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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2/11/2004 - Community Development Committee COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING Wednesday,February 11,2004 Aldermen's Conference Room at 7:00 p.m. � In Attendance: Committee Members Chairman Alderman Wimmer, Alderman Condon, Alderman Glab. Absent: None. Also in attendance: Director of Community Development Napolitano, City Planner Martin, Deputy Clerk Kunzer. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Alderman Wimmer at 7:12 p.m. Presentation Re�ardin�Ezisting Mized-Use Desi�n District(MUDD)Develoaments in Other Municipalities Chairman Wimmer stated it was the consensus of the Committee at the January 19, 2004 meeting that tney would like to review the MUDD Ordinance more thoroughly and observe photographs of'communities utilizing a similar Ordinance. Staff was directed to provide photos to the Committee of developments in surrounding communities, which have instituted an MUDD Ordinance ap��roach to development. Chairman Wimmer invited Director Napolitano and Planner Martin to begin their power point presentation outlining the Centennial Crossing and the Glen developments, each developed according to an M[JDD ordinance. Planner Martin stated an MUDD ordinance would allow for environmental preservation such as: Utilization of less impervious surfaces Enhancement of natural environmental features Permit unique development of environment-friendly landscapes. � The quality of life benefits would include: Diversified housing styles Streetscape enhancements Enhanced viewsheds Increased open space and recreational areas Greater number and areas for parks and bike paths Pedestrian walkways. Planner Martin and Director Napolitano provided comparison photos of the Centennial Crossing Development versus the Glen Development. Alderman Glab inquired as to the Fire District's opinion regarding proposed nanower and/or one-way streets shown in the two sample developments. Planner Martin responded Staff would work closely with the Fire District to assure that all safety concerns are addressed prior to any devetopment approval by Council. In response to Alderman Wimmer's inquiry, Planner Martin stated mail boxes in both subdivisions are grouped so as to be less dominant in the streetscape. Planner Martin also noted the lack of cars being parked in front of homes as rear loading alleys are used in both developments. Alderman Glab expressed some concerns regarding the appeared lack of guest on- and off-street parking. �` Alderman Condon stated utiliaing some of the unique features of the M[JDD would benefit the city as it would provide diversification in land development, as opposed to typical and usual subdivision plans. Smaller lot size, which assists in providing larger and more usable open Community Development Committee Meeting January 19, 2004 Page 2 �- space in MUI)D developments, is a desirable feature. Alderman Condon opined developers could have the same number of lots while providing the city with larger open space areas. An additional benefit would be that more residences would face open areas and/or parkland when the MiJDD concepts are used. Planner Martin noted, in addition to houses facing open space, the front porch fa�ade is utilized which creates a pedestrian-friendly front door view. City Planner Martin stated the Centennial Crossing development is neo-traditional while the Glenn is more conventional in design. The Glenn utilizes a boulevard street design with row houses which provides a unique look. Ga.rage access in both developments is from rear alleys which frees up residential car use of the subdivision roadways. While the Centennial Crossing is a single family residential development, the Glen is comprised of single-family, duplexes, row houses, and a senior citizen housing multi-unit building, along with redevelopment of the Glenview Naval Station as a commercial entity, the Towne Centre. The Towne Centre is within walking distance of the senior citizen housing, which makes the commercial enterprise especially desirable and viable. Alderman Glab expressed concern regarding traffic sounds adversely affecting residents due to the reduced front yard setbacks. He noted with the residences constructed closer to the street,the traffic echo affect would be enhanced and detrimental to the residents. Planner Martin summarized the benefits of implementing an MUDD ordinance as follows: � Increased recreational and open space Enhanced viewsheds Better and larger parks and bike paths Minimizing the use of impervious surfaces Preservation and enhancement of natural areas Housing style and type diversity. Alderman Condon stated utilizing the M[TDD concepts would provide Council with the tools to request more unique development of property. Alderman Condon also noted the concepts utilized in the two sample developments are desirable. She is in favor of promoting creativity in development of property in McHenry. Chairman Wimmer stated he is in favor of utilizing the rear yard garages accessed from alleys. He concurred with Alderman Condon, noting some of the concepts exhibited in the MUDD could work to create unique developments in McHenry. He is in favor of less "cookie- cutter" sryle developments. Chairman Wimmer stated approval of an MLTDD ordinance would advertise the city's open-mindedness as far as development styles and concepts. Director Napolitano noted Council could choose to indicate specific areas on the updated Comprehensive Plan where MUDD Development would be desirable. He cited the Adams Farm Property east of Curran Road along Boone Creek would be an ideal location for an MUDD. The Roberts Property south of 120 and west of Chapel Hill Road contains many environmental � features which would make it conducive to MUI)D development. Director Napolitano further stated with the implementation of the adjacent municipal boundary agreements, the amount of available open space in the city is limited. It would be to the city's advantage to develop the remaining open space in the most creative manner possible. The city could also utilize the Community Development Committee Meeting January 19, 2004 Page 3 `-- MUDD ordinance to redevelop existing areas, as the Glen incorporated the redevelopment of the Glenview Nav�il Station. Director Napolitano stated he is looking for consensus from this Committee to move forward with investigating and drafting specific requirements and details for implementation of the MUDD ordinance, including procedures, processes and criteria for plan review, consideration and approval. Alderman Glab expressed concern that Council's role in development review and approval would be reduced. Alderman Condon stated she believed Council would not be reducing development requirements, but allowing them to be different in order to afford greater flexibility in l.�nd development. Alderman Glab stated he is satisfied with the flavor of the community anci inquired why it should be changed. Alderman Glab suggested shelving the MUDD concept at this time, and that Council instead address tr�c concerns and overcrowding. Alderman Condon and Chairman Wimmer disagreed, noting their preference to continue review and consideration of the MUDD ordinance at this time. Lengthy discussion followed regarding the pros and cons of implementation of the MCJDD ordinance and creativity of development. It was the consensus of the Committee to continue active review and consideration of the MUDD ordinance, and to direct Staff to prepaze detailed procedures, process and criteria for plan � review and approval. Material will be distributed to the Committee by March 26, 2004 in anticipation of Committee discussion at its April 14, 2004 meeting. Adiournment Motion by Condon, seconded by Glab, to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 p.m. Voting Aye: Glab, Condon, Wimmer. Voting I�Tay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. Respectfully submitted, / l�/,� � / , `/4' . Ri� W. Wimmer, Chairman .