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Vol. 25, No. 5 - Sep 2003•. Deerfield ��L HISTORICAL SOCIETY FALL FESTIVAL Do you know where and when this picture was taken? r� 1 -nzn r�r The Deerfield Area Historical Society's Fall Festival will be held on Sunday, September 7`h from Noon to 5:00 p.m. at the Deerfield Historic Village (Deerfield Road and Kipling Place). This year the Historical Society will be celebrating the 35`h anniversary of their founding and the 100'h anniversary of Deerfield's incorporation. The Fall Fest is the Historical Society's annual fund raising event that features musical entertainment (The Deerfield Community Concert Band, The Big Band Sound of Deerfield, and the Hummers and Strummers), pioneer demonstrations (including a blacksmith and Lake County Rug Hookers and Lake County Farm Heritage Group), crafts, food (brats, hot dogs, ice cream, cake, cookies, soda), antiques appraisal (Frederick Dose), children's games, building tours, and book sale. The Linda Coleman Fourth Grade History Award winners will be announced along with the winners of . the 17'h Annual Historic Preservation Awards. For more information call 847-948-0680. Admission is free. September 2003 - VOL. 25 NO.5 MUDFEST 2003 Mudfest is back this year and will be held on Sunday, September 10 from Noon to 4 P.M. at Jewett Park. Participants are teams of 8 to 10 high school students which must be COED (at least 4 boys and 4 girls per team). Events will include mud volleyball, tug-o-war and a pie -eating contest. Also, a local high school band will start playing at noon. Special Feature Teen team vs: Village Trustees & Police For more details call Linda at 945-0650, Barbara at 945-1955 or Jerry at 945-3120. CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION Plans are being finalized to celebrate Deerfield's 100`h anniversary as a municipality on Saturday, October 4"' at Brickyards Park. Events of the day include: 11:00 a.m. - Ribbon cutting for the new Patty Turner Senior Center Noon - Deerfield's Hummers and Strummers 1:00 p.m. - Rick Shandling Jazz Quartet 2:00 p.m. - Jump in the Saddle Band 3:00 p.m. - Blue Light Special 4-6:00 p.m. - The Buekinghams During the course of the day, other activities will include tours of the new facility, puppet shows, clowns, rides and food from local vendors. Games will include volleyball, bocce ball, horse shoes and bingo. Plan to join the fun hosted jointly by the village and Deerfield Park District. SAFETY COUNCIL TIP FACADE IMPROVEMENTS We are fortunate to live in a village with an abundance of parks, playgrounds and numerous facilities for recreational use. One of the unique characteristics of Deerfield is that these parks blend into our residential neighborhoods. Those who live adjacent to these parks can tell you a very real problem has developed. Safety. Concerns have increased dramatically with high usage of these facilities. In an effort to get kids to activities and for parents to come watch, people are driving too fast and parking haphazardly to the detriment of the residents, especially the children who live and play in these higher traffic areas. We need to be aware of all outdoor activities — kids playing, biking, running, walking dogs, pushing strollers, etc. Please park in designated areas first. If you need auxiliary parking, look at what is the safest option, not whatever is closest. Please do no block fire hydrants, crosswalks or driveways. Please slow down and park thoughtfully. MEETING SCHEDULE The public is invited to attend Village Board and Commission meetings, which take place at the Village Hall, 850 Waukegan Road. Dates and times are subject to change. Tuesday, September 2nd: Board of Trustees 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 3rd: Human Relations Commission 7:00 p.m. Village Center Development 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 9th: Safety Council 7:30 p.m. Youth Council 7:30 p.m. Residential Redevelopment Review 7:30 p.m. Thursday, September 1 lth: Plan Commission 8:00 P.M. Monday, September 15th: Board of Trustees 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 17th: Cable & Telecommunications 7:30 p.m. Monday, September 22nd: Appearance Review Commission 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 23rd: Comprehensive Plan Review 7:30 p.m. Thursday, September 25th: Plan Commission 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 1st: Village Center Development 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 7th: Board of Trustees 7:30 p.m. Youth Council 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, October 8th: Comprehensive Plan Review 7:30 p.m. Thursday, October 9th: Plan Commission 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 14th: Safety Council 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, October 15th: Cable & Telecommunications 7:30 p.m. Monday, October 20th: Board of Trustees 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 21st: Residential Redevelopment Review 7:30 p.m. Thursday, October 23rd: Plan Commission 8:00 p.m. Monday, October 27th: Appearance Review Commission 7:30 p.m. Two retail buildings within the village center will soon be getting a new and improved look under the village's Revitalization Rebate Program. The stores at 810-816 . Waukegan Road (which includes Swanson's Blossom Shop) and Marshall Mall have been approved for financial assistance to redo the facades on their buildings. All of the businesses on