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MINUTES
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
July 21, 2008
The Village Board met in the Board Room of the Village Hall at 8:20 p.m. on Monday, July 21,
2008. In attendance were:
Village Board Staff
Steve Harris, Mayor Kent Street, Village Manager
Robert Benton, Trustee Phil Kiraly, Assistant Village Manager
Michelle Feldman, Trustee Barbara Little, Director of Public Works & Engineering
Thomas Jester, Trustee Robert Fialkowski, Director of Finance
Harriet Rosenthal, Trustee Jim Bernahl, Assistant Village Engineer
William Seiden, Trustee Brad Fink, Assistant Director of Public Works
Barbara Struthers, Trustee Kendal Dean, Administrative Intern
Design Review – Deerfield Road Pedestrian Underpass
Ms. Little introduced Rick Young and Fritz Hengge of McDonough Associates serving as our
design engineers on the project to install a new 8 foot wide pedestrian underpass of the railroad
along the south side of Deerfield Road. It was noted that this project had received 80% Federal
and State funding approval, resulting in 20% for the Village.
The project’s objectives are to improve pedestrian safety and accessibility to the Deerfield Train
Station and the Village Center Business District. It was noted that the current pedestrian
underpasses along either side of Deerfield Road are narrow, meeting the minimum standard for
wheelchairs and comfortably only allow for one-way pedestrian use. Several aspects of the
proposed underpass design were discussed, including its good visibility from Deerfield Road as
well as the improved safety and convenience for Deerfield residents and visitors. The project
would take several months to complete and would disrupt the use of the current pedestrian bridge
requiring commuters to cross Deerfield Road at Chestnut or Robert York Avenue.
It was agreed that the advantages for the project were significant and the outside funding
opportunity reinforced its active pursuit at this time. A proposal from McDonough Associates
will be submitted to the Village Board shortly to keep the project moving forward.
Deerfield Road Sidewalk (South side from Rosemary to Eastern Limits)
Ms. Little summarized the project and introduced Anthony Bryant, the design engineer for the
project, who reviewed the existing site conditions and 4 alternatives for revisions of the sidewalk
along the south side of Deerfield Road running east from Rosemary Terrace to the eastern
Village limits by the Middle Fork bridge. The original concept design presented to adjoining
neighbors last year was considered to be too intrusive into front yards and unnecessarily
disruptive to trees and existing landscaping. As a result, a redesign was sought. The project’s
current objectives are to increase sidewalk safety and usability by providing a wider sidewalk
and increased separation from Deerfield Road, while also taking into consideration adjoining
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property conditions, including landscaping and tree locations with the intention to minimize
disruption and tree loss.
After further discussion, it was the general consensus that Alternative 4 was preferred. It
consists primarily of a 4 foot parkway and 5 foot sidewalk, with minimal off-setting curves for
trees. Safety concerns with tree locations and curving the walkway were expressed for specific
sidewalk segments.
To further consider safety, landscaping impacts and other factors, it was agreed that the Board
should meet on-site at 6:00 pm on August 4, 2008, to tour the walkway.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 p.m. following unanimous approval of the motion to adjourn
made by Trustee Rosenthal and a second by Trustee Seiden.
Minutes prepared by:
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KENT S. STREET, Village Manager