City of Wood Dale Planning, Zoning and Building Committee met Oct. 8.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
Committee Date: October 8, 2020
Present: Ald. Catalano, Jakab, Messina, Susmarski, E. Wesley & Woods
Absent: Ald. Sorrentino & R. Wesley
Also Present: Mayor Pulice, Treasurer Porch, Clerk Curiale, City Manager Mermuys, Police Chief Vesta, B. Wilson, , E. Cage, P. Hastings
Meeting Convened at: 7:30 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
The minutes of the September 10, 2020 meeting were approved as presented.
REPORT & RECOMMENDATION:
ILLINOIS ROUTE 83 TRAFFIC LIGHT STUDY
DISCUSSION:
None
VOTE:
Ald. Jakab made a motion, seconded by Ald. E. Wesley, to approve entering into an agreement with CBBEL to perform a traffic light warranty study for Beinoris Drive and Illinois Route 83, in the not-to-exceed amount of $37,000.00. A voice vote was taken, with the following results:
Ayes: Ald. Catalano, Jakab, Messina, Susmarski, E. Wesley & Woods
Nays: None
Abstained: None
Motion: Carried
REPORT & RECOMMENDATION:
THORNDALE CORRIDOR OVERLAY BOUNDARIES AND REGULATIONS
DISCUSSION:
Director Cage provided an update for the City of Wood Dale UDO stating it will be going to CDC. A subcommittee met in March for a kickoff meeting of UDO updates, but as a result of COVID-19 many things were changed. He noted this is a pressing issue, and that parking requirements are very restrictive.
Michael Blue of Teska Associates reported that the Corridor was part of the Comprehensive Plan, but the office corridor market no longer exist. He talked about signature developments which focus more on interchanges than corridors. The City wants to keep the vision of a corporate main street, but focus on the four quadrants of the interchange. A main issue is that the list of permitted uses in the UDO is very restrictive.
Ald. Woods asked about the next steps and a timeline. Director Cage stated this is just informational for Council to be aware it is being published for discussion at the October CDC meeting. Their recommendation will return to Committee and then go to Council; he expects it to return to Committee in November. Two components of this are the Thorndale overlay and the UDO update. The City already has received 5 to 10 requests for nonconforming use to continue in the Thorndale Corridor because of the overlay. They are industrial properties that want to remain industrial. The overlay is having a negative impact on economic development on multiple properties in the business park and causing a lot of frustration. Ald. Woods realizes there are changes needed, but pointed out that some people have already invested money in that overlay. He would like a quick decision for the entire community to be aware of. Mr. Blue commented that the first step would be to remove the requirements.
Mayor Pulice expressed concern about this being done properly. Director Cage explained there were not bypassing the Steering Committee, but there has been a lot of interest and he does not want to see those businesses leave Wood Dale to go elsewhere. If the process takes longer it impacts several property owners, so time is of the essence with the unstable environment.
Mr. Bond noted there are a numb of restrictions in the Overlay District and when originally passed the City made those restrictions mandatory, but the recent shift in development caused a new situation. A lot of relief is needed due to the many restrictions. Developers will look elsewhere if the City doesn’t evolve to meet the current economic trends. Ald. Jakab asked what the restrictions are and was advised by Director Cage it doesn’t allow warehouse and logistics.
Ald. Catalano asked about the timeline on the western access to O’Hare Airport. Mayor Pulice recalled the goal being 2025 if on schedule, but noted those meetings have all been delayed due to COVID 19.
Ald. Woods suggested eliminating the entire Thorndale Overlay as a fairer approach. Director Cage agreed that option would resolve the problem. City Manager Mermuys explained that all recent developments don’t follow the Overlay District anyway, so the City is making them go through an additional hoop which staff hopes to eliminate. Attorney Bond explained that to get this moving to the next step, it needs to go to CDC.
ITEMS TO BE CONSIDERED AT FUTURE MEETINGS:
• None
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting adjourned at 8:13 p.m.
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