City Council - Regular Meeting

Let's call to order the city council meeting for the city of Highland Park, Illinois, February 9th, 2026. Will the clerk please call the role? Council member Center, present. Council member Buckman, here. Council member Ross. Council member Tapia, present. Council member Little here. Council member Bloomberg. Mayor Roing here. We have a quorum. Everyone, please rise for the pledge of allegiance. [clears throat] I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to [clears throat] the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. [clears throat and cough]

May I have a motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the city council held January 26, 2026? So moved. Second. All in favor say I. I. Those minutes are approved. May I have a motion to approve the warrant list? So moved. Second. Any comments or questions on the warrant list? Hearing none. Will the clerk please [clears throat] vote? Council member center. Hi. Council member Buckman. Hi. Council member Tapia. Hi. Council member Little I. Mayor Roing.

I. Five eyes, no nays. The warrant list is approved. The next item is the report of the mayor. I have one appointment this evening. I'm seeking consensus from the city council on the appointment of Steven Chute to the Highland Park Public Library Board of Trustees. Do I have your consensus? Yes. Thank you. And thank you to Mr. Chute for volunteering. I don't know if he's here this evening. Don't think he is, but we appreciate his service on behalf of the community.

Uh we have two proclamations this evening. The [clears throat] first one is recognizing February as Black History Month. Black History Month is an opportunity to celebrate the history, culture, and achievements of black Americans and to amplify [clears throat] black voices. I'll read that proclamation. Whereas the origins of Black History Month come from early 20th century historian Carter Woodson's desire to spotlight the accomplishments of African-Americans. Mainstream historians left out African-Americans from the narrative of American history up until the 1960s. And Woodson worked his entire career to correct this blinding oversight. His creation of Negro History Week in 1926, a 100 years ago, paved [clears throat] the way for the establishment of Black History Month in 1976. Whereas Woodson chose February for the first Negro History Week because it included the birthdays of both Abraham Lincoln, February 12th, um and uh celebrate who was celebrated for the Emancipation Proclamation that freed many American slaves [clears throat] and abolitionist and former slave Frederick Douglas. His birthday is February 14th. And whereas Woodson hoped that Negro History Week would encourage better relations between blacks and whites in the United States, excuse me, [cough] as well [clears throat] as inspire young African-Americans to celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of their ancestors. And whereas in 1976, as the United [clears throat] States was celebrating its bicesentennial, the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History expanded the traditional week-long celebration of African-American history to a month, and Black History Month was born. And whereas the national theme for this year's observance is celebrating a 100 years, black history, black presence, and black futures. And whereas the state of Illinois is home to nearly 850,000 African-Americans currently and throughout history, many have played significant roles in Illinois's

economic, cultural, spiritual, and political development while working tirelessly to maintain and promote their culture and history. And whereas the city of Highland Park is proud to honor the history and contributions of African-Americans [clears throat] in our community, our state, and throughout the nation. Now therefore, I, Nancy Rotary, mayor of the city of Highland Park and the city council of Highland Park, have the distinct honor of proclaiming the month of February as Black History Month throughout the city of Highland Park and encourage all [clears throat] residents to celebrate this important observance and continue to work towards the goal of liberty and justice for all. And now I would like to invite Human Relations Advisory Group Vice Chair David Bousard and [clears throat] other members of the group to the podium to accept the proclamation. Thanks for joining us this evening.

[snorts]

Thank you, Mayor Roering. Uh, it is a pleasure to accept this proclamation on behalf of the Highland Park Human Relations Advisory Group. The group's mission is twofold. To support community programs which improve the quality of life here in Highland Park and to provide advisory recommendations for developing effective solutions to social problems and opportunities related to equality and social justice. We take our mission seriously throughout the year by sponsoring the character counts awards program and in conjunction with the park district by presenting the annual Dr. Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service at the rec center. The Day of Service program honors Dr. King's legacy through dozens of on-site service projects and includes a celebration of black culture. This year featured a tremendous performance by the internationally renowned black jazz company from Chicago, the Joel Hall Dancers. These incredible artists not only treated us to exciting choreography, but also engaged attendees of all ages in learning about the ways in which black culture and black artistic expression have shaped various dance styles over the past 100 years. [snorts] In furtherance of our mission, the Human Relations Advisory Group's 2026 work plan includes initiatives to promote social justice and to encourage us to explore and understand the lived experiences of all of our neighbors from all races, ethnicities, religions, nationalities, beliefs, genders, sexual orientations, income levels, and walks of life. Among these initiatives is a series of community conversations which we hope will encourage participants to break down barriers and build deeper connections with other Highland Parkers. Information about these programs will be available in the e-news and the Highlander later this year. Again, Mayor

Rotarying and council, the human relations advisory group thanks you for this proclamation. Thank you. Thank you so much for coming this evening and thank you for the Human Relations Advisory Group's dedicated work to building bridges and breaking down barriers in our community. We'd also like to highlight several opportunities to celebrate Black History Month via the Highland Park Public Library. [clears throat]

Listed on the screen is an upcoming do-it-yourself program for adults, as well as information about book displays and online resources available through Canopy and Hoopla, which are two free free streaming services available to all Highland Park residents with your library card. Visit hp library.org to learn more. Uh, and Mr. Bazard, we will get this to you [clears throat] via our city manager at the site of the day.

Absolutely. Go ahead. um as liaison to Atri I just wanted to thank you both for coming out tonight. I think that um the advisory group has really uh strengthened its efforts to make sure that not only is MLK day celebrated in a more traditional light and to look for new initiatives but I think in all groups that we work with HRA has done tremendous work. So I thank you both for your participation and work.

Thank you. Uh we're also proud to [clears throat] excuse me recognize Wednesday, February 11th as 211 day in Highland Park. 211 Day is an opportunity to celebrate the impact of the United Way of Lake County's 211 Lake County program. 211 provides a 247 multilingual connection to essential services throughout Lake County. Whether that's mental health and counseling services, emergency financial assistance, help navigating healthc care resources, and more. I'll now read the proclamation. Whereas United Way of Lake County has been dedicated to serving children and families in our communities for more than 100 years. And whereas the critical service 211 Lake County, which was launched by United Way of Lake County on September 24th, 2019, is open and available for everyone in Highland Park and across Lake County. And whereas 211 is a free, confidential, easy to remember one-stop helpline that connects people in need to a wide range of essential health and human services and reduces non-emergency calls to 911. And whereas 211 enables the people of Lake County to get connected to help 24 hours a day, every single day of the year by phone, text, and online, regardless of the language they speak or where they live. And whereas 211 expert navigators are trained specialists who will listen, identify underlying problems, and guide people to available resources. And whereas since its launch, 211 has made more than 375,000 connections to help [clears throat] somebody from every zip code in Lake County, including Highland Park. And whereas 211 team members have compassionately answered calls and texts from Highland Park community members, mostly for help with housing and shelter, utilities, employment, income support, food, health care, government, and legal support, and mental health and addictions. And whereas 211 is available to 99% of America's population, and Lake

County has led the way as a model to bring 211 services to all Illinois communities so that every person in Illinois has access to quality information, resources, and assistance for addressing health and human service needs. And whereas the city of Highland Park is a key community partner committed to raising awareness of 211. and daily 211 provides vital information and referrals to individuals and families in our community to improve and save lives. Now therefore, I Nancy Roing, mayor of the high city of Highland Park and the city council of Highland Park, do hereby proclaim Wednesday, February 11th as 211 day and encourage everyone to become aware of the services provided by 211. We're so appreciative of the partnership of United Way 211 Lake County and continuing to support our community's le needs. At this time, I'd like to invite Yahira Balderas, 211 community engagement coordinator and Yashwand Sangiri, 211 advisory council chair and board of directors member to the podium to both accept the proclamation and share more about this essential resource. Welcome and thanks for coming tonight. Thank [clears throat] you so much for having us. On behalf of the 211 and United Way of Lake County team, I would like to say thank you for the partnership. Thank you for making sure our message is amplified. 211 is for everyone 247. We value this partnership and we're grateful to be recognized uh for the 211 day. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you. happy to give you this. [clears throat]

You don't want to go back. [laughter] Very much appreciate it. Thank you. [clears throat and cough] Thank you so much.

