VILLAGE OF LONG GROVE
CONSERVANCY & SCENIC CORRIDOR COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING
VILLAGE HALL
May 5, 2010
CALL TO ORDER; Meeting called to order at 7:05 p.m.
Members present: Kelley Smith
chairman, Lee Bassett, Bob Borg, Ellen Deasy, Warren Schmitt, Kathy Wiberg.
Members absent; None
Also present: Jim Hogue,
Village Planner and members of the public.
MEETING MINUTES
The minutes from the November
4th 2009 meeting and April 7th 2010 regular meeting had
not yet been drafted and could not be approved.
APPLICATIONS: None
OTHER BUSINESS;
1 ). Review of a
request for a pathways, berming, stormwater detention and plantings within a
(reduced to 60’) scenic corridor of the proposed Arbor Grove PUD/ Subdivision
and a request for
the excavation of
lowland conservancy district soils in conjunction with the petition as
submitted by Allen Kracower & Associates on behalf of Mr. Michael Burgmeier
for property located at 2727 RFD and
commonly known at the Geimer Greenhouse.
Planner Hogue provided an overview of the request and the public hearing
held on May 4th concerning the request. He noted that overall the
request was well received by the PCZBA and the public hearing was continued to
June 1st to allow input on the proposal form other Boards and
Commissions. The recommendations of the CSCC would be forwarded to the PCZBA
(as would the recommendations of other Boards and Commissions) for
consideration and inclusion into the recommendation on the proposal as made by
the PCZBA.
He then outlined the duties and responsibilities of the CSCC with regard
to this request. Specifically these include the pathways, berming, stormwater
detention and plantings within the scenic corridor area and the excavation of
an area of lowland conservancy soils to allow for as portion of the roadway,
parking and stormwater detention on-site.
Mr. Larry Dziurdzik, of Allan Krackower Associates, noted his firm had
been retained by the property owner Mr. Michael Burgmeier for future planning
and marketing of the site. He then reviewed the proposal and noted that the
request was generally in conformance with the Lake-Cook Route 53 Sub-area of
the component of the Village Master Plan. He gave on overview of the area and
noted the constraints on the site which had a role in determining the
configuration of the site as presented in the proposed plans.
He indicated the wetlands on-site would largely be preserved and
naturalized with plantings as illustrated in the submitted landscape plan. He
also reviewed the work to be done in the scenic corridor, namely the
construction of dry detention ponds and plantings proposed in the corridor.
Commissioner Borg noted that there was invasive teasel on-site. He noted
the difficulties with invasive species and asked if the there were plans for
eradication of the plant on-site. He
noted the teasel would compete with and possibly damage or destroy the
plantings as proposed by the petitioner in the scenic corridor and wetland
areas on-site.
Planner Hogue noted that there was not a teasel eradication ordinance
currently enforced by the Village. He felt is would be difficult to compel the
petitioner to eradicate this invasive species without such an ordinance.
The petitioner noted that with the investment they would be making in
naturalizing and landscaping the site that eradication of this plant would be
in their best interest. He indicated that the property owner would voluntarily
take steps to eradicate this species onsite.
Mr. Steve Cross, Cross Engineering & project engineer for the site
explained the drainage on-site and identified the lowland conservancy soils
on-site. He stated that there were approximately 2 acres of lowland conservancy
soils on-site of which approximately 12% would be disturbed and filled.
He noted that there were areas built into the parking lot which would
function as bio-swales and help to filter parking lot run-off before it entered
the wetland\lowland conservancy areas. A retaining wall would be installed on
lot along the naturalized area; other may possibly be utilized as well.
Planner Hogue noted that during discussions with the petitioner pathway
connections through the conservancy areas were mentioned. He identified the proposed
internal pathway segment noting that at a minimum this needed to be “stubbed”
through “Outlot A” future connectivity to the village pathway system and that
consideration be given to a pathway loop in “Outlot C” of the proposed
development.
Chair Smith indicated that pathways in the scenic corridor at this
location were not particularly well suited given the wetlands and detention
ponds on site.
Mr. Cross then addressed the Standards for Encroachment in conservancy
soils.
Commissioner Wiberg indicated she would like to see a native seed mix
used on-site to the greatest extent possible and that this seed should be
brought back to the CSCC for review an approval. A maintenance plan for the
site plantings should also be considered.
A motion was made by Commissioner Borg, seconded by Commissioner Bassett,
to accept the naturalized scenic corridor as submitted (including the reduction
in width to a minimum of 60’) with the following conditions;
a. The petitioner will provide a
native seed mix for the review and approval of the CSCC (the planting list for the naturalized wetland
& scenic corridor areas as submitted is acceptable).
b. The petitioner shall provide a
maintenance plan for review and approval by the CSCC for all conservancy and
naturalized wetland areas.
c. Pathways are acceptable
through the scenic corridor in “Outlot A” and no other areas within scenic
corridor or naturalized wetland area.
On a voice vote all ayes; and no nays.
A motion was made by Commissioner
Bassett, seconded by Commissioner Borg, to permit the excavation and
disturbance of lowland conservancy soils for the construction of stormwater
detention, roadway and parking areas as identified on the preliminary
engineering plans as submitted by Cross Engineering dated March 11, 2010.
On a voice vote all ayes: and no nays.
2). Resident Letter regarding
Conservancy Area on Monitor Lane
Chairman Smith presented a letter to the Commission which he had received
regarding a lake in a conservancy area which had drained. The resident would
like to see the “dam” on the creek restored and lake area restored.
Planner Hogue noted that there were likely wetland and floodplain issues
associated with this issue and possibly involvement by the Army Corps of
Engineers. It is not as easy as just replacing the dam mentioned in the
letter. There are likely engineering and
stormwater considerations associated with the issue.
Planner Hogue will pass the letter on to the Village Manager.
ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING
Warren Schmidt moved to adjourn,
seconded by Ellen Deasy. On a voice
vote, all aye. Meeting adjourned 9:38 P.M.
Respectfully
submitted,
James
M. Hogue
James
M. Hogue
Village
Planner