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The
Glenview Watch August 12, 2001 |
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Glenview's Village Board signed off Tuesday on plans by Loyola Academy to build sports fields and a parking lot atop the Lutter Dump, but not before giving the private school a little gift. In exchange for agreeing not to build on marshy ground along the river and for allowing public access to that narrow strip of land, the trustees excused Loyola from paying $40,000 in building fees.
Village President Larry Carlson spoke of a river walk that might now go through Loyola's property, adding that the agreement will allow the village "to do some work with the ecological environment down there, and to help make a very nice addition to the open space that we have in Glenview. I think Loyola is to be commended for what they have done for us here."
"We appreciate people who are good citizens," Carlson added. The board president explained that fees are normally assessed because building inspections are required, but in Loyola's case no buildings are planned. "It's essentially dirt," he said.
"Because we are going to have less work to do, we have reduced their normal permit fee from $140,000 to $100,000. We have also allowed them to forego a performance bond. . .to ensure that once the work is started that it is completed in a timely manner. . . Because Loyola is a member of the community and not some out-of-state, fly-by-night developer. . .We've decided to forego that bond. That's the way it works when you have a governmental and private institution working together to do something that's gonna be for the benefit of the community."
Editor's note: We are still puzzling over the advantages that sports fields, owned by a private, tax-exempt school, will offer to this community. Residents of neighboring Valley Lo are certainly not convinced. They dread the increased traffic which games will bring to the neighborhood, and they fear the noise and pollution that construction is bound to cause. President Carlson dismissed the project as "essentially dirt." In fact, a great deal of dirt will be moved to make the sports fields possible, creating the prospect of serious problems with dust and the need for extensive enforcement of village ordinances governing construction. The academy will also be installing lights, an irrigation system and restrooms, raising the need for electrical and plumbing inspections. What's more, if we waive the performance bond for Wilmette-based Loyola, shouldn't the same courtesy be extended to other local developers?
We fear that political connections made this freebie possible that Loyola alums like former Trustee John Patton, Jr. were instrumental in securing the giveaway. What's more, Trustee Mary Beth Denefe, Trustee Mike Guinane and Trustee John Crawford are active members of the O.L.P.H. parish that has cordial relations with the school, and Denefe's husband Mark Anderson attended Loyola. Perhaps that explains the lack of public debate by the board on what should have been a controversial deal. Only Trustee Rachel Cook voted against it and, alas, she did so without explanation.
BONDS SOLD AND BUTTONS BUSTED
Beaming with pride at Tuesday night's meeting of the trustees, Glenview's bond consultant Ron Norene announced the sale of $41.8 million in local bonds to fund construction at The Glen. The buyer, Morgan Stanley, offered an interest rate of 4.1136 percent a reflection of the highest rating awarded by Moody's Investor Services triple-A.
President Carlson couldn't resist asking Norene, "Of the tens of thousands of municipalities across this country, how many are triple-A rated?" Norene replied that only 70 cities, towns or villages can make that claim. He described them as "pillars very high class, very well run, very important communities."
"That is music to our ears," said Carlson with a smile. "Fiscally responsible government is not always the easiest thing, but it sounds like we're getting it right."
Editor's note: Before we bust any more buttons, let the record show that Moody's rating is largely a reflection of Glenview's tax base of the fact that we have many wealthy residents and corporations here, and that Glenview is a home-rule municipality with unlimited taxing powers. True, Moody's looks at the degree of debt and the quality of local management, but the triple-A rating is fundamentally a sign of wealth and should not be confused with a sign of virtue. Wilmette and Northbrook also rate triple-A, but that does not make them inherently better places than Skokie or Highwood, nor does it mean that their managers and consultants are superior.
DEVELOPER SENT DOWN A DEAD END STREET
After months of hearings before Glenview's Plan Commission, local architect James Metropulos won unanimous approval to build four town homes on Harlem south of Glenview Road, but Metropulos still needed an okay from Glenview's Village Board, and on Tuesday, the trustees unanimously rejected the plan. Noting that his lot was only 80 feet wide, Board President Carlson said there was "too much building on too small a piece of property." Were the site 100 feet wide, he added, "I'd say you've got a pretty good project."
Each trustee then took a turn making the same point in his or her own words. Housewife Mary Beth Denefe, serving in her first municipal post, sounded especially confident telling the developer, "I'm sorry. I think you need an extra 20 feet."
