PLAN COMMISSION TO BLESS NEW HIGH DENSITY HOUSING

Despite passionate opposition from some neighbors and a recent community-wide poll showing scant desire for more high-density housing, Glenview’s Plan Commission is on the verge of approving 92 condos and 40 single-family homes on a 19-acre site near the corner of Willow and Waukegan roads. The developer, Active Living of Illinois, would tear down all of the buildings once owned by the Missionary Sisters and build roads routing traffic from the new project, known as Haverford, through neighboring Heatherfield. The developer would also create one 2-acre park and a couple of smaller open spaces.

The 2,000-square-foot condos would start at $440,000, while the single-family homes would sell for more than $600,000. Active Living said buyers would most likely be "young olds" – people 42-59 years old who have not yet retired. "They’re the fastest growing market segment with the highest wealth profile," said developer Ken Barnes. "They’re looking for a maintenance-free living style so they can travel and spend more time on recreational pursuits."

Barnes said the development was now at 6.9 units per acre – a figure that compares favorably with the high-density section of Heatherfield. If you viewed both developments together including single-family homes and parks, he calculated a density of 4.46 units per acre. "In the context of greater Glenview, that seems a reasonable and exceedingly low density land use," Barnes said.

The neighbors, of course, didn’t see it that way. Speaking for the Heatherfield homeowners’ association, Jim Kubik said the new development might have fewer residents than previously proposed, but all of them would be driving down just two streets – Summit and Aberdeen -- creating the prospect of traffic jams for Heatherfield and Haverford. He also complained the two 4-story condo buildings would seem even taller because the developer plans to put them at the highest point on the site.

Heatherfield resident Connie Conway thought Haverford included too many units, especially given the gateway nature of the location – the northeastern entrance to Glenview. "It was suggested earlier that a reasonable compromise has been made here," she said. "Why is 6.9 units per acre a reasonable compromise? If anything, it should have less density. The assumption that progressive density is appropriate at this corner I don’t believe has been demonstrated as a benefit to this community."

Joan Dement, who lives at the end of Aberdeen Street, said she would suffer the full impact of increased traffic. She told the plan commission, "I moved from the middle of Glenview to Heatherfield to avoid the traffic that was building up there." Already, she said, the cut through traffic was a misery and predicted the new development would turn her street into a 4-lane highway.

Another Heatherfield resident, Leonard Davis, said Active Living had gone from "the unconscionable to the grossly unacceptable" in proposing 132 units. He referred to the developer’s plan as "community rape," compared Active Living to a band of barbarians and told the commissioners, "You are the guardians at the gates."

The commissioners, however, did not sound like guardians for Heatherfield. They praised the new development, its substantial setback from Willow and Waukegan roads and its traffic plan. Two even expressed support for the density in light of the developer’s need to make a buck. "This property cost money," said Larry Carlson’s new appointee Steve Bucklin. "They have to build buildings there and sell those buildings to make the project worthwhile." Jim Patterson also sounded sympathetic. "If there was a way to take a few units out it would be nice, but I also understand that you have a business decision to make here."

Chairman Silver was tickled that the developer had decided to tear the Sisters’ buildings down. "Frankly, they were junk," he said, "except for the chapel. I don’t want God to get mad at me."

He was impressed by the way Active Living had arranged all those condos and houses on 19 acres and quoted Glenview’s Development Director Mary Bak: "It’s not how dense you make it. It’s how you make it dense."

Editor’s note: Is it a sign of the times that Heatherfield resident and political insider Jim Smirles was not on hand for the hearing and appears unable to pull the strings needed to stop a development that will have a negative impact on his neighborhood?

The park district has held a series of public and private meetings to define its animal management policy. At center stage is the fate of Bart the Bull and several cows. As residents of a privately owned, for-profit farm, these animals would likely be sent to slaughter, but members of the public have expressed opposition to that course of action.

Now, critics say the park district has stacked the committee charged with recommending a policy – inviting only one person who supports Bart’s salvation to sit on the panel. Others, including local veterinarian Jack Dinsmore, have expressed doubts about the wisdom of keeping Bart. Dinsmore reportedly feels the bull might be a danger to the public.