Waukegan and Deerfield Roads have been encouraged to participate in this program which is designed to make the downtown more attractive and inviting to shoppers. LOCAL ORGANIZATION If you are interested in more information regarding the Deerfield Area Branch of the American Association of University Women you can contact Jerry Ackerman at 847-680-9358 or Mary Schuster at 847-945-3539. COLLECTIONS The Solid Waste Agency of Lake County is sponsoring a Household Electronics Collection on Saturday, September 13th at Mitsubishi Electric Automation, 600 Corporate Woods Parkway, Lincolnshire between 8:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., and it is free to Lake County residents. A variety of items will be accepted such as: • computer equipment, small appliances and office equipment. SWALCO will also hold a Household Chemical Waste Collection on September 6th from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Lake Forest Municipal Service Center, 110 E. Laurel Avenue. You can dispose of: oil -based paints, insecticides, motor oil and several other household chemicals. For more information, call 847- 836-9340 or check out www.swalco.org. NEW INFO CHANNEL Tune into cable channel 10 to view the village's new informational channel. The new format is intended to provide residents with up-to-date information on meetings and events, construction project updates and contact information for village organizations. REMAINING FARMER'S MARKET DATES Every Saturday through October llth from 7 a.m. to • 12:30 p.m. in the commuter parking lot at the northwest corner of Deerfield Road and Robert York Avenue. Village Amends Zoning Ordinance The Village Board, at its August 4 meeting, voted to amend the Village Zoning Ordinance to modify the determination of 'maximum height, to institute a floor area ratio (FAR), and to reduce the maximum height of houses at the side yard setback line. The new ordinance is the second in a series of projects that the Residential Redevelopment Review Task Force is in the process of investigating. The first was the adoption on May 19, 2003 of an amendment to the Village's Municipal code covering new stormwater drainage regulations. Copies of the list of submissions required for stormwater application may be obtained from the Building Department at Village Hall. The following summarizes the salient points of the new amendments in Q & A format: How can I determine if I can build a new house or add onto my existing house? A. Determine the maximum floor area permitted for your property. l . Get out the survey of your property. You should have received a copy when you purchased your house. If you don't have a copy of a survey of your property, the Building Department may have a copy of one in the building file for your property. Call 945-5000 and ask for the Building Department. If there is a survey available, a copy will be made for you at no charge. 2. Determine the square footage of your property. If your property is subject to easements for roads, usually private, then the area of the easement must be deducted from the gross square footage of your property. 3. Multiply the area of your property by .40. This will give you the total amount of square footage allowed to be constructed on your property. 4. If the amount determined above is less than 3,500 square feet, the new regulations guarantee that a house with a total area of 3,500 square feet may be constructed on your property even if the amount determined in #3 above is less than 3,500 square feet. 5. If the amount determined in #3 is greater than 3,500 square feet, that number is the total amount of square • footage for a house that will be permitted on your property. B. Determine the square footage of your existing house if you are thinking about addingon n to your house. l . If your survey shows the footprint of your house as it exists today, determine the area of the first floor. If your house is a two-story structure, multiply the first floor area by two. 2. If your house is a split-level and you can't determine the total area of your house, call the Assessor's office to find out what their records show. Do not include any of the following areas in your calculations: a. Detached garage b. Porches (roofed or open to the sky, but not enclosed) C. Decks d. Terraces e. Tennis courts f. Chimneys g. Bay windows h. Under bay or under eave areas. i. Basements or portions of basements, which are exposed to a height of less than 3.5 feet as measured from grade to the underside of the ceiling joist. 4. Include the following: a. Attached garages b. Attached garage attics over seven feet eight inches in height. (Only the area with a clear height of over • seven feet eight inches is counted.) C. House attic space over seven feet eight inches in height. (Only count the area where there is a clear height of seven feet eight inches.) d. Second floor cathedral ceiling space, over fourteen feet in height. C. 19 Subtract the amount obtained in "B" above from the amount obtained in "A" above. The resulting number is the total amount of additional square footage which can be added to your existing house subject to other applicable restrictions. What else must I consider in determining the amount of square footage which can be built on my property or added to my . existing house? Deed Restrictions or Covenants Check your deed and/or title insurance policy for any limitations of record against your property. The Village must honor such restrictions. Required Yard Setbacks a. Check your zoning district requirements. b. Check to see if you will be required to set back your new house or addition to the average of the setbacks of the other homes on the block. C. Check your survey for recorded building lines. You will be required to honor those lines. If the zoning district or the average setback is greater than a recorded setback, the greatest setback must be provided. 