MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
PLANNING COMMISSION AND ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
OF THE CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2003

Chairman Fullmer called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Acting Secretary Moss called the roll; the following members were

PRESENT: Chairman Richard Fullmer, Jr., Mr. Edward Ziemba, Acting Secretary Daniel Moss, Mr. Steven Jasinski, Mr. Fred Fahey, Ms. Cynthia Schulz

ABSENT: Mr. Robert Lube

ALSO PRESENT: Ald. Smetana, Ald. Michalczyk, Ald. Straza, Ald. Krzeminski, Ald. Conrad, Ald. Fajdich, Bldg. Comm. Krautstrunk, City Attorney Erik Peck, Economic Development Officer Muenzer, Chamber President Bresnahan

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The first order of business was approval of the Minutes of August 19, 2003. Mr. Fahey moved, seconded by Mr. Ziemba, to approve minutes as presented. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

REVIEW OVERALL COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OBJECTIVES

Mark Muenzer, Community Development Officer, discussed the Comprehensive Plan. The process was begun about three months ago; proposals were reviewed and the planning firm of TPAP was chosen. They will come up with a long-term development plan for the entire City of Countryside, which will focus both on the residential and commercial corridors. The entire process takes about one year to complete. It consists of a series of workshops planned over the next year. The first workshop was held with the Plan Commission /ZBA one month ago; we will go through the same process tonight with residents and businesses.

Project manager John Houseal introduced himself and senior planner, Krista Kahle. Prior to making any recommendations they focus on asking residents what are the most important elements that should be addressed. As part of that process they do key person interviews with people who provide unique perspectives that a typical resident may not be able to provide. They will post as much information as possible on the Web site including meeting dates and results of meetings; preliminary recommendations will also be posted. This is the first open workshop for the community at large, the first of several opportunities to get feedback from residents. He noted that this is your chance to tell the planners things they should be focusing on as they begin going through this process. Ms. Kahle distributed a worksheet to each attendee; Mr. Houseal asked for full participation from the audience; sheets will be collected with completed answers at the end of the session tonight. He also asked all residents to sign the attendance sheet. He asked Board members to refrain from the exercise if they have completed one earlier and to listen to the community at large.

Question one – Identify the five most important issues or concerns confronting the City. He asked the audience to take five minutes to address that question and not go beyond to the others yet. They are trying to get a cumulative list with all the different issues.

The major issues include: stricter sign regulation in the commercial areas, future funding, new sidewalks, keep real estate taxes at zero, attract brand name businesses to Countryside Mall, maintain rural character of new unincorporated areas, future preservation of 5th Ave. and plans for city sewer service, sidewalks and parks in the Triangle Area, also further address flood plain issues in that area; beautification along major business areas, traffic flow on major corridors, senior housing, new municipal building/community center, restoration of existing mall, establish unified look for commercial areas, increase potential for new home sizes, improve pedestrian traffic along LaGrange Road, better communication between the city, businesses and residents; noise pollution control, better intersection control, another lane on Plainfield Road, improve and rebuild the business district, update all city codes and ordinances. Maintain city services, intergovernmental cooperation. Monitor private property upkeep, get our own post office and library, improve relations with adjacent communities, enforcement of speed limit in the triangle area, improve streetscape along main corridors, lighting, etc., need a city center/downtown area; resolve ComEd pylons along LaGrange Road; architectural review/control along commercial areas, open 58th St. to the Mall / Mall access from Joliet Road; closure of Joliet Road, traffic/safety.

Question two – list in order of importance the three most important issues discussed so far – your personal perspective as to what the most important issues are. The following topics were listed: municipal financing methods, appearance of commercial/downtown district, sidewalks, future funding, zoning annexation ordinances, preservation; new grant programs, general property maintenance, traffic flow, municipal center, park districts, easy access to plaza, review subdivision code.

Question three – Identify three specific projects or actions you would like to see undertaken: i.e., install sidewalks along “this” block, redevelopment of plaza, are examples of a specific action; Visible changes that can be accomplished – Houseal asked for one audible response from each – sidewalks around 5th Avenue Cutoff park; new City Hall built; new library, resolution of ComEd problems, enact ordinances maintaining buffer zones between commercial and residential areas (between 5th Avenue Cutoff and Hodgkins). Administrative actions may require more time. Sidewalks along residential areas, streetscaping of businesses, identity for business districts, ease congestion caused by Joliet Road closure, public access/cable broadcast 24 hour coverage, consistent enforcement of existing ordinances, revitalize business districts, move forward with Mall project.

Question four – What are Countryside’s real strengths and assets are – from a business perspective and from a resident perspective. We don’t want to diminish those characteristics that make this city a great place to live in. He asked participants to fill in the lines and when completed hand their papers in to Krista or Mark. He thanked residents for attending tonight’s meeting and stated that this is only the first of many opportunities to participate. He urged residents to check the Web site as well as Suburban Life for future meeting dates, results of the questionnaire (in two weeks) etc. The City Web site address is Countryside-il.org

Mr. Muenzer thanked the audience for attending. He advised residents to be on the lookout for the Community Survey, which will be sent out to businesses and residents as part of the City Newsletter next week. The results of the Survey will be sent to TPAP to be tabulated. The next meeting of residents will not take place until after the holidays, however, the PC/ZBA will meet on their regular monthly basis. One of their roles is to develop a Comprehensive Plan for the City.

Chairman Fullmer asked PC/ZBA members to identify themselves and provide a little biographical information for the audience. All Board members are City residents and some have been for many years. They are appointed by the City Council

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to discuss, Mr. Ziemba moved, seconded by Mr. Fahey, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

Chairman Fullmer declared the meeting adjourned at 8:12 p.m.

RICHARD FULLMER, JR., CHAIRMAN