MINUTES OF THE AD HOC COMMITTEE

LANDSCAPE AND ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN

CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE – CHAMBER ROOM

October 19, 2011 7:00 PM

1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

Meeting was called to order at 7:13 pm. Upon roll call the following were present:

Sean McDermott, Chairman

Pat Schwartz – Resident Ward 2

Mary Jo Ramicone – Resident Ward 3

Marc LaCroix – CBA President

Sharon Peterson – Assistant City Administrator

Members Absent:

Mark Burdett – Resident Ward 1

Also present:

Mayor Ed Krzeminski

Bryan Swanson, Community Development Planner

David Kotwasinski, Intern

Zac McConnell, The Lakota Group

Justin Wydel, The Lakota Group

James Pluta, Des Plaines Valley News

2. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION.

Chairman McDermott welcomed all members of the Committee and had everyone in attendance introduce themselves.

3. PURPOSE OF COMMITTEE.

Zac McConnell from The Lakota Group discussed the purpose of the Ad Hoc Committee. Mr. McConnell explained that the Committee will work on setting regulations and requirements for what the City of Countryside wants in the future for development. The Committee will look at design elements as well as the style of the site itself.

4. DISCUSSION.

a. Design Standards Planning Mission

b. Work Plan

c. Project Schedule

Mr. McConnell will provide the Committee with a work plan. The Lakota Group will produce the graphics and design for the Committee to review. Mr. Lakota went on to say that the following items would also be items that the Committee will consider:

• Building signage – image from the roadway
• Incorporating elements from the streetscape project
• Foundation landscape design
• Fencing
• Pedestrian entry and access and circulation
• Standards for trash enclosures
• Building lighting; look at City Ordinances regarding lighting at night
• Heights and signage

The Lakota Group will implement a first draft and will develop a preliminary design report for the Committee. Chairman McDermott asked if the design would incorporate the entire streetscape design. Mr. McConnell said no, the only areas that will be incorporated will be the lighting and benches. Mr. McConnell asked all members of the Committee to review the photos that were provided to them this evening; please mark on the photos what elements you like and what elements you don’t like. Mr. McConnell went on to say that the corporate restaurants that go into the site will still have their logo, but the Ad Hoc Committee will also have our touch on how we want the designs to look. Members of the Committee asked about bus shelters, and if the site will be bikeable and walkable. Mr. McConnell said these items will definitely be looked at. Chairman McDermott said the Committee will work to make the project consistent, and it is his hope to take the development to a higher level, and it is his wish to make it a really tasteful development. Member Mary Jo Ramicone commented on the development at Route 83 and Plainfield Road in Willowbrook and went onto say that this development is a nice looking development. James Pluta commented that his only concern with the development in Willowbrook is the parking issues.

Mr. McConnell discussed the time frame for the Ad Hoc Committee and said that the process would take approximately two months. Chairman McDermott discussed the landscape portion of the project; natural shrubbery, trees, grasses, can the committee look into that. Mr. McConnell said that the Committee can do that; it would give the project a nice, natural edge. Alderman McDermott asked of the feasibility of this project getting a LEEDS certification. Mr. McConnell will look into the possibility, and how to proceed with that.

5. OTHER COMMITTEE BUSINESS.

Mr. McConnell will work on a schedule with Ms. Peterson.

6. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further recreation business, the meeting adjourned at 7:45 pm.

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Dated Sean McDermott, Chair