3. Side Yard Setback Plane Except for permitted encroachments, no portion of a building can intercept the planes that begin at points 14 feet directly above pre -development grade at the side lot lines and run at 45 degree angles toward the interior of the lot until they reach the maximum building height of 35 feet. TOP OF ROOF EXTERIOR GRADE '.� SETBACK � PLANE i i 450 BEGINNING P.OIN-0 EXTERIOR OF � I SETBACK PLANE BUILDING WALL i 22 ft. i 14 ft. I SIDE SETBACK I VARIES " BUILDING FACE J SIDE LOT LINE • a. The side walls of the house must be set back from your side property lot a minimum distance specified for the zoning district in which your property is located. b. If you are building a new house, you must design your house so that it will fit below a plane created as • follows: (1) At the side lot line (2) Extend a plane upward 14 feet (3) At the 14-foot point, extend a plane towards the interior of the lot at a 45-degree angle from the side lot line. C. If you are adding on to an existing house, you must design your addition so that it will fit below a plane created as follows: (1) At the side wall of the house closest to the side property line (2) Extend a plane upward 22 feet (3) At the 22-foot point extend a plane toward the interior of the lot at a 45-degree angle d. Permitted penetrations of the 45-degree angle plane (1) Chimneys (2) Stack pipes (3) Dormers, gable roof ends, hip roof ends, shed roof ends, and the upper segments of gambrel roof ends. Note: Dormers may not: (a) Exceed 8 feet in width individually (b) Be closer than six feet from each other (c) Exceed a maximum aggregate width of 20 feet Note: Roof ends may not extend through the plane more than 20 feet in length 4. Height Whether you are building a new house or adding on to an existing house, the total height of the house may not exceed 35 feet. Thirty-five feet, the maximum permitted height, is determined as follows: • a. New Construction — Base Point (1) Height is measured from the average pre -demolition grade at the front of the house. (a) This information will be obtained from the topographic survey that must be submitted as part of the building permit application process. (b) If the grade undulates, the grades at the two sides of the house will be averaged. b. Additions to Existing Houses — Base Point The grade at the front of the house determines the base point. If the grade undulates, the grades at the two side walls of the front of the house will be averaged. C. Highest Point The highest point of the house, whether new construction or an addition, may not extend more than 35 feet as measured from the base point. d. Exclusion Chimneys and stack pipes may extend above the 35-foot maximum. Any construction, whether an addition to an existing house or a new house, must fit within the space created by the: 1. Required setbacks; 2. Side Yard Setback Plane; and 3. Maximum Building Height; and 4. 35% of the lot area The total square footage of the resulting house may not exceed the greater of 3,500 square feet or 40% of the area of the lot. If you have any questions, after reading the above, please feel free to contact the Building Department at 945-5000. 0 The Residential Redevelopment Review Task Force was created in August of 2001 by the Mayor and the Village Board of Trustees with Trustee Bill Seiden as its Chairman. All members are Deerfield residents and were chosen or recruited to reflect either various disciplines necessary to evaluate the problem or from those who expressed strong interest to participate. The members are Bob Benton, then Chairman of the Plan Commission and now a Village Trustee; Dick Coen, Chairman of the Appearance Review Commission and an architect; Rick Johnstone who is a Developer; Rend Karon and Janice Shaw who are both . concerned with the environment and advocates of tree preservation; Herb Neil who is an economist and past President of School District 113; and finally Barbara Struthers who is a member of the Village Center Development Commission. The Task Force has been meeting at least monthly since its creation in order to evaluate the existing building codes and to determine whether or not any changes in zoning would be of interest and benefit to the Community. They have enjoyed almost 100% attendance at every meeting. Each member has spent approximately the equivalent of three forty -hour workweeks on this project or a combined 1,000 hours as a group. Concerned residents attended many of the Task Force's meetings. All persons wishing to ask questions or address the Task Force were heard. The task force had to walk a tight -rope, as it was necessary to respect the fact that residents had the great majority of their assets invested in their homes and wanted to realize the most they could upon sale. At the same time, it was also necessary to respect their neighbor's rights to enjoy the good quality of life with which they were accustomed and, indeed, was one of the reasons why they had moved to Deerfield. The teardown phenomenon is not unique to Deerfield. Many