Um the next item on the report is on tonight's report from the mayor is the state of the city annually. This serves as an opportunity to reflect on what we've achieved [clears throat] together as a city, as a council, and as a community, and to look ahead for the year. So, I want to start this state of the city address with gratitude because none of this work happens without people who care deeply about our community. And to my city council colleagues, I just want to say thank you for your partnership, your integrity, your willingness to wrestle with complex issues, always with Highland Park's best interests at heart. Your dedication and your collaboration make our city stronger. To our incredible city staff, you are truly the backbone of this organization. I'm talking to you guys in the back row as well. Your professionalism, your integrity, and your commitment to serve are absolutely extraordinary. You respond in moments of crisis. You manage the daily operations that keep our city running, and you do so with compassion and with excellence. Our residents may not see everything that you do, but they definitely feel the results every single day. And I want to thank our sister governments, our faith communities, and our nonprofit partners. Highland Park has always understood that collaboration is not optional. It's essential, and the strength of our city is magnified when we work together. Most of all, I want to thank our residents. Your engagement, your advocacy, your willingness to show up, and your deep love for this community are what guide our work. And at a time when trust in institutions can be fragile, Highland Park continues to demonstrate what it looks like when a local government listens, responds, and earns that trust. Tonight, I'm proud to say the state of the city of Highland Park is strong, resilient, and moving forward with purpose. We're living in a time of uncertainty across the country. People are watching federal chaos

unfold, seeing significant changes in policy and feeling the effects of division and instability. When those things happen, people look closer to home. They look to the government that they can reach. I see you all who are here. We have read all of your emails and I appreciate you coming out this evening. This is what democracy looks like. We look hopefully to leaders that you know. We look towards having stability and transparency and compassion. That's the responsibility of local government and it's a responsibility that we take seriously. Highland [clears throat] Park has long been a community that leads with values. We've spoken clearly about who we are and what we stand for. Inclusion, dignity, safety, and respect for all. When people feel afraid or targeted or uncertain, it's our role to say loudly and clearly that Highland Park is a place of belonging. We are a welcoming city. We are a community that stands against hate and anti-semitism and racism and discrimination in all of its forms. And we do not stay silent when those values are threatened. We lead not just through words, but through action. Over the last several years, the city's mission serves as the foundation of our work. That mission is to provide highquality municipal services in an efficient and fiscally responsible manner through effective, transparent, and collaborative governance. These are not just words. These are promises defined and committed to by myself, my city council colleagues, and our city staff. We remain focused on our core priorities that reflect the voices and the values of our residents, which are fiscal responsibility, public safety, infrastructure investment, economic development, environmental sustainability, and vibrancy. These priorities reflect both our values and our obligation to plan thoughtfully for the future. Our mission and priorities give me great confidence in the year

ahead. They underpin every item, every line item in our budget and every project in our work plan. They serve as our northstar at difficult times. Let's begin with fiscal responsibility. Fiscal responsibility has been a defining value of the city for a long time. It's not new and it's not accidental. It's the result of steady leadership, thoughtful planning, and a commitment to making decisions that serve both today's residents as well as future generations. Through economic downturns, rising costs, and moments of externally generated instability, Highland Park has remained financially healthy and strong. We adopt balanced operating budgets every single year. We meet our obligations. We plan responsibly for pensions and long-term liabilities. and we continue to invest in the infrastructure and services that make our city work. We're proud to maintain our AAA bond rating which reflects strong financial management and discipline stewardship. It's a signal to residents, businesses, and investors that Highland Park is stable, well-governed, and financially sound. Consistency matters. It provides stability. It allows us to respond to challenges without panic. It gives residents confidence that their city is well-managed and that their tax dollars are being handled with care. Fiscal responsibility is not about doing less. It's about what it's about doing what matters most and doing it efficiently, sustainably, and effectively. It's what allows us to invest in public safety, maintain our buildings, roads, and other infrastructure, support economic development, and continue delivering highquality services even in uncertain times. In a world that often feels unpredictable, stability is powerful. Knowing that your city is financially sound, responsibly governed, and thoughtfully led provides reassurance. It allows families to plan, businesses to invest, and neighbors to feel confident in the future of their

community. Public safety remains at the core of everything we do. Our police officers, firefighters, and emergency personnel serve with courage and professionalism. They show up every day prepared to protect and care for our residents, often in situations that are unpredictable and emotionally demanding. Our budgets reflect our commitment to maintaining strong staffing, training, and equipment, because safety is not something we compromise. Last summer, we all celebrated the life-saving impact of these investments when we welcomed a gentleman whose life was saved after a heart attack by the Highland Park Police and Fire Emergency Responders. The first officer on the scene, Officer [clears throat] Ginger Stokes, was able to render immediate first aid thanks to quick thinking, enhanced training, and the accessibility of life-saving equipment in her AED equipped squad car. Public safety is also about who we are as a community. When anti-semitic incidents and acts of of hate have occurred, we've responded with clarity and with unity. We've said without hesitation, "Hate has no home in Highland Park." We've stood with our Jewish community, with communities of color, with immigrants, and with all those who may feel vulnerable. We've reaffirmed that safety includes both physical protection and assurance that every person belongs here. That message matters, especially now. Throughout the year, we host faith leaders at city hall for candid conversations about the challenges faced by their congregations. And this past year, which was marked by a national increase in anti-semitic acts of hate, it was moving to see our faith communities come together to support one another, to learn with open hearts and open minds, and to stand with in solidarity with our most vulnerable. At a time when fear and division are amplified nationally, our residents deserve to know that their city will stand up for them, protect them, and

lead with compassion and with courage. Because standing up for our community is not only about what we say in moments of crisis, but also about what we build and maintain. Literally, infrastructure is the foundation of daily life. It's our roads, our sidewalks, our water, our sewer systems, our storm water management, and the buildings that house the services our residents rely on. When I became mayor, it was clear that years of underinvestment had created growing needs. We made a conscious choice to change that. We are committed to long-term planning through a 10-year capital improvement plan and to addressing problems before they become crises. Last year, we invested more than $36 million in infrastructure. That includes street resurfacing across neighborhoods, water mane replacements that protect public health, storm water projects that improve public health and safety, as well as quality of life, and facility upgrades that ensure our city can meet future demands. Just a few months ago, we celebrated the grand reopening of the Highland Park Senior Center and the Marine Event Space at the former Highland Park Country Club at 1201 Park Avenue West. A place that holds decades of memories so for so many of us in our community has been thoughtfully transformed into a beautiful modern facility and now serves two important purposes. providing world-class programming and support for our residents aged 50 and better and offering a versatile, elegant public space for private events. It's a facility designed not only for today, but to grow with our community and serve Highland Park for generations to come. We're also planning for major investments like the renovation of the public service center and fire station number 34. That's the one on Halfday Road. Those are not just buildings. They're the operational heart of our emergency response, public works, and community development operations. If we expect excellence from our first responders and our staff, we must provide facilities that allow them to

serve our community safely and effectively. When we look at the new Ravenia Fire Station with its expanded bay to accommodate the larger rigs that are now standard and the enhanced living quarters for on shift first responders, it's hard to remember just how difficult the smaller older facility made their everyday work. Even harder to remember the year that they spent operating frankly out of a trailer. Those sacrifices made construction of the current building which we know will serve us for years to come a reality. In some years, infrastructure projects entail resurfaced streets, reconstructed bridges, or critical but unseen sewer improvements. To be sure, many such programs are on our 2026 capital improvement program. However, 2026 will also see us consider a project completely outside of our experience, the design and construction of the permanent place of remembrance. This will be a significant step forward in our community's resiliency journey. Yet, we know that thinking about what these two spaces for reflection, remembrance, and solace will look like will not be easy. We made a promise to the families and everyone impacted by the shooting nearly four years ago that we would not forget what they endured. And this year, we will travel back along this road together as one Highland Park to ensure that future generations of Highland Parkers continue to remember. This is what responsible leadership looks like. Not postponing hard decisions, but making thoughtful investments that protect the long-term health of our city. Economic development is another cornerstone of our work. Highland Park thrives when our small businesses thrive. Over the past several years, we've expanded programs that directly support local entrepreneurs, including grant programs that have helped restaurants and food establishments reinvest in their spaces, improve accessibility, and strengthen their operations. We've continued to support our business districts, and work to keep our downtown

and neighborhood commercial areas vibrant and active. 2025 was no doubt an exciting year for our business community. We welcomed 43 new businesses, including eight new restaurants, and used our portfolio of incentives and grant programs to support existing businesses, too. After all, Highland Park businesses are at the heart of what makes our community so unique. Whether a delicious smoothie to power your mornings at Breitb, which received a city grant to help its relocation, or a leisurely deja at that little French guy, which received a city grant to assist in its expansion. These are just two of the local businesses operated by business owners who are beloved community members themselves that receive financial support from the city this year because investing in the growth of our businesses is investing back in our community. We've also focused on building community through events that bring together residents and visitors of all ages and interests. Strengthening connections and showcasing everything that makes Highland Park special. This past year, Analytics Software reported 4.9 million visits to downtown Highland Park alone with an additional 500,000 plus to the Ravenia District. We can look back and we can celebrate those expanded businesses and increased foot traffic with pride because this work is about more than economics. It's about people. It's about community. Our businesses create gathering spaces. They provide jobs. They contribute to the character and energy of our city. Supporting them means supporting the social fabric of Highland Park. Economic development is placemaking at its core. Every time you pause and you say, "That's why I love love living here." When you enjoy a summer picnic at Jen's Jensen Park at food trucks Thursdays, or you find yourself dancing with a neighbor at the Taste of Highland Park, or you count down with the kids and with me for the holiday lights being lit at Port Clinton Square, that's placemaking at work. That work begins here at city hall, but it ripples out into the community. And we

