Lincolnwood Economic Development Commission Meeting Wednesday
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Lincolnwood Economic Development Commission Meeting Wednesday August 28, 2013 8:00 AM Council Chambers Room Lincolnwood Village Hall 6900 Lincoln Avenue Note: All Village Board members are invited to attend this meeting Meeting Agenda 1. Call to Order/Quorum Declaration 2. Minutes Approval* - Minutes of July 24, 2013 Meeting 3. Village Business and Development Processes* 4. Reports a. Development Updates* b. July New Business Licenses* c. CMAP Economic Incentive Report* 5. Other Business 6. Public Forum 7. Adjournment *Commissioner Enclosures The next scheduled regular meeting of the Commission is Wednesday September 25, 2013 at 8AM Economic Development Commission Wednesday, July 24, 2013 Council Chambers Room Minutes Commissioners Present Commissioners Absent James Kucienski, Vice-Chair Maureen Ehrenberg James Persino, Chairman Nadia Seniuta Paul Levine William Pabst James Berger Patrick McCoy Terrance Strauch Staff Present Timothy M. Clarke, AICP, Community Development Director Timothy Wiberg, Village Manager Aaron N. Cook, AICP, Community Development Manager Adam Brown, Community Development Intern Others Present Dr. Saddiqui, owner of 6501 Lincoln Avenue Village Trustee Lawrence Elster I. Call to Order / Quorum Declaration Noting that a quorum was present, the meeting was called to order at 8:16AM by Chairman Persino. II. Welcome to New Commissioner: Nadia Seniuta Director Clarke noted that Nadia Seniuta, was appointed to replace Kirk Moffitt on the Commission. Nadia is the new General Manager of the Lincolnwood Town Center. It was noted that Commissioner Seniuta was not present at today’s meeting due to a conflict in her schedule. III. Minutes Approval Commissioner Kucienski made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Levine to approve the May 2013 minutes as presented. Motion approved 5-0-1 (Commissioner Stauch abstaining. IV. GIFT Grant Request – 6501 Lincoln Avenue Director Clarke summarized the proposed GIFT grant request for Dr. Saddiqui and his medical office located at 6501 Lincoln Avenue. Commissioner McCoy asked what the source of Village funding was for this grant program. Director Clarke stated that the Village operates the GIFT Grant Program, with funds drawn from the Village’s General Fund. He added that if the property requesting the grant is located within the NEID, then TIF funds are used instead. Commissioner Kucienski inquired how much the Village has set aside in the General Fund for the GIFT and PEP programs. Village Manager Wiberg stated that the Village has set aside $100,000 for both grant programs. Discussion ensued. Commissioner Kucienski inquired if there were limitations for approving GIFT grants based on the business’s total versus net costs of the project. He speculated whether businesses applying for this grant might be able to turn a profit, in the event the State of Illinois also provided tax rebates. Chairman Persino responded that the program does not take into consideration any other tax rebates, and that the Village grant is capped at $10,000. Director Clarke noted that the purpose of the GIFT grant is to encourage business owners to utilize energy efficient or ‘green’ technologies. He recollected that the Commission previously discussed this matter and concluded that it was best not to link the Village grant to other potential tax rebate programs that may or may not be granted. Chairman Persino concurred and stated he thought it inappropriate and unwise to link the Village grant program to other possible rebates. Discussion continued on the matter. Dr. Saddiqui, the owner of the property at 6501 Lincoln Avenue, stated that without this Village grant, there would be no incentive for him to go forward with this project. He added that he had done similar improvements to his home, and that while the cost savings are modest, he wanted to be greener in his energy usage. Commissioner Levine asked what the general life expectancy was of solar panels. A representative from Solar Energy responded that these panels are built to last decades, up to 50 or 60 years. However he added that the manufacturer’s warranty says after 12 years, these panels will be operating at 90% capacity, and that after two decades, 80%. Hearing no further discussion, Commissioner Strauch made a motion to recommend approval of a GIFT grant with a maximum grant of $10,000 for the installation of solar panels at 6501 Lincoln Avenue with a completion date of no later than October 31, 2013. Motion seconded by Commisserioner Kucienski. Roll Call vote: in favor: James Kucienski, James Persino, Paul Levine, James Berger, Patrick McCoy, Terrance Strauch. Against: none. Motion approved, 6-0. V. Development Updates Director Clarke detailed the Urban Land