===== PDF PAGE 1 ===== [Extraction: OCR (rendered-page OCR)] ClTY OF WEST CHICAGO WHERE HISTORY & PROGRESS MEET DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Monday, December 13, 2021 7:00 P.M. - Council Chambers AGENDA Call to Order, Roll Call, and Establishment of a Quorum Approval of Minutes A. October 11, 2021 Public Participation Items for Consent A. 327-329 Wilson Street Minor Subdivision—The petitioner requests approval of a Minor Subdivision to perform a two-lot split on a 19,600 square foot commercial parcel. Items for Discussion A. Gravel Driveway Zoning Code Amendment —In October, Development Committee discussed gravel driveways and provided Staff direction to amend the existing Ordinance with one that declares current gravel driveways and parking areas as legal non- conforming. A draft Ordinance is provided for consideration and recommendation. B. Draft Comprehensive Plan Discussion—For about one year Staff has worked with Muse Community Design, the community and the Plan Commission to draft an updated Comprehensive Plan for the City. The Plan Commission hosted the Public Hearing on the draft Plan on December 7, 2021, which was unanimously supported. A representative from Muse will present an overview of the process and the draft Plan for discussion. Unfinished Business New Business Reports from Staff Adjournment 475 Main Street West Chicago, Illinois 60185 T (630) 293-2200 F (630) 293-3028 www.westchicago.org Ruben Pineda MAYOR Nancy M. Smith Michael L. Guttman CITY CLERK CITY ADMINISTRATOR ===== PDF PAGE 2 ===== [Extraction: OCR (rendered-page OCR)] Draft MINUTES DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE October 11, 2021 7:00 P.M. 1. Call to Order, Roll Call, and Establishment of a Quorum. Alderman Stout called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Roll call found Aldermen James Beifuss, Christine Dettmann, Matthew Garling, Jayme Sheahan and Rebecca Stout present. Also in attendance was Community Development Director, Tom Dabareiner. 2. Approval of Minutes. A. August 9, 2021. Alderman Garling moved and Alderman Sheahan seconded a motion to approve the minutes with changes. Voting Aye: Aldermen Beifuss, Dettman, Garling, Sheahan and Stout. 3. Public Participation. None. 4. Items for Consent. A. 440 W. North Ave. / Belle Tire—Petitioner seeks a Special Use Permit, Minor Subdivision, and a Final PUD for a Motor Vehicle Care Center in accord with Sec. 10.4-5(C) of the West Chicago Zoning Code. The owners hope to operate a 10,000 square foot facility. Alderman Beifuss moved, and Alderman Garling seconded the motion to approve Items for Consent 4. A. Voting Aye: Aldermen Beifuss, Dettmann, Garling, Sheahan and Stout. 5. Items for Discussion. A. SEC Roosevelt / Fabyan Pritzker Realty Group Concept Plan — A discussion on a spec warehouse proposal at the southeast corner of Roosevelt and Fabyan, along with the extent of warehousing that may be built in light of the marketplace versus the original Development Committee Minutes October 11, 2021 Page 1 of 7 ===== PDF PAGE 3 ===== [Extraction: OCR (rendered-page OCR)] intent of the creation of the ORI Zoning District and not having intense uses fronting Roosevelt Road. Tom Dabareiner provided this staff update. A few years ago, another petitioner expressed interest in this same property for warehousing at the southernmost end, wanting to use the adjacent the rail line. This is a new proposal for speculative warehousing/ distribution center at this same location. The area is zoned ORI (Office, Research, and Industrial) and distribution centers are not a permitted use here. Committee members will need to consider rezoning to Manufacturing (M) for that area and in particular, the area along Roosevelt Road. Katie Michel, VP of Pritzker Realty Group (PRG), introduced herself and the other members present from her team: David Gardstrom, VP of Construction for PRG, Project Engineer, Mark Richards of Webster, McGrath & Ahlberg, and Andrew Scott of the law offices of Dykema Gossett. They are looking to obtain the members’ feedback on this proposal. Ms. Michel stated her company is under contract to purchase this parcel and they are in the due diligence process. If all goes well, they would close in early 2022. Their company has done other projects in West Chicago, such as the construction of the Suncast building in 2019, with a second facility currently under construction. In addition, they have built over 2 million square feet of development projects in the Chicagoland area in the last two years. She turned the plan development details over to Mr. Scott. Mr. Scott distributed handouts to the Committee and went on to identify the proposed location using an overhead map. It is a 63-acre parcel, zoned ORI and is currently vacant. He described the surrounding land uses and stated this would be a three-phase project. The Phase 3 building would be a 150,000 square foot, Phase 2 would be a 277,000 square foot building and Phase 1 would include a building of 400,000 square feet. All buildings would have loading docks, parking, detention, landscaping, etc., in accordance with City ordinance. There would also be a dedicated public right-of-way connecting Fabyan to Roosevelt, at such time that IDOT would approve a traffic signal to the east. The development would begin in 2022 and end in 2025. The total investment would be 75 million dollars. In terms of tenants, there is interest in the Phase 1 building. It is of particular interest to warehouse/distribution companies because of the rail access nearby. They are looking to change the zoning to Manufacturing to accomplish this. They anticipate 300-350 temporary construction jobs and then 100-150 jobs when all buildings are leased. The warehouse development would have a significant impact to the City’s real estate tax base. It is located within a TIF district, and that financing is necessary for the developers to make this project viable. That said, however, the project would bring substantial dollars into the TIF district for other projects the City may wish to pursue. They are mindful of the ORI zoning and the City’s vision for possible users. However, they have done their homework about potential retail by checking with brokers and retail developers. What drives retail development are demographics and access. For demographics, they look for population density, or rooftops. He shared some graphics to illustrate the impediments of the surrounding area, which suggest that even 10 years from Development Committee Minutes October 11, 2021 Page 2 of 7 ===== PDF PAGE 4 ===== [Extraction: OCR (rendered-page OCR)] now there will not be enough residential infill for this area to become an attractive site for retail. The population density for this area is very low compared to what big-box retailers are looking for, and even mid-box retailers look for more density. In addition, this area is far from any downtown with greater density and the traffic counts are not ideal. The other issue is access to the property. This stretch of Roosevelt is a divided highway, and IDOT would probably only allow for a right-in, right-out going east along Roosevelt Road to access this area. They would not allow for westbound access. In having dealt with other retailers, Mr. Scott knows this limited access to be the death of a site. Retailers will choose areas with full access and the demographics to support their financial investment. Their assessment of ORI zoning is that there is not enough demand for office or light industrial either. R & D facilities have tended to cluster over the past couple of years so they can feed off the synergies of being near other facilities. With office vacancies on the rise and coming on the market, it is unlikely there would be demand for new construction offices. If sales taxes are desired, he discovered that Illinois passed an act in 2019 to allow municipalities to capture sales tax from internet-based users, such as Amazon. He concluded his presentation to say they welcome the City’s thoughts and comments. Alderman Beifuss asked if they are looking to rezone the entire area, and Mr. Scott said they are. Alderman Beifuss recalled that Home Depot was originally interested in the southern part of this site given its rail access and this area is more amenable to this type of warehouse use. He asked about an area up near Roosevelt and if that is being proposed for a small retail use at the corner. Mr. Scott stated that while Pritzker Group is an industrial and not a retail developer, they thought some small retail might work at that location despite the constraints. Alderman Beifuss stated they are looking to have an access road that would provide access to Roosevelt Road to develop more retail and/or less intensive development near that road. On the current proposal, there does not seem to be any access to the parcel in the northwest corner, which would make it unusable. They like the idea of an access road to give access to this parcel and to the one on the east side of the proposed development. They would like to see both of these properties developed. However, they want to make sure there are less-intensive uses in the front along Roosevelt Road. Maybe they do not have rooftops right now, but there is a lot of traffic on Roosevelt and Fabyan, and there will be more new business park jobs coming online. The members had previously discussed that they want the area to remain ORI. He is okay with more intensive uses in the back, or to the south, of this area. Mr. Scott asked if his objections are more about the intensity of the use or the appearance. Alderman Beifuss replied that he objects to both. He added it would need to be office or retail. Alderman Garling stated that he wants to think carefully about giving up rail access to one specific building. The City does not have a lot of property with rail access. Alderman Stout asked about the potential of a PUD with mixed-use development to retain ORI at the front and have M at the back. Mr. Dabareiner responded that it is possible and a PUD would be required to accomplish everything they want to do. Alderman Stout agreed with Alderman Beifuss that the property to the back with rail access lends itself better to warehousing. There has been talk of a hotel going in the eastern parcel along Roosevelt Development Committee Minutes October 11, 2021 Page 3 of 7 ===== PDF PAGE 5 ===== [Extraction: OCR (rendered-page OCR)] Road, and another warehouse next to that would be detrimental for that possibility ever to come to fruition. Something of less intensive usage would make sense along that frontage. Mr. Dabareiner stated there have been other developers interested in this area besides Home Depot. One developer proposed squaring off the corner triangular parcel, which was an interesting notion to staff, but a proposal never made it to the Committee. Mr. Scott suggested the idea of making the northern portion of the northernmost building read as if office and if vehicular traffic was limited to the access road in and out of Fabyan. Alderman Beifuss said that would not be ORI, it would just be cosmetic work on the building. Discussion ensued about the access road, the proposed stop light location, and their implications on traffic patterns. Katie Michel agreed that their proposal does not provide for access to the corner triangular property. There could be a way to do that by providing an easement to the southeast of this property. While it was not contemplated before, she believes there is a way to ensure that future development there has access to the new right-of-way. Discussion followed about how this access point might work. Alderman Stout stated she still has concerns about a warehouse at the northern most point of this development. She would like to see something less intensive there. She would also like to see them work with Joe Kiem about providing access for future development of the corner triangular property. In terms of the exterior appearance, she would prefer something less cookie cutter with more architectural features. The applicant pointed out the northernmost building is designed as a side loader, so the truck traffic is off to the side and not visible from Roosevelt Road. Alderman Beifuss agreed about wanting more. architectural distinctiveness for all the buildings. He is not in favor of the Facility 3 building (Phase 3) at all. He wants this area to remain ORI. Alderman Dettman asked if Facility 1 and 2 buildings (Phases 1 & 2) would be Manufacturing, and Alderman Beifuss said this would make sense. He asked the applicant if they have had contact with the hotel developer about the access road. Mark Richards responded they have not, but both have the same traffic study consultant. Alderman Beifuss asked if they will be contacting them, and Mr. Richards replied they would need to, as the road would go on their property. Ms. Michel indicated the delay is because they are trying to get through the initial steps of their diligence. Alderman Stout said the members have expressed what they would like to see. They have reservations with Facility #3, and they would like to see something in line with ORI. Alderman Garling stated he hesitates to give up a rail spot for warehousing. He would prefer a manufacturing facility. Alderman Beifuss added that from a tax standpoint, manufacturing would bring more revenue. Ms. Michel talked about potential users for these facilities. At this point, they are not sure if it would be warehousing, manufacturing or both. They have not yet identified a user yet. Alderman Garling stated he is concerned that they are giving up railway for a user they do not know; it could be manufacturing, but it could be warehousing, and it might not utilize the railroad at all. Alderman Stout asked the Development Committee Minutes October 11, 2021 Page 4 of 7 ===== PDF PAGE 6 ===== [Extraction: OCR (rendered-page OCR)] applicant to consider what vision the members have shared, and to come back again with those changes in mind. Alderman Garling departed the meeting at 8:00 PM. B. 537 Discovery Drive / Spec Warehouse — Midwest Industrial Funds requests Final Development Plan approval to allow construction of a speculative industrial building, along with related site improvements, at 537 Discovery Drive in the DuPage Business Center. Tom Dabareiner provided a staff update. Midwest Industrial has other projects in the DuPage Business Center. They are requesting final development plan approval for another speculative building. The property would contain a 400,000 square foot building, hold up to four tenants, with a cross dock. Because roads surround it, it would need a lot of landscaping, such as berms, to protect the views of trucks from the street. In accordance with the intergovernmental agreement with the DuPage Airport Authority (DAA), both the Airport and the City need to approve the proposal. The Final Development Plan materials meet the requirements. The DAA approved the Plan at its June 2021 meeting. Staff has been working hard with the applicant on a grading plan to allow them to start work on surface preparation. However, they have not turned in a grading plan to date. While they were told specifically what to turn in, they started work without a permit anyway. Staff has put a Stop Work Order at the site, and it will not be removed despite approval of the Plan tonight. Staff still does not have a grading plan. The City cannot be taken advantage of this way. Work without a permit will not be tolerated. Pat Shaner, Director of Development for Midwest Industrial Funds, addressed the Committee. This is their third project in the City, and it is very similar in scope to the other two in that they try to build in as much flexibility as possible. This is a 24-acre site. He believes they have designed the site well to provide for enough car parking and truck access. He said they also have worked with staff on a landscaping plan. Mr. Dabareiner agreed that had been finished. Discussion ensued between Mr. Shaner and Mr. Dabareiner as to the events that resulted in the Stop Work Order. Mr. Shaner said they were stripping top soil, and they have done no other grading work. Mr. Dabareiner maintained they should not have done work without a permit. Alderman Stout stated that the applicant needs to submit the grading plan to staff, so that it can be reviewed and the permit issued. At this juncture, the Committee needs to consider the Plan for approval, and she asked the members for questions. Alderman Beifuss asked if the Final Development Plan is in compliance, and Mr. Dabareiner said that it is. Alderman Stout asked if this is the third building completed by the applicant, why was there any ambiguity about the permit process. Mr. Shaner replied that things are taking longer, and communication has been difficult. Alderman Stout stated that nevertheless the process needs to be followed. Mr. Shaner said that they will do what they need to do. Alderman Dettman moved, and Alderman Sheahan seconded the motion to approve Item for Discussion 5. A. with the understanding that the proper permits are Development Committee Minutes October 11, 2021 Page 5 of 7 ===== PDF PAGE 7 ===== [Extraction: OCR (rendered-page OCR)] obtained. Voting Aye: Aldermen Beifuss, Dettmann, Sheahan and Stout. Alderman Garling departed the meeting prior to the vote. C. Gravel Driveways — A while ago, the City sought to have all gravel driveways converted to hard surface during an enforcement moratorium period. After the moratorium ended and enforcement began, due to complaints, the enforcement effort ceased, but the requirement