remain committed to the thoughtful and responsible development. Growth must reflect our values, respect our neighborhoods, and enhance quality of life. Economic development is not about growth at any cost. It's about growth with intention. Sustainability is an essential part of our future and woven into all of our decisions. We're proud that in 2025, Highland Park achieved the Metropolitan Mayor's Caucus EV readiness bronze designation. We've incorporated electric vehicle readiness into our building codes, expanded charging options, and created a community where residents have meaningful access to cleaner transportation. Highland Park has the highest number of electric vehicles per capita in the state of Illinois. That's not just a statistic. It reflects our commitment to innovation, environmental responsibility, and the health of future generations. Sustainability is all about leaving this city stronger, healthier, and more resilient for our children and our grandchildren. And finally, vibrancy. Vibrancy is what ties, bless you, ties everything together. It's the energy of our downtown, the strength of our neighborhoods, the creativity of our businesses, and that sense of belonging that our residents feel. It's built through strong fiscal stewardship, safe neighborhoods, smart infrastructure, thriving local businesses, and a shared commitment with our sister governments to caring for one another. Bless you again. When you look at all of this together and what we've achieved and what's on the horizon, what you see is a city that has stayed true to its values while continuing to evolve. A city that invests in its future. A city that protects its people. A city that speaks clearly about who it is and what it stands for. In moments of national uncertainty, Highland Park has been steady. When people are looking for leadership, we've shown up. When people are looking for compassion, we've led with heart. When people are looking for accountability, we've governed with transparency and responsibility. And that brings me back to gratitude. Again, thank you to my council colleagues, past

and present, for your leadership. Thank you to our staff, past and present, for your dedication. Thank you to our partners for collaboration. And thank you to our residents for your trust, your engagement, and your belief in this community. The state of the city of Highland Park is strong because our community is strong. And together, we will continue building a Highland Park that is safe, inclusive, vibrant, stable, and worthy of the trust placed in us every single day. Thank you so much for your time and for listening. That's my report. Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you. Uh the next item on tonight's agenda is business from the council. Is there any business from the council? Nope. Okay. This is from city staff. Um thank you, mayor. Um just want to bring to everyone's attention, we have 10 items on the omnibus agenda. All are recommended for approval and have detailed associated staff reports. I just want to highlight three of them. Uh number two pertains to a proposed sales tax rebate um with the corporation that's representing um doing business as McGrath Kia. Um this was presented to the city council at committee of the whole meeting for policy discussion. Um this initiative is part of one of the economic development tools that's available to us um to invest in the business community and it's based on a new revenue stream to the city. Um number five is the issuance of 4.1 million in general obligation bonds for financing capital projects this fiscal year. Um this initiative uh is in alignment with our budget as well as our financing strategy. Um I do want to recognize Dan Forbes um who's the president of Spear Financial. He is with us this evening. Just want to thank him for his assistance um not only on this initiative but for all his guidance and counsel over the years. Also want to recognize him because he just announced his retirement. Um so want to thank him for his years of service and support um to the city. And then um the last item on the agenda is a very exciting one um on the omnibus agenda. This is the local historic designation for 3135 Priscilla Avenue. This is unanimously recommended by the Historic Preservation Commission. It meets all the criteria set forth in our code. Um we are grateful to the owners for pursuing this local historic designation and it's um highly recommended for approval.

Great. Thank you. Um assistant to the city manager Palitzka, if you could please [clears throat] introduce the next item on our agenda, business from the public.

Thank you, mayor. The next item on the agenda is business from the public. This is an opportunity for members of the public to address the city council on a topic that is within the council's purview and jurisdiction but is not listed in another location on the agenda. If you would like to speak about a matter that is listed on the agenda, we ask that you wait until that agenda item is called and we will give you an opportunity to speak then. If your matter is on the omnibus consent agenda, please let us know if you'd like us to remove that matter from the consolidated list so that you can speak about it. Please be aware that business from the public is not intended to be a forum for open dialogue or engagement with members of the city council. Rather, it is intended as an opportunity to make comments to the city council. Please do not expect a response from anyone tonight. If appropriate, questions may be directed to the city manager or other city staff. All comments should be directed to the city council. All speakers will be limited to 3 minutes. We request that speakers refrain from throwing objects or using noise makers and that the public not applaud or make other comments after any speaker. We ask that everyone be respectful, civil, and non-repetitive. Thank you. So, this is an opportunity for uh business from the public on an item not on tonight's agenda. Are there any members of the public who wish to be heard on an item not on tonight's agenda? Okay, thank you. We'll continue on then with our omnibus agenda. Items 1 through 10 have been grouped together for omnibus consideration. You had two you wanted to pull.

No, not pull. Just what did you want to? Okay. Uh so let's get a motion. Let's get Okay. So may I have a motion to approve items one through 10? So moved. Second.

And what are your comments? Um, on two of the items that are on the omnibus six and seven, which is the unit price of flower planting and the holiday lighting program, I really want to thank staff because we do a beautiful job now. But in looking over the budgets over the last three and four years of each of these um groupings this year, we have really increased our costs for these. So, I just wanted to call the council's attention to that and say I support the programs. is on the omnibus. You do a beautiful job, but the cost [clears throat] is getting much higher. And so I think perhaps we need to see if we have to temp down or whatever we have to do moving forward. But for this year, I'm okay with going forward with it. Okay.

But it's those two in particular because there were other things we are able to maintain within a 10% or 5% increase, but these were like 100% increases or more. Yeah. And that's based on feedback of initiatives to improve in that investment. So for example, like the lighting, keeping it on for a longer duration of time and for longer months of the year. So yeah, certainly in the future we can scale back um so we can talk about that as part of the budget workshop as we prepare the 27 budget. Thank you. But that's reflective of decisions by this council. Correct. To leave the lights on longer. So it's going to cost more money. Okay. Yeah. We do have a motion. We do have a second. Any other comments on items 1 through 10? Nope. Will the clerk please call the vote? Council member center. Hi. Council member Buckman.

Hi. Council member Tapia. Hi. Council member Little. Hi. Mayor Roing. I. We have five eyes, no nays. Items 1 through 10 have [clears throat] been approved. Um, under other business, we have five items. Uh, corporation council, should I read all five? How do you want to proceed? There's a lot of action here.

Right. Um, you may well read all five. Um, because they all relate to a single development. the uh director of community development, director Fontaine, is going to summarize uh what has changed in this evolving matter even since the pass out on Thursday. You have comprehensive reports um from the staff on each one of the items. Um I will uh talk to you about the vote count required because one matter the very first one resoning um as a result of a a written protest will require a different vote than the others. Um, so you can gauge mayor at the end whether there's consensus and you want to vote on them together, but I would read them each the titles to each of them right now and then let the director talk about um the the um the matter in general.

Okay, thank you. So item A is an ordinance reszoning property from the I Light Industrial District to the RM1 medium to highdensity residential district and the R seven single and two family residential district. This is at 1660 and 1700 Old Deerfield Road. Item B is a resolution approving a final plat of reubdivision again 1660 and 1700 Old Deerfield Road. Item C is an ordinance granting a special use permit for a plan development for an off- streetet parking lot at 1660 and 1700 Old Deerfield Road. Item D [clears throat] is a resolution approving a development agreement for 1660 and 1700 Old Deerfield Road. Item E is an ordinance approving a plat of dedication for city-owned property as public rightway at 1677 Old Deerfield Road. Um, I want to first thank everybody who came out this evening, who has come out to multiple meetings, who has written [clears throat] emails, um, who's signed petitions. This has been an enormous conversation as a community. And are we changing our minds or what's going on here? Okay. Well, I'm going to wish you well, gentlemen. Um, so thank you for coming out this evening. Um, the way we're going to proceed is we're first going to hear from our director of community development, Joel Fontaine. Uh, then we're going to have questions and conversation from the city council pertaining to what he's presenting. Uh if the applicant wishes to add anything, we uh welcome your comments and your participation obviously and then we will have business from the public. We will hear public comment. So uh with that, let's go. Okay.

Thank you, Madam Mayor, for the item you just called. Uh staff recommend adoption of the fil the following ordinances and resolutions with conditions approving the development proposal at 1660 to 1700 old Deerfield Road consists of five items for your consideration. There are revisions to number one 3 and four recommended. [clears throat] Um these revisions include um a minor change to the legal description for the zoning map amendment. As you can see here, this excerpt series of numbers that were deleted um no longer applicable and there is a date change. Um the second has to do with the ordinance granting a special use permit. Inserts the date October 29th, specifically 29th. um and that is in section 3L. And then lastly, it adds a provision to the development agreement [clears throat] um in section six regarding additional security for potential unknown construction and buildout issues. Um so those are the three uh changes to the documents that you have before you. So this is the this is new this part. The others were just minor corrections. Um and madame mayor, we do have that recommendation that these be adopted and um defer to corporation council. Were you about to say something?

I think you need to summarize what's in Definitely. Okay. Yeah, I will. But I just corporation council looked like they wanted to say something. Yeah. Um

actually, mayor, we're we're happy to provide the summary. We did provide the summary at the last city council meeting of of the documentation that is required. this accomplishes it. Remember, we're this is an interesting you're you're the city council is is is um accustomed to seeing developments come up with a combined preliminary and final. Most of the uh developments that you've seen in the past several years have had combined um preliminary and final. This one uh went through the rather normal process, the process that's contemplated in our code of having a bifurcated preliminary approval process and then go back and and have final plan review process. So, we're at the final plan review process. Um the reason director Fontaine simply identified the changes is because truly nothing else has changed since you last saw this. Um the only thing that I would well he mentioned that that as one of the documents I'm happy to to talk about that specifically I

I think out of deference to the public who have been following this for months. This is a new component that has been agreed to this afternoon and many have not had the opportunity to take a look at it. It doesn't need a huge explanation but it needs I'm I'm happy like a three sentence. I'm happy to provide that mayor. Thank you.

