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The Glenview Watch
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DOWNTOWN PLAN TAKES SHAPE – AND HEIGHT
Despite repeated calls from the public to stick with low-rise buildings in downtown Glenview, an advisory panel has endorsed development of four and five-story structures. The recommendation came after three downtown business owners outlined their own plans. Arthur Bess owns Bess Hardware, John Jones owns Glenview State Bank, and Bob Middleton owns two restaurants on Depot Street --Grandpa’s and The Noodle.
Speaking for the group, Bess said there had been “no active interest for development” of those sites, since current ordinance limits the height of buildings. Working with a financial consultant, Bess concluded five or six stories would be needed to entice investors, unless Glenview was prepared to offer incentives for construction of lower buildings. The finding was similar to one presented earlier this year by a consultant to the village.
Bess then presented some general concepts for upscale condominium buildings with underground parking and limited retail space on the ground floors of buildings facing Glenview Road. Bess proposed penthouses on the top floors – high enough to see downtown Chicago, but he evaded questions about the number of units in each building, saying that would depend on how much a developer paid for the land.
Commission Chairman Kimball Woodrow added that the number of condos would also depend on the profits land owners hoped to make.
Member Allan Ruter prepared to surrender on the issue of building height. “For well over a year we were operating on the ideal. We dreamed large dreams, but those dreams were based on three-story buildings . . .and it’s only been the last several months that the realities of what would really work became apparent.”
“If we want three stories, which is still a viable option, we have to pay more money [to a developer] to build just three stories. That’s what we’re being told,” said committee member Ty Laurie. “And if we don’t want to pay more money for three stories, we have to decide if we’re okay with paying some money for four stories, and if we’re not, should we go to five stories?”
Bess stressed nothing would be done before 2007, adding that his hardware store and the restaurants remain open for business.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS WEIGH IN
While Ruter, Laurie and Woodrow were convinced of the need for taller buildings or bigger incentives for developers, Commissioner Peter Brinckerhoff cast doubt on the business owners’ claim that nothing would develop at two or three stories. He noted the success of relatively new three-story buildings on the southeast corner of Glenview and Waukegan roads and on Depot and Dewes. “They have retail at the base. They have parking. That is a model that’s sitting there successfully.” Brinckerhoff acknowledged those buildings went up some years ago but wondered if the market had changed so much that two additional stories would really be needed to make a project fly financially.
A professional architect, Brinckerhoff didn’t like the conceptual drawings Bess showed, complaining that they were short on green space and setbacks from the sidewalk. Pointing to one drawing he said, “That is deadly ground floor with parking against the street, and that’s what we’re seeing for half a block on Glenview Road. That will kill life on the street. I’m sorry to be so blunt, but that is not going to enhance any public street.”
Commissioner Gary Wendt agreed, recalling that the whole point of downtown redevelopment was to bring vitality to the area. “Where’s the pizzazz to make the street lively?” he asked.
“Let’s back up a minute,” said Ruter. We are micro-tuning something that’s a simple concept. I, for one, am really grateful to Mr. Bess, Mr. Middleton and Mr. Jones for getting us off home plate, and I regard this concept simply and purely as a point of departure.”
Attorney Mike Downing, who represents the business trio, defended the lack of retail space proposed, saying it was not profitable for developers. He cited two local investors who expressed no interest in adding shops without subsidies from the village. “They’re not interested. They think that retail brings nothing to the first floor in terms of dollar incentive. . .I mean retail is a wonderful component to have on the first floor, and it’s a wonderful objective, but does it mean anything to the property owner or the developer in terms of making a development successful? Absolutely not.”
The committee thanked the businessmen without making any promises -- then moved on to a site by site analysis of downtown areas ripe for redevelopment. In the course of that discussion, it was clear they were ready to go with four and five-story buildings at many locations.
“We don’t want to raise taxes,” said Laurie. “We can’t just recommend three-story buildings without any financial incentives, because then we know nothing will happen, and I think everyone on this committee wants something to happen.”
Laurie said some incentive dollars could come from the sale of village property downtown – parting with the parking lot across from the Noodle or the downtown fire station site, for example. He also wondered if Glenview could use capital improvement dollars or money from The Glen’s TIF fund to spur private development downtown.
Refusing to buy the party line, Brinckerhoff told the committee: “I’m not going to simply endorse higher density!” Recalling consultant drawings of tall buildings downtown he added, “What we saw were canyon images that the whole community reacted very strongly against. To advocate four and five stories – I can’t do that.”