Metropulos argued that local zoning would allow nearly five units on the site. He had originally offered a plan that met all village zoning requirements, but the Plan Commissioners didn't like its look. Metropulos then submitted plans that pleased them but required zoning variances. To get around that problem, Development Director Mary Bak and members of the Plan Commission suggested Metropulos apply for "planned development status," exempting him from zoning rules without proving a hardship. (Some trustees felt this case was an abuse of the planned development ordinance.)
Metropulos had done everything the law required, but he concluded, "Something doesn't work. The commissions are supposed to serve a purpose. They are supposed to filter and come up with the best solution for a site."
Carlson said the commissions were only advisory. "We are where the buck stops."
"I feel that I've been sort of misled down a dead-end road," Glenview resident Metropulos said. "The Plan Commission should have reflected some of your thoughts. They unanimously approved, and you're unanimously voting against it. That doesn't make any sense to me as an architect who has dealt with different municipalities for the past 20 years. I'm sort of embarrassed for us for our community."
Trustee Cook seemed to share the embarrassment. "I have great sympathy with the amount of time that you have been in this process, and I feel the need to apologize," she told the developer.
"There is some disconnect right now because there has been change over the last four years in village leadership . . .[and we're at the] tail end of a Comprehensive Plan that's over 11 years old and out of date. . .I hope that the clarity you're seeking will happen as a result of the Comprehensive Plan. It didn't happen soon enough for you, and for that I do apologize."
Editor's note: Before the last local election, Larry Carlson's party commissioned a professional telephone poll, and it's possible that residents gave the pollsters an earful about density. Maybe folks are sick of all those condos jamming into downtown. Maybe they understand the connection between over-development, traffic and flooding. If that's the case, President Carlson should have informed the Plan Commission.
Likewise, Carlson might have had a talk with Village Manager Paul McCarthy about this subject so he could give new direction to Development Director Mary Bak.
Finally, Carlson might be faulted for the lack of progress on a Comprehensive Plan. The Commission he chairs was convened ten months ago and is still in the early stages of planning. President Carlson a very busy man even without the planning job said, at the outset, that the group would take as much time as it needed.
So maybe it's Carlson, and not Cook, who should be apologizing.
MANAGER MCCARTHY TONGUE TIED
Some folks might consider Village Manager Paul McCarthy a gifted public speaker. He loves words and is rarely at a loss for them, but at Tuesday's meeting, Trustee Mike Guinane caught McCarthy off guard with a simple question.
The matter at hand involved approval for construction of homes on two one-acre lots that the village had originally used for water detention. When the properties at Miller and Pfingsten roads and in LaFontaine were no longer needed to prevent flooding, Glenview opted to sell the land. Village staff recommended the proceeds $925,000 go to Glenview's Storm Water Area Management Program or SWAMP, a fund that provides 25 percent of the money needed for storm water control where it doesn't now exist. Residents pay the rest. Trustee Guinane lives in Glen Oak Acres, a neighborhood in need of SWAMP money, and he wondered where the money for those lots actually went.
"Uh, part of the proceeds is going to go to James Development Company," said McCarthy, "as part of another deal because we did some land swaps with them and they got a certain amount of proceeds from the sale going to LaFontaine, and there was an amount that was due them. They're gonna get that. Uh, the other piece is, this part I'm, I am terribly sorry that I'm drawing a blank. I'm not sure if it's earmarked, or, I apologize. I don't remember."
Then, prompted by someone on the board, McCarthy continued. "Oh, I'm sorry, yes. This was part of a package of funding I've just been thrown a lifeline here. Um, this was part of a package of funding that was put together to fund the acquisition of real estate, which was lot 16, which became lot 16, and, um, uh, there was, there was a number of pieces of funding that were necessary to pay for lot 16. This money is part of that."
"Correct me if I'm wrong here," said Guinane. "At one time, were the funds from the land sales to go to the Storm Water Area Management Program?"
"The original proposal that staff made to dispose of this property was to sell them and use the revenue to, uh, to, uh, to fund the, to increase the funding that was available for SWAMP projects specifically the 25 percent subsidy," McCarthy replied.
"So the funds were taken from SWAMP and put towards the purchase of land over at the North Shore Corporate Park," said Guinane.