communities in the Chicago area and in other parts of the country have been looking at the issues raised by teardowns. Established communities with good schools are deemed highly desirable by many buyers. Deerfield, like other communities that experienced most of their residential growth in the 1950's, 1960's, and 1970's has run out of vacant land. Homebuyers today want four bedroom homes with master bedroom suites, large kitchens, great rooms, home offices, and three car garages. Many of those homes do not meet the needs and desires of today's homebuyers. The Task Force recognized that teardowns can be positive, as they revitalize a village. It is only when the replacement homes infringe upon and affect the livability of adjoining homes that a problem exists. In the end, the Task Force came to the conclusion that controlled growth offered the best chance not only to preserve the character and desirability of the community but also to maintain the long- term value of the homes in the Village. The number of teardowns is increasing yearly. There were twenty-one in 2001, thirty-five in 2002, and an estimated 100 teardowns in 2003. Members of the Task Force visited community development officers in neighboring communities to see how our neighbors have • coped with similar situations. Visits were made to Lake Forest, Highland Park, Northbrook, Winnetka, and Glencoe. The Task Force also obtained current building ordinances from each of the above communities as well as Barrington and Hinsdale. They reviewed the findings of a community group in Naperville, "Community First", that advocated voluntary compliance and came to the conclusion that they would use some of this group's recommendations, but that voluntary compliance on house construction was not sufficient. In addition, the Task Force attended a seminar, "Teardowns & Infill Housing: Managing Change in Established Neighborhoods", put on by the Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development at DePaul University. At the seminar, they heard from Community Development Officers from several Chicagoland communities concerning problems and issues each faced. There are many problems of a similar nature in all of the communities; however, it was determined that Hinsdale had different problems than does Evanston, and both certainly have different problems than does Deerfield. The Task Force also reviewed numerous published articles on the topic. The Task Force spent substantial time touring and reviewing the new homes that had been built in Deerfield. Information about each of the fifty-four homes toured was reviewed and compared. Floor area ratios were generated and compared to those permitted in Lake Forest, Winnetka, Glencoe, and Hinsdale. Issues presented by individual homes were identified. After this review, additional interviews were conducted with staff members from both Northbrook and Glencoe, as it was felt that these communities had some of the same problems as does Deerfield. The Task Force studied the ordinances of four of the communities that have attempted to control the worst impacts created by the new homes. These communities included Lake Forest, Winnetka, Glencoe, and Hinsdale. Finally, the entire recommendation that was enacted into an ordinance and is summarized above had the full approval of every member of the Task Force. There is no minority report, and there is complete consensus on every facet of it. The Task Force will now turn its attention to looking into "Tree Preservation", "Historic Home Issues", "Construction Safety and Management", and other topics. The public is welcome to attend all future meetings. The meetings are normally held the third Tuesday of each month at 7:30 PM • at the Village Hall. For further information, please phone Village Hall at 945-5000. FLOOD INSURANCE SCHOOL DAYS Our Village participates in the National Flood Insurance Program which offers federally backed flood insurance for all buildings, whether or not they are in a flood plain. Flood insurance covers direct loss caused by surface flooding and local drainage problems. A mandatory purchase requirement applies to all forms of federal or federally related financial assistance for buildings located in a Special Flood Hazard Area, including machinery, equipment, fixtures, and furnishings contained in such buildings. For more information about flood insurance, you are encouraged to contact your insurance agent. Before a person can receive a loan or other financial assistance from one of the affected agencies or lenders, it must be determined if the building is in a Special Flood Hazard Area. The Special Flood Hazard Area is the base (100-year) floodplain mapped on a Flood Insurance Rate Map. Copies of the map are available for review in the Village's Department of Community Development. Many lenders and insurance agents have copies as well. It is their responsibility to check this map to determine if the building is in a Special Flood Hazard Area, although many communities provide assistance. • If you would like more information on Special Flood Hazard Area Regulations, you can call the Department of Community Development at 945-5000. Information is also available on the Internet. Disaster mitigation and preparedness websites worth checking are: 0 littp://Nvww.fcma.gov/mit/how2.htm http://www.fema.gov/iml)act/howto littp://www.redcross.org/disaster/safety/index.htm] http://www.ibhs.orgthunl/publications/Default.htrn REMINDERS BLOOD