GLENVIEW PARENTS JAM SKOKIE COURTHOUSE

Officials at the Skokie courthouse are complaining about an unusually large number of parents who've come for proof they paid real estate taxes in Glenview.  Form1098, provided by a mortgage company, used to be accepted by Districts 225 and 34,  but someone pointed out that the form does not contain current information.  It tells the schools that taxes were paid in September of the previous year.

To remedy that problem, the schools decided to require proof of payment from Cook County, forcing parents to stand in three lines and pay a one dollar fee. "There have been hundreds of people there all week," said one long-time resident of Glenview who talked with a county clerk. "People were lined up down the main corridor.  Everyone in line was upset at having to do this.  The county put in half a dozen calls to Glenbrook and the district office, complaining about the havoc they were causing at the Old Orchard facility."

Ironically, the new form of proof is no better according to attorney and former School Board member Art Wulf.  "The bill itself does not prove that you paid the taxes, nor does it prove you live in the house," he says.   By filling out a simple form, a Glenview resident can have the bill sent to someone else – a relative or friend, for example, and that person could then claim residency in the district.

Wulf argues that "a sophisticated person can always scam the District unless students who know about the scam come forward."

Is it really necessary and worthwhile to enforce residency requirements?  No one really knows, but when Glenbrook tightened its rules for providing proof in 1997, enrollment dropped by about 100 kids, and the cost of educating each student today exceeds $12,000 a year.

The problem may be considered Monday night at 7:30 when the District 225 Board meets in the administration building at 1835 Landwehr.

VILLAGE BOARD CAVES ON TEARDOWN QUESTION

On August 1, the Glenview Village Board passed a moratorium on most teardowns in response to angry neighbors who said monster houses and home additions caused flooding, a loss of sunlight and sometimes lower property values.  Two weeks later, another crowd showed up in the board room. During more than an hour of testimony, some told heart-breaking tales.

The owner of a property on Central Street said he was newly divorced.  The legal proceedings cost him $500,000, but  "I got the house," he explained.  Anticipating a sale of the property to someone planning to tear it down, he evicted rent-paying tenants.  When the moratorium hit, the deal fell through and the owner was faced with a mortgage payment he couldn't make.  "The bank is gonna' own my home.  I need a decision now," he pleaded.

Another man said he and his wife had put their house up for sale and quit their jobs, planning to move to Colorado.  He has a potential buyer for the property, but his buyer wants to add a second story and won't sign until he knows that will be possible. "I need help now," said. the would-be seller.  "We're virtually unemployed, and I'm waiting for you people to come up with a decision.  I guess you'd call this groveling.  I'm doing it."  

A woman who hailed from Romania said she "came from a land where the rules and regulations made our life impossible.  We came here for freedom, and now I'm here because we want a bigger house."  Specifically, she hopes to build a  4000-square-foot home on a quarter acre lot along Sunset Ridge and doesn't think that's too big for her family – a husband, three kids and two aging parents.  

Dick Feit, a resident who led the drive for controls on teardowns, repeated his claim that Glenview has become a magnet for developers banned from building such large houses in other north shore communities.   "I can understand some of the hardship cases," he said, "but when we're talking about monster-sized structures, I think we have to bite the bullet and hold fast."

The tragic tales continued, and the Board was not inclined to play hardball. Trustee Donna Pappo proposed a series of exemptions that would prevent construction of monster homes while allowing many of the moratorium's victims to proceed.  She thought, for example, that second- story additions or first floor expansions of no more than 50 percent the home size should be permitted.  A majority on the Board agreed.

Trustee John Patton Jr. went further.  He thought anyone who'd applied for a permit by August 15, the day of the meeting, should also be allowed to build.  The crowd applauded loudly, but the votes were not there for his generous proposal.  Trustee Cook then suggested exempting anyone who'd applied by the day of the moratorium – August 1.  Patton, Pappo and Larry Carlson agreed, providing the majority needed for approval.

The Plan Commission and Zoning Board meet next Tuesday to try and craft a permanent ordinance dealing with the problem of oversized homes and additions.

Editor's note: Several citizens complained that in dealing with Village staff, they were never told about the moratorium or possible changes in the law – a courtesy some trustees had requested during earlier deliberations.  Others complained about slow service from the building department.   One man said he'd been waiting since April for engineering approval of his plans.
  
