Northbrook 4Th of July Opportunities, Prioritize Environmental a Village Tradition Since 1968
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K • C O O O O R K B H C T O R U O N N T Y F I NorthbrookO L L E July/August 2012 I G N A O L I L S I NorthbrookV Moves 1 9 3 0 2 Forward with1 9 • 1 C • Sustainability PlanI V I T A S The Village of Northbrook and the Northbrook Park District both have a long-standing track record of environmentally sound practices. Over the past several years, both organizations have aggressively engaged in energy efficiency and conservation programs and have actively recycled waste products associated with administrative operations, construction activities and residential materials. These practices help to safeguard the natural and built environment in our Village. In the spirit of continuing this track record of environmental stewardship, the Village of Northbrook and the Northbrook Park District are partnering to draft and implement a community Sustainability Plan. The Plan will provide a framework to identify implementation Northbrook 4th of July opportunities, prioritize environmental A Village Tradition Since 1968. Enjoy a full day of family initiatives, identify partnerships and fun brought to you by the 4th of July Association. build on our community sustainability. Participation and support from residents The 2012 parade theme is Imagine. This All the traditional events, starting with the and businesses during the development year’s Parade Marshals are the Current Pancake Breakfast in the Village Green of the Plan is crucial to the success of the Northbrook Military Personnel serving Park to the 2:30pm Mile-long Parade and project. The planning team is seeking in our Armed Forces. All are encouraged ending with music by the New Tradition interested residents to be a member to make a sign or banner to display along Chorus followed by fabulous fireworks, will of a standing panel to offer input and the parade route thanking our Northbrook be held on Wednesday, July 4. Get ready for share ideas to make the Plan a useful service men and women. Gather your a day chock full of fun. planning tool for Northbrook’s future. If family, friends and neighbors and get ready you are interested, please call Dan Kaup, For a complete schedule of 4th of July events, for a fantastic 4th of July in Northbrook. please see page 9 Assistant to the Village Manager, at 847/664-4016. ART IN THE PARK RETURNS Business Briefs - Downtown Plan .... 2 Village Happenings .................. 7 Enjoy this annual fine arts festival Notes from Village President ......... 3 4th of July Schedule ................. 9 at the Village Green Park Saturday Exciting Summer Events ......... 4 & 5 Northbrook Days ................... 10 and Sunday, July 14 & 15. See page Village Board Highlights ............. 6 Techny Road Construction .......... 11 4 for details!! Business Briefs Downtown Plan Earlier this year, the Village’s Downtown Plan Steering Committee completed its work on preparing its vision and formally recommended approval of a new Downtown Plan. The 1: Shermerville Common President and Board of 2: West Metra Parking Lot Trustees are currently reviewing the document. 3: Weiszmann Property A copy of the draft plan 4: Meadow Plaza can be found on the Village 5: C-1 Properties website at www.northbrook. il.us/downtownplan. The 6: Shopping Center Expansion Downtown Plan takes the ideas gathered and developed throughout the The Plan also identifies potential they would need to pay the current public participation process and creates a redevelopment concepts for six targeted property owners a price that reflects the comprehensive plan to guide the future of properties in the downtown. These current income stream – not just the value downtown. redevelopment concepts were based upon of the land. Having to pay a land price the market study completed as part of the that truly reflects the value to the property The Plan identifies ways that the plan and were evaluated in terms of their owner is critical in successfully promoting redevelopment and enhancement of potential financial feasibility. redevelopment, but can also create a “gap” the downtown occur in a coordinated that may require some form of public and complementary way through land The table on page 8 financial participation. The Village Board use decisions, transportation elements (transit, parking, circulation and access), briefly summarizes the has yet to decide if or how the Village public streetscape improvements development options would financially participate with the (including entryway features), design redevelopment of any of the sites. guidelines, business development efforts, and the degree of public One tool often used to promote and zoning regulations. participation envisioned. redevelopment through public participation is tax increment financing These general concepts were developed (TIF). The “tax increment” is the to create a vision of what could occur on difference between the amount of each site. As developers express interest property taxes collected before and after in development of any of these sites, the the designation of a TIF District. The Village would remain open to proposals amount of taxes collected before the that generally meet the general goals of designation continues to go to all of the each of the concept plans. taxing districts. The tax increment is As noted on page 8, some of the invested into development projects within development concepts contain significant the district that would not occur without financial gaps due to a variety of factors the investment of the increment. Prior to and would require some form of public the Board ever adopting the use of TIF financial participation. For instance, the financing, a process would take place that existing building on the Meadow Plaza allows the other taxing districts and the site provides its owner with a significant public to participate in deciding the use of income stream. For a developer to TIF financing. continued on page 8 purchase this property for redevelopment, 2 July/August 2012 Notes from Village President Sandy Frum While the Northbrook Village Board spends a significant amount of time on local issues, the Trustees and I are also mindful to focus on regional, state and national issues that affect Northbrook. Whether we are dealing with transportation, environment, taxes or infrastructure, working with other communities, agencies and/or legislators is another important responsibility that we share. I traveled to Springfield in bill states that municipalities must allow their law enforcement May to remind legislators personnel, firefighters or other persons “employed to protect the that reforms for public public safety” to solicit for a charitable organization on any street safety pensions still need or in any intersection. My concern on this rests with safety. to be adopted. This visit Pension reform is still in the hands of the State legislature, as was highlighted by a press no reforms were passed during this session. We will continue to conference along with monitor proposals that are made in order to understand how any discussions with legislators changes will impact our community and our employees. focusing on the lack of action on their part. What’s Going on Around the Village? Frequently I am stopped by residents inquiring about various The Capitol is an interesting place during the last week of a session. projects and issues going on in the Village. Here are a few topics I found that trying to speak directly to a legislator is not the easiest you may be wondering about: thing to do. They are very busy in the House or Senate Chambers, debating (and voting on) bills. The process involves sending in What’s going on with the property at Dundee and Skokie? Northwest your business card and then waiting to talk to the legislator. When Corner of Dundee and Skokie. The owner of the property, they do, you have just a few minutes to make your case. You have Beal Bank, has been marketing the property for a mixed use to hope that your previous correspondence has at least familiarized development. Interested buyers of the property had until June 8 them with your concerns on any given issue. The point, I think, is to submit proposals and bids. Over the next several weeks and simply to let them know you are still interested in the outcome – months, the bank will be evaluating the proposals and selecting a and that you are watching. Does it make a difference? I think so. buyer. Any proposed development will need to be reviewed and approved by the Village Board. The State’s 2013 budget was approved on May 31, at the last possible minute, and to our relief, it did not involve any major What’s up with all the water main breaks on Waukegan Road? diversions of local government revenues. Some of the proposals Over the past year, there have been multiple water main breaks on originally floated would have affected us severely. After staunch Waukegan Road. Once a water main has a break, the main becomes opposition from local governments, none of them were included. weakened and the likelihood of additional breaks is increased. The Public Works Department has already installed three new valves on Two bills that I opposed did not move forward: One would have the main to help reduce the number of customers affected by any required that contractors working on public works or publicly potential breaks in the future. The long-term solution is to replace financed projects comply with responsible bidder rules, including the main. Currently, Public Works is expediting the design of a new participation in a U.S. Department of Labor approved and water main for this area and hopes to begin construction in 2013. registered apprenticeship and training programs. This would have prohibited virtually all small local businesses from bidding on Enjoy Northbrook this Summer Village projects.