"Yes," said McCarthy. "There was a policy direction that the board made, it came up for sale, and I believe it was authorization to bid. I'm not sure that we actually had bids, but in any event we came to a decision point. The board decided that they were not going to take the approach of first of all [the lots were] held off [the market because the trustees thought] we might want to leave [them] for open space. Eventually then, the board recommended that the uh, the board decided to sell the property, but they did not, uh, yes, I'm beating around the bush here. Instead of the money going to the SWAMP fund, it went to help pay for the acquisition of open space."
"And that was by the previous board?" Guinane asked.
"Yes," said McCarthy.
At that point, Trustee Cook stepped in, saving the manager from further interrogation. Explaining that she was part of the original decision to divert the cash, Cook said she thought SWAMP deserved a more reliable source of revenue than the occasional sale of land or grants. "I thought SWAMP was important enough to be funded with a consistent, steady stream [of revenue]."
"So have you worked to change that in the two years that you've been on the board to change the funding for SWAMP instead of taking the money and putting it somewhere else?" Guinane demanded.
"It has been something that we have tried to get the policy for SWAMP and the funding for SWAMP reconsidered, and I think that we are approaching a time when we can do that," Cook replied.
"Well I look forward to that," said Guinane.
Editor's note: Guinane makes a fair point. Cook hasn't achieved much in two years as trustee. She and her political allies were stymied and cowed by majority board members like John Patton, Jr. and Nancy Firfer. Now, however freed from their bullying Cook remains tentative and ineffective. On the other hand, Guinane had no plan of his own to offer despite promises to the voters. We look forward to concrete proposals, thoughtful debate and aggressive action from both trustees.
BOARD VOTES ON APPEARANCE COMMISSION MAKE-UP
Until now, two members of Glenview's Appearance Commission had to be landscape architects, and Village President Larry Carlson admits people with those credentials make an important difference on the board. The problem Carlson says is that one of the slots designated for a landscape architect has been vacant for more than a year. Carlson claimed no one could be found to serve a point seconded by Manager McCarthy. Without a word of debate, the trustees agreed to the board president's proposal that local ordinance be changed to favor two landscape architects but not to require them.
Editor's note: We wonder how many landscape architects were actually approached by the village. Sometimes getting good people to serve is a matter of asking not waiting for resumes to come in the mail. We also wonder if any of Glenview's master gardeners could fill the bill as well. Knowledgeable about trees, shrubs and flowers, these individuals might also make an important contribution to the Appearance Commission.
CORRECTION AND CLARIFICATION
Based on a preliminary report from Glenview's Park District, early editions of last week's Watch reported only $3,000 being spent to fund participation by needy children in park programs. That analysis had omitted so-called leisureships for swimming, and Executive Director Tom Richardson said the real allocation for low income kids was $30,000 half from the Park District's general fund and the other half donated by Glenview State Bank.
We also reported that the village would spend nearly $20,000 to create a website. It turns out that money will only buy the services of a consultant to research the needs of residents and propose a site. Creation of the actual Internet destination will require additional spending.
NORTHBROOK MAY GET LOW COST HOUSING FOR SENIORS
A Northbrook builder, Red Seal Homes, is hoping to acquire 20 acres of industrial land along Shermer Road for construction of multi-family housing town homes, condos and perhaps an assisted living facility. The firm probably plans to sell individual units for more than $300,000 according to the Northbrook Star, but advocates of affordable housing don't think Northbrook should okay the necessary zoning unless Red Seal agrees to charge less. They say they can get state and federal grants to help make the project profitable for Red Seal, even if units sell for less than $200,000.
In Highland Park, affordable senior housing is now being built after the city donated land for a three-story, 60-unit building. One bedroom condos will rent for just $500 a month. One and two-bedroom units have already sold for $115,000 - $169,000.
GLENVIEW WANTS CONTROL OF 10-ACRE MOORE SITE
When the Moore family closed its landscaping business near the corner of Landwehr and Lake, it hoped to build 74 town homes, but Glenview's Plan Commission turned thumbs down on the idea, suggesting it should include fewer multi-family units and more single-family homes. The land is not yet incorporated, so the Moores took their case to Cook County, asking for zoning to allow the development, but Glenview wasn't giving up the fight. Village President Carlson and former President Nancy Firfer turned up at the county's hearing to argue that Glenview should be allowed to annex the property. So did about 50 neighbors who oppose the multi-family plan.