He thought some taller buildings might be appropriate – a residential building at the site of the Noodle, for example. But he didn’t want tall structures on Glenview Road, and suggested the canyon effect could be minimized by forcing developers to set buildings back from the street or to step higher stories back.
The committee will meet again at 7 p.m. September 29 in the board room of Village Hall.
KIRK SEIZES THE KATRINA MOMENT
Mark Kirk, whose close alliance with President Bush may have him worried about re-election, seized the media spotlight Tuesday, announcing he would lead a hurricane relief campaign from his congressional district. He scheduled a news conference and called in the media from Chicago.
The photo op got a boost from a Mundelein company called Meline. Its medivac helicopter and crew had rescued 1,700 victims in New Orleans before returning last weekend.
Meanwhile, State Senator Susan Garrett quietly issued a press release announcing she would work with FEMA and local businesses and individuals who want to send necessities, such as water and blankets, to the Gulf Coast. “People want to help by getting supplies, such as food and water, to needy people. The challenge is transporting these goods quickly and to the right source. We will do everything we can to ensure that there is a direct connection between the donors and the recipients,” Garrett said.
Fifty north suburban firemen are in New Orleans. Among them are Glenview’s Deputy Chief Wayne Globerger, Firefighter Chris Drakeley, Firefighter/Paramedic Brian Gaughan, Firefighter/Paramedic John Hutchison, and Captain Terry Wilson, accompanied by Engine 13, vehicle 812 and 805. Two local police officers will be assigned to help out along the Gulf Coast over the next few weeks or months.
Businesses from the area have donated more than $7 million in cash and medications. The GBS sophomore class raised $2,700 through a bake sale and car wash Saturday, and Village President Kerry Cummings announced she would join leaders from Kenilworth and Arlington Heights to collect canned and boxed food, water, baby diapers, formula, bottles, feminine hygiene products and toiletries like toothpaste, brushes, soap and shampoo.
You can take those things to Kirk’s office at 102 Wilmot Road in Deerfield now through Friday, or head for Glencoe where Temple Am Shalom on Vernon Avenue is collecting cash and supplies for displaced people who’ll be settled in Lake County. In addition to the items listed above, storm victims could use new underwear and socks. All contributions are tax deductible. For more information, e-mail servehomeless@aol.com .
With lemonade stands springing up all over town, the village posted a list of places for local residents to donate on its website: www.glenview.il.us .
At Glenview Community Church, Senior Minister Howard Roberts says members can make donations through the United Church of Christ -- http://www.ucc.org/ . He adds that all proceeds from the church’s Rally Day this Sunday will go to hurricane relief.
OLPH is collecting money to be distributed through Catholic Charities.
The Glenview Women of Today will be collecting contributions and hosting a benefit bake sale at the Farmer's Market Saturday, September 10.
Glenview State Bank employees are directing their annual charity fundraising campaign to assist relief efforts for hurricane victims, and the bank will match all employee pledges.
Maryanne and Robert Newton report that their local Knights of Columbus Council is sending a contribution, “hoping that the people in the South will get back on their feet soon.”
A UNIQUE GESTURE FROM A UNIQUE PHOTOGRAPHER
Glenview nature photographer Carol Freeman is doing a novel project to help victims of Hurricane Katrina. “I am putting together 200 care packages, with my postcard book, inspirational bookmark, pens, stamps, hand painted word stone and other items I am able to gather,” she writes. "I have a contact in San Antonio, and my goal is to send them down there. My wish is to bring a little hope and beauty into their lives if I can. It would be great if someone might want to help with donating some stamps to my care packages.” Volunteers can e-mail her at carol@carolfreemanphotography.com .
CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME
The Greater Chicago Food Depository has named the Northfield Township's operation “Pantry of the Year.” That means the organization will get a $1,000 check at an awards ceremony September 21.
GLENVIEW MUSICIAN TAKES TOP MTV HONORS
A 2001 graduate of Glenbrook South High School is basking in the rock and roll limelight as lead singer for a band called Fall Out Boy. Patrick Stumph, who played drums during his days at GBS, smiled but said nothing as three other members of the band thanked fans for picking their song “Sugar, We’re Going Down,” for an MTV2 award. The group’s latest album, From Under the Cork Tree, recently went gold, despite the fact that the music video made to promote it is, by one critic’s account, “lacking in babes, bling or booty.” Students at GBS are buzzing this week over rumors the group is in town and may appear for an interview and impromptu concert at the high school’s radio station.
MORE SCHOOL NEWS AND BLUES
The new principal of Glen Grove School missed opening day, but she had a terrific excuse. The Pioneer Press reports Merryl Brownlow was in China with her husband to adopt 9-month-old Lucy Carolanne Ya.