Village Manager Paul McCarthy defended staff's timetable, noting that the department is unusually busy.  In 1990, Glenview had about $28 million worth of construction.  So far this year, the tally stands at $250 million. McCarthy said people who had complex building problems might have to wait six months for a permit.

OPEN SPACE – BETWEEN THE EARS

Three years ago, Glenview residents began calling on the village to enforce its Environmentally Significant Areas Ordinance regarding a rare tallgrass prairie at the former Glenview Naval Air Station.  At Tuesday's meeting, the trustees finally extended that protection, but they ignored the needs of wildlife in refusing to consider a larger area for ESA status.

Four members of the public testified that rare grassland birds have been nesting on scrubby land around the prairie.  They quoted members of Glenview's Environmental Review Committee who felt more property should be protected, but Mary Novotny, a member of the Glen Redevelopment Committee, objected to any expansion of the nature preserve.

She made a series of confused legal and environmental arguments, then expressed fiscal fears.  "As a taxpayer, I'm a little concerned," she said. "When I heard that we spent $20,000 on 20 beetles – I mean that's a dollar a beetle, and then when I took a walk out on the prairie, I found out they're so microscopic you can't even see them."

For the record, Glenview paid the state one dollar apiece for 20,000 beetles that eat an invasive weed called purple loosestrife.  Unless the plant is controlled, it will take over, driving out rare prairie species.  The beetles offer a unique biological approach to weed control.  Unlike some garden sprays, the bugs pose no threat to other plants or people, and as their food source is gobbled up, their population will decline.

Trustee Patton was also confused about environmental issues.  He argued the Village was doing plenty for wildlife by building a park, lake and golf course.  In fact, biologists say most of the birds and animals we'll find in those places are the ones already thriving in Glenview's current parks and backyards, like Canada geese, robins, rabbits and hawks.

Patton also quoted a lawyer on the Environmental Review Committee who allegedly argued that preserving nature was a job for the Cook County Forest Preserve, not the Village of Glenview.   This narrow view of the Village's role clearly ignores the fact that Glenview has worked for years to protect the Grove and that local governments, corporations, park districts and schools can play an important role in preserving wildlife habitat.

In defense of their failure to protect areas around the prairie, Trustees Kent Fuller, Rachel Cook and John Crawford said special legal agreements or covenants would be used to assure the industrial park developer, Catellus, does nothing to harm the prairie.  No covenants will apply to another developer – the Village of Glenview -- which is building a road through prime bird habitat.

Finally, Patton suggested that the Village can't afford to protect any more land.  "Our debts are sizable.  We have bills on the agenda tonight that continue to rise because of the quality of the Glen that we're trying to build."

PATTON IS SILENT ON INCREASED COSTS AT THE GLEN

A short time later, the Glen's Redevelopment Director, Don Owen, appeared to ask for more than $200,000 to cover unanticipated expenses for Harza Engineering.  The company already has an $8.2 million contract for planning roads and utilities, but Owen said changes in Village needs and plans necessitated additional work by the company.

Among other things, Harza will have to plan better erosion control for the lake, construction of berms on the median strips of Patriot Boulevard, a traffic study for the mixed use retail center and a change in elevation for the new Lehigh Road. 

Only Trustees Pappo and Cook posed questions to Owen about these new expenses, and nobody complained that Harza was, in one case,  billing for work already done without board approval.  Cook and Pappo were easily mollified by Owen's shallow explanations, and nobody quizzed officials from Harza who were available to answer questions.

Editor's note:  The public is left to wonder why planners did not anticipate these matters, and how this Village can get a grip on the growing costs of construction at the Glen?  Don Owen may be a good soldier, but is he the savvy taskmaster we need to push vendors for maximum performance?  Does he demand full value for our dollars?  Does he give contractors hell for failing to deliver?  After years of working, hand in hand, with Harza Engineering, has he become a friend and advocate for the company – pleading their case for extra payments, fighting for them when he should be fighting for the public?

FENCES COME DOWN BEFORE THEY GO UP

Two weeks after enacting a fencing law for construction sites in Glenview,  the Village Board backed away from its tough new decree – allowing large site developers to hire a security guard to partrol in lieu of requiring chain link protection.