Those who want to save Bart say Dinsmore has mostly cared for small animals in his career, and they wonder why the farm’s own veterinarian – who knows Bart well – has not been consulted. When the park district first announced its panel of experts, Dr. Michael Mann was on the list, but no one bothered to tell him, and he’s missed all of the meetings.

An announcement about the fate of Bart and the cows is expected at the park board’s next meeting, 7 p.m. Thursday, March 21 at Park Center.

Glenview could be the target of a lawsuit if the village does not agree to a compromise plan for Hangar One. Developers had hoped to tear down large parts of the building, replace the windows and doors, giving the 1929 structure a whole new look, but the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency said no. A not-for-profit Chicago group called the Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois then stepped in with a compromise plan, and Illinois’ attorney general has just written to Glenview urging acceptance of that proposal so litigation will not be necessary. Because the property is on the National Register of Historic Places, consultation with the state is required.

Meanwhile, the Hangar One Foundation is hoping to have a presence at the new shopping center. The group decided not to establish a museum when developers put the cost of space at $165,000 per year, but Hangar One President A.C. Realie says it may still be possible to display aircraft and memorabilia in the mall. Larger exhibitions on the history of naval aviation could also be set up at the Great Lakes Naval Base, Palwaukee or Waukegan airports.

The developer of an office park at The Glen won’t name names but says a Fortune 500 company would like to locate in Glenview. Speaking to The Glen Redevelopment Commission, Catellus asked permission to start work on a 120,000-square-foot, 2-story building on the east side of Patriot Boulevard facing west. The GRC was generally pleased with the plan but asked for better screening of parking areas and improvements in design. Catellus is expected at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 20 to outline planned changes at Village Hall.

Glenview’s plan commission has sent the village board a proposal that would force almost anyone requiring a building permit to provide storm water detention if they don’t already have it. Folks adding a roof, doing work which will not increase the value of their home by more than 25 percent and will add no more than 2 percent impervious surface would be exempt.

The key question for Glenview’s trustees: Should people who are making changes that don’t increase runoff (such as a second story addition or major internal renovations) be made to pay for storm water detention? The plan commission says yes. They should make amends for the fact that their property never has provided detention, but critics argue the burden of past development errors should not be placed on the shoulders of people who may not be able to afford the considerable expense of storm water control.

Glenview resident and developer Bernie Schmidt will not get any new building permits for six months after a public hearing on his conduct. Village officials cited 35 violations at Schmidt construction sites since 1996, including damage or destruction of trees and failure to properly remove asbestos. Schmidt, who claims to have built more than 150 homes on the North Shore since 1979, said his company had grown rapidly and had not kept up with the need to monitor each construction site. The experience of losing his permits in Glenview had been "sobering," and he pledged to improve his working practices here. Schmidt also pleaded for the chance to finish current projects, and the trustees agreed to let him do that on jobs where he already has a permit. After six months, Glenview will review Schmidt’s record and decide whether to extend probationary licenses, issue new ones or ban him from doing business here.

Once hoping to build 21 town homes on three lots in the vicinity of Monroe and Rogers streets northwest of the Glenview Car Wash, a developer now says it will settle for 16. Metropolitan Enterprises said it had not only reduced the number of units but would build less floor area – down by 11-12 percent from previous proposals. The commissioners debated at length whether they should limit the developer to 14 units with half feeling that was the right number and the other half prepared to accept 16 homes. The neighbors clearly favored a smaller number or no town homes at all. They questioned whether parking would be adequate and raised fears of flooding in the area.

Resident Richard Vix thought the developer should be required to create a park in the area which currently has none. "There are a growing number of multi-family complexes in the neighborhood, and there isn’t much area for children to play," he explained.

When developers construct a planned development, the commission can require preservation of open space, but Chairman Howard Silver did not think it practical in this case. "If there are six lots and you tell a developer to set aside three for a park, he’s gonna’ walk," Silver told The Watch. Vix thought perhaps the park district would consider buying the property, but Silver was skeptical, noting park district funds are limited. He also worried about delaying the developer. "We’ve got a proposal pending," Silver told Vix. "These people own it. They have a right to develop it. It’s not for us to stop them."

"It’d be great for the area," said Vix. 

"We can’t force them to put this in," said Silver.

Another area resident, Charles Benigni, thought the town homes were architecturally nice but did not belong in the neighborhood. He lives on Rogers, a street of single-family homes, and expressed frustration with the village for failing to define the future of the area, allowing developers to shape it.