remains part of the Municipal Code. Staff would like to hear discussion on the following question: Should enforcement be reinstated or a text amendment alter the requirement in some manner? Tom Dabareiner updated the members on this Item. As of 1989, the Municipal Code requires that all parking and driveways consist of a hard surface and not gravel, and it set an amortization period of 5 years, which expired in 2004. Many property owners were upset with the requirement at that time, and enforcement was eventually halted by the Community Development Director. Recently, staff received a complaint from a resident who had complied with the conversion and cited several examples of existing properties that have not complied. Mr. Dabareiner then asked the inspectors to locate as many of these properties as they could. They found 151 properties with gravel driveways and/or parking areas throughout the City. However, the City inspected some of those homes when they changed hands, and the gravel was never commented on. Now staff is looking for direction. Mr. Dabareiner then reviewed the viable options for the Committee. He advised they cannot begin enforcement because property transfers were approved with gravel. Alderman Beifuss stated he supports the idea of grandfathering the existing properties because so much time has gone by and many of these properties have already changed hands. The practical implications of implementing an amortization period for 150+ properties would be problematic. He has seen some gravel driveways around town, but he has also seen the action of the marketplace whereby the gravel areas are replaced with hard surfaces to improve their properties in their own best interest. What they do not want to see are driveway expansions. Many years ago, they used to see people over-paving their property. As a solution, staff developed the notion of lot coverage to curtail this. He asked staff if the gravel areas identified are driveways or entrances from alleys. Mr. Dabareiner replied that they are all driveways. Some properties have paved driveways and gravel parking areas. Alderman Beifuss restated he is in favor of grandfathering them. If someone needs a new driveway or wants to expand their driveway or parking area, as part of the permit process they would have to upgrade to a hard surface. Alderman Sheahan asked Mr. Dabareiner how many people converted their driveways back when this first requirement started. Mr. Dabareiner did not have that number. Alderman Sheahan then asked why they should change the ordinance if they failed to hold people accountable for it. She stated she would be upset if she was asked to replace her driveway, did, only to learn the City did not require everyone to do so. Mr. Dabareiner replied that legally, they could not begin enforcement on these properties after all the time that has transpired. They need another tool such as a new amortization period or the legal, non- conformity approach. Development Committee Minutes October 11, 2021 Page 6 of 7 ===== PDF PAGE 8 ===== [Extraction: OCR (rendered-page OCR)] Alderman Stout stated that because this has been overlooked for so long, and the properties have changed hands without any encumbrance, it would not be fair to the new owners to enforce conversion. Unfortunately, people will be upset on both sides, but the option she supports is to grandfather the existing properties. Alderman Dettman asked if the City stance on this has changed. Alderman Stout responded that accounting for lot coverage during the permit process percentage has worked to address the problem of over-paving. Alderman Dettmann added that she wished there were a way to incentivize these property owners to comply. Alderman Stout surmised there was consensus among the members. Tom Dabareiner indicated that the grandfathering option would need to include additional rules to guide the permitting review. Staff will come back to the members with a draft ordinance for their review. 6. Unfinished Business. None. 7. New Business. None. 8. Reports from Staff. Alderman Stout inquired about Forming America. Mr. Dabareiner replied that the property was sold. The new owners owe them improvements. Staff is working with the County on the wetland requirements so they can then inform the owner about what is needed. Forming America is still there as a tenant. 9. . Adjournment. Alderman Beifuss moved, and Alderman Sheahan seconded the motion to adjourn the Development Committee meeting at 8:40 p.m. Voting Aye: Aldermen Beifuss, Dettman, Sheahan and Stout. Respectfully submitted, Jane Burke Development Committee Minutes October 11, 2021 Page 7 of 7 ===== PDF PAGE 9 ===== [Extraction: OCR (rendered-page OCR)] CITY OF WEST CHICAGO DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY ITEM TITLE: AGENDA ITEM NUMBER: 4 A. Minor Subdivision 327-329 Wilson Street FILE NUMBER: COMMITTEE AGENDA DATE: Dec. 13, 2021 Resolution No. 21-R-0107 COUNCIL AGENDA DATE: STAFF REVIEW: Tom Dabareiner, AICP SIGNATURE APPROVED BY CITY ADMINISTRATOR: Michael Guttman SIGNATURE ITEM SUMMARY: Joseph A. Schneider, authorized to act on behalf of the property owner, Geneva Land Trust #140212, requests approval of a Minor Subdivision of one lot into two lots, consisting of a total 19,600 square feet, and located in the B-1 Central Business District at 327-329 Wilson Street. Each parcel will contain one existing building, both used for commercial purposes. The buildings are adjacent to each other. The Minor Subdivision, as proposed and if approved, will comply with the Zoning Code and Subdivision Regulations Code. Each building will have its own access .and parking to serve the establishments. The petitioner will sell the south building (329 Wilson) and retain the north building. At their December 7, 2012 meeting, the Plan Commission members voted unanimously in support of the Minor Subdivision. ACTION PROPOSED: Approval of the Minor Subdivision located at 327 and 329 Wilson Street. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: Attached: Draft Resolution and Attachments ===== PDF PAGE 10 ===== [Extraction: OCR (rendered-page OCR)] RESOLUTION NO. 21-R-0107 A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE WILSON STREET RESUBDIVISION 327-329 WILSON STREET BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of West Chicago, in regular session assembled as follows: Section 1. That the Final Plat of the Wilson Street Resubdivision, as prepared by Steinbrecher Land Surveyors, Inc., consisting of one (1) sheet attached hereto and incorporated herein as Exhibit “A”, be and the same is hereby approved and that the Mayor and City Clerk and all other necessary and appro- priate officers of the City are authorized to execute said plat. Section 2. That the recommendation and findings of fact of the Plan Commission, pursuant to Recommendation No. 21-RC-0013, a copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein as Exhibit “B” be and the same are hereby adopted as the findings of fact of the City Council. Section 3. That all resolutions, or parts thereof, in conflict with the provisions of this Resolution are, to the extent of such conflict, expressly repealed. Section 4. That this Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption and ap- proval as provided by law. APPROVED this___day of __, 2021. AYES: NAYES: ABSTAIN: ABSENT: Mayor, Ruben Pineda ATTEST: City Clerk, Nancy M. Smith Resolution 21-R-0107 Page 1 of 3 ===== PDF PAGE 11 ===== [Extraction: OCR (rendered-page OCR)] EXHIBIT “A” (INSERT PLAT OF SUBDIVISION HERE) Resolution 21-R-0107 Page 2 of 3 ===== PDF PAGE 12 ===== [Extraction: OCR (rendered-page OCR)] Exhibit "A" ; | WILSON AVENUE RESUBDIVISION IN THE SOUTHWEST QUARTER OF THE NORTHHEST QUARTER OF SECTION 18. TOMNSHIP 39 NORTH. RANGE 9 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIOIAN. IN QU PAGE COLNTY, ILLINOIS P.1LN, @4-18-128-888, @4-18-128-887 ‘seNes COUNTY RECOROER'S CERTIFICATE STATE OF ILLINOIS 1 COUNTY OF OU PAGE 1 AVENUE THIS INSTRUPENT, NO... MAS FILED FOR RECORD IN THE RECORDER'S OFFICE OF OU PAGE COUNTY. ILLINOIS, THIS -—. OAY OF -. WAS RECORDED IN BOOK —_... OF PLATS ON PACE... mens 2821, AT O'CLOK A, COUNTY CERES CERTIFICATE STATE OF WLIOIS | sae nT COUNTY OF OU PAGE 1 1. JEAN RACZUREK. COUNTY CLERC OF OU PAGE COUNTY. ILLINOIS. 00 HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THERE ARE NO DEL INQLENT GENERAL TAXES. NO UNPAIO FORFEITED CURRENT TAXES. NO UNPAID FORFEITED TAXES. AND NO REDEDWGLE TAX SALES AGAINST ANY OF THE LAMD INCLUDED IN THE ‘ANEXED PLAT. FURTYER CERTIFY THAT | HAVE RECEIVED ALL. STATUTORY FEES IN CONMECTION WITH THE AOEED PLAT. GIVEN UNDER WY HAND AND SEAL OF THE COUNTY CLERK AT WHEATON. ILLINOIS. THIS — Ory OF =: 2821 WILSON NELS JCHNSON'S PLAT OF CONSOLIDATION (1987-01 7068) CITY OF WEST QHICAGO MAYOR AND CITY COLNCIL APPROVAL CERTIFICATE m703.> STATE OF ILLINOIS 1 COUNTY OF OU PAGE 1 MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MEST CHICAGO. COUNTY OF OU PAGE. STATE OF ILLINOIS, HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THE SAIO COLACIL HAS OLY APPROVED THIS PLAT OF RESUBDIVISION ATTAQED HERETO. BY RESOLUTION NO. THIS —— DAY OF ———— OLY AUTHENTICATED AS PASSED STREET Tater's CORTiFicATE STATE OF WLIWOIS | COUNTY OF OU PAGE 1 THIS 1S TO CERTIFY THAT THE STATE BANK OF GENEVA. AS TRUSTEE UNDER TRUST AGREEYENT OATED WAY 111978. AND KNOWN AS TRUST NO. 148212. 1S THE HOLDER OF RECORD TITLE OF THE PROPERTY SOW THE AOEXED PLAT. AD WAS CASED THE SWE TO BE PLATTED AS SHON FOR TE USES. IN SET FORTH. AND SAIO STATE BANK OF GENEVA HEREBY AQQOMLEDGE AMD ADOPTS THE TITLE PEREON SHOW. ME FURTER CERTIFY THAT THIS PROPERTY 15 WITHIN ELEMENTARY SO-OOL OISTRICT 33 AND HIM SOOO. SURVEYORS CERTIFICATE. OISTRICT 94. STATE OF WLINOIS 1 CONTY oF OU PACE} THIS. 1S TO CERTIFY THAT NE. STEINGRECHER LAND SURVEYORS. INC... LAND SURVEYING DESIGN FIRH (M2. 104-8031 28, HAVE SURVEYED THE PROPERTY FOR THE PURPOSE OF REGUBDIVIOING. AND? IN CHARLES 1. FROEL IO1"S SUBDIVISION OF PART OF THE SCUTPSEST QUARTER OF SECTION 1. ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREDF RECOROED gq i AS SHOW ON THE ANNEXED PLAT MICH TO THE BEST OF OLR KNOMLEDGE AMD BELIEF. 1S A CORRECT FEFRESENTATION OF SAID SURVEY MO FESEDIVISION. ALL DISTANCES ARE IN FEET AND CELINA. PARTS Inrarerss CENT Wricate! THEREDF. SCALE OF MAP IS 28 FEET TO ONE INCH. catatnaeste Malan 5 CERTIFICATE [FURTHER CERTIFY THAT THE LAND INCLUDED IN THE ANREXED PLAT 1S WITHIN THE LIMITS OF TE CITY H OF NEST CHICAGO. WHICH HAS ADOPTED A CITY PLAN AND 1S EXERCISING THE SPECIAL POMERS AUTHORIZED COUNTY OF Ou PAGE 1 BY DIVISION 12 GF ARTICLE 11 OF TE ILLINOIS MUNICIPAL CODE. 1 FURTIER CERTIFY THAT NO PART OF THE PROPERTY COVERED BY THIS PLAT 1S LOCATED WITHIN A LD ‘SPECIAL FLODD HAZARD AREA AS IDENTIFIED BY THE FEDERAL EXERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY FOR THE CITY OF NEST CHICAGO. MAP NO, 1784308127 J. ATED AUST 1. 2819 OO HEREBY CERTIFY THAT _ wo, soar 1 A NOTARY PUBLIC IN AND FOR THE COLNTY IN THE STATE AFORESAIO. Mest Onicogo. I Ilinore, Septenber 13. 2621 AQOOMEDGE THAT THEY SIGNED AND EL IVERED THE ANNEXED PLAT AS THEIR OWN FREE AND VOLUNTARY ACT wo PRPOSES THEREIN SET FORT. STE INGRETHER LAND SURVEYORS. INC. By: ee GIVEN UNGER FY HAND AAO SEAL. THIS OAY OF Ny lieenwe expires Nov. 38. 2822 IY COMISSION OPIRES —_._____.___. Steinbrecher Land Surveyors, Inc. PREPARED FOR: ‘SLOMITTED BY & RETIRN TO: LE SOREIOER CITY OF MEST CHICAGO 440 HIGLNO AVENE 475 main ‘STREET MEST CHICAGO, IL. 68105 ===== PDF PAGE 13 ===== [Extraction: OCR (rendered-page OCR)] EXHIBIT “B” RECOMMENDATION # 21-RC-0013 TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council SUBJECT: PC 21-18 Wilson Street Resubdivision 327-329 Wilson Street DATE: December 7, 2021 DECISION: With a vote of six (6) “yes” and zero (0) “no”, the motion to recommend approval of the requested minor subdivision was unanimously approved. RECOMMENDATION After review of the proposed Final Plat of the Wilson Street Resubdivision, members of the Plan Com- mission/Zoning Board of Appeals recommend approval. There are no specific findings of facts for resubdivision plat consideration. Rather, the PC/ZBA verifies that the submitted plat of resubdivision complies with the City’s subdivision regulations. The PC/ZBA finds that the plat does comply. ~ ] : Respectfully submitted, Barbara Laimins Chairman VOTE: For Against Abstain Absent Laimins Billingsley Kasprak Henkin Banasiak Devitt Hale Resolution 21-R-0107 Page 3 of 3 ===== PDF PAGE 14 ===== [Extraction: OCR (rendered-page OCR)] CITY OF WEST CHICAGO DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY ITEM TITLE: AGENDAITEMNUMBER: 9-4. Non-Conforming Gravel Driveways FILE NUMBER: Ordinance No. 21-O-0038 COMMITTEE AGENDA DATE: Dec. 13, 2021 COUNCIL AGENDA DATE: STAFF REVIEW: Tom Dabareiner, AICP SIGNATURE APPROVED BY CITY ADMINISTRATOR: Michael Guttman SIGNATURE ITEM SUMMARY: The Municipal Code requires that all parking lots and driveways be hard-surfaced and no longer con- sist of just gravel. In fact, the Code set a deadline of July 1, 2004 for the conversion of all gravel park- ing area and driveways to an acceptable hard surface. As discussed during the October 11, 2021 Development Committee meeting, enforcement of this re- quirement was halted several years ago due to an overwhelming number of resident complaints, leav- ing about 151 driveways unchanged. Discussion in October focused on next steps and it was general- -| ly agreed that existing gravel driveways and parking areas be treated as non-conforming structures. Staff believes the attached draft Ordinance No. 21-O-0038 addresses the Development Committee’s direction. When brought before the Plan Commission, wording was added to require conversion to an acceptable hard surface when a property is sold. However, Staff believes this would conflict with the legal direction given. Because previous time-of-sale inspections routinely ignored the requirement it is potentially legally challenging to enforce the requirement now. The proposed draft Ordinance, there- fore, does not include this proposed amendment. At its December 7, 2021 meeting, Plan Commission members voted 6-1 in favor of the change as dis- cussed by Development Committee, with the one Nay vote objecting to the proposed requirement to pave driveways at the time of sale. ACTION PROPOSED: Discussion and recommendation of Ordinance No. 21-O-0038. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: PC: Draft Ordinance 21-O-0038 ===== PDF PAGE 15 ===== [Extraction: OCR (rendered-page OCR)] ORDINANCE NO. 21-0-0038 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF WEST CHICAGO —- APPENDIX A ARTICLE XIII OF THE ZONING CODE RELATING TO EXISTING NONCONFORMING GRAVEL RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAYS WHEREAS, Section 13.1-13(A) of the West Chicago Zoning Code requires that all resi- dential parking areas and driveways be hard-surfaced with either bituminous pavement, concrete pavement, or interlocking pavers approved for parking; and WHEREAS, the use of gravel as a surface material for residential parking is prohibited; and WHEREAS, Section 13.1-13(A)(9) establishes a deadline of July 1, 2004 for the conver- sion of all existing nonconforming gravel parking areas and driveways to an acceptable hard sur- face; and WHEREAS, subsequent to the 2004 deadline, code enforcement action began requiring homeowners with existing nonconforming gravel driveways to pave the nonconforming drive- ways with an approved surface; and WHEREAS, property owners notified of this requirement were upset with this require- ment and eventually enforcement was halted and has not since resumed; and WHEREAS, the City Council believes it is in the best interest of the City to amend Section 13.1-13(A) to allow the continuation of existing nonconforming gravel residential driveways as legal nonconforming structures subject to Article VII of the Zoning Code; and WHEREAS, Notice of Public Hearing on said text amendment was published in the Dai- ly Herald on or about November 22, 2021, as required by the ordinances of the City of West Chi- cago and the statutes of the State of Illinois; and WHEREAS, a Public Hearing was conducted by the Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals of the City of West Chicago on December 7, 2021 pursuant to said Notice; and WHEREAS, at the Public Hearing all interested parties had an opportunity to be heard; and WHEREAS, the corporate authorities of the City of West Chicago have received the recommendation of the Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals which contains specific findings of fact, pursuant to Recommendation No. 21-RC-0014, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit “A” which is, by this reference, made a part hereof. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of West Chi- cago, Du Page County, Illinois, in regular session assembled, as follows: Ordinance 21-O-0038 Page | of 4 ===== PDF PAGE 16 ===== [Extraction: OCR (rendered-page OCR)] Section 1. That Section 13.1-13(A) (Location of Parking-Residential) of Article XIII (Off- Street Parking and Loading), of Appendix A, of the Code of Ordinances of the City of West Chi- cago be amended to strike the following in its entirety: Section 2. That all ordinances and resolutions, or parts thereof, in conflict with the provisions of this Ordinance are, to the extent of such conflict, expressly repealed. Section 3. That this Ordinance shall be in full force and effect after its passage, approval and publication in pamphlet form as provided by law. PASSED this day of , 2021. _ Alderman Beifuss _ Alderman Chassee Alderman Sheehan Alderman Brown Alderman Hallett Alderman Dettman Alderman Birch-Ferguson Alderman Dimas Alderman Swiatek Alderman Garling Alderman Stout Alderman Short Alderman Jakabesin Alderman Morano APPROVED as to form: City Attorney APPROVED THIS day of , 2021. Ordinance 21-O-0038 Page 2 of 4 ===== PDF PAGE 17 ===== [Extraction: OCR (rendered-page OCR)] Mayor Ruben Pineda ATTEST: City Clerk Nancy M. Smith PUBLISHED: Ordinance 21-O-0038 Page 3 of 4 ===== PDF PAGE 18 ===== [Extraction: OCR (rendered-page OCR)] EXHIBIT “A” RECOMMENDATION # 21-RC-0014 TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council SUBJECT: PC 21-21 Zoning Text Amendment for Existing Nonconforming Gravel Residential Drive- ways DATE: December 7, 2021 DECISION: The motion to recommend approval of the proposed amendment with an added provision was approved by a vote of five (5) “yes” and one (1) “no”. RECOMMENDATION: After a review of the proposed text amendment as presented, the Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals finds that the proposed amendment does not pose a threat to the health, safety and welfare of the community. It is the Commission’s opinion that the proposed amendment will be beneficial to the City of West Chicago by amending Section 13.1-13(A) to strike Subsection 13.1-13 (A)(9) in its entirety and add the following language to Section 13.1-13(A): Existing nonconforming gravel driveways shall be converted to an approved material prior to the sale of the property. The proposed amendment, and recommended text, is in keeping with the purpose of the Zoning Code. The Plan Commission is of the opinion that this proposed amendment and recommended text will protect, promote, and improve the public health, safety, morals, convenience, order, ap- pearance, prosperity and the general welfare of the citizens of West Chicago community. Respectfully submitted, Barbara Laimins Chairperson VOTE: For Against Abstain Absent Hale Laimins Kasprak Devitt Banasiak Henkin Ordinance 21-O-0038 Page 4 of 4 ===== PDF PAGE 19 ===== [Extraction: OCR (rendered-page OCR)] CITY OF WEST CHICAGO DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY ITEM TITLE: AGENDAITEMNUMBER: 9:9. Draft Comprehensive Plan City of West Chicago FILE NUMBER: COMMITTEE AGENDA DATE: Dec. 13, 2021 Resolution No. 21-O-0039 COUNCIL AGENDA DATE: STAFF REVIEW: Tom Dabareiner, AICP SIGNATURE APPROVED BY CITY ADMINISTRATOR: Michael Guttman SIGNATURE ITEM SUMMARY: The City’s comprehensive planning consultant, Muse Community+Design, has completed the first full draft of the proposed Comprehensive Plan. The required Public Hearing was conducted at the Plan Commission meeting held December 7, 2021, and endorsed in its entirety and unanimously by its members that evening. A representative from Muse will be present to provide information to the Development Committee on the process and the primary outcomes of their efforts. Muse has been working regularly with the Plan Commission during the process, along with conducting surveys and interviews for more than one year. City Staff has also been directly involved. As a reminder, the ages of the existing City Comprehensive Plan (26 years) and Future Land Map (15 years) have been a hindrance to good planning within the City. In addition, grant applications often require that the City have a Plan that has been updated no more than five years prior to the application being made. Most importantly, having an up-to-date Plan that was created using a sound public process provides added legal protection should land use challenges arise. For the purposes of the discussion tonight, Development Committee members have been provided with the English version for review—given the multi-cultural character of West Chicago, the final Plan will be in both English and Spanish. A Spanish version of the draft has been reviewed by Staff. ACTION PROPOSED: Staff recommends approval of the Draft Comprehensive Plan. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: Attached: Draft Plan ===== PDF PAGE 20 ===== [Extraction: OCR (rendered-page OCR)] ORDINANCE NO. 21-0-0039 AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE OFFICIAL COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND FUTURE LAND USE MAP BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of West Chicago, in regular session assembled as follows: Section 1. That the Official Comprehensive Plan and Future Land Use Map of the City of West Chicago, attached hereto and incorporated herein as Exhibit “A”, is hereby adopted. Section 2. That the recommendation and findings of fact of the Plan Commission, pursuant to Recommendation No. 21-RC-0014, a copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein as Exhibit “B” be and the same are hereby adopted as the findings of fact of the City Council. Section 3. That all Ordinances, or parts thereof, in conflict with the provisions of this Ordinance are, to the extent of such conflict, expressly repealed. Section 4. That this Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption and ap- proval as provided by law. APPROVED this day of , 2021. AYES: NAYES: ABSTAIN: ABSENT: Mayor, Ruben Pineda ATTEST: City Clerk, Nancy M. Smith Ordinance 21-O0-0039 Page 1 of 3 ===== PDF PAGE 21 ===== [Extraction: OCR (rendered-page OCR)] EXHIBIT “A” (INSERT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND FUTURE LAND USE MAP) Ordinance 21-O-0039 Page 2 of 3 ===== PDF PAGE 22 ===== [Extraction: OCR (rendered-page OCR)] EXHIBIT “B” RECOMMENDATION # 21-RC-0015 TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council SUBJECT: PC 21-20 Official Comprehensive Plan and Future Land DATE: December 7, 2021 DECISION: With a vote of five (5) “yes” and zero (0) “no”, the motion to recommend adoption of the Official Comprehensive Plan and Future Land Use Map of the City of West Chicago. RECOMMENDATION After review of the proposed Official Comprehensive Plan and Future Land Use Map of the City of West Chicago, members of the Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals recommend adoption. Respectfully submitted, Barbara Laimins Chairman VOTE: For Against Abstain Absent Laimins Devitt Kasprak Billingsley Henkin Banasiak Hale Ordinance 21-O-0039 Page 3 of 3 ===== PDF PAGE 23 ===== [Extraction: OCR (rendered-page OCR)] West Chicago Forward City oF WEST CHICAGO PiLtrnots City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan ===== PDF PAGE 24 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] MESSAGE FROM MAYOR PINEDA Hello, West Chicago. Welcome to West Chicago Forward. In late 2020, the City began work to update its Comprehensive Plan. We named it West Chicago Forward / West Chicago Adelante because it focuses on what we want West Chicago to be for the next 20 years and for generations to come. I am happy to report that we have now completed that planning process. This document, West Chicago Forward, is the result of that work. West Chicago Forward invited every resident and business owner in West Chicago to contribute to this Plan. We had one simple and powerful ask: help shape the future of your City for yourself, your families and the next City of West Chicago generation of West Chicagoans by sharing your ideas, opinions, and suggestions on improving the quality of community life. We wanted to hear from you, and we did. Thank you to all of you who offered your ideas and feedback by filling out surveys, participating in interviews, being part of community conversations, visiting the website, attending public meetings and events, sharing information with your family members and neighbors, and more. Even though the Plan is finished, the work of it is just beginning. The invitation to participate and make the West Chicago Forward goals reality is still open. We hope that you’ll join us. Mayor Ruben Pineda 2 City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan ===== PDF PAGE 25 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] We invite everyone, especially residents and others who serve West Chicagoans, toMESSAGE FOR continue championing this plan and its goals and values. If you have already contributedCHAMPIONS your ideas and support, thank you. If you have not, you still have a chance. The West Chicago Forward Comprehensive Accompanying this Plan is an Action Kit for Plan would not exist without input from how you, West Chicago’s champions and residents, business leaders, government residents, can take action and help us reach partners, nonprofit organization the future we envisioned together, step by representatives, and many others who step. Be sure to tag us and share on social City of West Chicago contributed their expertise and ideas. media your pictures and stories about what you're doing—and thank you for all you West Chicago Forward has worked have already done to move West Chicago incredibly hard to reach the City’s old Forward. and new residents, to learn from partner government agencies and a wide variety of other stakeholders, to hear from business leaders and owners, to engage with the Latino community, to make sure that the planning process was accessible to Spanish speakers, and to reflect the voices of young people in this Plan. MUSE Community + Design City of West Chicago City of West Chicago City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan 3 ===== PDF PAGE 26 ===== [Extraction: OCR (rendered-page OCR)] Sc RON a oO > 3 c 40) a2 oO we Q fore {e) ) ° oD. 5 i = 15) 2 rn) = as oO z ===== PDF PAGE 27 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] TABLE OF CONTENTS 6 Overview and Purpose 11 Vision 12 Plan Goals 14 Big Ideas 16 Downtown: The Heart of West Chicago 20 A More Connected West Chicago 22 Small Business Incubation and Support 26 Process 34 Recommendations 35 People 50 Place 86 Economy 94 Implementation 116 Acknowledgments City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan 5 go ===== PDF PAGE 28 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] Downtown and historic buildings clustered feedback and insight from populations who around the railroad invite residents and often do not get invitations to participate, visitors alike to appreciate West Chicago’s particularly Spanish speakers and young assets and history. The hundreds of acres people. The research and analysis found of green space and trails provide abundant here, combined with extensive community recreational and nature opportunities. involvement and feedback, position West Chicago Forward as an essential West Chicago is the place where “history development and decision-making guide for and progress meet.” Accordingly, the the City through 2042 and beyond. Notably, City is ready to move forward into the it is also a reflection of community values and future while valuing its rich history. All City of West Chicago ideas. comprehensive plans envision the long- term future of communities. They think The layout of West Chicago Forward about the relationships of people, place, also reflects that same inclusiveness. and economy. They also help cities ensure The following pages present both cross-OVERVIEW AND effective decision-making around growth cutting big ideas for an ideal West Chicago and development. Comprehensive plans also and specific recommendations in variousPURPOSE help cities stay competitive when it comes to policy areas. This Plan focuses directly on allocating funding and resources. They put activating, connecting, and supporting—West Chicago is a diverse, historical city into words a community’s vision for itself so these are the actions we all can take today toin western DuPage County. It is located that the public sector is clear on priorities and move West Chicago Forward and ensure abetween Geneva to the west and Winfield can gauge how to respond. Comprehensive vibrant future for all of us who live, work, andto the east, just minutes from the Fox and plans also encourage the private sector to play in West Chicago.DuPage Rivers. In the mid-1800s, the City align its efforts or initiate new ones.was founded as the first railroad town in Illinois. Early on, European and Mexican This Comprehensive Plan, West Chicago immigrants settled here. Today West Chicago Forward, does all of that. It also provides is proud of the lasting diversity of its residents a needed update to the 1995 West and is home to one of the most vibrant Chicago Comprehensive Plan and 2006 Latino-heritage communities in suburban Comprehensive Plan Land Use Map. This Chicago. Plan reflects changes since that time and gives clear direction for the future.While boasting commuter rail, easily accessible highways, and the DuPage The West Chicago Forward Comprehensive Airport, West Chicago is still most recognized Plan design was the most inclusive planning for its small-town America charm and process to date in the City. The planning community spirit. The City’s classic process made special outreach efforts to gain 6 City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan ===== PDF PAGE 29 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] West Chicago in the Region West Chicago is a diverse, historical city in western DuPage County, recognized for its railroad history and lasting diversity. City of West Chicago © Mark Baldwin MUSE Community + Design City of West Chicago City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan 7 ===== PDF PAGE 30 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] To invite residents and other stakeholders to West Chicago Forward’s organization is as participate in moving West Chicago Forward, follows: this Comprehensive Plan also features an • The Vision connects what makes West Action Kit to inspire people of all ages to Chicago great with its hopes for the come together and start implementing ideas future. big and small. • Goals are more specific aspirations that To highlight interrelated ideas and turn them will help the City achieve the Vision. into action, three aspects of life organize • “Big ideas” are focused topic areas West Chicago Forward: People, Place, and that individual stakeholders and past Economy. plans raised—they appear up front to emphasize and align energy, efforts, andSpecifically, this Plan: resources for West Chicago’s future. • creates the vision for future growth and • The three organizing themes for the change in West Chicago; Plan’s policies are People, Place, and • clarifies where to encourage change and Economy. where things should stay the same; and • Within each theme, implementation • reinforces the importance of thinking strategies present ways to achieve about change in a holistic way to support policies. wise spending of public dollars and functional, complete neighborhoods. West Chicago Forward clarifies the community’s desires and the City’s intentions so that it can be a guiding document for the future. With this clarity and predictability, the City can improve efforts to attract and retain businesses and residents, support public and private investment, and enhance quality of life. This updated Comprehensive Plan positions the City of West Chicago to manage change rather than simply react. The City will be able to make necessary investments and improvements, and continue providing high- quality services. 8 City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan ===== PDF PAGE 31 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] How to Use This Plan A Comprehensive Plan sets forth the community’s shared vision to align resources and efforts and help manage change and shape the future. By outlining ideas and providing steps to achieve those ideas, City VISIONstaff, residents, and other stakeholders can do their part to bring about desired results. City staff and decision makers should use the Plan to evaluate proposed changes across various policy areas and ensure that they PEOPLE PLACE ECONOMY are in concert with the overall shared vision. Specifically, City staff and decision makers should use the plan to do the following: • inform decisions and expenditures, GOALS including development review, code enforcement, annual budgeting, and capital improvement planning; • seek grants and other forms of funding to POLICIES achieve the plan’s recommendations; • update ordinances, policies, processes, and regulations to implement the Plan; IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES • align Departments’ work plans and staffing to clarify responsibility for implementing the plan; and • engage the public by talking about and revisiting the Plan regularly and with proposed policy changes. City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan 9 ===== PDF PAGE 32 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] City of West Chicago City of West Chicago City of West Chicago City of West Chicago 10 City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan ===== PDF PAGE 33 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] VISION West Chicago City officials, residents, and other stakeholders crafted this vision for the future of West Chicago: West Chicago is a vibrant tapestry of neighbors who come together, from next door and across town, to celebrate diversity, heritage, and wellness, and to support thriving businesses of all sizes, always demonstrating an unwavering commitment to green space and the environment. City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan 11 ===== PDF PAGE 34 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] PLAN GOALS West Chicago Forward ensures a OVERARCHING PLAN GOALS thriving, vibrant West Chicago well into the future. The future West Chicago is • Ensure orderly development and • Celebrate and share West Chicago’s redevelopment that is consistent with hometown pride and high quality of life.active, connected, and economically West Chicago’s history, values, andstrong. It can respond to any uncertainty • Encourage active participation in City aspirations. decision-making.or challenges the future may hold. • Ensure that public services and facilitiesThe goals of West Chicago Forward align with and support private-sector reflect input from the City, community development and redevelopment. members, and other stakeholders. These overarching and focused goals guide the recommendations and implementation of this Plan through 2042. 