SMIRLES MAKES HIS CASE

Last week, the Watch reported that Glenview's Centennial Commission had billed the Village for $360 worth of books given to a visiting group from Ireland. Trustee Donna Pappo thought that was double billing since the Village had paid to publish the books in the first place. This week, Committee Chair Jim Smirles appeared to explain.  Without writing a letter normally required for permission to address the Board,  Smirles described the gift "to the
French students that were here."  Reminded that they were Irish, Glenview's best-known Greek-American replied,  "I know they weren't from Athens.  My apologies on that."

He then attempted to "set the record straight," explaining that the Village hadn't actually paid for the books – only "loaned" the money for them, and that the Commission hadn't actually "billed" for the books.  Instead, he suggested the invoice sent was simply a "paper trail" for future referemce.  "Had you given us the $360, we would have given it back," he said.

Smirles promised a final report on Centennial finances in September and "guessed" the Commission had sold $30,000 worth of books.  That would leave taxpayers with a $10,000 bill.

After rambling for more than five minutes, Smirles acknowledged, "Trustee Pappo, you were right.  It wasn't necessary to pay that bill."

A NOVEMBER SUMMIT WITH NORTHBROOK

Glenview has finally issued the invite for an annual meeting between our Village Board and Northbrook's Trustees.  They'll assemble at Glenview Village Hall on November 21 to discuss a variety of issues including development in the "Willow Road corridor," traffic management, the new Metra Station at the Glen and a bike path planned to link our two communities.  Glenview's Trustees recently voted to begin work on a section of the path near the Glen.

FARM NEEDS MORE THAN A FACELIFT

When the Park District proposed to buy Wagner Farm, advocates said it would be a valuable educational asset for Glenview, and even before the property opens to the public, we're learning a lesson.  Farms need a lot of maintenance and money.

Walker Johnson, a Chicago-based architect who specializes in historic restoration, told the Park Board Thursday that the house, barn, chicken coop, garage and corn cribs will need major work.  Before winter, the barn's roof must be replaced and the farmhouse roof should be repaired.  An old tree must come down, a culvert should be covered and electrical wiring in the machine shed replaced to eliminate public hazards.

Expenses aside, Johnson spoke lovingly of the farm.  "You have a wonderful opportunity here," he told the commissioners.   "This house tells the story of the Wagners, and the Wagners are an important part of Glenview history."

Johnson said the house is filled with wonderful old objects: refrigerator magnets, newspaper clippings, an attic full of furniture and wallpaper dating back to the roaring 20's.  There is also proof of the Wagners' piety. Every room in the house contains a portrait of Jesus and Mary.

Editor's note: The Park Board appeared to be impressed with Johnson – a balding gent who wears a bow-tie.  Several members thought he should be hired to do more research on the farm, but local history buffs may object.  Johnson was the expert retained by Optima to testify against preservation of the Dahlquist building at Glenview and Waukegan Roads.  It was torn down this year to make way for a condo and shopping complex.

OTHER WAGNER NEWS

The Park District will begin negotiations with an  Evanston-based consulting firm – Land Design Collaborative  – to help plan development.  The Board is still sifting through a long list of people who'd like to serve on a public steering committee.

The Park District held its first party for the public at Wagner, an invitations-only bash, on Saturday afternoon.   The belated celebration of a Farm and Fields election victory featured cookies shaped like soccer balls, black cows, bottles of milk and sports drinks.  Guests took part in a cow chip throwing contest and listened to speeches by park and campaign officials.  Norma Morrison, the 84-year-old vice president of COWS (Citizens Organized for Wagners) spoke on behalf of the group's board and its 1400 members,  thanking the Park District, the farm's caretaker, Jeff, and the people of Glenview "who voted to raise their taxes to pay for the acquisition of this treasure."  Morrison then blew the crowd a kiss.

FENCING COSTS TALLIED – FUNDRAISER PLANNED

Park officials are relieved to learn they won't have to fence their new golf course since mass grading there is complete.  They will spend about $27,000 on chain link for the new West Park construction site and Park Center at the Glen. 