Brownlow, a GBS grad, told the district that she might have to travel on short notice after applying to adopt in June 2004. She found out in July that she and her husband could pick up their baby in August.
Brownlow believes becoming a parent will make her a more effective administrator, and she used her trip as an educational opportunity for students back home, creating a game for kids called, “Where in the World Is My Principal?”
Students and staff tracked the Brownlows on a website where they posted pictures and described their adventures.
In addition, Brownlow taped a special welcome that was shown to students on their first day of school.
BUSINESS WATCH
-- The burger joint with a fifties theme has flipped its last patty at The Glen Town Center. Cheeburger closed with no warning to employees who found a note on the door promising their last checks would be mailed. The eatery was part of a Florida-based chain that blamed “slower than expected development of business around the center,” for the restaurant’s demise. A spokesman for Cheeburger Cheeburger said the local outlet did not perform to the chain’s expectations. "Over the past weeks and months, we did additional work on advertising. We tried to increase awareness of the center itself. Everything we were trying just wasn't enough," he said.
-- The Red Star Tavern nearby is for sale.
-- After 30 years on Glenview Road, Baskin Robbins has gotten the boot. Family Video, which owns the shopping center near Greenwood and Glenview roads, insisted the owner sign a lease. When he refused, Family bought the man’s equipment and installed its own ice cream shop – adding to its six-store Indiana chain with the first Illinois location -- Dad’s.
-- Carol's Home Furnishings on Milwaukee and Sanders has been replaced by Glenview Produce.
-- The neighboring Prime Minister was recently sold, and the building that once housed McMahon's restaurant will soon reopen as a Brazilian steak house.
-- A Japanese restaurant on Waukegan Road, Yamado, is for sale. (Long-time residents will remember it as the old Carson's diner.)
PORN PATROL
Glenview’s trustees began thinking this week about how to restrict sexually-oriented businesses wanting to locate in the village. One merchant recently applied for a business license to open on Milwaukee Avenue. Village attorney Jeff Randall wrote to ask what exactly he’d be selling. At Tuesday’s board meeting, Randall read the response: “vibrators and stimulators, women’s wear, men’s toys and dolls, potions and lotions, books and magazines, games and gifts, condoms, dildos, rubber goods, body jewelry, leatherwear, edibles, men’s wear, videos and DVDs.”
Randall promptly rejected the applicant’s request on the grounds that Glenview did not have any areas zoned for porn and sex toys. But after researching the matter, the lawyer concluded this community was vulnerable to a lawsuit. The Constitution protects pornography as a form of free speech but allows local governments to dictate where it can be sold.
Randall and a land use expert recommended putting such places in an industrial park where children were unlikely to encounter them. The board will discuss that option at its next meeting September 20.
PARKING OKAYED IN PARKING LOT
When the trustees gave permission for a large church on Greenwood Road to build a parking lot, neighbors were upset. To ease the pain, the village board attempted to limit traffic, noise and light by restricting the lot’s use to church events only. Lately, however, parents of kids who play baseball or attend special programs at Westbrook School started eyeing the empty lot across the street. Parking on the east side of Greenwood was difficult or impossible, and the school's lot became so crowded that emergency vehicles couldn’t get through when young ball players got hurt.
Tuesday, Glenview Youth Baseball, the park district, the village and the church asked the board to lift its restriction on who could use the lot and when. The proposed change sparked an outcry from two unhappy neighbors who feared traffic problems in the area would get worse, but a lawyer for the church didn’t buy that argument, and neither did the trustees. They agreed to let the church open its lot but promised to investigate a complaint that lights were being left on all night.
PARK DISTRICT PATTER
-- The Grove is preparing to welcome another stone sculpture courtesy of an anonymous donor. The 24,000-pound grey granite monument will feature a buffalo. The donor wanted to inscribe the work with language condemning the slaughter of America’s buffalo, but the park district objected to the smell of controversy and persuaded the donor to go with something more neutral – the words of depression-era author Donald Culross Peattie, who married the great granddaughter of Grove founder John Kennicott and gained fame for his writing about nature: “Out on the prairies the bison or buffalo numbered in those days as many as fifty million, and the earth shook to the thunder of their hooves when they galloped across the wide, free prairie,” he wrote.
-- The Grove is hosting a group from the Moscow Zoo this week and recently played host to an ecological group from Bolivia, hoping to learn some things from Glenview’s gem as they plan a park for their country.
-- Sarah Hagye has signed on as program manager for Wagner Farm. A former Glenview resident, she was active in park district summer camps as a child. Hagye holds a degree in history from the University of Dayton and a master’s degree in historic museum administration from Eastern Illinois.