12 City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan ===== PDF PAGE 35 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] FOCUSED GOALS PEOPLE: ACTIVATE • Align resources and efforts to reinforce Downtown as a place to visit and live. • Leverage West Chicago’s unique history, special events, and arts and culture to connect neighbors. • Provide opportunities for gathering through programming, promotion, and placemaking. • Provide a range of housing options to accommodate all ages, backgrounds, and life stages. PLACE: CONNECT • Provide connections within and beyond West Chicago. • Enhance recognition of and navigation to the City’s businesses and amenities. • Create active and green transportation options. • Leverage trails and open space in support of other goals. ECONOMY: SUPPORT • Invest in existing and future small businesses and small business owners. • Support existing local businesses of all sizes. • Attract new small businesses and retain existing ones. • Draw attention to West Chicago’s existing assets. • Support Downtown and Downtown-adjacent businesses and employees. City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan 13 ===== PDF PAGE 36 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] BIG IDEAS West Chicago has a history of strong leadership and active community groups. These “big ideas” harness that energy and align efforts to help achieve a thriving and vibrant West Chicago. See the recommended policies and implementation strategies for each topic area for more information on attaining these big ideas and individual recommendations. 14 City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan ===== PDF PAGE 37 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] DOWNTOWN: THE A MORE SMALL BUSINESS HEART OF WEST CONNECTED INCUBATION AND CHICAGO WEST CHICAGO SUPPORT City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan 15 ===== PDF PAGE 38 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] BIG IDEAS DOWNTOWN: THE HEART OF WEST CHICAGO Downtown West Chicago is an ideal Adaptive reuse of a historical train gathering place for residents and visitors. depot will draw residents and visitors. Local pride in Downtown is strong. The charming streetscape of low- Downtown deserves more people in traffic Turner Court is unique. The wide the area and on the street, more visible sidewalks and two-story historical activity, more economic bustle, more storefronts of Main, Washington, and destinations, and more reason to get out Galena Streets have outstanding and enjoy everything it has to offer. potential to attract West Chicago residents and visitors to patronize shops, share a meal, and gather with friends or get some fresh air. The West Chicago Public Library and West Chicago City Hall are also in Downtown, further cementing Downtown as the heart of civic and social life in West Chicago. 16 City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan ===== PDF PAGE 39 ===== [Extraction: OCR (rendered-page OCR)] WEST CHICAGO Grand Opening! WEST CHICAGO City ofWest Chicago Comprehensive Plan ===== PDF PAGE 40 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] BIG IDEAS When Downtown West Chicago thrives, all of West Chicago thrives. THIS IS HOW WE DO IT... • Leverage partnerships around • Enhance connections and West Chicago’s cultural and wayfinding to open spaces and arts programming to support recreational areas for pedestrians, a community cornerstone: the bikers, drivers, and all others on focused redevelopment of the 1869 the move. Chicago & North Western Depot. • Improve and expand support for • Increase and support residential current and potential businesses housing Downtown, including and owners to locate or grow their transit-oriented development. businesses Downtown. • Inspire bold, creative, and fun placemaking ideas and special events for residents and visitors. 18 City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan ===== PDF PAGE 41 ===== [Extraction: OCR (rendered-page OCR)] DOWNTOWN: THE HEART OF WEST CHICAGO Wf Increase housing and business opportunities Downtown City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan PNET Mii. ae ===== PDF PAGE 42 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] BIG IDEAS A MORE CONNECTED WEST CHICAGO Planes, trains, automobiles—there are any city. Enhanced active transportation THIS IS HOW WE goes hand in hand withplenty of ways to get to and from West infrastructure the City’s commitment to Healthy West DO IT...Chicago. West Chicago Forward provides ideas to make moving around town Chicago. It will also allow more people just as easy. The City has unparalleled to feel safe, get some exercise, and make • Focus on trail-oriented development to access to DuPage County trails and forest healthier choices. increase trail use by West Chicagoans and visitors.preserves. Its parks, historic districts, and A very connected West Chicago • Enhance existing infrastructure to make physicalwalkable Downtown create reasons for that is easy to get around in many activity and healthy choices easy and fun.people to be out and about. Leveraging different ways can promote a safe and • Increase access to goods and services,trails and open space also supports comfortable transportation network for employment, open space, and recreation.active transportation, or people- everyone. It will also be easier for peoplepowered biking, rolling, and walking. • Reduce barriers around existing rail and road of all ages can get to where they need to infrastructure. A revitalized Downtown can mean more go, whether home, work, school, or play. • Inspire bold, creative, and fun placemaking people out and about. Safe intersections ideas and special events for residents and and safe routes to school are essential for visitors. 20 City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan ===== PDF PAGE 43 ===== [Extraction: OCR (rendered-page OCR)] Focus on trails to increase ridership lon, wy Vd oO a wo rm) a S n4 Hawthorne Ln Industrial Dr Connect Metra to Downtown and Improve community access to businesses and jobs Enhance infrastructure for healthy choices Geneva!Rd Enhance access and walkability City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan 21 ===== PDF PAGE 44 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] BIG IDEAS SMALL BUSINESS INCUBATION AND SUPPORT There are many great local businesses, West Chicago can invest in existing and restaurants, and retailers in West future small businesses and in people Chicago, and the City can be home who want to become business owners. to even more distinctive businesses. The City can collaborate with real West Chicago’s small-town charm and estate professionals, developers, and historical Downtown position it to offer other local entities to prioritize capital shopping experiences that are difficult to improvements that benefit the business replicate online or at a national chain, or community. This will draw attention hard to find just a short drive away. to West Chicago’s existing assets and support innovative and interesting small businesses, and a wide variety of business owners. Residents from across DuPage County and the region will visit West Chicago businesses. 22 City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan ===== PDF PAGE 45 ===== [Extraction: OCR (rendered-page OCR)] PrairiePath TURNERBREWS Reed-Keppler PublicLibrary City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan 23 ===== PDF PAGE 46 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] BIG IDEAS When West Chicago small businesses thrive, all of West Chicago thrives. THIS IS HOW WE DO IT... • Support existing and future small • Ease regulations and permitting businesses and guide entrepreneurs to requirements for small businesses. successfully bring their ideas to fruition, • Expand small business financial with a strong focus on Downtown and incentives and connect small businesses Latino- and minority-owned businesses. to financing opportunities. • Increase opportunities for small • Identify opportunities for recreational or businesses to reach new audiences food and beverage businesses along the through pop-ups, short-term leases, Prairie Path, and explore partnerships to creative partnerships, and special market those opportunities. events. 24 City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan ===== PDF PAGE 47 ===== [Extraction: OCR (rendered-page OCR)] SMALL BUSINESS INCUBATION AND SUPPORT Identify food and drink business opportunities Downtown Support entrepreneurs through pop-ups and markets Expand mobile vending and special events ae a i | a a rn ===== PDF PAGE 48 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] PROCESS To create cross-cutting big ideas and 2. Engaging community members for For more information and resident- specific recommendations, the early feedback and input. focused reports on existing conditions phase of the West Chicago Forward that informed this Plan, visit 3. Analyzing of all information and planning process had three stages: feedback gathered. https://westchicago.org. 1. Establishing a baseline and City profile through GIS mapping and demographic trend analysis. 26 City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan ===== PDF PAGE 49 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] The recommendations in West Chicago Forward also draw on past planning efforts. This Plan updates and incorporates, where appropriate, recommendations from many previous guiding documents. LOCAL PLANS AND REGIONAL PLANS AND ORDINANCES GUIDING DOCUMENTS Central–Main Street Redevelopment Plan DuPage County Transportation Plan(s) (2018) (various in progress) Commercial Storefront Design Guidelines: CMAP On to 2050 (2015, ongoing) Turner Junction Historic District (1991) DuPage County Strategic Plan (2019) Healthy West Chicago Community Action Plan (2015) Market Study for the Route 59–North Avenue Study Area (2017) West Chicago Residential Design Guideline Manual (2002) West Chicago Strategic Plan (2016) West Chicago Zoning Ordinance (2021) West Chicago: Economic Development Plan—2020–2024 (2020) West Chicago: Strategic Marketing Plan (2017) West Chicago: Comprehensive Land Use Map (2006) City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan 27 ===== PDF PAGE 50 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] of College of DuPage and Elgin Community Green space surrounds West Chicago, College also serve West Chicago residents, nicely balancing its transportation assets.CITY PROFILE and several other colleges and universities The DuPage County Forest Preserve District This West Chicago profile provides a are close to West Chicago. manages the Blackwell, Timber Ridge, snapshot of where the City is today to make and West Branch Forest Preserves. The informed decisions for the future of West West Chicago Park District jointly owns the Chicago. For more detail on the data that PLACE West Chicago Prairie, at the heart of the informed West Chicago Forward, see City and one of the most biodiverse sites in West Chicago is approximately 30 mileswww.westchicago.org. northeastern Illinois. West Chicago offers from downtown Chicago. The City is less more than 300 acres of parkland and part of than 15 miles from Aurora and Naperville, the the Illinois Prairie Path, a popular 61-mile trail PEOPLE second- and fourth-largest cities in Illinois. that crosses three counties and the first rails- Today, the City’s railroad history lives on to-trails conversion in the United States. West Chicago’s population is very diverse. in the West Chicago Metra Station, where West Chicagoans represent many different riders shuttle to downtown Chicago in an racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds and hour, and in the Union Pacific–West railway ECONOMY cultures, and the City is known as a center and other cargo and logistics activity along of the Mexican American community in the line. West Chicago has a vibrant local economy Chicagoland. Whether Spanish, Burmese, and is a regional employment center. West Area highways provide many connectionsTagalog, Polish, Arabic, or another Chicago has a diverse employment base, to and through the City. West Chicago islanguage, most of West Chicago’s 25,700 which is a key strength to any economy. West 20 minutes north of I-88 and 20 minutesresidents speak a language other than Chicago also has notable transportation west of I-355. The commercial corridor ofEnglish at home. advantages: truck routes, intermodal cargo North Avenue (IL-64) is near its northern transportation, and the DuPage Airport. The West Chicago’s two public school districts border and Roosevelt Road (IL-38) to its successful DuPage Business Center, the siting that primarily serve West Chicago residents south. Roosevelt Road separates the City of an Amazon fulfillment center, the world are District 33, which offers free early from the U.S. Department of Energy’s headquarters of Ball Horticultural Company, childhood education, preschool, and Fermilab particle physics laboratory. Neltnor and West Chicago’s many industrial elementary school, and District 94, West Boulevard (IL-59) is a major north-south businesses reflect these advantages. The Chicago Community High School. Enrollment State highway that runs to the Wisconsin City also has a history of entrepreneurship. in both Districts reflects the City’s diverse border and cuts through eastern West There are many successful local businesses, population, and the Districts serve children Chicago. Across the City, it is an important retailers, and restaurants. and families from more than a dozen commercial corridor with development and cultures. Elgin School District U-46 and St. redevelopment opportunities. West Chicago West Chicago is between the Carol Stream– Charles Community Unit School District is also home to the four-runway DuPage Geneva and Bloomingdale retail markets. 303 also serve part of West Chicago. The Airport and Flight Center, a premier business Forest preserves, industrial areas, DuPage nearby high-enrollment community colleges and recreational aviation center. Airport, and Fermilab define its borders 28 City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan ===== PDF PAGE 51 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] and prevent attracting spending from non–West Chicago residents or employees. Left: A snapshot reveals details about people who call They can also make it harder to attract new West Chicago home. businesses, particularly national retailers. Right: Analysis of business data shows opportunities for the City to grow its business base. Demographic Snapshot Largest Businesses in West Chicago Median Age West Chicago 30.2 32.8 34.4 2010 2020 2025 DuPage County 38 39.6 40.6 2010 2020 2025 Nativity 63% 38% US-born Foreign-born Languages Spoken at Home Spanish: 47% Indo-European: 5% All others: 5% English: 43% City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan 29 ===== PDF PAGE 52 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] The planning process included four In all four stages, the planning process engagement stages: strived to do the following:COMMUNITY 1. Exchange information with residents and • Meet City residents, old and new; other stakeholders, and build awareness. • Learn from the expertise of partnerENGAGEMENT government agencies and a wide variety 2. Gather information and research, and of other stakeholders; consult public opinions. West Chicago Forward launched in fall • Hear from business leaders and owners; 3. Invite residents and other stakeholders to 2020, in the middle of the COVID-19 discussions and collaborations. • Engage with the Latino community and public health crisis and the immense make the process accessible to Spanish 4. Work together to generate ideas andchallenges in its wake. Traditional speakers; and recommendations. in-person engagement activities had to • Reflect the voices of young people. be very limited, but the planning process stayed committed to reaching residents and other stakeholders in various ways. 30 City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan ===== PDF PAGE 53 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] SPOTLIGHT MUSE Community + DesignCHICAGO ARTS PARTNERSHIPS IN EDUCATION When planning for the future, it’s important MUSE Community + Design that everyone have a seat at the table. Often, though, young people are not invited to share their opinions and hopes for the future of their city. To make sure that young people felt welcomed into the planning process for MUSE Community + Design West Chicago Forward, we partnered with a summer arts program led by Chicago Arts Partnerships in Education and District 33. Throughout the program, teachers and teaching artists worked with campers to explore social awareness—what it means to be part of a community and what a community needs. During the student showcase in July, students and their families shared their ideas for a happy and healthy West Chicago and helped design streets to make everyone