Um the developer um has offered to the city uh to provide in addition to all of the other um covenants and guarantees and security uh deposits that are required in our document. Um the developer is offered uh because of the size and scope of this development an additional public benefit uh that is uh to cover any unknown or unforeseen issues uh that although there's hundreds and hundreds of pages where we try to identify everything and and and even try to have have instances where we've included studies that must take place. a traffic study and a sound study, for example. Um, and that the developer is going to have to at its expense do whatever is required by those studies. In addition to all of that, the developer has said, I will put $25,000 into an escrow that gives the city the ability to determine when the project's at 90% occupancy. Um, if there's something that we didn't back in February of 2026 identify or or that's not in the documents. and the city at its sole discretion can determine how to use that $25,000. If the city determines that the documents covered everything and there is no need, that money gets delivered back to the developer. Um but the developer um does not have input. The city has at its sole discretion how to use every penny of that $25,000.

Thank you. That's in a nutshell that to throw this up and go. And by the way, we've got this 30 seconds later, take it off. I just wanted people to know what that was all about. So, appreciate it and I appreciate your explanation that we have voted to approve and asked for the drafting of final documents. We have a couple of changes that have come through after that conversation. Thank you to the developer for hearing us. Um, and I don't know.

And there's one more thing that I think probably merits some um uh further thought. Great. I I mentioned this um during the preliminary stage and I told you it wasn't relevant then, but it is relevant tonight. We did receive um a a a so-called protest um that is uh that appears to be in accordance with our code. We have a provision in our zoning code and there is one in state law that allows certain neighboring property owners. It's a very complicated formula, but allows certain neighboring property owners to file a protest to the reszoning of property. If that protest is valid, if it's signed by um the applicable percentage of of of property that fronts or is across from property that's being reszoned, that would trigger a supermajority vote by the city council um on the resoning um action. The reasonzoning action is item um a uh that's the ordinance resoning. that will a supermajority vote means that five affirmative votes are required to adopt the ordinance normally and for all the others four affirmative votes would be required. So I want you to be aware of that um when it comes time to vote.

Yep. Mayor the only other thing if I may just add we do have a detailed PowerPoint presentation. So certainly any questions that come up and if you want us to reference them on the AB screen we can do that. We've received a number of emails from um the public uh both expressing questions about the development or concerns as well as in support. Um those that have raised questions, we are directing them to the very comprehensive detailed packet that is posted on our website where um not only there are detailed staff reports, but there are supplemental and legal documents that reinforce basically the rationale and history and all the information that's set forth in the proposed plans.

So this evening, Mr. Fontaine, do you have a further presentation or was it just these are the changes onward? We were leading with the the changes, mad mayor, so that the council's aware of that when you adopt it. I like city manager newker said prepared to present as well if you would like. It's at the council's discretion.

Thank you. Um, does the applicant have anything you'd like to add to where we are or Okay. No. Okay. [laughter] Um actually I have just a couple of questions remaining um that I kind of more I wanted to confirm. Um in section six of the development agreement, we talk about construction traffic entering and exiting from the north only. Um have we rectified any concerns that we have both about the train tracks, the fact that we are attempting to keep all construction out of the neighborhood? Do I have confirmation that that's solidly in place?

Director Ben, traffic management plan um will be provided and actually attachment 14 of our memo shows what uh was provided by the uh applicant thus far. So they are our city roads and we do have the ability to dictate that. Our agreements require them to provide that traffic management plan. They will not be using Ridge Road except for the utility and other necessary work. Same with that old Deerfield Road in front of the police station. Obviously, it needs to be widened. They have to do that work, but the rest of the construction traffic is coming in off of what's referred to as the access road along the railroad. As for the the railroad crossing area itself, um we did uh have calls with the Illinois Commerce Commission about that specifically. They've included signage and such and and markings appropriately and they are to follow per the development agreements um specific standards for how to do that. Um so that has been addressed as well.

Okay. My next question is where are we with the NFR letter? where in the timeline and

the NFR letter will be um so they will pursue the NFR um using best practices to pursue that and that will be issued at the appropriate time during the development. So as they're they're going to do construction while doing pursuing NFRs there may be one or more NFRs pursued for the site. Um, we worked we spoke with the IEPA about this. Um, they reviewed the information that was provided by the applicant and as we go through the permitting process, we'll be monitoring that application to the IEPA and the studies that go to the IPA and see what the IEPA says when they review them,

similar to the way SMC is reviewing their wetlands uh, applications. So, and at the appropriate times, we'll be um issuing permits and occupancies as as warranted. Okay. And in looking at the memo in that regard, and maybe the date was wrong or maybe the date was correct, it said something about a groundwater report coming in January 30th of 25. Is that 25 or 26? And do you have those reports or is that an an error in what we received? There were there were conversations about sort of the components that were leading up to this declaration of no further remediation. So I'm just curious to know have those reports started or have they was that a typo possibly that

yes we have not received reports. All right tell I've read this carefully you guys. Um I'm going to confirm that there is no access to ridge and that whatever this emergency thing is is not a road. What does that look like? So it's not even on the plat. it what it is is it's an it's essentially an option for lack of better terms for the council should the council deem necessary based on police and fire recommendation um that there's a need for that emergency access. Both police and fire have said that there is not at this point. It was a future contingency. It gives the council the ability to look at that sometime in the future should that be deemed necessary. Okay. But there are no plans.

No, there will be no construction there. Nothing will happen there. It would require council to take an action subsequently based on information where there is a clear clear need for that. Mayor, it's just an easement at this point. It's what? It's just an easement at this point.

Okay. Thank you. Um the businesses to the north, I know there's the parking lot in the northwest quadrant and mainly for police visitors and whatnot, but in the evenings or at other times, is that public parking or is that parking for the development? It wasn't clear to me who can use that extra parking that's being placed there. So there's a 14 space parking lot of which uh excuse me 20 42 space parking lot of which 14 spaces will be able to be used by the police department and its visitors during Monday through Friday 7:00 to 5:00 p.m. Um there's non-exclusivity to allow pass and repass and the access aisle and that parking area to get to the other portion of the parking area that has to do with the neighbor to the north has that easement on the larger portion of it. So, it's 42 spaces of which 14 are related to the city's use and the 28 related to the other uh use the commercial properties in the north.

Great. Thank you. And then the south tot lot in the development. I wanted to confirm that that's open to the public. That's not just for Yes, you're shaking your head. The west tot lot we refer to it as. It's on the south side, but yes, but it's okay. Yes, it's on the southwest. Yes. side. Okay. Um I'm going to leave my comments about the crosswalk to uh public comment. So I think that's it for my questions. Do you have questions? Um I have my comments and I have some questions from Council Member Ross. Okay.

So Council Member Yumi Ross is in Japan right now, but she very much wanted to be here. So from Japan, she sent me some questions and comments. So, I just wanted to pass those along at this point. Um, and she writes, "As the current PDC liaison from council, I asked council member Little as the immediate past liaison to PDC to read the following questions and statements since I cannot be at the February 9th meeting in person. I deeply apologize that I can't attend tonight's meeting. My first question, can forestry reaffirm that the heritage heritage trees on the site will not be harmed by excavation?

Appropriate provisions will be made to not harm the heritage trees. Um the Forester is not here this evening, but I can tell you that they he reviewed the plans, he reviewed the conditions, and there will be appropriate tree protection installed. And there will also be the provision for the um invasive species that that in our packet there was a whole thing about screening each heritage tree. That's correct. And so it was very explicit but currently so I wanted to question I will affirm that the all of the requests of our forester have been complied with by in in are.

Okay. Second, can the landscape strip opposite Blueg Grass restaurant be widened by 2 feet and be language in the contract that habitat is required to keep it in good shape? So, I think that's something that she wanted to bring up, but she did want to know about keeping that [clears throat] in good shape since irrigation was already put into that uh 2 and 1/2t strip. I think the developer address that, correct? Whose responsibility is that? The developer's responsibility to install and maintain. Yes, the property. Would you like me to come? Thank you.

My name is Zach Zer. I'm with the Habitat Company. We we have expanded as much as we can in between the public parking and the easement holders lot, but we did install irrigation to make sure that that uh strip is better maintained than it currently is. Okay, great.

Thank you. Um, and her third and last question is, "A week ago, Director Fontaine had a creative solution for concerns from two of us on council members that we voiced at the last meeting at the Habitat proposal for the split RM1 and R7 that they could potentially be used in the future for more density with contracts um, providing for protective language. Zoning all R7 adds layers of protection because it is late. Director Fontaine suggested that during the upcoming comprehensive plan work, council could consider all R7 zoning, but that a zoning sketch would be needed. Council member Little requested that Habitat undertake that zoning sketch as a public benefit to the city. It's our understanding from corporation council and director Fontaine that Habitat never objected to the idea of all R7, just at slowing down the project. This allows them to continue with their current schedule. I'm not sure if that's a question, but

you're asking about having the whole thing reszone to R seven. Yes. In a comprehensive plan. That's what she's asking or and to have it considered corporation council. And that question was addressed at the last um city council meeting. It was rejected by a majority of the city council members. Okay. And then she says, I reiterate that I support this project. I greatly appreciate the many additional affordable housing units this will bring to our community. I appreciate the green spaces Habitat added, some of them at my request. I ask for these changes in light of this being the largest project Highland Park has seen in generations. Thank you, Yumi Ross. Thank you. And then did you have anything any questions of your own or

uh I didn't have questions. I just had my comments for when we go into this. So I don't know if we want to do anything. I think we want to hear from everybody right before hours. whatever you want to do. Um um well, you know, I I would I have my feelings, but I think that if we wanted to do ours, but I still want to hear from the public. I want to hear from the public. Okay. Okay. So, maybe hang on. Sounds great. Okay. Thank you, Council Member Tavia. No, I don't have any. You're good. Council member Brooklyn, no questions. No questions. Council member Center.

