines River Road-Miner Street;
the Des Plaines Plan Commission unanimously recommended
approval of the preliminary PUD, the vacation of
Jefferson Street and Park Place, and the zoning map
amendment to change the C-3 General Commercial District
portion of the PUD to C-5 Central Business District; the
Des Plaines Plan Commission also made a recommendation
that the City Council seriously consider having the City
add 140 spaces in a 4th level of the parking structure to
serve the future parking needs of the community.
Mr. Dennis Harder, Vice President of Development
Services, Joseph Freed and Associates LLC, 220 N. Smith
Street, Suite 300, Palatine, IL 60067, addressed the
Committee of the Whole and gave a power point
presentation about the project planned for this area.
Mr. Luay Aboona, Principal, KLOA, Inc., 9575 W. Higgins
Road, Suite 400, Rosemont, IL 60018, addressed the
Committee of the Whole and explained the "shared" parking
concept; this will be a mixed-use, transit-oriented,
off ice/retail/residential development which will allow
parking spaces to be used multiple times during the
course of the day and week; the 734 spaces proposed for
this project more than meets the minimum requirements.
Alderman Murphy stated her concern about whether there
would be adequate parking for the Miner Street merchants;
we need to provide a walkway in the alley; it is
essential.
Alderman Sayad asked Mr. Harder if the 734 parking spaces
were adequate for the project. Mr. Harder said yes.
Alderman Sayad requested that this be noted in the
record.
METRO. SQ.
(Cont'd. )
PAGE TWO
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4/8/04
Alderman Sayad stated that there is going to have to be
good signage to tell the people where to park; he
commended the developers and thanked the Staff for al l
their work on this project.
Alderman Brookman stated that she wants to see downtown
redevelopment, but she has some serious problems with
this plan; the developers didn't do their homework
because they should have known that a health club wasn't
possible; the businesses along Miner Street h ave
concerns; they were left out of the equation; she is
concerned that this project will not have enough parking;
there should be 940 spaces.
Alderman Smith also questioned whether there would be any
parking in the back of Miner Street for those merchants.
Alderman Argus stated that we as a Council decided not
to take in Miner Street; it was a majority vote.
Mr. Bob Hinde, 381 Oxford Road, addressed the Committee
of the Whole stating that two-thirds of the cars i n our
commuter lots are from out of town; in other communities
they only allow residents to park in the commuter lots;
it doesn't make sense to provide parking for out of town
commuters.
Mr. Ronald Moore, 1480 Jefferson Street, addressed the
Committee of the Whole asking who will pay for the
parking garage. Assistant City Manager Schneider said
this will be a shared cost with the developers,
approximately $15 million.
Mrs. Debbie Crowell, 1382 S. Fifth Avenue, addressed the
Committee of the Whole stating that the City should
shorten the parking time in front of the stores from
three ( 3) hours to 15 or 2 0 minutes; you could put a
walking track on top of the parking deck.
Mr. Louis Capozzoli, Attorney, 1484 Miner Street ,
addressed the Committee of the Whole stating that Miner
Street merchants have to be fully integrated into this
project; traffic is a major concern; you have to hear
from us; we will lose customers; we want this project to
work but we don't want to be isolated.
Mr. Robert Fink, Senior Vice President of Development,
Joseph Freed and Associates LLC, 220 N. Smith Street ,
Suite 300, Palatine, IL 60067, addressed the Committee
of the Whole stating that they will work with the Miner
Street merchants; they will look at the suggestion of
moving the buildings along the alley north.
The owner of the Subway Restaurant, 1526 Miner Street,
addressed the Committee of the Whole stating that parking
is very important for his business; he would like the
parking duration for street parking changed to one half
hour from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.; please consider this.
Mrs. Marge Kostick, 576 N. Seventh Avenue, addressed the
Committee of the Whole stating that she is the EMS
Coordinator for the Fire Department; our community
continues to age and as a result we need more ambulances;
right now the Fire Department does not have room for all
of its equipment.
Mr. Bob Wahl, owner of Wahl Jewelers, 1514 Miner Street,
addressed the Committee of the Whole stating that he is
also very concerned about the lack of parking for the
Miner Street merchants; his parking will be a 1/2 block
away while all the new retail will have parking in front
of their businesses.
METRO SQ.
(Cont'd. )
PAGE THREE
168
4/8/04
Mr. Brian Burkross, 2133 Webster Lane, addressed the
Committee of the Whole asking why this meeting is not
being conducted like the meeting on March 29, 2004. City
Attorney Wiltse said because this is not a hearing.
Alderman Smith stated that he thinks this PUD needs to
be redone because of all the suggestions that were made
tonight; he would be reluctant to approve this PUD
tonight.
Alderman Brookman stated her concern about how this
meeting was conducted tonight; there needs to be more
consistency; she wants this project to move forward but
she has a problem with the financial package; the City
is giving the developers millions and millions of dollars
to come into the City; she will be voting no because of
the financial package.