The Moore's lawyer, Mike Downing, produced experts who argued that the area needs more deluxe town homes and that the new development would have little impact on traffic. County zoning would allow construction of a project with even higher density, but the chairman of the zoning board agreed to delay any decision for 30 days while Glenview comes up with a formal position on the project.
A MARRIAGE MADE IN GLENVIEW?
As Glenview's marketing consultant at The Glen, Richie Stein oversaw the deal that brought Kemper in to build a championship golf course here. Now, the Tribune reports a Lake County deal that brings those players together again. "In one of the largest land sales of prime development sites in recent years," the paper says, "Kemper Insurance Cos. has reached an agreement to sell 533 vacant acres next to its Long Grove headquarters to a venture that includes prominent developer Richard Stein. The joint venture, which also includes home builder Toll Brothers Inc. and Kemper Sports Management LLC, plans to build as many as 475 luxury single-family homes on six parcels that are adjacent to the office campus and the Kemper Lakes Golf Course."
Stein bested two other Glen developers in the bidding Libertyville-based Cambridge Homes and Palatine-based Concord Development Corporation. Sources put the purchase price at more than $42.5 million.
TROUBLE IN TREE CITY
Many of Glenview's parkways were originally planted with elm trees, and this has been an especially bad summer for Dutch Elm disease a deadly fungus that first appeared in the U.S. in the 1950s. It was carried by stowaway beetles in a shipment of lumber that arrived in Baltimore from Holland. The cargo traveled by train to Ohio, and in subsequent years elms began dying along the railway's route.
Today, Dutch Elm is a problem all over America, and because the disease is cyclical, it's worse in some years than in others. Bill Porter, Glenview's director of public works, says 2001 has been a rough year all over the Midwest. Village arborist Chuck Stewart agrees, noting that hot dry weather can cause the disease to progress more rapidly blocking the transmission of nutrients through the tree's "plumbing system," causing its leaves to turn yellow, then brown, before falling off.
Park Ridge just lost an historic elm one that grew from a twig on the tree under which George Washington assumed command of the Revolutionary Army in 1775. The sapling was planted in 1932. It was one of about 60 trees taken down in Park Ridge this summer after developing Dutch Elm.
In Evanston, officials are considering a new approach to the disease injecting elms with a chemical that fights the dangerous fungus. Bill Porter says he's aware of that approach but is not convinced it works well. For one thing, infected trees are often left standing for weeks while owners wait to see if the inoculation will work. During that time, beetles may spread the disease, or it can be passed from the roots of one tree to another. That's why it may be better to remove an elm as soon as Dutch Elm is diagnosed.
On the other hand, Stewart warns that several tree diseases can be mistaken for Dutch Elm. One, Verticillium, spreads much more slowly and can be managed. Another condition, Leaf Scorch, is caused by dry soil and hot weather. Stewart advises residents who think they have an infected tree to consult an arborist certified by the International Society of Arboriculture before approving the removal of a tree.
If you think one of your parkway trees is in trouble, call village hall at 724-1700, hit zero and report the suspected problem to public works.
HANGAR ONE MAY LOSE HISTORIC STATUS
State officials will decide by August 20 whether Hangar One can keep its National Historic Landmark status with the changes planned by shopping center developer Oliver/McMillan. The Glenview Announcements reports that Chicago's Navy Pier, which once enjoyed historic status, lost it after extensive redevelopment.
The Hangar One Foundation, a local group organized to preserve the old hangar, is waiting for this decision before attempting to raise more money for a museum and Challenger Learning Center at the site. Hangar One was built in 1929 and received historic designation in 1998.
PALWAUKEE GETS GOVERNMENT GRANT FOR RUNWAY
Palwaukee Municipal Airport will need $9 million to rebuild its main runway. This summer, the Federal Aviation Administration agreed to provide $1.7 million for the job, and the airport's manager believes an additional $5.1 million will come in October, making it possible to start work this fall. The entire job should take 26 weeks and be done only on the weekends, allowing corporate jets to keep using the main runway on weekdays.