Yeah. Quick general question. Uh, Director Fontaine, as you were going through uh, the construction traffic requirement in the development agreement, more general, what are the what's the recourse or what's the penalties for non-compliance with something like that? It's a breach of contract. I mean we we have this control over our first of all there are streets and we dictate things on public rightways but specifically in the development agreement and the documents that the approval documents it gives the city control and to dictate where these [clears throat] these traffics occur and what what measures are needed

and and to expand on that we we could refuse to issue building permits. Um we could refuse to issue occupancy permits depending on when it occurs. We could issue we could seek monetary damages. we could revoke all approval. So, we have a heavy hand in um ensuring compliance with our documents. Great. Yeah. I I too looking forward to hearing some feedback from the public before we go any further. Thank you. Okay. Great. Thank you. Uh and with that, we'll ask the public if you have comments to please come forward. Um we'll ask [cough] you to state your [clears throat] name and three minutes. Thank you for coming. And three, right? I just remind everyone three minutes.

Each member is allowed three minutes and I know some people are not happy about that. That's to be consistent with Thanks. [cough and clears throat] Hi. Oops. Okay. Thank you. Um in light of Please state your name for the record. Oh, Sandra Lurri. Um before I begin? Nope. This is for the three minutes. Okay. Well, thank you. Since they have now allowed uh I'm just going to start. Okay. Sure.

Words. Dangerous crazy idea, death trap. All words our neighbors have used to describe the crosswalk at Devon Sharon Ridge. We've said so many words regarding this matter that I don't know what the words would be to convince you what a dangerous and bad idea this is. You're listening to experts, KOA, the same ones who tell you that 227 units won't increase traffic. But you're not listening to the people who live here, who absolutely know every twist and turn, every inch of this road and the behavior of the drivers who drive on it. And now you want to allow them to bring it 23 feet closer to that curve. Their woodland's path can end at the tot. It need not extend to Ridge Road. I can't see. Why would it to walk one block down to Old Deerfield Road and back again? Please, please listen to us. Now that I see that Habitat is now opening the tot lot to the public, which they didn't before, we feel that the city want put that crosswalk in to call a public benefit, but it's it's not. There are safer ways to get to the top lots. You walk down Ridge Road, go to the main entrance to get to Devon Sher Park, easy peasy. But to put in a a a crosswalk in the middle of Ridge Road is dangerous, plain and simple. No matter what Kaway says, um, everybody who lives on that in the vicinity feels that way. And you're going to be liable for this dangerous crosswalk if you let it go

forward and especially moving it even closer to the curve curve. So, thank you.

Thank you. Any other members of the public wishing to be heard this evening evening Jim Letterer next [clears throat] door neighbor um as your uh speech alluded to earlier Highland Park is a wonderful community. I've had my business for 21 years going on 22. Who wouldn't want to develop a property of 26 acres? It's up to us as a community to make sure we have the right fixtures in place such as an architect on the design review or the PDC. How we miss that part. I think this project could have been a lot better. But that's my perspective. There's only a couple points I want to bring up. That's one. We need to make sure we're setting our future set up for the next generation. And I feel we're missing some parts on this one. Um the second point the 9 acres that was donated or the dialogue of giving it to this

would love to see or hear why that did not go through or did that go through. It was never offered to us. [clears throat] That's something I've only heard from you and I haven't heard it from the owners. In testimony at the PDC, Zach did state that it was offered. Well, okay. It didn't come before the council. I can just tell you that.

I understand that. One other point as far as all the northern neighbors, they got 50 ft at the other end. Joe got 25 ft and I got 2 and 1/2 ft of dirt. I just think we could have set ourselves up better. I understand this is going through. It's going to be a nice project. I think it could have been done a lot better with a lot better forethought. Thank you. Thank you.

Any other members of the public wishing to be heard this evening? My name is Rick Balnick. I did send an email to most people on the council. Um my concern also has to do with the crosswalk and the safety issues. I live on Divincshshire Court. Um the uh I ride my bike down south on Ridge and when I'm riding back to my home and I have to cross that street I am aware of how fast the cars go and just south of that uh walk that you're talking about uh is a curve and you don't really have a whole lot of time to realize that uh there's a would be a crosswalk coming. Um, I'm really speaking against myself because I if if um people from the development have to walk down Old Deer Road and come to the Devonshshire Park from the north, they'll be by my house. So, I'm speaking against myself in terms of traffic. The t the uh crosswalk doesn't affect not in front of my house. Uh, but I think it's a really very serious safety issue and as a clinical psychologist working with children, I'm very concerned.

Thank you. [clears throat]

Hi, I'm Lindsay Lur. Um, I ask you to close your eyes for a moment and picture this. You just picked up your kids from Westridge heading north on Ridge Road toward the police station. You're chatting on the phone. Kids are distracting you. You're driving a familiar route when you round the curve and suddenly see a mother holding toddler's hand, pushing a stroller across the street. You slam on the brakes. It's a mere miss. The kind that leaves you shaken, wondering how easily it could have ended differently. Now imagine you live nearby and you hear the screech of tires outside your home and rush out heart pounding. My parents live right there. I live down the street. Only to find what could have been a tragedy was nearly avoided. These are not dramatic hypotheticals. There are entirely preventable situations if thoughtful planning comes first. Our community welcomes responsible development. Growth can be positive, but the details matter, especially for the residents who live closest and will live with the consequences every day. It's difficult to understand why there hasn't been a dedicated conversation amongst the developer, the park district, the residents specifically about the safety implications of this proposed crosswalk. I'm talking about like back and forth banter, not just us three minutes with no response. Those of us who live here aren't asking for much careful consideration and collaboration before a permanent decision is made. As you vote on the resoning, I urge you to consider removing the crosswalk at Devincshshire

Court. Removing it would prioritize safety while still allowing the development to move forward. If pedestrian access is the goal, a sidewalk on the east side of Ridge Road extending from Winthrop to Old Deerfield Road will provide a clear public benefit without introducing unnecessary risk. As a gentleman before had mentioned about riding your bike, when you're heading north on Ridge, you can't cross. There's nowhere to cross over by Winthrop. The sidewalk ends. I've grown up on that street for 46 years now. And now I live here again. So, um, I ride it with my kids all the time and we stop and they don't know what to do because there's nowhere to cross as you're riding down ridge heading north. Ultimately, [snorts] this is about protecting families, neighbors, and children who use these streets every day. Thoughtful choices now will prevent regret later.

Thank you. So, that's a question for the developer. Is it possible to put a sidewalk along that side of ridge or is it procluded by the wetlands? And if it is, then how are we having a walking path? And maybe you need a map if that's helpful because we all know it by heart, but you don't. And I just think the question of and and maybe Miss Luri, if I'm hearing you correctly, you're saying possibly a crosswalk at Winthrop to that sidewalk would take care of the concerns that you have about the safety, right? There's no curb there. It's not the curb.

And then they'd cross at Winthrop and then they'd come back down to get to the Devonshshire Park if that's how they want if that's where they wanted to go. Or you could keep going down the road and it goes around to the entire house.

Okay. So, let's look at the map and see if that's a possibility because I have to say I've spent like the last many months driving around this community looking at random crosswalks in random parts of the city and going, okay, is this comp comparable? You know, this on Sheridan Road, there's a lot of curves. There's a lot of changes in grade. There are crosswalks. There are signs before in both directions to kind of give that driver a heads up that there is a crosswalk coming. So that's what I would expect. But I love your idea of a sidewalk and then being able to cross at Winthre where there's more of a a line of sight. In the packet, I can't remember uh city manager who wrote the safety assessment. Um, it wasn't CLA, it was somebody else who talked about sightelines and sufficiencies and meeting warrants and all of that and and it was noted that the crosswalk met the standards, the requirements for sightelines from both directions. But if there's an opportunity, I do love a sidewalk. Everybody up here will tell you that. But I think that's maybe a question worth asking the applicant to see if that's something that could be added. It's it would be along the Am [snorts] I east? Am I south? Where am I? You know, the the the ridge road perimeter, so to speak, to get you down the street and into the tot. And then you'd move the crosswalk a little bit south on Ridge Road. So, is there a better map that we can use to help these guys take a look at that? the sidewalks would start at G side and continue all the way to Old Deerfield Road. Also,

that would be ideal. That would be absolutely ideal. But, um, you know, at this point, I'm just thinking about the access to and from Devonshire. We're going to pull this up on Google Maps for you guys to see better. And maybe this is something that we'll have to come back to, but I'd love to get it resolved this evening cuz that seems to be a a huge concern. Mayor, it's it's not part of land that the developer owns. So certainly it is it the right of way or um who owns that land? It's the wetlands. Are we talking about this here? Yes. Oh, there.