Alderman Sayad stated that he feels the developers owe
us something to put on the 4th level of the parking
garage in place of the health club; he feels the plan can
be reworked to make room for more parking; we need t o
accommodate the merchants on Miner Street; he is very
excited about this project; it will be the jewel in our
town.
Alderman Murphy stated that she too is excited about this
project; she thinks it is important that there is a place
to address some of these parking problems.
Alderman Christiansen stated that he agrees with most of
the comments made tonight; the developers willingness to
sit down and re-look at this project is a good sign; we
should try to make Lee Street two-way.
Alderman Beauvais stated her concerns about the sidewalk
along the alley; parking for Miner Street Merchants; how
the "shared" parking will work; it must be emphasized to
people buying the condos that there will be "shared"
parking; she thinks the parking is great; it is long
overdo.
Moved by Beauvais, seconded by Christiansen, to recommend
to the City Council to approve the Planned Unit
Development (PUD) for property located at 551 Lee Street,
bounded by Lee Street, Perry Street, Des Plaines River
Road and Jefferson Street, contingent upon the Staff's
recommended conditions as specified on Page 7 of
Assistant City Manager Schneider's memo of March 31,
2004; and contingent upon the addition of a sidewalk
along the alley behind Miner Street; parking be provided
for the Miner Street businesses; and the "shared" parking
concept be clearly defined.
Moved by Murohv, seconded by Argus, to adopt a SUBSTITUTE
MOTION and recommend to the City council to approve the
Planned Unit Development (PUD) for property located at
551 Lee Street, bounded by Lee Street, Perry Street, Des
Plaines River Road and Jefferson Street, contingent upon
the Staff's recommended conditions as specified on Page
7 of Assistant City Manager Schneider's memo of March 31 ,
2004; and contingent upon the addition of ten (10)
parking spaces being added for the Miner Street
businesses without taking their private property. Upon
roll call, the vote was:
AYES: 4-Christiansen, Murphy, Becker, Argus
NAYS: 4-Beauvais, Sayad, Brookman, Smith
ABSENT: 0-None
MOTION DECLARED FAILED (a tie vote is a failed vote) .
Moved by Sayad, seconded by Beauvais, to adopt a
SUBSTITUTE MOTION and recommend to the City Council that
the developers provide some kind of compensation for not
putting a health club on the top of the parking deck.
METRO SQ.
(Cont'd. )
RECESS:
ADDITIONAL
LEVEL/
PARKING
GARAGE:
PAGE FOUR
169
4 /8 /04
Mr. Richard Tucker, President-Chief Executive Officer,
Tucker Development Corporation, 799 Central Avenue, Suite
300, Highland Park, IL 60035, addressed the Committee of
the Whole stating that would not be acceptable to them.
Upon roll call, the vote was:
AYES: 2-Sayad, Brookman
NAYS: 6-Beauvais, Christiansen, Murphy,
Becker, Smith, Argus
ABSENT: 0-None
MOTION DECLARED FAILED.
Moved by Becker, seconded by Argus, to take a five (5)
minutes recess. Motion declared carried.
The Committee of the Whole recessed at 10:53 p.m.
The Committee of the Whole reconvened at 11:05 p.m.
Moved by Becker, seconded by Argus, to adopt a SUBSTITUTE
MOTION and recommend to the City Council to approve the
Planned Unit Development (PUD) for property located at
551 Lee Street, bounded by Lee Street, Perry Street, Des
Plaines River Road and Jefferson Street, contingent upon
the Staff's recommended conditions as specified on Page
7 of Assistant City Manager Schneider's memo of March 31,
2004; addition of ten (10) parking spaces along
Metropolitan Way; grant a variation to permit the
additional parking spaces to have an 18' depth instead
of the required 20' depth; a pedestrian walk-way/sidewalk
be provided in the existing alley behind Miner Street
from Pearson Street to Metropolitan Way; recommend that
the property bounded by Lee Street, Perry Street, Des
Plaines River Road and Miner Street be rezoned from C-3
General Commercial District to C-5 Central Business
District to conform with the zoning of the remaining
properties; and further recommend that Ordinance Z-14-04
and Z-15-04 be placed on First Reading at appropriate
time this evening. Upon roll call, the vote was:
AYES: 7-Beauvais, Christiansen, Murphy,
Sayad, Becker, Smith, Argus
NAYS: 1-Brookman
ABSENT: 0-None
Motion declared carried.
Alderman Becker stated that the adding of a 4th level to
the parking garage was recommended by the Des Plaines
Plan Commission which will provide approximately 140
additional spaces.
Mr. Paul Saletnik, 320 Oxford Road, addressed the
Committee of the Whole asking that the City please add
a 4th level; it would be very prudent; now is the time to
put our investment into this project to make it grow; go
with as much parking as we can get.
