02/09/1998February 9, 1998
The recessed meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Deerfield
was called to order by Mayor Forrest in the Council Chamber of the Village Hall
on Monday, February 9, 1998, at 8 :00 P.M. The Clerk called the roll and
announced that the following were:
Present: Bernard Forrest, Mayor
Marvin W. Ehlers
John H. Heuberger
Harriet E. Rosenthal
Edwin B. Seidman
Vernon E. Swanson
Michael Swartz
and that a quorum was present and in attendance. Also present were Attorney
Sheila Quinn and Village Manager Robert Franz.
AUTHORIZATION FOR MAYOR TO SIGN Sheila Quinn summarized changes that have
REDEVELOPMENT'AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE been made to the Redevelopment Agreement
VILLAGE AND CRM PROPERTIES RE in the past week.
SOUTHWEST QUADRANT OF VILLAGE
CENTER Mayor Forrest opened the meeting for public
comment. During the next 2 -1/4 hours
approximately 25 individuals came forward to voice an opinion on the
Redevelopment Plan and /or the Redevelopment Agreement. Some of the views
expressed were:
• The development is a glorified strip mall with a sea of parking and no
downtown feel. It is inflexible. Down the line it will look as shabby as the
Commons does now.
• Why is additional sales tax revenue so important?
• Stormwater drainage will be a problem.
• Parking spaces are too small, and the number of spaces is inadequate.
• The Village needs to look at alternate plans.
• Current tenants in the quadrant may be hurt. Compensation to current tenants
should be considered-. Much of discussion in this area centered on Simon Chen,
owner of the Empire Restaurant, who is only 1 -1/2 years into a fifteen year
rental agreement.
• The "silent majority" is not in favor of the plan. Six individuals should not
have the power to make such a big decision for the community. A referendum
should be held.
• Traffic will become even more of a problem than it already is.
• The Village is "giving" too much taxpayer money to Mr. Malk. The $300,000
letter of credit is inadequate.
• Mr. Malk, not the Village, should pay for the life insurance policy on Mr.
Malk's life.
• The concerns of residents have not been heard and their issues have not been
addressed. The vote on the Redevelopment Agreement should be delayed until
this is done.
When everyone who wished to comment had done
so, Trustee Heuberger addressed some of the issues raised. He commented that:
• The redevelopment of the southwest quadrant will bring sales tax revenue to
the Village that is needed to pay for the services that Deerfield residents
expect and demand. In addition to sales tax, property values in the Village
Center will increase, and that will bring an increase in Village Center
property taxes which will benefit all taxing bodies within the Village.
• National tenants will bring in shoppers from other communities who will spend
money and produce tax revenues.
• Deerfield is a driving community. Any development must take that into
consideration. The large parking lot in this development is necessary and
will keep cars off the side streets.
• The Plan Commission, the VCDC and the Village Board have all spent a great
deal of time considering various plans. Many versions were considered before
this one was selected as being the most workable.
• The Village does not have authority to interfere with a landlord and his
tenants. It is the landlord's responsibility to inform a tenant who may be
making an unwise decision. Regarding Mr. Chen in particular, this is not a
matter to be worked out at a public meeting but rather in discussions between
Mr. Chen, his attorney, his landlord, and Mr. Malk.
Trustee Rosenthal commented that several
issues need to be resolved before the final Redevelopment Agreement is signed.
These include: landscaping in the parking lot; the pedestrian walkway between
the grocery store and the pharmacy; sidewalks on Osterman Avenue and Robert York
Avenue; roofs on outbuildings 1, 2 and 7; fencing and screening along the
railroad track; control of traffic speed in the boulevard; steps to ensure that
there is no "wind tunnel" effect by the bandshell; definition of who will be in
charge of the schedule of performances in the bandshell; fencing vs landscaping
around the perimeter of the development; traffic along Osterman Avenue; and snow
removal.
Trustee Seidman commented that while he has
no problem with Mr. Malk's concept in general, he is not happy with what is
happening to the current tenants. He also doesn't agree with the parking plan.
Therefore, he will be voting against the Redevelopment Agreement.
Mr. Malk commented that he has been working
on the proposed plan for a very long time. He, Village staff, architects and
many others have worked hard to make this a good development. Between thirty and
forty concept plans were considered before this plan was chosen. Mr. Malk added
that it is unfortunate that some tenants must relocate. He will try his best to
cut down on the problems created by the plan.
trustee Swanson made a motion to authorize
Mayor Forrest to sign the Redevelopment Agreement between the Village and CRM
Properties regarding the Southwest Quadrant of the Village Center. Trustee
Heuberger seconded the motion. The motion passed by the following vote:
AYES: Ehlers, Heuberger, Rosenthal, Swanson, Swartz (5)
NAYS: Seidman (1)
ORDINANCE 0 -98 -07 AUTHORIZING THE
ACQUISITION OF REAL ESTATE IN THE
SOUTHWEST QUADRANT OF THE VILLAGE
CENTER
counsel will be used for these ac
An ordinance authorizing the purchase of all
properties outlined in the Redevelopment
Agreement, with the exception of 724 -734,
750 and 760 Waukegan Road. First Reading.
Mr. Franz noted that different special
xuisitions than for those in the next ordinance.
Trustee Heuberger moved for a waiver of the
rules to permit the Ordinance to be voted on at First Reading. Trustee Ehlers
seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
K
Trustee Swartz made a motion to adopt the
Ordinance. Trustee Heuberger seconded the motion. The motion passed by the
following vote:
AYES: Ehlers, Heuberger, Rosenthal, Seidman, Swanson, Swartz (6)
NAYS: None (0)
ORDINANCE 0 -98 -08 AUTHORIZING THE
ACQUISITION OF REAL ESTATE IN THE
SOUTHWEST QUADRANT OF THE VILLAGE
CENTER
Trustee Heuberger, for a waiver of
on at First Reading. Trustee Heub
unanimously.
An ordinance authorizing the acquisition of
724 -734, 750 and 760 Waukegan Road. First
Reading.
Trustee Swartz made a motion, seconded by
the rules to permit the Ordinance to be voted
arger seconded the motion. The motion passed
Trustee Swartz made a motion, seconded by
Trustee Ehlers, to adopt the Ordinance. The motion passed by the following vote:
AYES: Ehlers, Heuberger, Rosenthal, Seidman, Swanson, Swartz (6)
NAYS: None (0)
DISCUSSION
NEXT MEETING Mr. Franz noted that, because February 16
is Presidents Day, the regular meeting of the
Mayor and Board of Trustees will be held on Tuesday, February 17`h at 8:00 P.M.
ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss,
Trustee Ehlers made a motion to adjourn the
meeting. Trustee Heuberger seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:50 P.M.
ATTEST:
- 17*�- A
Village Clerk
1
APPROVED:
3
Mayor
f