DRIVE ­ Sunday, September 7th at the Jewett Park Community Center between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. No appointment is necessary. It only takes about 30 minutes to be a Lifesaver. SCAVENGER SERVICE - Due to the Labor Day holiday, scavenger pick-ups will be one day later all that week. VILLAGE BOARD MEETINGS — Also, due to Labor Day and Yom Kippur, the first village board meeting in September will be held on Tuesday, September 2°d and the first meeting in October will be on Tuesday, October 7d'. We would like to remind you that the schools are back in session. Please exercise more than your usual care in watching out for children while driving. FAMILY DAYS THANKS In February, the village board established a Family Days Commission and appointed Ed Seidman as Chairman. Other members of the commission are Gene DiClementi, Arthur Hyams, Rick Julison, Mark Mitchell, Judy Nelson, Jack Pohn, Rick Wilk and Mark Villano. We would like to thank the commission and the host of other volunteers who organized and conducted this year's outstanding Family Days' Celebration. ANNUAL LEAF PICK UP Once again we are giving you some advance notice on when the annual leaf pick up program will begin. It starts the week of October 27th and will continue for four weeks, making one pass by your house each week. Remember! No leaves are to be raked into the street. Equipment now used by village employees vacuums the leaves from the parkway. The next issue of D-Tales will provide more details on the program. PASSPORT SERVICES West Deerfield Township offers passport services in their offices at 858 Waukegan Road. Please call the township office at 847-945-0614 to schedule an appointment or for more information. FINE ARTS PROGRAM Sculptor Mary Block, a Deerfield native, will be at the Deerfield Library on Tuesday, September 9's at 7:15 p.m. She will talk about how she conceives and develops works of art. Mary has produced figurative pieces found throughout the country, including Highland Park's "Boy on a Swing". Reservations are requested at 945-3311. When putting trash or recyclables at the curb, do not block the sidewalks. pEE ppRFIBL_-� byad 8�`b b POLICE 1 POLICE OUTDOOR WAIRNIlNO SYSTEMS TORNADO SIRENS The Deerfield Police Department is responsible for the activation of tornado sirens which are used to alert the public of severe weather that may include tornadoes. There are 3 sirens located in Deerfield: Southwest - South Park School, 1421 Hackberry, Southeast -Kates Rd./Corporate Dr., North-Tony's Subs, 1480 Waukegan. The sirens are tested on the first Tuesday of every month at 10 a.m. The sirens may be activated under the following situations: • The National Weather Service issues a tornado warning for Lake County. • Sighting of a funnel cloud in Deerfield or a neighboring community by a trained weather spotter. • Upon orders by appropriate public safety personnel. Upon activation of the sirens, you should seek proper shelter. The National Weather Service recommends the following: • In a home or building move to the basement. If there is no basement, move to an interior room without windows, such as a bathroom or interior closet. • Avoid places with wide -span roofs such as auditoriums, cafeterias, large hallways or shopping malls. • If you are in your car, get out of your vehicle and seek shelter in a nearby building. If there is not a building available, lie flat in a ditch or low-lying area. Do not seek shelter under a bridge. 0 There is not an all -clear siren, so please rely on your radio or TV for updates on the weather situation.. If you have any weather related questions you can call the National Weather Service 8am-8pm at 815-834- 1435. LIGHTNING PREDICTION SYSTEM The Deerfield Park Foundation has installed the Thor Guard Lightning Prediction System horns and lights at the parks, pools and schools around town. This system, which operates April through November, activates if atmospheric conditions are right for lightning to develop. One long horn blast means there is a strong risk of lightning. The strobe on top of the equipment will flash indicating a continuing risk of lightning. Under both circumstances, please seek the shelter of a building or a vehicle. Three short horn blasts and the ceasing of the strobe light indicates it is safe to return • outdoors. This equipment is also tested on the first Tuesday of every month at 10 a.m. UNLESS YOU HAVE AN EMERGENCY THAT REQUIRES ASSISTANCE, PLEASE DO NOT CALL 911 OR THE NON -EMERGENCY NUMBER TO INQUIRE AS TO WHY THE SIRENS HAVE BEEN ACTIVATED. VILLAGE OF DEERFIELD 850 Waukegan Road PRESORTED Lm Deerfield, Illinois 60015 STANDARD U.S.POSTAGE Fire/Police Emergency 911 PAID g y Permit No. 1 Fire Department Non -Emergency ....................... 945-4066 Deerfield, Illinois Police Department Non -Emergency ..................... 945-8636 Village Hall............................................945-5000 Public Works .......................................... 317-7245 Web Page ................................... www.deerfield-il.org POSTAL CUSTOMER E-mail ................................. deermail@deerfield-il.org STEVEN M. HARRIS, Mayor 940-7533 DEERFIELD, ILLINOIS 60015 TRUSTEES ROBERT BENTON 945-1570 JERRY KAYNE 945.5320 HARRIET ROSENTHAL 945-3545 WILLIAMS. SEI DEN 945.2442 VERNON E. SWANSON 945-0227 MATTHEW J. WYLIE 945-5149 ROBERT D. FRANZ, Village Manager Printed on Recycled Paper Printed at SIPS, The Printing Company, Inc. (847) 498-6126