So go down to go further. See where Winthrop is? Right. So there's no sidewalk. It looks like you have to stop here. What do I do? You cross right here. So there's a crosswalk at Edgewood. But if you had a crosswalk at Winthre, is there a sidewalk on the right side of Ridge? There's a sidewalk and it stops here. Tell me. I can't see where you I can't see. It stops on the east side. It stops at Grove.

It stops at Grove. Okay. So, if you had a sidewalk from Grove down somewhere into the entity, that's tricky because you're right, right? That's why there's a walkway to get to the west side. But you see, if you go to if you go and if you're going to the entrance, the main entrance of the development. Actually, I'm gonna ask you guys to come to the podium only because we're recording and we can't hear you if you're yelling from the audience. So, sorry.

It's just it gets uh it gets it gets tricky because the sidewalk keeps going and it ends like she was saying at Grove by 985, but that's where the curve starts where 985 is. So, it's like my kids often ride their bikes, stop there and go, "What do I do?" Cuz there's no it's someone's driveway. So you if you walk across it's really dangerous because right that's her driveway you can't see people coming the other way but if it stops if you come to Winthrop and there's a crosswalk that's more prevalent you can cross over but if that sidewalk continued all the way to old Deerfield that would help people people could even cut over

but here's a simple well then you could walk the entire perimeter of the development but the simpler way that Mr. was talking about if you go up, take ridge road, go all the way to old Deerfield Road. Okay. Now, Old Deerfield Road to, you know, where it splits. Yes. And all you have to do is walk down Old Deerfield Road, one block, and you're at the park. Okay. There's no need. So, here's my concern. Okay.

We have the totally I'm going to ask you to grab your seat, Mrs. Thank you. Um, kids are going to go in both directions presumably, right? They're going to want to come to the Devon Chire Park and they're going to want to go to the tot. And so again, my not formal study of crosswalks in random parts of Highland Park, you get to understand, okay, people are going to cross. They're going to cross if there's a crosswalk, if there isn't a crosswalk. And so my concern is now we have this top lot. I would rather have signs and a crosswalk, better yet a sidewalk that would get people to and fro. And that's where the public safety piece just is frankly keeping me up at night. Um, so to the applicant, this is a bit of a last minute question, but I don't even know if this is feasible or

if you own that land or if it's the city's rightway or who it is if that's cuz then if you have that sidewalk at least to the tot ideally to Old Deerfield, now you've really got connectivity, you've got safety, you've got stability, and you've got a way for people to cross over to come to your tot park where there's a better ability to cross the road. What are your thoughts?

Well, we haven't studied putting a sidewalk in that area. There's overhead power lines along Ridge Road that would have to be looked at and studied. Uh on top of there is a Army Corps controlled wetland that is on our property that we would have to study that as well. Um I I just want to remind you we don't have a stance on this crosswalk. It was a recommendation of city staff's uh parks district that wanted this connection. So we provided it. Okay. Um and this isn't part of your request. This is at their request. I appreciate you explaining that.

It was more than just I just say that it was also about creating conclaves and things like that and making greater connectivity. There was different public testimony about that. So, it just wasn't just the park district. So, I don't want to belabor the point, but I do think it's worthy of further exploration. Maybe not right now, but um I think, you know, thank you for for hearing me. And one thing that shouldn't be lost here is in our future traffic study, we will analyze this and if it's deemed that the city wants us to come out, it can be removed. Okay? So, if the city feels that they still want to have this crosswalk and at least try it,

I I don't know what else to say besides recommending a three-way stop. And the requirement to specifically analyze this intersection is written in the document, right, in the traffic study. Okay. Council member, I was going [clears throat] to say, what about vice versa? What what if we decide not to do it today and revisit it for potential inclusion? That's sort of what my comments study my comments are going to kind of address that. Gotcha. Okay. We would be supportive of that. Thank you, Council Member Tapia.

Yeah, I was going to go the same direction, you know, there because the the letters and the testimonial here was very compelling. You're the ones that live there, you know, and you know, you're accepting that this is a development that's going to go up and you want to make sure it's successful and safe. And you know there's some debate about if it's safe or not but the testimony is you know there's a traffic analyst with all their science but they don't live in that neighborhood either and they're not having the day-to-day experience as as was told in the letters and what was said here. So there's a lot of unknowns here. So why put in a crosswalk when there's really deep deep concerns and it's just painting lines on a street. So it's not like a big infrastructure thing that if you don't do it now, you never can do it again.

Build this thing, figure out where the traffic is happening, do the traffic study, and then we can make a much more informed decision, right? And so I think better to not do it now. Let the development happen. Let's the study happen. And it's already you're already held accountable to addressing whatever the traffic study tells us, and then we'll be able to do a much better, more informed decision, right? We're supportive of that. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. And mayor, if you that could be easily removed from the document or amended in the document, it could we could have it reviewed when at that 90% occupancy time period when we have other things happening. Um, but it's up to you. I just want you to know that can easily be handled. I

I'm getting the sense of this group that that's [clears throat] something that they want to put on a future review and not have it be decided this even, right? The logical time might be that 90% occupancy time period. So, okay, we got consensus. We have consensus. Okay. Any Do people have things they want to say and then we can Well, I don't know if you have Oh, business from the public. That's right. That's what we're in the middle of. Please come forward. Sorry, I was getting all caught up in like safety, crosswalks, and sidewalks. So, okay. My favorite topic. I love a sidewalk. Okay.

Lori Boutman, I live on Devonshire Court. We really appreciate you listening to us and and hearing our concerns. Um, one council um, man, is is that the proper termin? It's okay.

One council member is asking for an easement for uh, possible future street to be built at Devonshshire and Ridge going into the development. though it says for emergency access only when this development is potentially sold to another investor um and it likely will be it gives potential permission to install a street for any um going um from the development onto Devonshire Court. Imagine the traffic and safety and disruptive effects of such a road. Additionally, and I think very importantly, neither the fire department nor the police department feel it's necessary or warranted. This was granted strictly on the request of one person. Um the city council preliminarily voted to include it, but you have the opportunity to not include it at this meeting is and I would appreciate if you didn't do that.

Uh city manager, did you want to respond to that?

Yeah, happy to. Mayor, um just um just so the public is aware, so this is an easement. It's not a road that would be used for emergency access. So if in the future, let's say police and fire are recommending an emergency access road, very similar to we have one that serves Edgewood Middle School when that ring road was constructed. um then that consideration would have to come back to the corporate authorities, the mayor and city council, and they would have to vote to approve that emergency access limitation only, and it would be used expressly for that purpose. So, for the more than 10 years, for example, that we've had that emergency access road at Edgewood, I don't think we've ever used it. I mean, knock on wood, but I don't think we've ever used it. But again, at this point, it would just be an easement for potentially if there were a police and fire request for an emergency access road, it would have to come back at a public meeting and be voted on by the corporate authorities

and people have respected that that road is only been to be used for emergency purposes then. Absolutely. Absolutely. Yes. There's literally no way for anybody to get through. So, that's good to know. Thank you. Thank you. Any other members of the public, please come forward. [cough] [snorts] [clears throat] Good evening. Um, my name is Julie Yurov. I own the corner house on Grove and Ridge. Want a sidewalk in front of your house? [laughter]

Well, which is an excellent point. Um, and we appreciate and are in acceptance of a development coming to our community. Um, being on on that intersection, I and I think that the public sentiment is diverse on this. Um, we would be against having a sidewalk along ridge leading up to Grove. Um, additionally, we don't feel that it's necessary to have a sidewalk coming from the development to Devonshshire Park when those residents may use um Old Deerfield Road to get to the park. Um, that provides it's it would be as mentioned previously, it could be a safety uh hazard. Um, and for us it would mean a lot more traffic around our house by foot. So, thank you. Please take that into consideration. Thank you.

Good evening. I'm Ann Flanakin Bassie. Um, I just want to say thanks. Having served 10 years on the county board, land use issues are difficult. They're challenging. And you guys, I so appreciate, many in the community, really appreciate the incredible heavy lifting you have done on time and effort and thoughtfulness. And just wanted to say thanks.

Thanks. Thank you, Ann. Hello, I'm Janet Schwarz and I also would like to say thanks and mention in particular that I've been really impressed um at both the plan commission and here with the detail that I think has been taken with the project. I mean, I think there's really been um an unusual amount of careful attention, I think, because it is um a big change in the community to go from a light industrial use to a residential use. And I think a lot of us are very grateful for the downgrade and in density and use of the site, but it did require a lot of careful thought um since this wasn't initially planned million years ago when we got the zoning. And um I know it's taken a lot of extra meetings and things get heated and uncomfortable, but I I think it's been worth it. Um there is um a trend here and also in Lake County where people like me are real happy here. So we're not moving even though my daughter thinks I should live near her right now.