Institute’s (ULI) Technical Assistance Study of the Devon Corridor. Director Clarke added that the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) requested Chicago also be involved in this study, and Commissioner Kucienski noted that having Chicago involved may encourage a more unified vision of the corridor. Director Clarke stated that the Village has received a proposal for a new bank facility on the Southwest corner of Touhy Avenue and Crawford Avenue. The bank proposal includes drive through lanes, which requires Special Use approval by the Village. Commissioner Strauch opined that, realistically, the site is well suited for a bank and that due to access constraints it is unlikely to attract other businesses. Director Clarke discussed Ravenswood Studio and its acquisition of property adjacent to the north of its property on Central Park Avenue. Ravenswood Studio relocated to Lincolnwood from Chicago 6 or 7 years ago. Discussion ensued about its business operations and recent radio and print advertisements by Fifth Third Bank highlighting Ravenswood. Director Clarke discussed the status of the Purple Hotel redevelopment. He indicated that all of the remaining asbestos has been removed, with an anticipated demolition date sometime this fall. The Village has not received any conceptual plans of what will take its place, however he mentioned that a hotel, retail, entertainment and restaurants are envisioned by the developer. The Director also noted that the two office buildings directly to the north of the Purple Hotel have been acquired by the owner of the Purple Hotel and may be added to the redevelopment site. Commissioner Levine inquired what kind of hotel will be proposed, with several commissioners surmising that it will likely be a mid-range hotel, with a name similar to “Spring Hill Suites” or something comparable. Director Clarke added that the hotel will likely have around 200 rooms, but without any large banquet facility. Restaurants, possibly including rooftop-deck dining, are being considered for inclusion as well. Director Clarke stated that the public hearing regarding the proposed Devon-Lincoln TIF was continued to September 3rd. Commissioner Persino opined that the meeting should be continued again until the CMAP/ULI planning recommendations for the Devon Avenue Corridor are completed and reviewed. Director Clarke further noted that the Village’s building permit activity has increased in recent months, serving as an indication that the economy is recovering. VI. Other Business Commissioner Levine brought up the Village’s previous discussions on re-branding of the Village. Commissioner Levine stated that he had submitted the names of two marketing firms that may be helpful in these efforts, and inquired as to whether the Village has followed up on those requests. Village Manager Wiberg responded by stating the Village Board had discussed proposals on rebranding the Village and concluded that the Village should “start small” in its decision-making. He discussed the Village’s updating of the Village logo as the first step in this re-branding effort. Commissioners Levine and McCoy expressed interest in engaging new businesses in the Village. They suggested that the Economic Development Commission be more active in efforts of interacting with businesses in order to have a better understanding of the businesses’ perspectives. Commission discussion included ideas for how to better engage businesses and the challenges the Village faces for accommodating new business construction. Commissioner McCoy inquired about the status of Meatheads, and whether there has been any challenges facing its construction. Director Clarke stated that they had fiscal issues which delayed the project which have now been resolved. Meatheads has stated an anticipated open date sometime in September. The Commission requested that staff provide a list of new businesses in the Village (including names, phone numbers and addresses) to the Commission each month. VII. Public Forum No one from the public desired to address the Commission. VIII. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 9:49 AM. Respectfully Submitted, _______________________ Adam Brown Community Development Intern Memorandum To: Chair and Members Economic Development Commission From: Timothy M. Clarke, AICP Community Development Director Date: August 22, 2013 Subject: Village Business and Development Processes Previously Commissioners indicated an interest in learning more about the Village’s development review and approval processes. At our Wednesday morning meeting, staff will provide a power point presentation reviewing the three major business and development processes of the Village: 1) Business License process; 2) Zoning Approval Process; and 3)Building Permit Process. Attached are the flow charts that summarize