THE HOTTEST SHOW IN TOWN

It was standing room only at the Plan Commission meeting Tuesday.  About 150 individuals packed the place  – many from businesses along Lehigh Road. 

The Village had apparently mailed them architectural drawings of what the neighborhood might someday become in anticipation of a new comprehensive plan – a document Village leaders create to guide future development in Glenview.  In the words of one Commissioner, it's a "wish list," and the Village asked the Lehigh business people for feedback.

"I feel threatened," said the owner of United Standard Industries.  He had studied the drawings and found that his business was GONE.  In its place, a parking lot.

The Commissioners moved quickly to reassure the angry crowd.  Commissioner Howard Silver explained that any changes to the area would take place gradually, and a zoning change would not force existing businesses to close.  A lumber yard, for example, could continue to do business under the present owner or a new buyer, and "I can assure you that your property won't be condemned."

Chairman Tim Doron agreed, suggesting the question of re-zoning property on Lehigh be sent to the Village Board for consideration in August or September.  That's when officials hope to sit down and update the Village's 10-year-old comprehensive plan.

Silver invited the crowd to go home and "spend some quality time with your kids," but the business owners weren't easily dismissed.  An attorney hired to represent them pointed out that Silver and the other Commissioners don't speak for the Village Board.

"We've gotten signals that the intent of the Village is to either re-zone these parcels or at some later date to condemn them," he said.  "These people have been loyal citizens of the Village of Glenview.  Some of them have been there for over 30 years."  At that point, the attorney looked up to find Chairman Doron engaged in conversation with another Commissioner.

"Excuse me, Mr. Chairman," he said, pausing for Doron's attention.  "I ask you not to duck the issue.  These people need to know.  They can't be left in limbo for years, not knowing what is going on with their property."
   
"I think your choice of words – of ‘ducking the issue' – is inappropriate," Doron replied testily. "I just TOLD you that we are going to do something with it.  My suggestion to the Commission is maybe that this be tabled until after next year when it's comprehensively reviewed."

The attorney said his clients  were willing to work with the Village to improve the appearance of their property.  Doron said he felt "very much sympathetic," but added that he is not ruling-out a vote for re-zoning if the comprehensive plan calls for parking and other non-industrial uses along Lehigh.

What do you say, readers?  Click "reply," write and "send."

ON TO ABT

That buck passed, the commission moved on to another controversy – proposed construction of an industrial park and a new ABT store and warehouse on the old Zenith site.  ABT wants to erect a building that would dwarf its current facility on Waukegan Road and be surrounded by a parking lot for 1,000 cars.  Neighbors are alarmed by the prospect of 115 trucks coming and going each day, and the commissioners seemed concerned.

"I live in the west part of town," said Commissioner Silver.  "For too many years it has seemed like everything west of Greenwood is a stepchild, and there's a continuing attitude: ‘That's okay.  Throw it over at the west end of town.  It won't matter.'  If this town is to be one town and not an `east' and `west,' then those of us that live in the west part of town need to be treated as a blood brother and not a stepbrother.'

Silver suggested a new ABT, located so close to the Grove and Forest Preserve, should have plenty of open space and attractive landscaping.  "Visually and environmentally it's got to fit with what's there.  Otherwise, I frankly don't want it."
After enthusiastic applause from the audience, Commissioner Joseph DiMattina began rattling his saber – finding fault with the developer's traffic impact study.  "In all my time on this Commission, I've never seen a traffic analysis that I really liked.  I just think it's a bunch of numbers." (Ooops – apologies to Chairman Doron who is a professional traffic consultant.)

"I have some real concerns about how this is going to work," DiMattina  said – noting that roadway improvements proposed by the developer, Town and Country Homes,  were not entirely under their control.  If they sell to ABT,  Town and Country  has offered to expand or put traffic lights at several intersections along Central Road, but they will not be paying for improvements at Lake and Milwaukee.  Changes there would be up to the state.

The developer pointed-out that other uses for the site could produce even more traffic, but DiMattina wasn't buying.  "I've heard this with Techny.  I've heard it with Marathon.  Build it!" he taunted.  "Come back here and show us what you want to build."

Chairman Doron also played tough with the developer who begged for a swift decision on this matter.  "It ain't gonna' happen tonight," he said.  "I know the Mayor [sic] * feels strongly about this.  I know we do too.  There has to be some public listening sessions....This is going to take some time." 

Those "listening sessions" may actually be sales meetings – designed to persuade the public the Village could do worse than ABT.