And it it has exacerbated what's always a challenge in successful affluent communities and that is having room for everyone that makes a community good. We need not just the doctors at the hospital, but we need the orderlys and the nurses aids and the cafeteria workers. And we need all different kinds of businesses and people to help us here. And we're lucky that we've had that tradition of always really thinking about people who work here. We've had lots of special programs over many years trying in different ways. And um we do have a real shortage of workforce housing housing and we sort of every few years we have to like really figure out how are we dealing with it now? How are we dealing with it now? And it's not easy because we're pretty built out. Solo Cup is really one of the last remaining large parcels. So I appreciate all the time and attention and I'm glad we're making room for some of the people that make it such a great place to live.

Thank you so much. Any other members of the public? My name is Tom Decker. I live a couple of blocks west of the development on Windsor and uh I am grateful for the opportunity to speak in uh appreciation of the council's hard work to form this into something that's not a truck depot and is really going to be something that I think is good for our community and I appreciate all the hard work. Uh, and I don't want to let uh trying to get one more thing be the enemy of approval. Thank you.

Thank you. Any other members of the public who wish to be heard this evening? We so appreciate you coming out. Come on up, Bill.

My name is William Dixon. Um, I didn't intend to speak, but uh, [clears throat] there's going to be a lot more traffic going up and down Ridge Road. And u, I'm not a traffic expert. I'm not an astronaut. I'm a plumber and I have a lot of common sense. and where that um I'm agnostic on that crosswalk, but as someone with some common sense that it's it's a tot lot, there's going to be kids running around and have a lot more traffic. I presently live on Grove Avenue and I cross Ridge Road. It's not an easy road to cross. And where I cross, it's quite a uh good view coming from the south. Where that crosswalk is drawn, it's right on the curve. And when the people are coming from the south to the north, it's it's wooded and they're people are going to be popping out of that out of that wooded area. I don't think a sign is or two is going to is really worth the uh risk. I just um just my common sense. put it in later. Um, I know there's some concern about the continuity. I don't think that little crosswalk is suddenly going to make us all feel connected in that area.

Mhm. Um, I personally walk down the sidewalk all the time to Jewel. It wouldn't be any more difficult for the people who live in that the new community to do the same thing back to get to Devonshshire if they wanted to, but they're going to have their own tot anyways. So, I don't know. Anyways, that's just my two cents. Appreciate it. Thank you. Anybody else from the public who wants [snorts] to be heard this evening? Well, thank you. Thank you all for coming out. Um, so at this point, the question is, um, do we take these in omnibus or would you prefer that we take them?

Well, mayor, that's ultimately your call. you can determine if if you if with with some of these minor tweaks that we talked about or perhaps major tweaks um you have consensus on your uh council to have all five um vote in favor of all documents. If that's the case, you could take them in an omnibus fashion. I think Are we done commenting here though? Oh, we need to do our comments from the Yeah, we're not done yet. You can then make your determination about how to do Okay. Uh, shout out a difference of seniority. We'll start with council member Leor. Okay. Well, I was just going to say I'd love to hear what my other council members have to say, but do that. Um, whatever you want to

um, you know what? I I don't mind hearing what everybody else has to say because I I have a lot to say. [laughter] Council member Tapia.

Yeah. Well, I'm um I think that there's been a uh three issues that I was concerned about and two have been addressed uh in a I think meaningful way. I think that you can see where the vote was going to go on some of those things. The thing that I keep scratching my head about is actually the impact on on blueg grass. Um there's uh you know the properties uh near him have gotten some good space. Um and uh and you know he is a very successful business person, been there a long time. He knows his clientele. He knows the traffic. He knows the parking needs. and he's actually excited about the fact that this development is going on obviously there's going to be more customers for his restaurant as it deserves but Jim has been very consistent in saying that you know while there's several things that he's concerned about I don't think can be addressed just because of the process for uh but the issue about just him feeling crammed in uh when he feels that he could use some more space and I don't I don't know the specifics of how much space he is would like to But he has been consistent in saying he needs more space. He's feeling crammed in in there. He is an anchor in that place. And to me, just to my logic is why given the big huge space that is all around there a few more feet. Uh why why is that why couldn't we accommodate that? I don't that part I I can't understand.

I thought it was impacting the parking lot size. Go ahead. Um, so the easement holder of the 28 spaces has rights and we have to maintain his rights otherwise this development doesn't go forward. So we would have to take away from him get him to agree to it which I don't think he'll be willing to do so in order to accommodate that. Then if you wanted to take city uh space from that lot, which by the way, Bluegrass will enjoy the benefit of having 14 spaces after 5:00 for his uh guess, then could potentially reduce those parking spaces on the city parking lot. So that would have to be analyzed.

And and just mind you, there is not irrigation in between those parking areas. now and we are going to put that in and also we've outlined his landscaping that is existing which is in the public right away which will be sure to protect as well. So one of his early comments during the PDC was he wanted to make sure that he was getting something more than what he currently has. We listened to that and then we delivered plans that will do that.

Yeah. And mayor, I'll just add initially when we talked about this parking lot, it was going to be exclusivity for the city for the police department. Um, but we modified with the developer approval that that time period is only Monday through Friday from 7:00 to 5:00. So after 5 it is available to the public and that's when a large part of I think clientele for Bluegrass as well as the residents in the area will have access to that parking. Right. Great. I'm happy to answer it. Anything else? Well, I just want to raise a question. So, I'm going to raise the two, but not yet. Okay, I'm otherwise I'm good. Okay, Council Member Buckman,

thank you. Um, as I mentioned in our last meeting on this project, uh, perfect is the enemy of good. Is this project perfect? No. Is it good for Highland Park? Yes. This long vacant solo cup site could finally become homes for new families and customers for our local businesses. And that's a step forward. I want to thank our PDC and city staff for the thorough work here and I note the PDC's thoughtful recommendations and the housing commission's unanimous vote on the inclusionary plan on safety. The concern that I've heard the most and again tonight with these public comments is the Devonshshire and Ridge crossing and the ridge and old Deerfield intersections are address are addressed through with the updated traffic studies. But at this point we move forward with holding off on this crosswalk till we later on. and I am definitely in favor of that. Now, um we're also improving bike safety with sheros on old Deerfield and access roads and an ADA compliant woodland path vetted by our city forester. And for first responders, dedicated police parking, emergency access, fire turn provisions, construction logistics, and code compliant lighting are building getting built in. We heard the letters of support and the safety concerns and we responded with enforceable conditions. on balance. This is a good project that moves our community forward. And with that, I will be voting yes in favor of this project. Thank you so much.

Thank you, Council Member Center.

Thank you. Uh I I too, you know, uh had similar questions to council member Topia. It sounds like Council Member Litter and Council Ross too asked about sort of this small amount of space that abuts um the Bluegrass restaurant. So, I I heard what you just said, Zach. Love to figure out if there's a way to still make something better than what's currently there. Um, so that that's my kind of one remaining concern that I have. Um, but you know, sort of we'll echo what Council Brookman just said. I don't have any scripted remarks, but just appreciate everybody's hard work on this from city staff to PDC, fellow council members, mayor, the public most importantly potentially. Um, and thanks for coming out today, right, and and kind of making sure that we got this right to every single detail possible. So, um, really excited for this for the community. I think it's a a fantastic project at so many levels and, uh, thanks to everybody who is involved.

Great. Thank you, Council Member Little.

So, I do have prepared remarks, but I really appreciate you letting us hear from the public first so that I could incorporate some of that into my remarks. The reason they're prepared is because initially I started with so many issues that I had to write them all out and I've actually been able to cross some off. So, I'm very grateful to all of you for helping me with that. I want to thank everyone for their efforts to make this the best project it can be. Whether it's the developer, Habitat, city staff, corporation council, my colleagues, the PDC, and especially the residents, many people have worked extremely hard to bring this project forward. I support this project, and I think it will be bring much needed housing, open land, affordable units, and beautifification to our community. At this last hour, I'm particularly grateful for the offer of an additional $25,000 in public benefit from Habitat set aside for any additional improvements. You've really stepped up and I'm grateful. That said, I want to mention that we as a city and community did grant several significant variances and that's why I think this feels much better to our community to feel that there's a public benefit coming back to the community. At our previous meeting and for the last nine months, I've sought reszoning of this project R7 and not the mixed RM1 R seven zoning which is being presented tonight. While I believe the corporation council has put in restrictive covenants and safeguards to show the intention of this council, all of which Habitat has also gone along with no greater density or building. I know it was not the best way to zone the most important, last, largest 27 acre parcel of available land in Highland Park that we've seen in 30 years. My preference would have been the single R seven zoning, which many felt would have accommodated 227 units. But due to time pressure, I still felt a better way to approach the zoning was to give final

approval to the project at the proposed density and following further study grant great variances if necessary. Our seven zoning is more conducive to the neighboring residential area. But I like to view every journey as an opportunity. And since the zoning change did not occur, I hope in that in the future this aspect will be particularly focused upon through our upcoming comprehensive study, formerly referred to as a new master plan. Staff has assured me that the way neighborhoods and zoning are designated and come together is one of the key components we will study. And so I'm hopeful that at that point this development, the full neighborhood and Briergate, like other areas of Highland Park, will be studied in a comprehensive manner. That leaves me with two small tweaks at the current ordinances and resolutions that we have before us tonight. One is the crosswalk at Devonshshire. Following several traffic studies, Habitat has agreed to do an updated traffic study related to issues regarding control signals and traffic panners. upon 90% occupancy of the development or at the city manager's request. I would ask, and I'm hoping that's the way these motions will go, that the same be permitted for the proposed crosswalk and any other ways of dealing with the traffic, whether that's sidewalks or however we study it at a later date at that 90% when we're going to study the rest of it. Many neighbors have worried that the proposed crosswalk presents more of a hazard than a safety measure, as evidenced by the numerous resident emails and the testimony we've heard tonight. Since populations are not changing until this development is largely built, why add the crosswalk now when it's not needed nor wanted and it hasn't been for over 40 years? I respectfully request that we not add the crosswalk now as proposed, but add the