SHOPPING, NOT SLUMMING, AT COSTCO
The Village Board has unanimously approved plans to sell a 41-acre site north of Willow Road at The Glen in a deal which may ultimately bring Costco to Glenview. The warehouse retailer offers low prices on bulk items, but neighbors needn't fear a drop in property values. The Wall Street Journal reports that Costco caters to wealthy shoppers with "gourmet foods, upscale brands, such as Waterford crystal, Raymond Weil watches and Ralph Lauren clothing. Costco is also one of the largest purveyors of Dom Perignon champagne, which it sells for about $94 a bottle. . .Costco devotes 25 percent of its merchandise to what it calls treasure-hunt items: the deeply discounted TaylorMade golf clubs, the Prada and Coach handbags and the Ashworth golf shifts shoppers stumble upon on their way to the paper towels." The Journal says Costco even sells diamonds with the promise of a refund plus $100 if a purchase is appraised for less than double the Costco price.
READERS WRITE:
Rudy Perz read our story about Park District freebies and was outraged again over the lack of discounts for seniors: "In November 2000, I appeared before the monthly meeting of the Glenview Park District to protest what they defined as senior fees for the new Park Center Health Club. I said the senior fees were not truly senior fees because they allowed limited use of facilities for the same price that my 24-year-old neighbor would pay. It was just a limited use fee, not a true senior fee.
"I gave them examples of senior fees the senior day at Carson's where only seniors got the discount, or the local movie theaters where only seniors got reduced rates in the evening.
They said they would consider my remarks. Nothing happened.
"After I joined (with a limited/senior membership) I stopped at the Senior Center at Park Center and again tried to make my case for true senior fees. The lady at the desk told me that Glenview seniors are affluent and don't need special discounts."
Editor's note: Glenview seniors who choose to join the Wilmette Recreation Center actually pay less to work out. It costs a non-resident couple $388 plus a one-time initiation fee of $65. The same couple would pay $550 plus a $100 initiation fee to join Glenview's Fitness Center. The Park Center membership does include use of indoor swimming pools while Wilmette's does not, and Glenview allows any resident to use its indoor track at no charge.
EB proposes a new source of revenue for Glenview's Parks: "Since the Park District is in such a perilous financial position, wouldn't this be a good time to look at the home owned by the District on Roosevelt? As I remember, the District purchased this house for the superintendent. What's the deal on that after all these years? I doubt that many superintendents in the area have such a deal. If that property is still owned by the parks, it should bring in close to half a million."
The Watch replies: The house in question was originally built for Dick Johns who served as Parks' Superintendent from 1954 to 1990. Today, it's occupied by Executive Director Tom Richardson and his family. It's part of his compensation package and is, therefore, not likely to be sold. Richardson says other North Shore districts also provide housing for some park personnel, and here in Glenview two other staffers have publicly owned houses the director of The Grove and the caretaker at Wagner Farm.
Wagner Farm needs you! Biff Thiele writes: "The Park District will host three weekend open houses: August 18 and 19, September 15 and 16 and October 13 and 14. Visitors are welcome from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturdays and 1-5 p.m. on Sundays, and volunteers are needed to help with these events. Knowledge of farming is not necessary, but people with expertise should let us know so we can make appropriate assignments. This is just the beginning of a great opportunity to be connected to Wagner Farm. For more information, e-mail GTOUSPL@aol.com or call 998-0312. Thanks and a hearty Mooooo to everyone."
"With respect to all involved in the controversy," Joe Burck says we're wrong again about the origin of "the die is cast: Remembering the words of Julius Caesar from my high school Latin classes, many years ago: upon crossing the Rubicon river to attack the enemy he said, alia jacta est.' Translation: the die (gambling device) is cast,' referring to the uncertain outcome of the impending battle."
And the reader who first offered that explanation is back with the proof. JS writes: "Gee, I hate to be proven wrong. I searched in a few books, then found this in Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 10th edition, under die.'
"A small cube marked on each face with from one to six spots and used usually in pairs in various games and in gambling by being shaken and thrown to come to rest at random on a flat surface--often used figuratively in expressions concerning chance or the irrevocability of a course of action (the die was cast).'"
YOUR TURN: Share your views on local issues and news. E-mail to glenviewwatch@aol.com or snail mail to 3537 Maple Leaf Dr., Glenview, IL 60025. We look forward to hearing from you and consider readers' remarks an essential part of our newsletter. Thanks for reading! Sandy Hausman and Dean Schott