ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Council Chambers – Countryside City Hall

Ald. Scott Musillami, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. He called the Roll of those physically present:

PRESENT:Ald. Scott Musillami, Chairman

Ald. Robert Pondelicek, Ald. James Jasinski

Also Present:City Administrator Paul, Ald. Mikolyzk, Ald. Von Drasek, Ald. Benson, Treasurer Stancik, City Atty. Peck, Asst. Admin. Peterson, ESDA Director Norman, Police Bd. Chair Welch, Member Burdett, Zoning Administrator Clarke

Approval of Minutes

Ald. Pondelicek moved to approve the minutes of April 22, 2015 as presented, seconded by Ald. Jasinski and carried by unanimous voice vote.

Presentation by Greg Orput re: 5631 S. LaGrange Road

Mr. Orput presented a preliminary site plan and elevations for the former hotel site. He currently has a MOU with the City of Countryside for tentative approval of the proposed project. Potential tenants include an American Heritage Motorcycle dealership (with Indian and Victory brands) and a Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant.

He briefly discussed the ongoing Chick- fil-A site; the closing has occurred. The site work will be done by Orput — removing three feet of fill, completing underground utilities, parking and presenting them with a completed pad by August 15. At that time Chick fil-A will put in the concrete aisles and shortly thereafter commence vertical construction. They anticipate five weeks in getting the building enclosed with retail opening by December 2015.

Returning to the former hotel site, the property needs additional buffering for residents on the east and north. He marketed the front portion of the site to Buffalo Wild Wings, noting that the rear portion for American Heritage Motorcycles is a low traffic user. The MOU expires in early July. LaGrange Road has changed significantly in the last five years; the streetscape is infinitely more appealing to retailers.

American Heritage is owned by Polaris; their new concept, the Slingshot, is a three-wheeled vehicle with two wheels in front and one in back. This 2.75 acre site has a single curb cut on LaGrange Road; they hope to get two curb cuts there. Orput is at the LOI stage but does not yet have an actual LOI from Heritage Motorcycles. Buffalo Wild Wings has a few prototype multicolored buildings represented. They are proposing the new inside for this building with a more high-tech finish – geared toward the 30-40 age bracket. The building itself would be approximately 6,500 s.f. Orput would do all the site development including parking and underground water detention with cross-easement parking throughout.

American Heritage Dealership requested outdoor patio type dining between the two businesses; both tenants agree and feel strongly that they are a good fit for each other. Building size is approximately 20,000 s.f. with a more glassy front, metal panels and precast brick core in the back. The 57^thStreet exit is a concern; he suggested making it a right turn only exit towards LaGrange Road. The businesses will generate sales tax without high density traffic concerns. Is the City basically in support of this concept? If so they can move toward the Redevelopment Agreement.

Ald. Jasinski stated that the north east corner of the site is adjacent to apartment buildings on the east and the north sides. There are single-family homes on the south side. How will Indian deal with limiting the noise factor? Mr. Orput stated that they will increase the setback, create a larger buffer with a landscape berm and trees or fencing. Mr. Orput noted that these motorcycles are cruisers having short pipes and are not inherently as loud as Harleys. He is amenable to erecting an 8′ or 10′ fence, similar to sound barriers on expressways. Ald. Jasinski suggested placing bollards at the 57^thSt. egress to prevent any left turns into the neighborhood. Mr. Orput will inquire re: moving the exit further to the west. BWW needs 110 parking spaces; they are amenable to the cross-easement. All deliveries will enter through LaGrange Road and exit on 57^thSt. Mayor McDermott stated that this is an oddly-shaped parcel; the City has been trying to market it since 2004. He believes this plan is by far the most exciting opportunity to date.

Ald. Von Drasek asked about gross estimates for both businesses. From his past dealings, Mr. Orput stated that BWW claims $3.5M in sales; they have 12 full-time manager positions and 150 hourly workers. Indian is in the $10M range for the first year, peaking at $20M per year – these are their projections; they plan on selling 40 motorcycles per month. This site plan is conceptual only.

ZA Ms. Clarke asked whether Indian plans to do training on the site- they do not. There will be no test driving whatsoever. There will be an outdoor area with motorcycles on display. Ald. Mikolyzk stated that they are very expensive machines – upwards of $20K. Orput will eventually present a full traffic study to IDOT. Ald. Benson asked about servicing motorcycles. Indian will have one service bay; they will operate seven days a week; hours of operation are unknown at this time.

Ms. Paul asked about outdoor dining for BWW – Mr. Orput stated that there will be an outdoor dining area with a metal roof and plastic windows. There were no other questions. The Committee agreed to have Mr. Orput begin negotiating a redevelopment agreement with staff.

Update on Community Development website and materials

Ms. Clarke was tasked with providing quick and easy information for new businesses coming into the City. She developed a small, simple brochure stating all services and contacts that a business might require with a short summary of services – including Community Development, Police Department, Fire Protection District, Building and Zoning Department, Public Works Department and Water Department. She asked the Committee to review the pamphlet and make comments. The City provides new residents with a Residential Packet but there is no comparable Business Packet. Committee members agreed that this information is needed.

Ms. Clarke presented the next document, the City of Countryside Business Guide, which highlights pertinent City statistics for new businesses. Retailers are interested in the resident income levels, average daily traffic counts, the proximity of the City to the two major airports, etc. The Guide highlights the existing business community, addresses temporary signage, and provides steps to open your business – in response to FAQs from business owners, and explains building permits and certain City Codes. Demographics are important to retailers. Common questions received from businesses are included especially re: special use needed for electronic message boards. Comments would be appreciated. Chair Musillami believes the Guide is very informative – demographics are important to business owners. Other members agreed and complimented her work.

Ms. Clarke has created flow charts on the Community Development page of the City’s website. Developers like to go to the website to get their information. The Business Guide could be placed on the website as well. Members complimented Ms. Clarke on doing a great job.

Other Business

Ms. Clarke was approached by the broker for Outriggers, 803 Joliet Road. The back half of the property has been on the market. At this time, the only interested parties are storage facilities. A major chain is interested in occupying the entire parcel, including the restaurant, or razing it. It would require a special use through PC/ZBA. Before that occurs the Committee’s input is requested. They are requesting a meeting as soon as possible. Ald. Jasinski stated that a storage facility is low volume traffic, no noise; however, no sales tax income either unless a service fee is attached. The restaurant has been up for sale. Mayor McDermott is not in favor of that move. Ald. Musillami concurs. The next redevelopment area is Joliet Road and this is the worst possible scenario for such development. After further discussion, Ald. Musillami stated that Ms. Clarke may advise the broker that the City is not interested in a storage facility.

City Admin. Ms. Paul distributed an article wherein Countryside was listed as the 4^thbest municipality in the State of Illinois out of 285 to open a business. Hopefully with the new material created by Ms. Clarke the City can reach number one. Adjacent communities are highlighted in this chart as well.

Adjournment

There being no further business to discuss, Ald. Jasinski moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried by unanimous Roll Call vote.

Chairman Musillami declared the meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.

Dated: ALD. SCOTT MUSILLAMI, CHAIRMAN

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