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DES PLAINES
N.1.1. -LINT,
City of Des Plaines
Planning and Zoning
1420 Miner Street
Des Plaines, IL 60016
Tel: 847-391-5306
Fax: 847-391-5371
Minutes of Meeting
Economic Development Commission
June 10, 2015
Call to Order: Economic Development Commission Chair Cortney Anderson Wascher called the
meeting to order at 7:35 A.M. on Wednesday, June 10, 2015, in Des Plaines City Hall 1420 Miner
Street, Room 101.
Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the April 8, 2015 meeting were deferred to the July 10, 2015
meeting by unanimous voice vote.
Members Present: Richard Grosse, Anthony Bottalla, Mohammad Khokhar, Randall Rapp,
Christen Osowski, Cortney Anderson Wascher. Jin Lee
Members Absent: Patrick Devereaux, Pat Mauro, Patrick McGeean, and Louis Psihogios.
Also Present: Community & Economic Development Director George Sakas and Economic
Development Coordinator Lauren Pruss.
Old Business:
a. Discussion regarding zoning and conditional uses. Economic Development Coordinator
Pruss gave a power point presentation regarding zoning and land use. The presentation
included an explanation of the purpose of zoning and why municipalities use zoning.
Zoning categories specific to Des Plaines were explained. It was explained that there are
permitted uses and conditional uses, and that conditional uses are classified as such because
they have the potential to have a detrimental impact on the surrounding area. The City's
process for reviewing conditional uses was explained as a multi -step process taking
approximately 60-90 days. Staff stated that they surveyed surrounding municipalities and
that the City's process was consistent with, or faster than that of surrounding municipalities.
Ms. Pruss concluded the presentation by suggesting several opportunities for streamlining
and shortening the City's process which the Commission generally supported. The
Commission suggested that staff consider increasing the validity period of conditional uses
to two years after vacancy. Additionally, they further supported increasing the timeframe
for start of construction. It was also suggested that staff look at the code restrictions for
expanding conditional uses to see if there were opportunities to reduce those restrictions.
b. Discussion of business survey questions and business letter. Ms. Pruss presented the
final version of the business outreach letter and draft business survey. She indicated that the
outreach letter would be distributed as a postcard, a draft of which would be presented at an
upcoming meeting. City staff would use a multi -faceted approach for public outreach
regarding the survey which would include the City's website, a press release, information on
the City's television channel and electronic signs downtown, and collaboration with the
Chamber of Commerce. Generally, the Commission indicated their satisfaction with the
letter and provided some minor comments on the survey. Staff agreed to make the revisions
as suggested.
c. Update on shopping center rehabilitation grant. Ms. Pruss stated that the shopping
center rehabilitation grant would be presented to the City Council in July.
Staff Comments:
None.
Chairinan & Commissioners Comments:
None.
Comments from the Public:
None.
Adjourn:
Meeting was adjourned by Chairman Wascher at 9:05 A.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Lauren Pruss, Economic Development Coordinator