feel safe. MUSE Community + Design MUSE Community + Design City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan 31 ===== PDF PAGE 54 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] WHAT WE HEARD “I enjoy the history of “Me gustaría ver que esta ciudad West Chicago mixed tenga buenos cambios para “ I like living here a lot. I’ve lived in many with the fact that mesurar el futuro de nuestros states and cities, and here we have the best my family anchored hijos y se sientan orgullosos of the best. We are people who are very here decades ago.” de vivir en una comunidad de hardworking, humble, and close knit, and inmigrantes.” the schoolteachers are very dedicated." I’d like to see positive changes for this City to help the future of our children, so they feel proud to live in a community of immigrants. “West Chicago is a “Lo que más disfruto de vivir en West great town! We Chicago es que mi familia sea feliz.” need to bring shops “West Chicago es un pueblo muy and restaurants unido” What I most enjoy about living in West Chicago that represent the is that my family is happy. majority of the The people of West Chicago are very community, more united. Hispanic-owned businesses while also incorporating a nice downtown feel. We need to make West Chicago be seen for the great community it is.” 32 City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan ===== PDF PAGE 55 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] WHAT WE LOVE WHAT WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE Small-town feel Adaptive reuse Attract local tourism Support youth and opportunities for youth spaces Family orientation Activate Downtown historical properties Support different kinds Active volunteerism Boost special events Our West Chicago pride of housing options and identity Strong arts community Enhance ways to get Seek out voices who around town City pride don’t always speak upUntapped potential Create vibrant retail Bilingual and Meet people where Diversity and corridors multicultural schools they are multicultural life Cultivate civic Special events Create bridges Forest preserves and participation parks between neighbors Continue building Spanish-language communication City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan 33 ===== PDF PAGE 56 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] RECOMMENDATIONS The following pages present Policies are long-term guidance. They recommendations organized around do not have to be implemented or three themes: People, Place, and completed by a certain date or time. Economy. The recommendations will Implementation strategies are like thehelp achieve the vision, goals, and big Plan’s “to-do" list. When completed, theideas of West Chicago Forward. Some City may remove them from the Plan.recommendations appear more than The recommendations also appear in theonce to reinforce relationships between implementation matrix at the end of thepeople, place, and economy. Plan for easy tracking of progress. There are two recommendation categories: policies and implementation strategies. 34 City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan ===== PDF PAGE 57 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] RECOMMENDATIONS PEOPLE COMMUNITY HEALTH The following recommendations focus on the people of West Chicago and on maintaining a high quality of life. COMMUNITY BUILDING AND CIVIC PARTICIPATION ALIGNED SERVICES City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan 35 ===== PDF PAGE 58 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] COMMUNITY Policies Implementation Strategies • Promote decisions, strategies, and • Partner with local and regional health programs, including Healthy West providers to invite and support the workHEALTH Chicago, that focus on the health and of promotores de salud (community well-being of all of West Chicago’s health workers typical in communities residents and their access to health care, of Latin American origin) among West West Chicago is a leader in promoting information, social services, and physical Chicago residents. healthy choices and physical activity, activity and recreation. • Determine platforms and ways to reachespecially through the Healthy West Chicago • Engage public health practitioners in different population groups quickly andinitiative. West Chicago has prioritized planning processes. effectively with vital information. Deliverstrategies and actions to avoid preventable alerts, notifications, and resources acrossdiseases such as obesity and diabetes. It also • Engage in information sharing with multiple platforms (such as SMS, phone,promotes health and wellness to people of all partners about populations in need to and WhatsApp).ages. West Chicago Forward builds on and ensure that all West Chicagoans can extends those initiatives. access resources. • Continue sharing and communicating public health resources and information • Consider health-impact assessments as aIn late 2021, COVID-19 variants were still from the Centers for Disease Control and planning tool for future decision-making.affecting populations around the country. Prevention and DuPage County Health These assessments explore the potentialThe City must also be ready to face and Department with residents, businesses, impacts of any residential or commercialaddress any unforeseeable public health and others. Share other public health development on physical activity, theissues, as well as preventable disease and resources as they emerge (such as State environment, and public safety.reduced barriers to health care. or County COVID-19 assistance). • Prepare for unforeseeable future public Another ongoing challenge is social • Incorporate best practices and tools from health events and their effects on the vulnerability. This is an index developed the national COVID-19 experience into City’s residents, government, and by the Centers for Disease Control and operations and institutional knowledge economy by drawing on experiences Prevention that analyzes available data at to prepare for the future. Examples from the COVID-19 pandemic and the level of Census tract to measure factors include food banks, government analyzing how lessons learned can that are stressors on people's health, such communications, considerations for remain useful and flexible into the future. as unemployment, educational attainment, people with disabilities, community • Leverage community partners and thehouseholds that speak English "less than emergency response teams, and City’s business network to disseminatewell," access to a vehicle, and many others. volunteer management. public health information and collect A continued focus on promoting health and feedback during challenging times. wellness, will make a healthy West Chicago for everyone. 36 City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan ===== PDF PAGE 59 ===== [Extraction: OCR (rendered-page OCR)] + Work with partners to support vaccination, testing facilities, and testing db events, such as mobile vaccination. Incorporate any changes to City technology or services adopted during peak COVID-19 that will continue allowing for efficiencies without compromising quality (such as communications). Neltnor Blvd Powis Rd Incorporate COVID-19 lessons learned into a policy document specific to West Chicago that addresses future public health issues, especially for vulnerable populations. - Support local businesses that promote COVID-19 protection measures for employees, customers, and workplaces, including after updates or relaxation of federal, state, and local requirements. Social Vulnerability eser¢ Low social vulnerability by C e al S U S Tra ct i al Moderately low social vulnerability West Chicago —jorpeereetie- tenia City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan 37 ===== PDF PAGE 60 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] A HEALTHY AND ACTIVE WEST lifestyles generally and find ways to living generally via their existing connect them to City programs and communications channels. CHICAGO services that promote outdoor activity • Determine and publicize walking and and recreation. biking distances between popular • Enhance working relationships and destinations for people of all ages (such Policies collaboration with partners and as Reed-Keppler Park to the Woman’s supporters of Healthy West Chicago Christian Temperance Union Fountain • Promote decisions, strategies, and to continue cultivating a healthy West on Main Street, or a walking loop that programs that focus on the health and Chicago. passes through all public parks in West well-being of all of West Chicago’s Chicago). • Develop economic and recruitment residents and their access to health care, strategies to attract health care providers • Determine a walking route for locals social services, and physical activity and recreation. and practitioners to West Chicago. and visitors that highlights some of West Chicago’s assets and favorite places. • Develop mutually beneficial partnerships Residents and other stakeholders who to connect public health strategies and Implementation Strategies participated in West Chicago Forward programs on nutrition, food access, local identified some of these during the foods, and wellness to West Chicago’s planning process. • Continue to co-sponsor events and diverse populations. programming to support strategic • Develop an annual bike and walk-run • Encourage and celebrate physical priorities of the City and Healthy event that attracts regional visitors and activity at every turn for people of all West Chicago (such as healthy and participants (such as along the Prairie ages and abilities. active lifestyles, increased trail use, Path’s Geneva Spur or through the • Encourage walking, biking, or rolling on and expanded active transportation historic districts). streets and sidewalks, and provide easy opportunities). • Activate spaces near Turner Court as ways for residents to participate in those • Partner with businesses and oriented toward youth especially (but activities. Ease any restrictions or existing organizations to incorporate specific welcoming to all) in a way that harnesses policies that residents may perceive as goals and strategies of Healthy West young people’s creativity and preferred discouraging those activities. Chicago into offerings and programs activities (such as skateboarding and • Explore the joint use and co-location of (such as menu incentives or labeling, scooters) and is safe for businesses, future park and recreation spaces with grocer promotion of beverages other riders, cars, and others. schools and other recognized community than soft drinks, and public nutrition and connection points to encourage biking cooking classes). and walking. • Tap local businesses and organizations • Consider all goals and strategies of to distribute information and resources Healthy West Chicago for healthy on City initiatives and healthy 38 City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan ===== PDF PAGE 61 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] • Explore partnerships with the Park District and local school districts for a “Friday Night Out” youth event at Park District facilities throughout the school year. Schools and families recognize a need for youth activities. The City can sponsor or help partners provide programming, gym space, and other needs (such as refreshments and in-kind donations). Increased youth participation translates to increased family participation. • Explore ways to help strengthen connections between other government entities, the business community, and the West Chicago Park District to support sponsorships for low-cost or no-cost City of West Chicago physical activity programs, facilities, and equipment for youth and families (such as family night, bicycles, and low-cost sports). • Consult with the Park District and community organizations about working to create a network of community volunteers to lead outdoor recreation and groups visits in nearby parks and forest preserves. • Explore partnerships with local health care education programs (such as College of DuPage Health Sciences programs) to increase access to and knowledge about health care services for West Chicago residents. City of West Chicago City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan 39 ===== PDF PAGE 62 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] LOCAL AND REGIONAL Policies measures, and promote use of City logos and branding). FOODS • Explore the existing market of local and regional food production and distribution, including local and regional Implementation Strategies artisans, makers, and entrepreneurs, to be able to leverage access to these • Inventory underused areas (such as producers for West Chicago residents. vacant lots, parkways, and utility and • Demonstrate support for an emerging transportation sector rights-of-way) local and regional foods system. for repurposing (such as mobile retail, farmers’ market, and community • Improve access to locally and regionally gardens). produced foods as a healthy choice and as a community-building opportunity. • Identify existing growers, makers, and microbusinesses that could benefit from • Implement economic development being connected to a West Chicago local strategies to support grocers and and regional foods network. food outlets in sourcing from local City of West Chicago and regional growers and producers. • Consider the feasability of the broad variety of local strategies and model • Promote a local and regional ordinances developed by the Chicago food economy in West Chicago by Metropolitan Agency for Planning in its connecting and leveraging the City’s Municipal Strategies to Support Local land, entrepreneurs, and community Food Systems. organizations. The creation of a local farmers’ market with local and regional • Develop a branding and loyalty initiative vendors can support this effort. that recognizes and promotes local and regional small producers and retail • Adopt ordinances in support of urban outlets, which often are not members of agriculture and composting. Every few local chambers of commerce. Invite local years, review and update existing ones and regional makers and retail outlets or on sustainable and native landscaping as service providers to participate. needed. • Support existing community markets • Support and facilitate existing efforts that serve residents in need. Engage in for a Downtown West Chicago farmers’ information sharing with partners about City of West Chicago market or initiate a City-sponsored one populations in need to ensure that all (such as ease permitting restrictions, West Chicagoans can access resources. coordinate use of public spaces or traffic 40 City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan ===== PDF PAGE 63 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] SPOTLIGHT DOWNTOWN FARMERS’ AND ARTISANS’ MARKET West Chicagoans would love to see gathering places for eating, shopping, and spending time with neighbors. A Downtown farmers’ market, art market, boxcar market, or other regular event will bring people together. Possible locations include Turner Court and adjacent parking lots, near the site Gloria Casas, Courier-News of the 1869 Depot, and the ample sidewalks The Milk Pail–El Gran Paseo is a popular outdoor along both sides of Galena Street, from Tye food and flea market (known as the tianguis) in Court to Main Street. Markets like this are a unincorporated Kane County, near Dundee, that welcomes thousands of Latinos from across the region big part of Mexican and other international every weekend from April to October. cultures—in Spanish, these events al aire libre are sometimes known as tianguis (tee-AHN- geese). But they are also fun for everyone. Here’s what they look like in some other places. Eddie Quiñones for Chicago Reader Village of Lisle In Bridgeview, the Thai Illinois Chamber of Commerce West Chicago’s nearby neighbors Geneva, Glen sponsors a weekly market that attracts small and Ellyn, Lisle, Western Springs, and Wheaton are home micro vendors from the region and out of state. to weekend farmers’ and art markets facilitated by the same public market operator, which invites local vendors and makers to participate. City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan 41 ===== PDF PAGE 64 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] COMMUNITY MAINTAINING HOMETOWN Implementation Strategies PRIDE • Develop, promote, and mark self-guided walks or routes through West ChicagoBUILDING for residents and visitors. These can have Policies a focus on history, art, culture, food, or nature.AND CIVIC • Focus resources and attention on the • Publicize existing online guides or Downtown, and continue promoting checklists for residents and otherPARTICIPATION and encouraging events and activities stakeholders on requirements for that drive Downtown activation, such organizing and holding special events, as community art and garden projects, and ensure that guides are user-friendly.West Chicago is a diverse community of historical awareness, temporary use hardworking individuals and families who of spaces for special events and other • Review and determine where the City give back to their neighbors and community. activities, and adaptive reuse of historical may be able to ease permitting, capacity, Pride in these values and the history and buildings. and other requirements for community- distinct City character is strong. When the led special events, pop-ups, and other • Focus special events sponsored and co-City showcases community pride, leverages temporary installations to encourage sponsored by the City in the Downtown,cultural assets, and celebrates diversity, it small-scale, community-led activities and to drive activation.recognizes and values the contributions of all events. those who call West Chicago home. When • Encourage community-led activities, • Work with Fire Protection District people of all ages feel welcome and seen, pop-ups, and special events that bring and Police Department personnel to they are more likely to participate broadly neighbors together and explicitly evaluate and update existing capacity across all areas of City life. welcome all West Chicagoans to requirements and other compliance participate. issues for outdoor special events.Using many platforms to communicate • Evaluate and clarify ways that the Citywith residents and partners about City • Coordinate or sponsor a semi-annual can support community-led projects,information and services makes it easier for or annual day of City-wide community including the City’s internal processesresidents to be informed and participate. service to bring neighbors and and requirements for special eventsIncreased civic participation leads to more community members together. permitting.informed residents, making it easier for the • Increase the sale of branded West City to reach residents, too. Increased civic • Ensure that City-sponsored special events Chicago merchandise (such as coffee participation also builds community and adapt and evolve in line with resident cups and T-shirts) that appeals to a wide facilitates social trust. It is mutually beneficial interests and feedback. variety of West Chicago residents and for the City and residents because it increases visitors. Build on-the-street recognition volunteerism, voter participation, local pride, and pride while enhancing the City and more. Museum’s small revenue stream. 