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04/23/2007MINUTES COMMITTEE. OF THE WHOLE. APRIL 23, 2007 The village board met at 4:30 p.m. in the conference room of the village hall on Monday, April 23, 2007. In attendance were: Village Board Staff Steven Harris; Mayor, -Robert D: Franz, Village Manager Robert Benton, Trustee Philip Kiraly, Asst. Village Manager Michelle Feldman, Trustee Barbara Little, Director of Public Works Harriet Rosenthal, Trustee and Engineering William Seiden, Trustee. Peter Coblentz, Village Attorney Barbara Struthers, Trustee Matthew Wylie, Trustee BILLBOARDS ALONG EDEN S SPUR The meeting was scheduled to provide the village board with an opportunity to hear the specifics about the proposal to install five billboards along.the Edens Spur. Two would be erected on private property at 151 Pfingsten Road and three on the retention basin property. The Plan Commission recommended approval of the billboards on public property but denied the two on private land. Ross Mash of ZEBRA provided an overview of the proposal and then gave a power point presentation showing the chronology of events since he started on this project in 2004. He acknowledged that considerable work still remains in securing approval and permits from other agencies, but first he needs to know if the village will approve the use and the fees proffered at this point. Mr. Mash distributed a five year pro forma showing what the village would receive in compensation from impact and rental fees. The village will be paid rent starting at $31,000 a year per pole against a 26% share of the net lease revenue, plus a $100,000 impact fee per pole and a $5,000 annual inspection fee per pole. Also proposed is an extensive landscaping plan along Lake Cook Road that would not only help shield the billboards but would also beautify what is now a rather unattractive water retention basin. This will serve to meet an objective of the comprehensive plan that calls for aesthetic improvements along the Lake Cook Road corridor. If the billboards are approved, ZEBRA intends to sell its business to one of three much larger companies which lease billboard space. The village would have pre -approved leases that would be assumed by the new owner. r The board discussed the.proposal, raising concerns regardingthe impact on.revenue should the advertising market decline and the rights of the village to control the. content of the signs. Some indicated their overall dislike for this type of advertising and' questioned why this area was so attractive for billboards. The petitioner responded that the demographics are excellent and that the area along the Spur.is one of the few stretches . where billboards. could be erected under the Highway Beautification Act. ZEBRA was questioned whether any future costs that maybe necessary to get permits for the signs would affect the amount to be paid the village. They answered that it would not. Mayor Harris informed the board that he has known the Mash familyfor fifteen.yeais and that, when they approached him about the concept, he saw two primary benefits for the village. An opportunity is now available to beautify the retention 'basis site and secure 'new revenue.for the .costly infrastructure improvements scheduled over the next several. years. After some deliberation, board -members expressed their general reaction to the proposal, with several needing more time to weigh the pros and cons. It was agreed that the board would revisit the issue at their April 30th committee of the whole meeting. Larry Dondanville asked to share his views .on the matter.' He expressed concern for the 65,000 motorists who use the Edens Spur in that the signs will be in the area of the toll booths. His survey of 19 miles of highways in the area indicate very few billboards and, thus, it would be bad publicity for Deerfield to allow these huge signs on its borders. Also, the money the village would get only amounts to $15 per year savings on an average property. The meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m. Minutes prepared by: RORT D. FRANZ, Village ag Continued Public Hearing: Zebra Outdoor Billboards November 9, 2006 Page 4 years. :Mr. Loss said they will go over this issue with the Village Board and noted there is 5% rental increase every five years. Commissioner Marks asked the petitioners to explain what they mean in their proposal when they state they will "create a partnership with local In unicipalities." Mr. Loss replied they want to help the Village profit economically from the billboards proposal. Commissioner Marks said the petitioners will probably sell the signs, so the partnership is transitory. Mr. Loss said the terms of the proposal are contractual with the Village.and it does not matterwho owns the signs as the obligations go to the next party that owns,the billboards. Commissioner Marks said the Special Use standards require that -the., proposal not be injurious to surrounding property values.- He believes the value of surrounding homes will be impacted,. especially before the trees are mature enough to fully block the view. Mr. Loss said there is- no empirical data to show that billboards negatively affect surrounding property values. Commissioner Marks believes'that looking out on. billboards and their messages will be'a detriment*to surrounding properties. Chairman Swartz reminded the petitioners that it is their responsibility to provide the Plan Commission with evidence supporting their proposal. Commissioner Oppenheim pointed out.the.way the billboard sign faces are positioned, they will not be readable from the homes across Lake Cook Road. Mr. Loss said the homes will view the black pole and the wedge and said the backs 'of the houses face Lake Cook Road. He does not believe the billboards will be intrusive given the distance of the billboards from the houses. Commissioner Marks inquired if the billboards will be traditional or if they will be mechanical, digital or mobile. Mr. Loss explained they will all be traditional billboards as any other types of billboards are too expensive to be feasible along the Edens Spur. Mr. Loss said the billboard ads will be printed on stretch vinyl, which is magazine quality print, will not chip, and will be quick to change. Commissioner Marks asked if the Village has control over the types of advertising on the billboards located on the 151 S. Pfingsten Road property. Mr. Loss replied *the content will.not contain any alcohol, tobacco and adult entertainment. Chairman Swartz pointed out that the eases and the types of advertising allowed to go into them will be in place for 20 years. Commissioner Marks asked about religious advertising and its possible impact on the Village. Mr. Loss said past business practice shows that religious groups probably will not advertise in this type of area. Commissioner Marks asked if the fees are guaranteed. Mr. Loss said there are fees paid up front, there is an annual license fee, and the lease agreement will address fees. Commissioner Marks said the lease should have some language should there be an instance where the fees are not paid.