-- The park district is offering special nine-month fitness memberships to teachers at Glenview public schools.
MOSQUITO ABATEMENT IS ON THE MOVE
The North Shore Mosquito Abatement District is spraying residential neighborhoods. If you don’t want to be sprayed, you can call 847-446-9434 or 847-537-2306. It’s also possible to request notice prior to spraying, so you can close your windows and doors.
SAVE THE DATE
-- State lawmakers Susan Garrett and Elaine Nekritz will hold three town meetings for their district residents beginning at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 8 at the Northbrook Public Library, 1201 Cedar Lane. Other meetings will be held on Sept. 10 at 10:30 a.m. in the Des Plaines Public Library, 1501 Ellinwood Ave. and at 1:30 p.m. in River Trails Middle School, 1000 Wolf Road, Mount Prospect. The public is invited to come and raise questions or concerns.
-- North Glen Business and Professional Women will hold a dinner meeting on Tuesday, September 27 at the Five Seasons Country Club, 1300 Techny Road, Northbrook. Cocktails and networking are at 6 p.m. Dinner’s at 6:30. Laural Reinhart, a professional actress with the Northbrook Theatre and drama educator with the Northbrook Park District will present 'Using Your Voice to Project an Effective Image.' Attendees will be encouraged to practice the techniques. Call Cindy Pfeiffer at 847-331-6631 for information/reservations. The cost for members is $23 – for non-members, $26.
HELP WANTED
-- Nature photographer Carol Freeman is offering a paid internship to the right high school or college student. For more information, e-mail carol@carolfreemanphotography.com
-- The Independence Day Celebration Commission seeks new members to help raise money and plan Glenview’s annual Fourth of July festivities. The commission consists of 9-13 members representing residents, businesses, civic groups and government. Members are appointed to a three-year term. They must live or have a business in the Glenview Park District and be willing to attend one meeting per month. Applications are available at Park Center, 2400 Chestnut Ave. -- due by September 30. The commission will review applications and make recommendations to the Glenview Park District Board for approval at its October board meeting. For more information call Jason Herbster at 847-486-5389.
READERS WRITE
While many are sending their hurricane relief dollars to the Red Cross, GNB suggests an alternative: “Although the Red Cross is designed to support people in these type of disasters, I think the local organizations and foundations are a better choice. They have connections to the local community who will serve these displaced people in the long run. The Red Cross helps in the short run, but who will help these people find jobs and housing for the next six months if and when their houses are being rebuilt? We are giving to the Baton Rouge Area Foundation at www.braf.org. They created special grant programs that will only be used to help displaced people. In addition, Baton Rouge received many of the displaced people who could escape by car.”
And another reader recommends prospective donors visit www.hurricanehousing.org to sponsor a needy family.
John Scott disagrees with our view that closing streets along Shermer Road would create a win/win situation by allowing neighbors of a proposed mosque to stop cut through traffic while allowing the congregation to build at that site: “What in the world is the "win/win" when Glenview becomes a village filled with you-can't-get-there-from-here cul de sacs? Very unfortunate. Glenview is wonderful, would like to see it stay that way.”
Tom Morrison, vice president of the Park Manor Civic Council, defends his use of an acronym to describe the Ismaili House of Worship: “The term house of worship or the acronym H.O.W. is not an insult to any religion. It is a generic term used to describe a place of worship. The Ismailis actually call their house of worship an Ismaili Jamatkana. If I had referred to it as an Ismaili JAM then I would agree with you, that would be insulting. In your last edition, you neglected to mention that more than 512 people have signed a petition saying construction of a mosque will impact their lives. Why is it so hard for you to accept what we, the residents, want and to hear our words? The Ismailis version of Islam views Ismailis above standard Islamic Muslims. Most versions of Islam pray in an open mosque, but Ismailis pray in a ‘Houses of Aga Kahn.’ They are completely different. That is why the Ismaili facility is closed to all but Ismailis. As much as you may try to spin it, this is not a fight over religious facilities. This is about the traffic, safety and quality of life in our neighborhood.”
And MD has his own take on the controversy:
“What are we to make of the good citizens of Glenview who showed up to
oppose the Ismaili's petition to build a mosque on Shermer Road near
Golf? Can any one of you earnest, civic-minded folk say with a straight
face that you would have been there to oppose a Christian church if it had
petitioned the village build on the site? I doubt you would have even
heard about it until construction started. Bravo to you for taking an
active role in local government. But shame on you as well because your
motives in opposing the mosque appear to be more rooted in bigotry and
fear than in actual concern for the well-being of the community. We
should all take comfort in the fact that the process is being presided
over by a person
of such great depth as Howard Silver, the man who claims to know so well
the concerns of working class people everywhere. Zeus help us!”