"If you don't put that 325,000-square foot hole in the ground," said Doron – referring to the giant electronics outlet, "it might be 17 parcels that total 400,000.  The people don't understand this, and this is going to take some time to talk to people out in the community."

As the clock ticked toward midnight, and the cable audience dwindled, store owner Bob Abt assured residents that 115 trucks would barely be noticed and pledged to build "the finest retail location in the United States."

The developer warned:  "Mr. Abt has got to find another facility, and if it's not going to be here on Milwaukee Avenue, then let's let him go."

MAKING LOVE ON MILWAUKEE AVENUE

That's when Commissioner Jack Bevington kicked-off the love fest: "Traffic not withstanding, every person I've talked to wanted you in the Village of Glenview, so please don't think that you have a "no" vote going here."

Commissioner Silver added,  "If you are confusing questioning and asking about facts with negative votes, then you're entirely wrong.  Don't confuse that with being anti-development or anti-ABT....Everything in my house is ABT."

And Chairman Doron told the developer, "Your presentation was very professional, and I appreciate it very much." To which the developer replied, "And your Chairmanship was too.  Thank you very much."

The matter was continued.

*NOTE:  Glenview does not have a mayor.  Nancy Firfer is President of the Village Board.

A POP QUIZ ON THE PRAIRIE

Prairie is the rarest ecosystem on our planet – more endangered than the tropical rainforest.  Less than one percent of this land remains in the Prairie State, so it might seem obvious that a small remnant at the Glen is entitled to protection under Glenview's Environmentally Significant Areas Ordinance – a law that protects sensitive land, wildlife habitat and wetlands from potential damage by developers..                                                                                                  

So why are Glenview officials taking pains to prove this land is worthy of protection?   The Village paid more than a dozen consultants and committee members to consider the 31-acre site at a special hearing on Thursday night.  The uninformed observer might conclude that Glenview is a model of environmental concern.  But citizens who testified Thursday cast doubt on that assumption.  Pointing-out that grasslands next to the prairie and land north of Willow Road may be critical to the survival of rare and endangered birds, they asked why those parcels were not being considered for protection.

Judy Pollock of the Bird Conservation Network told the committee that unless we protect habitat for these animals, they will become extinct.  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says populations of bobolinks, eastern meadowlarks, savannah sparrows, grasshopper sparrows, field sparrows, gold finches, dickcissels and sedge wrens have dropped by up to 90 percent since 1967.  All of these species have fed or nested at the Glen – near the prairie or on the Northern Triangle.  Now, however, the Village plans to build a road through prime bird habitat at the height of nesting season.

Don Owen, General of Redevelopment at the Base, did not deny that fact.  "We've told the contractors to start as soon as they can mobilize," he said.

ESA protection would not prevent development, but it would force developers to do things in ways which minimize damage to the environment.  The ERC might, for example, suggest that the Village move its road.  On the Northern Triangle, where Home Depot plans to build a big box shopping center, 25% of the land will remain as open space and wetlands.  If that property is declared environmentally significant, the folks at Home Depot might have to build more carefully too.

The Environmental Review Committee opted not to make an immediate decision about the prairie or any other land at the Glen.  Instead, members asked if they could see the property, and Village officials promised to organize tours. Members of the public will be allowed to join those visits.  Watch the Watch for details.

GOODBYE GOURGUECHON.  SEE YOU AGAIN SOON?

One ERC member,  Jacques Gourguechon, quit shortly before the hearing began.  A community group had called for his resignation, pointing out that Glenview's ethics ordinance does not permit people who sit on village committees to represent clients before the Plan Commission or the Village Board.  Last fall, Gourguechon represented Texas-based Belmont Village in a bid to build an assisted living facility at the corner of Golf and Shermer.  His resignation from the ERC may signal a comeback for that controversial project.

A VILLAGE BOARD PREVIEW

This week's meeting of the Glenview Village Board (Tuesday, May 2 at 7:30 pm)  will feature a discussion of the new plan for Glen Oak Plaza – the shopping center across from Carillon Square at Waukegan and Lake.  Walgreen's will be moving to the side where Homer's, Fannie May and the Dry Cleaners once did business and adding a drive through lane.  A new specialty food store will occupy the old Sears space.   Trader Joe's is a cross between Treasure Island and Sam's – a warehouse store featuring gourmet, specialty and bulk foods.  Completing the center, Evanston Northwestern's new Medical Center where more than 20 doctors are expected to see about 100 patients a day.