The new recreation center will open in January, but a preview of sorts – a gala dinner and dance – is planned for New Year's Eve in the Lakeview Room.  The Glenview Park Foundation has hired a band and hopes to sell 230 tickets for the event.   The price for the fundraiser will likely exceed $100 per person.

DOGS HAVE THEIR DAY

Nine Glenview parks will remain open to dogs and their owners after a one year trial and a survey showing most residents favor pooches in the parks.  A substantial 34 percent said their enjoyment of public areas had been affected by the presence of leashed dogs, but 59 percent wanted to continue with the current arrangement.

Of those who asked to keep dogs out, a majority (63 percent) were concerned about what canines leave behind, but three respondents thought goose poop was a bigger problem.

The parks where dogs can be walked on paths and in parkings lots are: Cunliff, Diederich, Sleepy Hollow, Ladendorf, Rugen, Countryside Lane, Flick, Indian Trail and Hawthorne Glen.  Sidewalks around the perimeter of Roosevelt Park are also pooch friendly.  Owners must carry a pooper scooper and plastic bag or face fines of $50-$500.

READERS WRITE ABOUT THE ABOUT-FACE ON TEARDOWNS

From GVTV Fan, comes this note:  Two weeks ago the Board of Trustees, after  months of foot dragging, came to grips with the reality of neighborhood disfigurement caused by enormous new houses and additions that tower over smaller houses in our town's older neighborhoods.

Tuesday night they did a complete flip flop and allowed several massive replacements and additions to pass through the "blanket waiver" without a critical review of any one of them.

When Trustee Crawford asked for additional information that would make it possible to evaluate each of 37 building permits pending, Village Manager Paul McCarthy said he might have to shut the building department down for a week to provide those basic details.

In light of the way our Trustees and Manager performed in the public spotlight, perhaps Glenview should hand-out our answer to the Oscars.  To our Board Members, we could give a pair of genuine rubber flip-flops and some dark glasses to hide their shame.

Manager McCarthy should get a pair of quicksilver dancing shoes for his  two-step sweep of the problem, and to Trustee John Patton Jr., let's give a special honor: the prestigous "Moratorium? We Don't Need No Stinking Moratorium" award for his clear understanding that nothing is a problem in Glenview unless it effects him or his friends.

ABOUT DEVELOPMENT DOWNTOWN

Mary Sacoff:  I urge Mr. Bevington, his fellow Commissioners and the Board of Trustees, to begin review of the D-1 zoning classification immediately rather than waiting for the new Comprehensive Plan.

Recently the Village went back for a refresher course on D-1.  It cost us $34,000 to hire planning and  traffic consultants to separate hype from reality.  The reality is that D-1 will not generate sufficient population to attract national retailers, no matter how many high-density projects the Village approves.  Downtown parking is severely restricted, two of our major downtown intersections are operating at the lowest acceptable service levels and the projected new population cannot equal the buying power of the existing surrounding neighborhoods, whose residents are being alienated by overdevelpment and threatening to bolt if it does not stop.

Why wait almost two years for the "experts" to tell the Board, Commissioners and residents what we all know now -- high density, and excessively large buildings built out to the street are not the panacea for our downtown?  Instead, I urge our elected and appointed officials to act proactively and preserve our historic buildings, to assist our thriving and expanding restaurant base with parking, and to provide solutions so our library can remain downtown instead of being siphoned off to the Base.

If Mr. Bevington was insulted when I reminded him that he is charged with the orderly planning of our Village, his problem has become our problem -- we are saddled with certain Planning Commissioners who are not up to the challenge and fear citizen participation.
     
... AND ABOUT SHOPPING CENTERS

SB:  I was hoping that the shopping center on Willow was going to have a classy look with first rate stores that look like the beautiful shopping center in Lake Forest on 41.  How silly of me.  Glenview is going to have their usual mix and match look with junk stores:  Michael's Craft Shop, Payless Shoes, Office Depot, Target and Kohl's, etc.  Then they are going to crowd the shopping center with restaurants and in no time the whole area will look just like Dempster Street.  Does the same architect and people who make the decisions for the ugly architecture in Niles make the decisions for Glenview?

The Watch Replies: Of course not, S.  We pay our own planners to review big box architecture just for Glenview.


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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