Chairman Silver and Commissioner Joseph DiMattina cited the current Comprehensive Plan, a document which is more than 10 years old. It designates the area for multi-family development.

The commission voted to continue discussions on April 9. The developer is represented by Schiff Hardin Waite – the law firm of Ty Laurie, Glenview’s zoning board chief and a political ally to Village Board President Larry Carlson.

A discussion of parking problems in northwest Glenview turned bizarre earlier this month when residents from Crestwood Drive and Russet Way told the village board that counselors from the neighboring Apache Day Camp park on their streets and lawns, creating a safety hazard.

Long-time resident Marilyn Fried said it happens every summer. The neighborhood is "invaded by the Apaches who are inconsiderate and dirty and don’t listen."

Another resident, Ellery Queen, said emergency vehicles and garbage trucks can’t get by when kids park on both sides of the street. He thought the problem could be solved if buses that now park at the camp were made to locate elsewhere, freeing space for the counselors. Queen claimed that would also make life safer for the campers. "What if those buses blow up?" he said. "They’re not my children. I don’t know why I’m even worried about children, but when those bombs go off, it could blow the back of my neighbor’s house out."

Ignoring that dark warning, Board President Larry Carlson proposed the trustees adopt a police department recommendation – to post a parking limit of two hours. Neighbor Marsha Kamm thought that would put an enormous burden on residents whose teenagers or visitors might get tickets. In families with teens or young adults living at home, she explained, "there’s going to be 3-4 cars, and we don’t have places to park in our driveways. If one of the kids pulls behind in the driveway, you have to start shuffling cars around, and it’s very inconvenient. When kids come over to visit – especially high schoolers, they don’t keep track of time." Instead, she proposed restricting parking to one side of the street.

Neighbor Melissa Peterman also thought the proposed two-hour limit was overkill and suggested that parking permits be issued for residents and their guests. President Carlson warned that any 14-year-old with a computer and scanner could produce his own phony sticker. He said that if residents expect company, they could simply call the police and ask them not to ticket. "So every time I have a visitor for more than a couple of hours I have to call the police?" asked Peterman.

Carlson predicted the police would stop ticketing once counselors from Apache stopped parking on Crestwood and Russet Way. "They need to be forced out of your neighborhood!" he said.

Trustee John Crawford proposed a simpler approach that could solve the counselor problem, banning parking from 8-10 a.m., but Carlson and his political allies were on the warpath and would not settle for anything less than an all-day restriction. "I understand the inconvenience of this," said Trustee Mary Beth Denefe, "but I really have to tell you that I think the safety concerns far outweigh the inconvenience to you residents who have these issues, and I really feel strongly that this ordinance should be passed in its current state with no modifications and no amendments."

Editor’s note: Since the trustees did not follow-up on that warning of exploding buses, we placed a call to Greg Polan, President of Alltown Bus, the firm that serves School Districts 34 and 225. He assured us that buses are very unlikely to explode – that the vast majority run on diesel fuel, a substance far less flammable than gasoline.

Some Glenview residents have a new polling place this spring. To find out where you should go and what your ballot will look like, visit www.voterinfonet.com. If you’re uncertain about candidates for judge, The Chicago Bar Association provides endorsements at www.chicagobar.org – click on "The Chicago Bar Association releases judicial endorsements."

When Glenview’s tornado sirens went off at 3:40 a.m. March 11, village officials blamed new communications equipment at the fire department, but residents were left to wonder how they should respond to future alarms. How do you know when a technical glitch is to blame?

One Watch reader phoned the police department to ask that question but believes "the policeman gave us the wrong answer. He said residents ought to call the police when the alarm goes off," wrote H.T. Day. "I cannot believe that is the right answer."

Assistant Village Manager Joe Wade says the siren means a tornado has been sighted in the area. You should head for a windowless room near the center of the lowest level of your building or home. Turn on a television or radio to check for emergency weather warnings. (If there are none, the siren may again be a false alarm.)

The system is not used to warn of terrorist attacks or other potential threats to public safety although it is tested at 10 a.m. on the first Tuesday of each month. If you have trouble hearing the siren in your area or slept through the latest test, Wade suggests buying a weather alert radio.