BAD NEWS FOR DEWES/GOOD NEWS FOR GLENRIDGE MEADOWS

The board will find out why there isn't enough money for road and utility repairs on Dewes St.  The planning department recommends that work scheduled for this year be pushed to 2001.  The Trustees may also vote on an official delay for sidewalk construction at Glenridge Meadows.

OUR READERS WRITE ABOUT  TEARDOWNS

CM:  I see nothing wrong with building larger homes if they are proportionate to lot size.  I often wonder how so many families raised their children in such SMALL homes.  I have four children and we are busting at the seams.  I sure cannot afford property on the new Base and have no plans to tear down my small cape cod.  However, I do see addition of space to my existing home in the near future....Although construction is a mess, it's most likely enriching the property values of those complaining neighbors.

ABT

Joy C. Durband: I have lived in Glenview for the last 40 years, having moved here from Wilmette.  I raised my five children in clean fresh air, wonderful woodlands and quiet, safe peaceful neighborhoods.  Now I have the great joy and pleasure of watching my six grandchildren also benefit from these blessed surroundings.  If ABT, who in the past on many occasions had my business and that of my family, wants to build a larger facility in Glenview that badly, why don't they look into the land on the former Glenview Air Base?   I bought my last home west of Milwaukee and south of Euclid near the forest preserves.   Please don't destroy our beautiful area with more industry or big business.  If that happens, our air quality will suffer, our streets will become more congested and dangerous and the peace and quiet we've so loved for the last 40 years will be gone.  If the Board members lived in west Glenview, I doubt very seriously they would even consider this.

ENDANGERED BIRDS AT THE GLEN

Donald Dann:  Songbirds are in decline, some seriously.  The wonder of migration, the dazzling brilliance of returning warblers, and the joy of hearing spring birdsong may not be experienced by future generations if present trends continue.
   
The causes of this decline are many, but the number one reason, by far, is the loss of habitat, not just in the winter homes of these birds in the tropics, but here in North America, on their breeding grounds.  University of Illinois Ornithologist, Dr. Scott Robinson (also of the Illinois Natural History Survey) has conducted extensive research on habitat requirements of
many of our songbirds.  The strong conclusion is that large, contiguous areas of forest, savannas, or grasslands are essential to stem the population losses.

Are we to be responsible environmental stewards and pass on the magnificent heritage of planet earth as we found it during our lifetimes?  If so, it is essential that we say, in the loudest possible voice, NO, to unrestrained development, and thoughtless projects, whose proponents are primarily the forces of greed. It's time to say ENOUGH!

Jean Losquadro:  I have lived in Glenview for 28 years (yikes, is it that long???).  My husband used to be a Navy pilot, and we came here because of the base.  I remember the foxes that used to live along the runway and the red-winged blackbirds that were always on the corner of Lehigh and Chestnut. I am a bird lover – not terribly knowledgeable, but a fan nonetheless.  I just feel that we are making Glenview into a crowded suburb, not unlike all the others.  The cachet, if you will, is fast-fading because we are getting too dense, too available, too ordinary.  There needs to be space for the birds and other animals that enrich our lives so much and which cannot co-exist with dense populations and constant upheaval.  Once open land is gone, it is gone forever.  We can always build houses when the planet fills up to the point that the only land left is in Glenview.  Until that time, we need to be aware of our REAL valuables – our land and the creatures God made to live in it.  Just for the record, I am not a zealot, religious nut or eco-freak.  I just think enough is enough and someone must speak for the living beings that can't."

ENDANGERED BUSINESSES ON LEHIGH?

Mary Lou Haflinger:  Several of those  businesses have been there for many years and have served the village of Glenview and its residents well. Can't the Village Board address the need to fill the numerous vacant stores elsewhere in the Village – particularly on Waukegan Road near Glenview Road?  I say, let existing businesses stay where they are rather than incurring the expense of moving, or worse, leaving the Village of Glenview completely. 

CARP CONTROL IN LAKE GLENVIEW

AR:  I can't wait to catch one of those big lunker, carp-fed tiger muskies!  It's difficult for me to believe that this small lake will contain the king of fresh water sport fishing. . .

AND BETTER COMMUNITY PLANNING

AR: How would it be if we took a look at some of the best neighboring communities, chose the best aspects of each and incorporated them into the new Glenview instead of modeling our Village after Schaumburg.
                   

YOUR TURN

What's on your mind? Drop us a line by e-mail at GlenviewWatch@aol.com or the old-fashioned way. We're at 3537 Maple Leaf Drive, Glenview, IL 60025. Thanks for reading. Dean Schott and Sandy Hausman, Co-Editors of The Watch.

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