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08/12/09: Minutes - August 12, 2009 - Special Meeting
The Village Board of Trustees met in special session, Wednesday, August 12,
2009; at the Hillcrest Village Hall. Clerk Adams informed the Board of Trustees
that President Hicks was unable to attend the meeting therefore; the Board
needed to appoint an acting President Pro Tem for the meeting. Trustee
Mecklenburg read aloud state statute 65 ILCS 5/3.1-35-35 which governs the
absence of the Village President. Trustee Stewart made a motion to appoint
Trustee Mecklenburg temporary President Pro Tem for the meeting; Trustee Elliott
seconded the motion. Vote as follows: Mecklenburg ¡V yes, Elliott ¡V yes,
Salsbury ¡V yes, Unger ¡V yes and Stewart ¡V yes. President Pro Tem Mecklenburg
asked all in attendance to stand and recite the pledge of allegiance. Answering
the roll call were Trustees Jim Mecklenburg, Rich Elliott, Randy Salsbury,
Trevor Unger and Vicki Stewart. Absent were President Hicks and Trustee Mc
Mullin.
President Pro Tem Mecklenburg introduced Doug Nataluk of Cussen
Engineering, LLC. Mr. Nataluk stated that a comprehensive master plan
communicates the basic policies necessary to shape the future of the community;
it is usually general in nature, with a long-range outlook, it considers both
separately and collectively, all factors affecting growth, development, social
issues and economic prosperity. Mr. Nataluk stated a comprehensive master plan
also focuses attention on the major issues and concerns of a community and
establishes a basis for discussion and resolution; the real value comes from the
process of preparing the plan and its eventual implementation. Mr. Nataluk
stated a comprehensive master plan should never be regarded as a finished
project but, as a continuous community-based process.
Mr. Nataluk
outlined the elements of a comprehensive plan as being:
„« Agricultural,
natural resources and cultural resources elements
o Groundwater, forests,
agricultural areas, environmentally sensitive areas, streams, floodplains,
wetlands, mineral areas, wildlife areas, cultural resource areas, recreational
areas, etc.
„« Transportation Elements
o Highways, arterials, locals, mass
transit, bicycles, walking, railroads, trucking, et cetera.
„« Utilities
Element
o Sanitary sewer, storm water, gas, electrical transmission.
Telecommunications, solid waste disposal, recycling facilities, et cetera.
„«
Economic Development Element
o Commercial areas, business areas, industrial
areas, downtown, et cetera.
„« Housing Element
o Differing densities,
styles and housing choices to meet the needs of all residents
„«
Intergovernmental Element
o School districts, adjacent governmental units,
public facilities, et cetera.
„« Community/Public Facilities
Element
o Police, fire, rescue, libraries, schools, health, childcare, et
cetera.
„« Land Use Element
o Relationships between designated land uses:
residential, commercial, industrial, natural downtown, et cetera.
Mr.
Nataluk stated that the map is color coded and each color relates to a specific
element in the comprehensive plan. Mr. Nataluk stated that the map shows the
current corporate boundaries of the Village and the current planning area which
typically is one and a half miles in all directions. Mr. Nataluk stated that the
Village is already marketing some important identifiers such as the Village¡¦s
proximity to Highway US 251 and Interstate 39, the Village¡¦s proximity to
Chicago and Rockford, the Village¡¦s close proximity to the rail port and the
fact that the Village is interested in aggressive growth in the residential,
commercial and industrial markets.
Mr. Nataluk stated it is good that the
Village has identified the transportation infrastructure because any business
that is looking to locate in the area will be interested in traffic counts along
Interstate 39 which is to the Village¡¦s east, Highway 251 which runs North and
South through the Village, Highway 64 which runs to the North of the Village and
Highway 38 which is to the South of the Village. Mr. Nataluk stated one of the
biggest opportunities for the Village is the next interchange which would be
located at Highway 64 and Interstate 39 which would require some aggressive
growth and an area of that nature would lend itself nicely to some to the
smaller big box stores. Mr. Nataluk stated that the rail spur that is to the
west of the Village out by Center Road would lend itself nicely to the
development an industrial area. Mr. Nataluk stated that two watershed corridors
had been identified as areas that need to be protected and this can be done in
the form of easements; these two watersheds can be made into natural areas with
walking paths.
Mr. Nataluk went into greater detail and explained the
color coded zones of the map and their importance he also explained the legend
for the infrastructure of the streets and roads and how that affects the
Village¡¦s ability to experience growth. Mr. Nataluk explained that the element
that stands out the most is creating a downtown area. Mr. Nataluk also explained
how green spaces were integrated into the map to create barriers between
residential and retail areas while still allowing residents the option of
walking to the downtown area.
President Pro Tem Mecklenburg stated the
Hickerson farm had recently been purchased by Rochelle Community Hospital and
that would affect the area just North of Twombly Road and suggested that the
area include an area where doctors could have offices above small retail stores
and an area to the East of that for business that are related to the medical
field.
One of the major concerns expressed by the Board of Trustees is
slowing traffic down on Highway US 251. Mr. Nataluk stated that there are a
variety of ways to slow traffic down in a particular area and still allow for
parking and pedestrian traffic as well.
Trustee Stewart stated that she
thought the plan was very well thought out and she was pleased with the overall
plan. Trustee Salsbury stated that he liked the whole picture and he thought it
embraced who we are as a Village however; he expressed his desire to bring
agricultural businesses into the area.
After a brief discussion it was
the consensus of the Board of Trustees to study the plan in more detail and to
have a planning meeting for the Board. At that meeting the Board intends to
share their thoughts with each other, put them on paper and submit them to
Cussen Engineering so, they can be incorporated into the comprehensive
plan.
Public Comment
Kim Forni of 108 Windmill Court stated that she
liked the plan; she liked the fact that the Village had a plan for the
community. Mr. Forni stated the area is not very pretty and this plan will
create a community we can be proud of.
There being no further business to
transact a motion to adjourn was made by Trustee Stewart; Trustee Elliott
seconded the motion. Vote as follows: Mecklenburg ¡V yes, Elliott ¡V yes,
Salsbury ¡V yes, Unger ¡V yes and Stewart ¡V yes. The motion passed unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. The next regular monthly meeting will be held
August 19, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at the Hillcrest Village
Hall.
Respectfully submitted,
Teresa J. Adams
Village Clerk
Posted: 8/12/2009 |
Updated: 8/12/2009