It was something like that scene in the movie Caddy Shack. A kid’s Baby Ruth candy bar falls into a swimming pool, and someone mistakes the floating brown object for something else, prompting a terrified scream and frantic evacuation of the water. The following day, custodian Bill Murray is seen cleaning the pool. He finds the candy bar and takes a bite, prompting a country club matron to faint.

Glenview’s experience earlier this month had a whole different ending. The mysterious substance was, in fact, fecal in nature. Parks Executive Bob Quill says standard operating procedures under these circumstances are dictated by the state. Everyone was required to leave the pool for 45 minutes giving lifeguards a chance to clean up and administer shock treatment – a heavy dose of chlorine. "That will kill all of the biohazards present," Quill says. After the water was tested and found to be safe, swimmers were allowed to return.

Glenview is doing its part to attack a growing public health problem in this country – hearing loss. With 28 million Americans suffering some degree of hearing loss, the Park Center has purchased a meter to measure noise levels. The potential danger comes from a small room off the fitness center where spinning classes take place. Participants ride stationary bikes to music. "We obviously use music as motivation in the spinning room," says parks executive Quill, but some songs may be louder than others, and if the meter shows they’re too loud, instructors will be ordered to turn the volume down. "It’s great to motivate, but you want to do it in a safe fashion," Quill explains.

Glenview last year joined a coalition of suburban communities in a legal challenge that destroyed wetland protections nationwide. The goal – to build a garbage dump on land in Bartlett, Illinois, that provides important habitat for birds. The suburbs now say they don’t need the dump, but environmentalists are left to pick up the pieces – pressing for new laws that will protect wetlands in each state. In Illinois, Glenview’s State Rep. Beth Coulson played a central role in drafting the bill to be discussed at a public meeting in Chicago from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursday, March 28. If you’d like to take part in that meeting, send an e-mail to the bill’s sponsor – karenmay60@aol.com , and if you’d like to voice support for wetlands protection in general, e-mail Coulson@earthlink.net.

The Openlands Project is calling on the Cook County Board to confront serious financial problems involving the forest preserves. Critics say the land has been mismanaged and is in urgent need of attention, but the county faces an $8.9 million deficit. County Commissioner Gregg Goslin is heading the effort to reform forest preserve finances. He says the county "moves like molasses in winter," but is about to privatize its golf courses, lawn care, snow plowing and garbage pick up. Those changes should save money, making it possible to improve conservation, but he’s not optimistic about acquiring more open space because land is so expensive in Cook County. Should it be a priority? E-mail goslin@netpad.com.

One of our readers who has an eye for detail noted this in the "Delinquent Real Estate Tax Notice" section of the Glenview Announcements on February 14: "Glenview Park District 4201 W Lake Ave. property - $135,599.50." We were puzzled by that item and placed a call to Executive Director Tom Richardson. He says Cook County is painfully slow in removing public lands from the tax rolls, which means the park district gets bills for property on which it is not legally required to pay taxes. During the appeals process, which Richardson says Glenview will certainly win, the park district doesn’t pay the tax and ends up listed as delinquent. 

Former Plan Commissioner Jack Bevington and Zoning Board member Ron Greco may have found a new calling. The two appear in a color glossy ad making the rounds in Glenview – a flyer for judicial candidate and Glenview resident Sandra Tristano who is apparently hoping to win votes from women and political independents with the message that only 11 percent of Cook County judges are female. "Tell the boys the party’s over," says her ad. "Sandra Tristano is not one of the boys." Two photos show Bevington, Greco and other men smoking cigars and drinking wine. The Watch wonders: Do these guys have a future in modeling or was this just a matter of type casting?

– The American Cancer Society invites residents to form teams for the annual Relay for Life – an all-night celebration of survival and a community tribute to courage and hope. There will be music, food, contests and prizes for participants who walk or run the track at Glenbrook South’s football stadium from 6 p.m. Friday, June 7 to 9 a.m. Saturday, June 8. The event raises money to fight cancer and provide services for patients and their families. For more information, call 847-0328-5147.

– Noting the color of uniforms worn by public safety personnel, The Knights of Columbus will hold a "Blue Interfaith Service" at 7:00 p.m. Monday, May 20 at OLPH, 1775 Grove Street in Glenview to honor the men and women who serve or have served as police officers, firemen and paramedics. For more information, call Donald at 998-5711.