42 City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan ===== PDF PAGE 65 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] • Partner with local businesses to create a weekly or biweekly “Showcase Night Out” with food vendors and local music to bring residents Downtown. • Continue to partner with local schools and organizations to showcase youth art, music, and other cultural activities across the City in City-owned or City- accessible spaces. • Provide brief surveys to residents to evaluate existing events and determine new ones that appeal to community members’ interests. City of West Chicago Mexican Cultural Center DuPage City of West Chicago City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan 43 ===== PDF PAGE 66 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] COMMUNITY DIVERSITY • Encourage community-led activities, business alliances, and local official pop-ups, and special events that bring training), programming, and other neighbors together and explicitly opportunities. welcome all West Chicagoans toPolicies • Partner with local organizations to participate. celebrate diversity and participate in • Build on West Chicago’s enormous • Prioritize public spaces (such as events such as traditional December asset of community diversity to cultivate Downtown and parks) that create youth- posadas (holiday parties), which provide a widely recognized environment of friendly gathering spaces to promote a good opportunity for open houses and welcoming, access, and trust for all. welcoming young people into West reaching residents in other ways. Chicago’s public spaces and civic life. • Demonstrate commitment to diversity • Continue to focus resources on supporting and cultural awareness across all organizers and expanding capacity and City Departments, and help promote communications around the September Implementation Strategies Mexican Independence Day celebrations connections and partnerships that leverage resources and involvement of held in West Chicago. • Adopt a "welcoming city" ordinance for the City’s diverse population. • Explore the possibility of an additional the City of West Chicago to recognize the • Encourage civic participation and sister cities exchange relationship, legal rights and contributions of all West leadership that is reflective of West particularly one in Mexico, and other Chicagoans. Chicago’s population, including young cultural festivals or pop-ups that pertain • Adopt a City of West Chicago Statement to all of West Chicago’s diversity. people. on Inclusion and Diversity. • Promote West Chicago regionally as • Consult with youth and youth-serving • Encourage City of West Chicago staff and organizations about ways to reach young home to one of the largest Mexican leaders, as well as partner government people successfully through different American communities in Chicagoland. agencies and other stakeholders, to communication channels in order to • Celebrate and promote West Chicago’s increase cultural awareness by attending publicize programs, initiatives, and many cultural opportunities and assets immersive, informational programming partnerships that invite West Chicago in all official decisions, policies, and or special events on culture, history, and youth to serve the City, volunteer, learn programming. diverse populations in West Chicago. about City government, and actively • Focus on West Chicago’s diverse personal • Partner with and support Mexican participate. and institutional narratives in all City American cultural organizations (such communications (such as spotlights on as Federación de Clubes Michoacanos personal stories and experiences) to en Illinois/Casa Michoacán’s June increase awareness and build bridges. festival month) to expand and promote communications and cross-cultural partnerships (such as sister cities, 44 City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan ===== PDF PAGE 67 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] • Invite youth to a participatory social media strategy for the City that showcases youth voices on social media. SPOTLIGHT For example, launch of a Snapchat campaign and filter, youth-produced YouTube videos, photography contests on Instagram, or a TikTok challenge or DECLARING A COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY video campaign. • Encourage block parties and other “Welcoming city” ordinances and resident-led events to promote commitments to diversity are officially community and build bridges between adopted statements recognizing the neighbors. legal rights of all immigrants and • Implement spotlight features across all also a City’s diversity as an asset. communications platforms that present These statements publicly value the personal narratives and expertise of a contributions and experiences of all wide variety of West Chicago residents. residents, and especially those who may not have an official immigration status. The reality is that it's hard to know how many community members aren't Daily Herald comfortable fully participating because of fears about immigration and deportation. Welcoming ordinances can help ease some of that fear. They help increase civic participation and outreach by making all residents feel safer in using services. For example, some people may feel more comfortable visiting their child at school, calling 911 when needed, accessing public resources, or attending City-sponsored events. Highly diverse communities that have Umiya Mataji Sanstha Chicago Midwest / Asian Media USA adopted welcoming ordinances include Evanston, Berwyn, Oak Park, Bloomington, and Normal. City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan 45 ===== PDF PAGE 68 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] COMMUNICATIONS TO Implementation Strategies • Develop a campaign to welcome residents to get to know City staff BOOST ENGAGEMENT • Add capabilities for direct mail, SMS/text and roles by creating and publishing updates, and WhatsApp groups (used by individual spotlights in social media or many Spanish speakers and people of the newsletter. Policies international heritage across the region). • Create a bilingual hard-copy and online • Increase functionality, interactivity, and services directory that establishes City • Communicate with West Chicago intergenerational appeal of Facebook, of West Chicago services, roles, and residents and other stakeholders using Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube posts. responsibilities. The directory can point the broadest possible variety of methods residents to other partner government and platforms to ensure accessibility • Launch an official TikTok account and agencies at the City, County, and State and reach every West Chicagoan with develop campaigns by City of West levels (such as Park District and public City information, resources, and ways to Chicago Department staff and partners schools) and help them know where to participate in the City’s civic and social to educate and entertain residents and turn for particular services or supports. life. other stakeholders. • Improve existing community and • Expand capacity and availability of • Aim for the effective communication events calendars for interactivity and all communications and resources in of all City information and materials in engagement (such as incorporating languages other than English. Spanish, and in other languages where graphics; at-a-glance event descriptions possible. An important way to achieve • Maximize outreach and communication and highlights; essential audience this is to work to translate all available about City news, alerts, and events to information; community posting; and communications; over time, the city may residents during in-person and online direct links to social media). Event discover other cost-effective strategies to special events. information should be easily accessible reach non-English-speaking audiences. and available outside of a desktop • Incorporate Spanish-language website, including through mobile phone communication, engagement, and and in person (such as a hard-copy outreach efforts into communications calendar or community board available across City Departments to enhance at City Hall or another public space). communications with the Latino community. • Develop and distribute materials about serving West Chicago or volunteering in public, business, or nonprofit leadership roles. 46 City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan ===== PDF PAGE 69 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] INCREASED CIVIC Implementation Strategies PARTICIPATION • Ensure that meeting times and lengths are accessible to a range of residents and that Spanish interpretation is Policies available. Make available interpretation and materials in other languages when • Include and welcome residents of all possible. ages into the City’s policy-making • Establish a youth advisory council to processes. cultivate leadership skills, improve civic • Consider ways to increase accessibility of participation of young people and their ways to participate and be involved. families, and benefit the City by hearing • Welcome and invite young people and new perspectives and concerns. their perspectives and concerns into City • Seek out and support a network of affairs and spaces. volunteer West Chicago community • Strategically align City efforts with “ambassadors” or “docents” existing ones to provide young people for community information, with educational, recreational, and recommendations, and tours. volunteer opportunities. • Involve youth in cultivating local pride • Proactively increase civic participation of through a program of youth-led City West Chicago’s Latino and multicultural tours for residents and neighboring communities through demonstrated communities. efforts to learn about the communities, • Host an annual open house at City Hall engagement, and accessibility. to communicate that all West Chicago • Consult with schools and youth-focused residents are welcome at City Hall. This organizations to find ways to increase can help clarify and educate about City student involvement and enthusiasm in services, roles, and responsibilities. public affairs (such as City government, • Livestream City Council across various community event planning, and student media platforms. advisory council). City of West Chicago City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan 47 ===== PDF PAGE 70 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] shared priorities and resource distribution. • Communicate the City’s roles and Moreover, clearly defining the role of the responsibilities to residents to clarify theALIGNED SERVICES City generally and the responsibilities of City City’s role and responsibilities and help Departments can contribute to knowledge direct residents to appropriate resources. building and increased civic participation.When the City builds partnerships with The outcomes are greater community trust,other government agencies and across civic awareness and participation, cost Implementation StrategiesDepartments, it streamlines services for savings, and relationship building throughgreater efficiency, saves money, and makes partnerships and collaboration. • Establish an informational app for theservice delivery easier. This allows the City to have more capacity to prioritize staff City of West Chicago that coordinates time and resources. Collaboration and across City Departments. The app can coordination across organizations and Policies directly connect residents to needed City service providers result in creative ways services and resources. For maximum to achieve a unified, trusted government • Continue to encourage collaboration reach and functionality, the City should presence. They also promote shared and participate in alliances between seek to partner with other government priorities. government agencies, Departments, and agencies to incorporate their services. nonprofit organizations that serve West Aligning and coordinating services Chicago. increases the impact of policies through City of West Chicago City of West Chicago City of West Chicago 48 City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan ===== PDF PAGE 71 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] • Create and disseminate via various platforms messaging in English and Spanish to clarify the City’s services, SPOTLIGHT roles, and responsibilities. Direct residents to partner government agencies at City, County, and State levels (including the Park District and public schools) for help in particular services or support. • Publicly recognize partner government WEGO TOGETHER FOR KIDS agencies (such as West Chicago Park District and West Chicago public school districts) and nonprofit organizations WeGo Together for Kids is a District by sharing information and celebrating WeGo Together for Kids 33 initiative that supports the “health, their successes and milestones in City of safety, learning and social-emotional West Chicago communications channels. well-being of children and families” This can strengthen communications and who live in West Chicago. With understanding among all parties. impressively broad reach, WeGo Together unites more than 50 County• Provide City staff time across and local organizations in the areas Departments to participate in WeGo of academic achievement, youth Together for Kids. District 33 school and family health, early childhood, administrators support a broad-based community engagement, economically network of City and County partners stable families, and emergency and organizations that serve children preparedness. and families in West Chicago’s public elementary school district. Participation WeGo Together for Kids West Chicago Forward’s vision of of City administrators and Department the City’s future also depends on the staff will increase awareness of pressing various aspects of well-being for socioeconomic issues facing West youth and families. Finding additional Chicagoans, build relationships, and ways to tie the recommendations in provide a venue for communicating this Comprehensive Plan to the work about City news, services, and events for already being done in the community youth and families. and efforts like WeGo Together for Kids can help guarantee the success of West Chicago Forward. City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan 49 ===== PDF PAGE 72 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] RECOMMENDATIONS LAND USE AND ZONINGPLACE The following recommendations focus on the physical aspects of West Chicago, including land, infrastructure, transportation, and natural areas. PLACEMAKING TRAIL-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT ADAPTIVE REUSE HOUSING CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS 50 City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan ===== PDF PAGE 73 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] • strengthens industrial areas and job reason. Some industrial and commercial centers; and uses have a detrimental impact onLAND USE AND residential uses. Over the past 20 years, • connects open spaces and recreational though, thoughts around zoning have amenities to residents and economicZONING changed. Strict separation is perhaps not as development. urgent as it was before. Today there is more Land use and zoning are complementary emphasis on design and compatibility than The City of West Chicago has a long history ideas, but there are essential differences on use alone. of combining small-town life with progress— between the two. Land use refers to the use particularly when it comes to industry and or intended use of a particular property. Zoning is among the most powerful tools the railroad. West