04/17/2017COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE – Minutes of Meeting
April 17, 2017
The Village Board met as a Committee of the Whole in the Council Chambers of the
Village Hall at 8:25 p.m. on Monday, April 17, 2017. In attendance were:
PRESENT:
Village Board Staff
Harriet Rosenthal, Mayor Kent Street, Village Manager
Alan Farkas, Trustee Andrew Lichterman, Assistant Village Manager
Thomas Jester, Trustee Barbara Little, Director of PW and Engineering
Robert Nadler, Trustee Robert Phillips, Deputy Director of Public Works
William Seiden, Trustee Brandon Janes, WRF Superintendent
Dan Shapiro, Trustee Justin Keenan, Public Works Analyst
Barbara Struthers, Trustee John Sliozis, Police Chief
Eric Burk, Finance Director
ABSENT:
None
Public Comment
There was no public comment on non-agenda items.
Discussion of Traffic Signal Operations: Lake Cook Road at Pine Street and at Embassy
Way
Trustee Farkas noted that he believes the proposal outlined in the staff memo sounds
reasonable and makes sense. He believes it should be implemented.
Deputy Director of Public Works and Engineering Bob Phillips presented a brief history
of both intersections. He noted that in 1986 the area south of Lake Cook Road was
redeveloped and the Village Board at that time prohibited through movements to prevent
cut-through traffic. He noted that in 2010, a pedestrian signal was requested at Pine
Street. Once the pedestrian crossing was installed, the “porkchop” island was removed as
traffic cannot conflict with the pedestrian signal. He noted that the Village attempted to
prohibit through-traffic, but Cook County removed village pavement markings. He
reported the situation is not a cause of traffic accidents. Mr. Phillips recommended to
rescind the ordinance prohibiting through movements so that Village regulations are
consistent with current traffic patterns and to include more traffic light phasing for left
turn arrows to be more efficient and clearer to drivers. He noted that the absence of turn
lanes and arrows can confuse drivers regarding whether oncoming traffic will go straight
or turn.
Al Bromberg, 1139 Gordon Terrace, stated that he agreed it is a confusing intersection.
If an apartment building is constructed near the Pine Street intersection, he believes they
will use Pine as a cut-through and change the feel of the neighborhood. He noted the light
is long on Lake Cook Road, but short on Pine, causing drivers to be aggressive trying to
C.O.W; April 17, 2017
get through from north and south. He asked that the through movement prohibition be left
in place.
Trustee Jester noted that the pedestrian crossing is seldom used. He stated that people are
careful about trying to turn off Pine because they are scared. He requested to conduct a
traffic study of the intersection. He noted the intersection needs better directional paint on
the road now. He indicated he would not vote for a change until there is a left turn lane
installed and a traffic study. Mr. Phillips noted the Village would have to petition Cook
County to install the turn lane.
Mayor Rosenthal noted that the issue of not knowing if oncoming traffic at an
intersection is going straight or turning happens at some other Village intersections. She
stated that there seemed to be a consensus to conduct a traffic study.
Trustee Jester inquired if the traffic study would use a camera. Mr. Phillips noted that it
would. Trustee Jester recalled that Lake Cook Road was only two lanes when he moved
to Deerfield in 1976.
Trustee Shapiro inquired if the traffic study would present a timing issue, as there is a
proposal for different land use just south of Lake Cook Road. Manager Street noted that
there are always proposals in development that could alter traffic, but recommended
moving forward. He noted that future petitioners would be required to do their own
traffic studies. Mr. Street confirmed staff will complete a traffic study and then bring this
matter back to the Board before petitioning Cook County.
Adjournment
Trustee Farkas made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Trustee Nadler.
The meeting adjourned at 8:46 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
David Fitzgerald
Management Analyst