– The Rotary Club of Glenview is expanding to include a new evening Sundowners Club. The group meets on Mondays at 6 p.m. in Gusto Italiano Ristorante at Carillon Square. The speaker on March 18 is Village President Larry Carlson. On March 24, District 34 Schools Superintendent Dorothy Weber will address the club. To learn more about Rotary, attend a meeting or contact Cathy Wilson at 847-486-2213.

– Registration has begun for "Bright Start – Saving for College," a program for parents planning to finance a college education for their kids. It will be offered at 7 p.m.  Wednesday, April 10 in Glenview’s public library. This tax advantage/investment program is being promoted by the Illinois State Treasurer's office. Stop by the information desk to reserve a spot.

Glenview resident John Ranz asks the library board why it wants such a big building with so many seats at such a high price: "Why do we need 2.68 square feet per capita (based on current population) versus an average of 1.6 for 16 north suburban and six west suburban libraries? Why do we need 11.34 seats per 1,000 residents when a national authority on library seating (Wheeler) recommends just five?

"How many businesses do you know that would expand capacity (floor space) when sales (annual library visits) have declined by 20 percent over the past five years? Since George Lawson's building assessment study was prepared prior to this sharp decline, wouldn't it be prudent to review your plans to build a new 110,000 square foot library? Do you know how many patrons use the business library, for example, on weekday mornings or the average number of patrons using the periodical room on Saturday afternoons? What is the average percentage of patron chairs occupied at various times during the day and week? Without this type of information, how can you be sure that Lawson's recommendations make sense?

"In 1998, Lawson conducted three focus group meetings to determine patron needs. Of the 115 responses, not a single patron asked for more seating, a larger collection, or more check-out stations. Only two thought more space was needed for wider aisles. Four wanted more computers, three mentioned more meeting rooms and two asked for study rooms. The public doesn't seem to be clamoring to spend $35 million for more space.

"Several years ago the Wilmette Public Library had to go to the voters for an increase in their tax rate to meet higher operating costs due to two additions in the 1990's. Have you projected increased operating costs if you expand to110,000 square feet? Based on Orland Park's estimate of $288.00 per square foot, including furnishings, equipment and professional fees, a new 110,000-square- foot building will cost almost $32 million, excluding land acquisition. Since the post office estimates it needs 45,000 square feet at $100 per square foot or approximately $4.5 million, wouldn't it be cheaper for the post office to relocate to The Glen via a land swap, allowing the library to expand on its present site?"

WE wonders how library space is being used now: "Don't know much about libraries, but ours seems to contain considerable office space. Is all that really necessary? How does the Glenview Library compare with other libraries on percentage of square feet devoted to the customer versus the staff?"

Kittye Hermes likes Kathy Schulte’s ideas for the library: "Evanston Paint and Glass might consider moving to the old Renneckar’s building. Rennackar’s is a prime piece of real estate. EPG would fit there quite nicely with plenty of parking. Glenview could then enlarge the library and keep it downtown where it belongs. Glenview could certainly come up with some incentives to persuade them. Why hasn't this idea been brought forth before?"

Debby Rubenstein scolds the park district for failing to publicize meetings on animal management at Wagner Farm: "How public are these meetings if the public is not informed when and where they will take place? There may be no legal obligation to let us know when discussions are being held, but there is certainly an ethical obligation to do so. If our elected officials don’t recognize that, then we need to replace them on election day with people who do."

And Gerald White says thanks for a heads-up on Lake Avenue planning: "I was glad to read about the April 2 board meeting when the Cook County Highway Department will discuss proposed improvements for Lake Ave. Changes to the intersections of Sunset Ridge, Wagner and Harms have long been on my mind. Will the board meeting be open to the public?"

The Watch replies: Absolutely. Glenview trustees meet the first and third Tuesdays of each month, beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the ground floor board room of Village Hall. You can also catch the action on cable channel 17.

YOUR TURN: What’s on your mind? Drop us a line by e-mail – glenviewwatch@aol.com -- or snail mail: 3537 Maple Leaf Drive, Glenview, IL 60025. If you haven’t already done so, please consider making a contribution to support The Watch. Non-deductible checks should be payable to Glenview Watch. Thanks for your support and for reading.

– Sandy Hausman and Dean Schott, Co-Editors of The Watch.

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