Chicago’s patterns of Zoning is the regulatory tool to permit available for implementing the vision and development reflect these trends to this day. and enforce that use. Appreciating the goals of West Chicago Forward. The City’s Vast natural areas, large-scale physical differences between them and how they current Zoning Ordinance contains 14 improvements such as the DuPage Airport, interact and work together provides people distinct zoning districts, eight of which are and major roads like North Avenue, Neltnor interested in change with precise language residential. Because the City is nearly built Boulevard, and Roosevelt Road—all of these to describe opportunities and constraints. out, revisions to the Zoning Ordinance will influence its development patterns. make its use easier for property owners and As West Chicago expanded from its developers as well as City staff and decision The Land Use Plan in this section seeks railroad-centered origin, land use and makers. to build on the City’s assets and existing development patterns took on many forms. patterns to guide decision-making for future There are intact residential neighborhoods, This Land Use Plan offers policy guidance development and redevelopment. West both historical and new, throughout the and recommendations that reflect West Chicago is a nearly built-out, mature City. City. The DuPage Airport at the City’s Chicago’s past, present, and future to Because of that, strategic decisions for infill western edge influences the attraction and achieve and maintain a livable and development and redevelopment are the retention of nearby businesses. Commercial functional City. It also describes the intended clearest way to achieve the vision and goals corridors, which are notable for developing uses of land in West Chicago. of this Plan. along major streets and being oriented to The following sections include future land drivers, exist along North Avenue, NeltnorSpecifically, the Land Use Plan in this section use categories and recommendations Boulevard, and Roosevelt Road.does the following: for zoning and policy changes to best implement the Land Use Plan. All • clarifies opportunities for desired growth As West Chicago plans for its future, it is recommendations come from existing and change; essential to consider where to expect certain conditions, past planning efforts, and land uses to remain in place and where to • aligns resources toward Downtown; community engagement during the West encourage change. • maintains and enhances the character Chicago Forward planning process. and charm of existing neighborhoods; Zoning historically has been used to strictly separate types of land use, and with good City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan 51 ===== PDF PAGE 74 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] DOWNTOWN Policies Implementation Strategies Downtowns are special places. West • Downtown should include residential, • Determine the best sites for small-scale Chicago’s Downtown developed around civic, office, services, and retail uses. infill development and redevelopment. railroad access, and the City's Downtown • Downtown should be easy to walk • Expand the list of permitted uses in the B-1still has a small-town character in its retail and bike to and through with trails and Central Business District to accommodateand service uses. Downtown should continue walkways. broader services, entertainment, andto be the principal gathering place for residential uses.West Chicago. The City should expand • As properties redevelop, encourage permitted uses there, use Downtown to focus the highest residential densities within • Revisit bulk requirements in the B-1 District on community events, and aggressively walking distance of the Metra Station. to allow for greater height, density, and attract, retain, and expand businesses there. • Incorporate open spaces Downtown intensity. Downtown should be a mixed-use area that for passive and active recreation for all • Continue to implement recommendations includes residential uses in addition to goods ages. and updates to the Central–Main Street and services that appeal to residents and Redevelopment Plan. • Create policies, programs, and eventsvisitors. that reinforce Downtown as the heart of • Expand mobile vendors as a permitted West Chicago. use beyond the M District to all B Districts. Muse Community + Design MUSE Community + Design 52 City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan ===== PDF PAGE 75 ===== [Extraction: OCR (rendered-page OCR)] 2021 Zoning Districts Legend R-| Single-Family Residential B-| Central Business R-2 Single-Family Residential EF] B-2 General Business R-3 Single-Family Residential yy B-3 Regional Shopping R-4 Single-Family Residential M Manufacturing R-5 Single-Family Residential JJ ORI Office, Research, Light Industrial HY 8-6 Multi-Family Residential A Airport ER-I Estate Residential Elm Road Overlay District PUD Planned Unit Development Neltnor Blvd rossing:Rd G City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan 53 ===== PDF PAGE 76 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL Policies Implementation Strategies • In established neighborhoods, maintain More than 40% of land in the City is zoned • Consider regulating residential zoning the existing character and development single-family residential. Single-family by form rather than use and density for pattern. residential areas include primarily single- future updates to the Zoning Ordinance. family homes but may include low-density • Ensure that the City maintains a diversity This will help achieve a diversity of duplexes, attached single-family homes, and of housing types to attract and retain housing that maintains the established neighborhood services. residents at all stages of life. neighborhood character. • Ensure that new development isIn established neighborhoods, this land • Review the Zoning Ordinance for compatible with existing residentialuse is not likely to change. The Land Use opportunities to simplify the development neighborhoods, including density, access,Plan identifies these areas to preserve and process and make it easier to administer. and buffering of any negative impacts.protect these neighborhoods. However, This includes whether bulk requirements there is an opportunity in single-family • Ensure that new development considers (such as minimum lot width) that currently areas to encourage “gentle density” by connections on foot and by bike for vary in residential districts can be made revising the Zoning Ordinance to allow residents of all ages. consistent. for a greater diversity of uses and housing • Ensure that single-family residential • Consider appropriate zoning districts for types compatible with intact single-family areas provide easy access to parks and accessory dwelling units. neighborhoods. open spaces. • Consider reducing the minimum lot area per dwelling to accommodate a greater variety of housing types. • Consider expanding the list of permitted uses in single-family zoning districts to include compatible uses beyond detached, single-family homes. Examples may include allowing multi-family properties compatible with the scale and character of existing neighborhoods, and supportive services such as daycares, particularly in the R-5 District. MUSE Community + Design Redfin 54 City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan ===== PDF PAGE 77 ===== [Extraction: OCR (rendered-page OCR)] Current Land Use & Legend || Institutional Single-Family Residential || Multi-Family Residential (medium density) || DuPage Airport || Multi-Family Residential (high density) a) Agriculture 9 Local Open Space ‘i iil Other Open Space | Regional Open Space Vacant Transportation/Communication Municipal Boundary City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan 55 ===== PDF PAGE 78 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL Policies Implementation Strategies • Ensure that the City maintains a diversity Multi-family residential areas are • Revise the Zoning Ordinance to allow for of housing types to attract and retain predominantly on the City’s north and a greater variety of multi-family uses in people at all stages of life. east sides. Compared with single-family commercial districts as permitted uses. residential districts, they account for a small • Ensure that new development is • Reduce the minimum lot size of 5,000percentage of the City’s total residential compatible with existing residential square feet in the R-6 District to allowareas. neighborhoods, including density, access, for more variety in multi-family housing and buffering of any negative impacts. A range of densities and forms characterize types. • Ensure that new development considers multi-family residential areas, including • Reduce the front-yard requirements in connections on foot and by bike for duplexes, attached housing, multi-unit the R-6 District to reinforce walkable, residents of all ages. buildings, and large multi-unit developments. compact development. Multi-family areas should include or provide • Ensure that multi-family residential areas • Allow for greater maximum lot coverageeasy connections to goods and services. provide easy access to parks and open in the R-6 District, detailed in the spaces. Central–Main Street Redevelopment Plan, to allow more walkable, compact development near Downtown. • Improve connections to outlying apartment complexes (such as Aspen Ridge Apartments, Towne & Country Apartments, and Timber Lake Apartments). MUSE Community + Design 56 City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan ===== PDF PAGE 79 ===== [Extraction: OCR (rendered-page OCR)] Future Land Use Legend Parks and Open Space Single-Family Residential Multi-Family Residential | Institutional yy Industrial Corridor Commercial || Downtown || DuPage Airport Municipal Boundary Neltnor Blvd \ = 10} =) z Arbor Av" [Egrince Crossing-Rd. City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan 57 ===== PDF PAGE 80 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] CORRIDOR COMMERCIAL • Promote the use of shared parking areas • Consider reducing the minimum lot area and agreements to reduce the amount for nursing homes and senior housing West Chicago’s commercial streets are well of land dedicated to surface parking to allow greater housing diversity established, especially along North Avenue, and offer convenience to shoppers and as residents “age in place.” Aging in Neltnor Boulevard, and Roosevelt Road. visitors. place refers to seniors’ ability to live Commercial corridors provide convenience independently in their own home and and offer a variety of goods and services, community. and most consumers arrive by automobile. Implementation Strategies • Consider reducing parking requirements The development pattern involves larger- to ensure compatibility with land use scale uses that may stand alone or be part of • Expand mobile vendors as a permitted and housing affordability goals. For a multi-tenant building. use beyond the M District to all B districts. example, ratios for restaurants (10 spaces per 1,000 square feet) and residentialPolicies • Consider reducing the minimum lot area uses (2 spaces per unit) may not align for the B-2 District to encourage smaller, • Continue to provide a range of goods with current market trends. This may more incremental redevelopment. and services in commercial corridor inadvertently drive up development areas, including opportunities for costs. residential development. • As redevelopment opportunities arise, cluster retail development near key intersections: • Roosevelt Road (Central Manufacturing District) • Neltnor Boulevard at Roosevelt Road, Washington Street, and North Avenue • Neltnor Boulevard between Hawthorne Lane and Arbor Avenue. • Consolidate curb cuts and access points for new development and redevelopment where possible. • Ensure that cross-access agreements (combined entry and exit points) are in place to improve circulation. City of West Chicago MUSE Community + Design 58 City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan ===== PDF PAGE 81 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] PARKS AND OPEN SPACES Implementation Strategies • Ensure that regular Planned Unit Development reviews encourage and The quality of parks and open spaces • Create a Parks and Open Space Zoning incentivize the provision of public open distinguishes West Chicago. The Zoning District and include permitted and special space over the long term, whether Ordinance and future development patterns uses in the District that help activate publicly or privately owned. should reflect that distinction. A new Parks spaces and support overall economic • Expand the City’s green infrastructure and Open Space Zoning District will clarify development. network consistent with principles of the current and intended use of these parcels. • Expand mobile vendors as a permitted low-impact development: incorporatingThe new designation should include publicly use in the newly created Parks and Open vegetation, soils, and engineeredand privately owned spaces for passive and Space District. solutions (such as bioswales andactive recreation. stormwater curb extensions) to mimic • Create an inventory of sites for natural processes. temporary activations of open space and pilot programs. This is a cost-effective • Consider developing a GreenPolicies way to assess long-term opportunities for Infrastructure Plan to inform capital permanent improvements. projects, development efforts, land use • Support and expand partnerships (such regulations, and public works activities. as DuPage Forest Preserve District and West Chicago Park District) to provide environmental education, stewardship, and outdoor recreation programming. • Improve connectivity between forest preserves and West Chicago neighborhoods (such as improved wayfinding, signage, access points, marketing, and outreach). • Create small-scale “parklets” in neighborhoods and Downtown by activating underused spaces. • Consider water quality and ecological health when making decisions that will impact future development type, pattern, and intensity. • Increase density in already-developed areas to preserve and expand opportunities to create open space. City of West Chicago City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan 59 ===== PDF PAGE 82 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] INDUSTRIAL Implementation Strategies As large-scale economic trends continue • Combine the Manufacturing and ORI to influence ideas about industrial uses and (Office/Research/Light Industrial) Zoning development, flexibility is critical. Industrial Districts into a single, comprehensive areas and employment centers may include district focusing on employment and offices, logistics facilities, and manufacturing. improved truck circulation. They are destinations for employees from • Expand permitted uses to includeoutside municipal limits, customers, and workforce-supportive service and retaildelivery trucks. Industrial areas should (such as childcare and fitness centers).include compatible uses and services to support businesses and employees. These • Expand permitted uses to encourage may include childcare centers, restaurants, incubation of emerging businesses. and recreational activities. • Continue to work with DuPage County and the Illinois Department of Transportation to coordinate Policies improvements and improve vehicle circulation. • Maintain the integrity of industrial areas by limiting uses compatible with industrial, logistics, and office uses. • Ensure that cross-access agreements (combined entry and exit points) are in place to provide improved circulation. • Promote the use of shared parking areas and agreements to reduce the amount of land dedicated to surface parking and offer convenience. • Coordinate public-sector infrastructure investments to maintain high-quality and functional industrial areas. MUSE Community + Design Chong L. Antioch Garden Club 60 City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan ===== PDF PAGE 83 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] AIRPORT Policies Implementation Strategy DuPage Airport is an important driver of • Maintain strong ties with the DuPage • Review permitted uses in the Airport and economic development, and the DuPage Airport Authority. Review Airport ORI (Office/Research/Light Industrial) Airport Authority is an important partner Master Plan Recommendations, when Zoning Districts to better capitalize on in the future success of West Chicago. The available, to determine the feasability of commercial development opportunities airport itself—the field and hangars—require incorporating them into future planning and airport-supportive uses. special care, including Federal Aviation efforts. Administration requirements. The Airport • Ensure that the transportation networkLand Use and Zoning District should continue supports evolving airport needs.providing these protections, clarifying regulations and policies that support the airport, and allowing complementary businesses to continue locating nearby. City of West Chicago International Flying Club City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan 61 ===== PDF PAGE 84 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] PLACEMAKING Policies Implementation Strategies • Celebrate West Chicago’s diversity by • Communicate through City messaging, creating opportunities for neighborhood branding, and other communications that gateways, public art, murals, sculptures, Downtown West Chicago is a