01/23/1990January 23, 1990
The January 15, 1990 recessed meeting of the Board of Trustees of
the Village of Deerfield was called to order by the Mayor in the
Council Chamber of the Village Hall on Tuesday, January.23, 1990,
at 8:00 P.M. The Clerk called the roll and announced that the
following were
Present: Bernard Forrest, Mayor
James L. Marovitz
Cynthia J. Marty
Harriet B. Rosenthal
Edwin B. Seidman
J. Robert York
Absent: Vernon E. Swanson
and that a quorum was present and in attendance. Also present was
Village Manager Robert Franz.
LCA - LAKE COOK ROAD The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is requesting
RETENTION BASIN final approval from the Village of the Local
Cooperation Agreement (LCA) prior to it being
forwarded to Washington. The document sets forth the responsibilities
of the Village, which is the Local Sponsoring Agent, pertaining to
the construction of the Lake Cook Road Retention Basin (Structure
#29A). Shamel Abou- El- Seoud' from the Army Corps was in attendance
to answer questions. He advised that the project was scheduled
for bid in May, 1990 and will take approximately one and one -half
years to build. Trustee Seidman moved, seconded by Trustee Marty,
that the Mayor be authorized to sign the Local Cooperation Agreement
and Escrow Agreement regarding the Lake Cook Road Retention Basin.
Motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Marovitz, Marty, Rosenthal, Seidman, York (5)
NAYS: None (0)
MOA - LAKE COOK ROAD Manager Franz reported that this Agreement
RETENTION BASIN pertains to the non - Federal costs of the
project for work needed as a result of
having swapped properties in order to build the basin on the old
Gun Club property. Trustee Seidman moved, seconded by Trustee
Rosenthal, that the Mayor be authorized to sign the Memorandum of
Agreement (MOA) and Escrow Agreement regarding the Lake Cook Road
Retention Basin. Motion carried by the following vote:
(Amended 2/5/90)
AYES: Marovitz, Marty, Rosenthal, Seidman, York (5)
NAYS: None (0)
SE CORNER OF Mayor Forrest read a statement (attached
WAUKEGAN /DEERFIELD hereto and made a part of these Minutes)
ROADS recommending that the Board approve a
contract for a one -year option on the Knaak
Estate property at a purchase price of $1.5 million. Also, the
Mayor recommended approval of a Real Estate Contract to purchase
property at 755 Waukegan Road (Christian Science Building) . Trustee
Marovitz commented that, although he..favored the Village exploring
development options during the first six months of the option
agreement, he was generally opposed to the Village purchasing land
anll, ryef.ti.na infio tbp devRInnma.nt h1)c?.ness.
Trustee Marty moved, seconded by Trustee Rosenthal, that the Mayor
be authorized to sign a contract with the Knaak Family Trust for
a one -year option to purchase the 50,000 sq. ft. parcel at the
southeast corner of Waukegan and Deerfield Roads at a total
purchase price of $1.5 million. Motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Marovitz, Marty, Rosenthal, Seidman, York (5)
NAYS: None (0)
Trustee Marty moved, seconded by Trustee Seidman, to authorize the
purchase of the 10,000 sq. ft. parcel at 755 Waukegan Road at a
cost of $300,000. Motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Marty, Rosenthal, Seidman, York (4)
NAYS: Marovitz (1)
Mayor Forrest recommended the following people be appointed to the
Village Center Redevelopment Task Force:
Chairperson: Trustee Harriet Rosenthal
Members: Marvin Ehlers, Plan Commission Chairman
Michael Swartz, Plan Commission
Fred Goldberger, VCDC Chairman
Edwin Josephson, VCDC
Thomas Bergseth, Appearance Review
Commission Chairman
Kevin Forrest, Appearance Review Commission
Trustee Marty moved, seconded by Trustee Rosenthal,-that the
appointments be made. The motion passed unanimously.
There being no further business, upon motion by Trustee Seidman,
seconded by Trustee Rosenthal, the meeting adjourned at 8:17 P.M.
ATTEST:
Village Clerk
APPRO D•
Mayor
-2-
MAYOR FORREST'S STATEMENT RE:
SOUTHEAST QUADRANT OF THE VILLAGE CENTER
January 23, 1990 Recessed Board Meeting
Since December, 1986, when a Tax Increment Financing District was
established in the Village Center, Deerfield has attempted to
encourage a major redevelopment project within our downtown area.
Although some private initiative has occurred, neither the scope nor
quality of the plans have warranted public investment.
To this point, the Village has taken a "wait- and -see" approach to
commercial redevelopment, limiting its actions to street improvements,
additional commuter parking, acquisition of the Callner site and the
Streetscape Beautification Program. In my opinion this has been a
prudent course, but one which needs reevaluation if the Village Center
is ever to become the focal point of our community.
To that end, I am proposing this evening that the Board of
Trustees approve an Option Agreement for purchasing the 50,000 sq. ft.
Knaak property located at the southeast corner of Waukegan and
Deerfield Roads. This site, and other parcels within that quadrant,
offer the best opportunity for new development. By securing an
option, the Village will be in a position to invite several
development proposals and negotiate with that developer whose plan is
in the best interests of the community.
The option is for a 12 -month period at a sale price of $1.5
million. Within the first six months of the option year, the Village
can choose to terminate the option. This period should allow ample
time for the Village to evaluate the potential development of the
quadrant and to decide if the last six months of the option should be
taken at a cost of $2,500 per month.
Mayor Forrest
January 23, 1990
Also this evening I am recommending that the Board approve the
purchase of the property at 755 Waukegan Road. This is the Christian
Science Reading Room property which is a critical parcel to any future
redevelopment in the Southeast quadrant. The purchase price of
$300,000 equates to $30 per square foot, the same price paid by the
Village for the Callner Site at the southwest corner of Waukegan and
Deerfield Roads and the price of the Knaak property.
In taking this somewhat unique, but pragmatic, initiative it,
should be noted that several developers have expressed interest in a
public - private partnership in the Southeast quadrant. Tonight's
actions will demonstrate the Village's proactive position with respect_
to this redevelopment and encourage private sector participation and
investment.
It is our intention to prepare a Request For Proposal (RFP)
y� outlining the basic parameters for redevelopment. A Task Force,
comprised of the Chairperson and one other member from the Plan
Commission, Village Center Development Commission and Appearance
Review Commission, will serve as the primary steering committee. A
Village Trustee will chair the committee. After some initial
pre - planning meetings to establish redevelopment criteria, the Task
Force will screen proposals, interview applicants and make a
recommendation to the Board on a preferred plan and developer. To
assist them in this effort, I am proposing that the Village retain a
land use planner with significant experience in the economics of
downtown redevelopment.
Upon reviewing the Task Force report, the Village Board will
negotiate a Redevelopment Agreement outlining the basic provisions for
- 2 -
Mayor Forrest
January 23, 1990
improving the site. I wish to emphasize that in all cases the regular
land -use procedures will be followed, including public hearings by any
and all Village Boards and Commissions having jurisdiction.
In summary, I believe that the Village has reached a crucial
crossroads on the future of its Village Center. We can continue to
patiently wait for something good to happen and hope for the best, or
we can assume a leadership role at this point in aggressively seeking
redevelopment of the southeast quadrant. At least initially these
transactions represent a minimal financial commitment at a reasonable
risk. Unless we are prepared to step forward and take the initiative,
it is unlikely that improvements to the Village Center will become a
reality in the near future.
3 -