crosswalk through an amendment to tonight's motions to the updated study portion of the development plan. That's where it goes. Second is the buffer at Bluegrass Restaurant. I'm not going to talk about Bluegrass because you all have represented what an institution it is to our community. But on a 27 acre development, we are giving a 2 and 1/2 ft buffer with irrigation before crossing over into the right of way, new parking area, and town homes. I'd like to ask staff to pull up the picture of this portion of the development on [snorts] page 838 of tonight's packet for everyone to understand what this means to the new community. And here for a moment, I'm going to digress because I don't want to talk only about bluegrass. I've worked for four years on buffers and BMS for this community and I want you to look at the back of habitat just the five town houses and that's the only area within which I believe that instead of 2 and 1/2 ft we should add another 2 and 1/2 ft and that would do it. So, can we go to please to page 838 um and enlarge it as much as you can toward the northwest corner. I'm going to finish the rest of my testimony and then or well, we can go over it. All right. We in Highland Park have worked very hard at requiring buffers and BMS. How can we let the backs of five town houses sit on the lips of parking lots? I therefore respectfully request an additional 2 and 1/2 ft as the buffer for a portion of the property behind the five proposed town houses at the northwest corner of the development. Thank you for your willingness to consider these two issues as we move forward with this development and thank you for your diligence and all of you for our care of our community. [snorts]

So, what I think you'll see um and I I don't know are we not able to get it up? It's loading. Okay. Um, in the meantime, thanks to council member center right here, you can see that this is the northwest corner and this little blue line up here, I believe, is the 2 and 1/2t buffer that y'all have irrigated. It's the end of the parking lot over at blue grass. Uh, that's it. Perfect. Okay. So, we don't have a pointer or anything, do we? No.

Okay. You see those red ones right there? That's exactly right. That blue buffer I believe is the 2 and 1/2 ft. That's it right there. Not all the way over. Just from that first tree. You see? Nuh-uh. One more over. From tree to from there to there. Exactly. That 2 and 1/2 ft buffer. If you increase it by 2 and 1/2 ft down and move everything down and you see the island in front of those five town houses.

If you make that 2 and 1/2 ft less, you can move everything down 2 and 1/2 ft. We won't lose a parking space. If you need some questions for the right of way, we've got corporation council here. All I'm saying is I'd like to add on that we increase it by two and a half ft. And that way we would have a buffer. We would be able to do plantings because of the irrigation that Habitat is putting in. It's a sound buffer for our community. It's a buffer that looks better for our community, meaning the new development community, and it still retains all the parking spaces. But you can't back your car up enough. Um, can you?

Yeah, you can because you slide just that portion down 2 and 1/2 ft.

So, I'm just asking you to consider it and I would like to add it as an amendment to the current um proposal that we add. And and if you tell me you can only do one and a half feet, you know what? That's fine. But I'm trying to get it so that they don't have a two and a half foot foot little thing like this. But instead, they have 4 feet or 5t. And if we can't do more than four, I get it. But that's a foot and a half in a 27 acre project that we're asking. So that that part of your development really comports with what we value in Highland Park, which is really having a beautiful buffer. And you're already putting in all this money for glass and doors and sound. Why not buffer it with a few more trees between that and a restaurant and a parking lot? So, there's a buffer between the parking lot and the parking lot.

Um, so you see the back of the houses. You see there's a bunch of bushes. Then they have their parking spacesh. Then you've got two rows of parking space. One of which is obviously what's being put in and behind it you have blue grasses. So in between those two, that's exactly right. Whoever is pointing for between the parking lots. Yes. And you if you put in more green, it'll look better for them and you'll have more of a space between blueg grass and the development. I I wish the easement holder was here this evening because he would have an opinion on this. It's not their land.

So there's rights that we have to adhere to which I was speaking to earlier. We could agree to look at this, but that doesn't change what we need to accomplish this evening if we want this project to move forward. And I don't know, corporation council on how we achieve that at this point in time. And what I'd like to say is I don't want to hold up this project because I recognize that you need five votes. You need every one of us up here to vote. And I don't want to be unreasonable to the request. I just can't definitively answer it as we sit here given the easement holders.

Would you be willing to talk to the easement holder in the future? Absolutely. We've we could one way um would be to um to add the requirement but only if the easement holder allows it. If the easement holder does not allow it, the require that doesn't give him undue leverage. That means you're the the project's still approved, but it's um only if the easement holder would allow it to be accomplished. That way you have your approval and if he doesn't allow it, that's fine. You don't have to do it. Not not only there are other spatial. [clears throat] The rear of the town homes has a deck in private yards

and trees, right? So, there's actually a canopy that's growing on the south side of the parking lot. There wasn't enough room on the north side to both give the easement holder all of his parking spaces and the city parking spaces except for the three three planters that we created. The one in the one between the two lots and then the one on the right side. Yeah.

Two of those three have trees. The Eastman holder does not want the tree in the third one because he has a security camera that he wants to watch his parking lot. So, we honored that request. But if we were to try and push everything down, there is [clears throat] not enough room here with a driveway depth of the town home in the rear yard of the town home and putting trees in the rear yard to be able to squeeze another foot and a half out. That's that's the reality of space. Would you be willing to look at it? Well, I I mean that's what I would like you to do because frankly, you have an island in front of those town houses

that if that island were a foot and a half or 2 and 1/2 ft less deep, that island exactly there, it would give you the ability to force just at that one juncture those down. And in moving everything down, we still remain true to the spaces. Yeah, I I think we can agree to look at it like you're requesting. That's absolutely a reasonable request and we can do that. I heard it. Okay. Okay. Thank you. Just want to make sure we What exhibit letter is this? To which document, Joel or Marcus, do we have the answer to that?

It's more than just they pulled down the entire packet. So this is a lot figure. Um is yeah and which one is it? Is that what you're asking? It's in the development. I just wanted so that I could accommodate be in the development agreement probably. I don't know. Well, development agreement is in four. I I can check my notes because I do that down to we know it's page 838. So we 838 whatever one that [clears throat] Yes. Joel, there's a landscaping exhibit for the parking lot. That's what it was pulled up earlier. Yeah. Yeah. I mean that in my right they should be able to crosswalk, right? Okay. The landscape agreement to for the parking lots in the special use [clears throat] or if you go

it's in which one? Special use? Yeah, there's an entire landscaping plan of which I'm going to assume there's an exhibit that detailed this because we showed irrigation on that exhibit to make sure that everybody understood we were trying to create a better space in between. I think that's exhibit G. Exhibit G is in under the PUD ordinance under C. Yeah. Landscaping plan, parking lot, easement exhibit. Yeah. Perfect. I have it now in case you're ready for that. So, thank you for taking a look at that and talking to the easement holder. We appreciate it. So, with that in mind, um

sounds good. Um with that in mind, I'd like to make a motion to incorporate the three uh ordinances. uh ordinance for reszoning, ordinance for granting a special use permit, an ordinance approving a plat of dedication, and the two resolutions approving a final plat of resubdivision and approving a development agreement. Did you say incorporate or make a motion to adopt? To adopt. Okay. Thank you. That's items A, B, C, D, and E. Cross. So ABC as amended.

Yeah, ABCD and E in an omnibus fashion with two amendments. Correct. One is to um push the requirement if any for the crosswalk to make it to a determination to be made by the city at the time of 90% occupancy. And two, subject to an updated traffic study. Right. Which is already in there specifically for the Devonshshire. Exactly. And the the second is to amend exhibit G to um increase the buffer between the two parking lot areas, but only if allowed by the owner of the easement area. If the owner of the easement area does not allow it, this requirement

up to an additional 2 and 1/2 ft up to, you know, if we get a foot and a half, we're great. We get two feet, we're great. So, okay. Those are the two. And so now, mayor, um you're taking it in an omnibus fashion because one of those ordinances requires a five um five affirmative votes. If you're doing it omnibus, you'll have to have five affirmative votes for all. Right. Thank you. So, are we have a motion? Do we have a second? Second. Thank you. Any further discussion? Any further discussion from the public? Want to go home? Um let's call the vote. Council member Center, I. Council member Buckman, I. Council member Tapia I. Council member Little I.

Mayor Roering I. Five I's no nays. Items A, B, C, D, and E as amended have been approved. And again, I just want to thank the neighbors. I want to thank the PDC. I want to thank city staff. I want to thank my council colleagues um and everybody who came out. They say that a city growing is a city progressing. And I look forward to meeting our new neighbors. So, thank you. Thank you. [applause] Thanks. With that, I'd like a motion to adjurnn. So moved to second. All in favor say I. I.