The Watch replies: Actually, at least two churches have seen formal opposition to development from neighbors in the past five years – Canaan Presbyterian and St. David’s.
AL doesn’t like the traffic control at Greenwood Road and Lake Avenue: “The new traffic light configuration is confusing and potentially dangerous. There are four lanes and four overhead traffic lights. One might assume that they are for the respective lanes. But the second light from the left for northbound Greenwood traffic is not for the second left turn lane.”
The Watch replies: We suggest you call this to the attention of the village by sending an e-mail to Assistant Manager Joe Wade --- joew@glenview.il.us .
JAS reacts to residents who want traffic restrictions: “Regarding all these ‘no right turn on red’ signs, people cutting down Dewes St, putting up more railroad gates, etc., when are people going to take responsibility for themselves or for training their kids in safety? Why does everyone else have to look out for your safety? The village, the government, the fire department, the police department, the schools -- they are not responsible for you or your family. You are responsible for yourselves. Grow up. It’s a cold, cruel world out there.
“As for the library, of course we know, dangerous corner or not, that is what has been dictated. Now, using my common sense again, why not put the library on the corner and the entrance, exits and parking lot facing the side streets? Sounds safer and less congested to me.”
And Bill Dose writes about plans to open an adult bookstore in Glenview: “To the casual observer, the idea of an adult bookstore in today's Glenview is not totally incongruous. Its numerous watering holes and the evident lack of enforced signage controls and architectural standards for retail and commercial buildings sends the message to sleazy entrepreneurs that this might be a community that isn't terribly discriminating or concerned about perceived value, reputation, propriety or upscale appearance. For example, just a few short years ago an illegal massage parlor opened across from Lyon School in the neon-ridden and frequently unrented 1410 Waukegan strip center -- not completely inappropriate given the mall's downmarket look. But regardless of how enthusiastic the porn peddlers have become about their future in Glenview, one thing is certain. If history shows that an adult book store was allowed to open in this village for one minute, we'll have a rough time attracting the kind of high-end businesses we seek for our downtown renewal, the desirable demographics we need to sustain our inventory of increasingly expensive housing, or even the competent village administrators and school educators we need to provide our valued quality of life. The sobering and increasingly unavoidable questions which come out of all of this continue to betray our lack of focus and vision as a community: Who are we? What would we like to be? What does the rest of the world think we are? This last question is proving to provide a rude awakening.”
Henry Hill is still puzzled by the size of Glenview’s new cop shop: “Our son , who was raised in Glenview but now resides elsewhere, recently returned for visit. When he saw the new police station he said, ‘Gee, I didn't know that the crime rate in Glenview had increased to such an extent to warrant that big a police station. And then they had to protect it with a big brick wall that had to cost a pretty penny.’ There is no doubt that the trustees were sold a bill of goods by the architects, but since the new facility will apparently include space for public meetings, the proposal for a new library will not need to have duplicate meeting space.”
Jim Kubik doesn’t buy our thought – that widening Willow Road would only attract more traffic: “Sorry, Glenview Watch. Unspecified traffic studies in California should not be cited as precedent for what would happen here if the portion of Willow Road that passes through Northfield were to be widened. Due to poor and often non-existent public transportation systems in numerous communities, California's traffic problems are a "worst case scenario" unique to that state. Here, Willow Road is already a four lane divided highway that flows reasonably well through Glenview. Traffic backs up from the east and west largely through the two-lane bottleneck in Northfield. Four lane Lake Avenue passing through the middle of Glenview has already been widened and improved. It's high time our neighbors in Northfield assumed their part of the responsibility for dealing with the traffic problem rather than remaining to be part of it.”
PTC is thinking about Glenview’s future and who will need a tax hike next: “I am wondering who is going to referendum first, the schools or the library? The residents surely aren't going to vote for two tax increases. Are they talking to each other?”
And DK has a suggestion to help alleviate some of the parking problems the new downtown library might have: “In Arlington Heights they have underground parking and a librarian teller down there so people can call ahead, reserve a book and the pick it up without parking. That’s a great idea, especially for people with lots of small children or elderly people that just want to make a quick trip. I think they also have book/video drop offs down there too.”
YOUR TURN: Write to glenviewwatch@aol.com or 3537 Maple Leaf Drive, Glenview, IL 60026. 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. Dean Schott and Sandy Hausman, Co-Editors.