The owner of the Subway Restaurant, 1526 Miner Street ,
addressed the Committee of the Whole stating that maybe
the City could rent the spaces to the residents for
overnight parking.
Mr. Bob Wahl, owner of Wahl Jewelers, 1514 Miner Street,
addressed the Committee of the Whole stating that he is
in favor of the extra level; if the developers use the
outlot it will take away 60 parking spaces. Mr. Tucker
said it would take away only eight (8) spaces.
Alderman Sayad stated that there is no outcry for this;
he is against the City spending money for this parking
level.
METRO SQ.
(Cont'd.)
SALE OF OLD
LIBRARY/
841
GRACELAND:
ZONING CASE
03-42-PUD-A
MAP AMEND./
METROPOLITAN
SQUARE:
Ordinance
Z-14-04
ZONING CASE
03-42-PUD-A
PLANNED UNIT
DEVELOPMENT/
METROPOLITAN
SQUARE:
Ordinance
Z-15-04
PAGE FIVE
170
4/8/04
Alderman Becker stated that we will be planning for the
future; we have the opportunity to do it now; the cost
will be TIF eligible; the cost of money is cheap right
now; it will cost more in the future.
Alderman Christiansen stated that he is for putting on
the 4th level; we need parking here; let's look at our
future.
Alderman Beauvais stated that she is in favor of this;
we have a theater in town and hopefully in the future we
will have more people in town; more restaurants.
Alderman Argus stated that she believes that three (3)
floors are sufficient; we should do something about
commuters who don't live here using our spaces.
Moved by Beauvais, seconded by Christiansen, to recommend
to the City Council to add a 4th level to the parking
garage proposed for Metropolitan Square at a cost of $1.2
million/TIF #5 Funds. Upon roll call, the vote was:
AYES: 5-Beauvais, Christiansen, Murphy,
Becker, Smith
NAYS: 3-Sayad, Brookman, Argus
ABSENT: 0-None
Motion declared carried.
MAYOR ARREDIA ASSUMED THE CHAIR AND DECLARED THE CITY
COUNCIL BACK IN SESSION
Moved by Christiansen, seconded by Beauvais, that the
matter of the sale of the old Library, 841 Graceland
Avenue, be placed under the Committee of the Whole for
discussion at a future meeting. Motion declared carried
(this matter will be discussed on May 17, 2004).
Moved by Becker, seconded by Murphy, to concur with
recommendation of Committee of the Whole that the
property bounded by Lee Street, Perry Street, Des Plaines
River Road and Miner Street be rezoned from C-3 General
Commercial District to C-5 Central Business District to
conform with the zoning of the remaining properties with
the Metropolitan Square project, and further recommend
to place on First Reading Ordinance Z-14-04, AN ORDINANCE
GRANTING A REQUEST FOR A MAP AMENDMENT FROM C-3 GENERAL
COMMERCIAL TO C-5 CENTRAL BUSINESS FOR THE METROPOLITAN
SQUARE DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT (CASE 03-79-PUD-A). Upon
roll call, the vote was:
AYES: 7-Beauvais, Christiansen, Murphy,
Sayad, Becker, Smith, Argus
NAYS: 1-Brookman
ABSENT: 0-None
Motion declared carried.
Moved by Becker, seconded by Christiansen, to concur with
recommendation of Committee of the Whole to approve the
Planned Unit Development (PUD) for property located at
551 Lee Street, bounded by Lee Street, Perry Street, Des
Plaines River Road and Jefferson Street, contingent upon
the Staff's recommended conditions as specified on Page
7 of Assistant City Manager Schneider's memo of March 31,
2004; addition of ten (10) parking spaces along
Metropolitan Way; grant a variation to permit the
additional parking spaces to have an 18' depth instead
of the required 20' depth; a pedestrian walk-way /sidewalk
be provided in the existing alley behind Miner Street
from Pearson Street to Metropolitan Way; add a 4th level
to the parking garage at a cost of $1.2 million/TIF #5
Funds; and further recommend to place on First Reading
Ordinance Z-15-04, AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A REQUEST FOR
FINAL APPROVAL OF A PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT (PUD) FOR
Z-15-04
(Cont'd. (
AJOURNMENT:
PAGE SIX
171
4/8/04
THE METROPOLITAN SQUARE DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT (CASE 03-
42-PUD-A). Motion declared carried. Alderman Brookman
voted no. Aldermen Sayad and Argus requested that the
record show that they voted no on the addition of a 4 th
level to the parking garage.
Moved by Brookman, seconded by Becker, that the Special
meeting of the City Council adjourn. Motion decl ared
carried. Meeting adjourned at 11:37 p.m.
Donna McAllister, MMC CITY CLERK
APPROVED BY ME THIS.. --~...---
DAY OF ~ , 2004 Ant ¥~MAYOR