multi-usePlacemaking bundles strategies to activate and artistic exhibitions. destination.public spaces in ways that reflect community identity and invite community participation. • Continue and expand efforts to beautify • Programs such as Plant Trees for Downtown West Chicago is a canvas for Downtown West Chicago. Communities and streetscaping at the additional exciting, colorful, beautiful, Woman’s Christian Temperance Union • Encourage residents to take a fresh look participatory spaces that attract and inspire fountain created inviting spaces. New at their neighborhoods and contribute residents and visitors. efforts can identify major corridors ways to activate them and invite in to improve community-informed residents and visitors.Placemaking is fun and interactive. It streetscaping, branding, wayfinding encourages residents to see familiar spaces • Encourage and invite temporary signage, lighting, and other infrastructure in new ways. It can bring neighbors together. placemaking activities focused on improvements following City and Illinois Existing unique assets like the Turner gathering people together, such as Department of Transportation guidelines. Court streetscape or the wide sidewalks farmers’ or pop-up markets, installations of Main Street offer plentiful placemaking or programming, events, festivals, • Identify City-owned properties opportunities. sports, and outdoor activities, to increase Downtown for art showcases or murals and connect with local artists and others the number of people Downtown and Placemaking furthers local pride, economic to activate. support the local economy. development and growth, and private • Support restaurants’ and other vendors’investment. It also improves public health • Maximize “rewarding” walking and outdoor offerings during three or fourand public safety, and it can encourage biking experiences Downtown (such as seasons. Provide incentives for localresidents to participate in conversations arts, destinations, visual interest, farmers’ restaurants, such as funding to coverabout how to use public spaces. A willingness markets, and other events). expenses associated with outdoor dining. to encourage new ideas and try out new • Celebrate community pride and programs and ways of implementing projects partnerships in the arts to spur additional • Consider a weekly event like “Food Truck will reverberate throughout the City and development and investment. Night,” for food trucks from around the broadly promote West Chicago as the place region to set up Downtown. Determine • Promote Downtown as the primaryits residents already know and love. other potential times and locations for events space to contribute to and build food trucks to gather. Downtown’s character. • Provide brief surveys to residents to • Identify, encourage, and promote spaces evaluate existing events and determine specifically for or designed by youth. new ones that appeal to community members’ interests. 62 City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan ===== PDF PAGE 85 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] • To ensure successful mobile vending, consider instating permitting and licensing fees, requiring a DuPage County SPOTLIGHT Health Department Annual Mobile Food Vendor Permit, exempting individual vendors (such as popsicle or produce Top: Teens in Portage, Wisconsin, organized to create a skatepark vendors), or limiting times and days of in vacant spaces in the city's permitted vending. downtown area. • Maximize special events programming Bottom: Bolingbrook's Indian by permitting additional one-day or Boundary Skatepark invites kids of weekend-long events (such as an art or all ages on boards and bikes. music festival). • Activate spaces near Turner Court as TEENS TAKE OVER oriented toward youth especially (but Jen McCoy / Portage Daily Register welcoming to all) in a way that harnesses The parking lots and grassy areas young people’s creativity and is safe for between the West Chicago Metra Station businesses, skateboarders, cars, and and Washington Street prohibit biking, others. skateboarding, and scooters. Even with Reed-Keppler Park's ample skatepark,• Identify indoor and outdoor public the City can explore partnerships to market locations to stimulate the local close off these spaces occasionally to economy, improve the built environment, accommodate different kids of youth- and encourage new developers to friendly physical activity. This will help provide a holistic approach to public activate Turner Court by bringing young spaces for the community to enjoy safe people and families with children into the and healthy outdoor activities. area. • Continue to support Downtown transit-oriented development (TOD) Some West Chicago parents indicated by collaborating with Metra and other a need for youth activities. Events transportation agencies and property Downtown could increase participation owners to maximize available real and use of amenities and parks in other estate, including parking lots owned by parts of the City. They provide spaces to the City and the Regional Transportation educate young people about pedestrian, Authority. biking, and traffic safety. And they can go a long way toward making everyone feel welcome in Downtown spaces. Bolingbrook Park District City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan 63 ===== PDF PAGE 86 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] SPOTLIGHT Top: A ping-pong table in an underused space in Chicago's Boxville at 51st Street invites people to spend more time in the colorful neighborhood space. Middle: Inauguration of a mural created by 20 local youth in Bloomington, Illinois. Bottom: Mundelein's Fremont Public Library held a chalk art contest on public sidewalks for local teens. FOR THE 'GRAM Eric Allix Rogers Downtown West Chicago has many spaces with the potential to come alive with color and go “viral” on social media. Many placemaking strategies are relatively inexpensive and straightforward—and the whole community can get involved in bringing them to life: • Murals • Temporary crosswalks Kevin Barlow / Pantagraph • Spray-chalk walking tours and bike • Art-inspired signage for the lanes Downtown tunnel • Pop-up small parks with activities • Community-tended planters and gardens • Public art • Scavenger hunts via QR code • Street surface treatments like dots and other art Fremont Public Library 64 City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan ===== PDF PAGE 87 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] SPOTLIGHT FOOD TRUCK NIGHTS Aurora Dowtown People love food trucks because they’re a fun and affordable way to try new flavors from around the world and to meet with friends and family. Monthly “food truck nights” in City-owned parking lots can create a festive atmosphere and excitement about Downtown West Chicago. The City’s existing contacts through West Chicago Food Festival can Visit Sheboygan help make this a reality. Historic Turner Court is an ideal backdrop for showing Top: Aurora shifted its Food Truck Friday events to a monthly food truck gathering in the off West Chicago’s assets to residents and downtown area. on social media. Middle: Vollrath Park in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, hosts Food Truck Mondays, where residents purchase food and bring lawn chairs and games to spend time with family and neighbors. Bottom: Lake Zurich hosts “Block a Food” food- truck socials on Wednesdays through summer and fall that attract 200–300 people each week. The village also promotes fixed-address eateries as part of its events promotions. Village of Lake Zurich City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan 65 ===== PDF PAGE 88 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] Policies Partners may include the West Chicago Park District, the Forest PreserveTRAIL-ORIENTED • Collaborate with local entities, small District of DuPage County, SCARCE (an business owners, real estate agencies, environmental education nonprofit inDEVELOPMENT local organizations, financial entities, DuPage County), Openlands (a regional chambers of commerce, and interest conservation organization), and others. groups to develop a recreational multi- • Develop a combined transit- and trail-Trail-oriented development draws on ideas use destination that will attract new oriented development strategy.of active transportation, transit-oriented investment and provide the community development, and “trail towns.” The key • Develop amenities to attract and support with high-quality open space. ingredients of a trail town are having a trail users (such as outdoor furniture, • Plan new development, programs, and shaded rest stops, and water refills).robust local business district, supporting events to highlight the West Chicagothriving local businesses, developing real • Promote West Chicago as a premier portion of Illinois Prairie Path’s Genevaestate, and finding funding. destination for DuPage County trail users, Spur as a must-stop destination for trail bike riders, and nature lovers, and asOne of West Chicago’s greatest assets is its users. an ideal trailhead (starting and endingaccess to trails and green space, including • Promote the Downtown Retail and point) for trail access.the Prairie Path and other regional trails. Restaurant Business Grant Program The City can position itself as a hub of locally and regionally to attract recreational activity, trails, and trail-oriented businesses and restaurants to trail-side retail and services in DuPage County and and Downtown locations. the western suburbs. The City can also draw • Develop local bike/walk connectionson existing strategies such as promoting through infrastructure, public amenities,transit-oriented development and mixed-use and wayfinding in Downtown Westdevelopment to support this. Chicago to attract other uses and visitors. Activating trails and Prairie Path access • Program and build partnerships around in Downtown West Chicago also goes a trail events, such as local races, 5K long way toward stimulating Downtown walk/runs, and nature or history walks. activity and gatherings, and other key • Coordinate West Chicago’s local bikewayrecommendations of West Chicago Forward. and trail improvements with regional improvements to improve overall connectivity and access. • Collaborate with local and regional partners to ensure safety and enhance the built environment for the community. 666666 CityCityCity ofofof WestWestWest ChicagoChicagoChicago ComprehensiveComprehensiveComprehensive PlanPlanPlan ===== PDF PAGE 89 ===== [Extraction: OCR (rendered-page OCR)] —— mae tht ‘i uh al P) ed Lo. Ee. iS Be Om a —— SS = Antero Group — pour 2 “eo Ww AN iy TiN Hs A ‘a ty P4 re a 4s ras y \ ei \ oe Po @ yes > S Te +t ry 37, tras frit & we) 57 Ws Le Pm 1 if h ey “4 4 Kot & tr ¥ ee it +I ei ar Dup, (¢@ ‘AGE ) a oh Ri d TR Yep RI ER | Ls Att ¥ Pek P a ge FD Ss | Wax wes LAN to TL) “93 (¢ w AS”, Ls } = to nigh 44 > hi PES a2 oS road 1 miles — aa SE i an) AL st, 49 | a 1A, = a 1 a) oz. Les, ws mpnity + Design oe a MUSE Community + Design City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan 67 > | | ===== PDF PAGE 90 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] Implementation Strategies • Use bikeway signage and wayfinding as • Incentivize and encourage efforts by the well as pavement treatments to enhance local and regional business community • Partner with DuPage County and the trail users’ safety and comfort between to open a family-friendly restaurant or Illinois Department of Transportation Wilson Avenue and Prince Crossing craft brewery or brew pub in Downtown to improve or incorporate bike and Road. West Chicago. If possible, the brewery pedestrian facilities into forthcoming • The Illinois Prairie Path’s Geneva should be near the Prairie Path to infrastructure projects. Spur crosses Prince Crossing Road support maximum economic benefit for Downtown West Chicago. • Work with the DuPage County Division of immediately south of Main Street, which Transportation to complete the following has no traffic signal. Prince Crossing • Coordinate annual bike events and proposed regional trails and local Road is a county road and federal- walking tours with various local and bikeways projects: aid-eligible road (FAU 2536). Possible regional partners to encourage crossing improvements include high- community engagement and • DuPage Technology Corridor Trail visibility crosswalks, advanced warning participation around improving • West Branch DuPage River Trail signs, actuated warning beacons, and walkability and bicycle infrastructure • Great Western Trail Extension signals. The City will need to coordinate throughout the City. the design and construction of any • Local bikeway projects (Winfield • Develop a sidewalk and bicycle network improvements with the DuPage County Road, Jewell Road, Prince Crossing to connect and improve access to parks, Division of Transportation. Road, Main Street, Blair/Factory/ outdoor spaces, and recreational Joliet Streets, and Kautz Road) • Both Illinois Prairie Path spurs cross facilities. For example, complete Neltnor Boulevard, a busy arterial and sidewalks around the West Chicago • Determine new potential locations to truck route under Illinois Department Prairie or locally designated “rail trails” improve and extend existing trails, trail- of Transportation (IDOT) jurisdiction. near the Union Pacific–West, Metra, and oriented businesses and services, and While IDOT’s jurisdiction introduces Canadian National rights-of-way. rest stops and access points. Amenities additional design constraints and review may include wayfinding for West Chicago requirements, it is possible to implement destinations and businesses, separate well-designed bike and pedestrian Prairie Path bike and pedestrian lanes facilities. Any improvements will need to through Turner Court, support for trail align with the Manual on Uniform Traffic extensions, and promotion of other Control Devices and IDOT’s guidelines regional trails such as the DuPage River and regulations (such as Bureau of Design Trail and Fox River Trail. and Environment Manual, or IDOT Local Roads and Streets Manual). 68 City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan ===== PDF PAGE 91 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] Top: A train depot on Missouri’s Katy Trail was retrofitted with bathrooms, benches, and a bike repair station for trail users. SPOTLIGHT Middle: The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning is providing corridor planning support along the Prairie Path as part of its Local Technical Assistance programming to the villages of Hillside and Berkeley. Bottom: A historic train depot in south suburban Flossmoor was adapted by a restaurant and brew pub that offers community programming. Justin Barr / St. Louis Magazine RIDING THE TRAILS The 61-mile Prairie Path was the first Forest Preserves, Fermi National Accelerator successful rails-to-trails conversion in North Laboratory, and along the Fox River. America. Today it connects users to scenic Trails can increase property values, boosttrails across the region. The Prairie Path’s local spending, improve transportationGeneva Spur runs right through Downtown options, attract new residents andWest Chicago, and the Elgin Spur runs businesses, offer no-cost recreation to CMAPthrough the north portion of the City as well. families, and support conservation.Trail users enjoy scenic natural views, arrive at Downtown West Chicago restaurants West Chicago can boost itself as a trailhead and businesses in under 30 minutes from and a must-stop destination by focusing on the trailhead in Wheaton, and connect to development that benefits a trail economy. communities on the Fox River and the Fox River Trail in less than an hour. West Chicago is also home to the Central, Southwest, and Northwest DuPage County Rail-Trail Loops and the DuPage River Trail, and near other trails in the DuPage County Flossmoor Station Restaurant and Brewery City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan 69 ===== PDF PAGE 92 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] ADAPTIVE REUSE Policies Implementation Strategies • Partner with regional and national • Coordinate a showcase event (such as groups to share expertise and best tours and “open doors West Chicago”) practices for informing City decisions for West Chicago’s historical assetsWest Chicago has many attractive historical and policies around adaptive reuse and that brings together a wide variety ofproperties and two historic districts—East historic preservation. partners, interests, and residents andWashington and Turner Junction. It also has visitors.the West Chicago City Museum. The West • Support attractive, community-centered Chicago Community Center’s conversion to anchors and adaptive reuse projects that • Review existing design guidelines for offices and event space can serve as a model will further distinguish West Chicago as residential properties and update as for more public-facing or business-focused a hub for creativity and diversity in the needed, and create new commercial adaptive reuse opportunities. western suburbs. storefront guidelines, to support adaptive reuse and redevelopment. • Continue support for the redevelopmentRepurposing historical properties for new of the 1869 Chicago & North Western • Establish new design guidelines for newuses supports parallel efforts for economic Depot. Current plans (Mexican Cultural construction, major rehabilitation, andgrowth and vitality in Downtown West Center–DuPage) for an expanded renovation projects to preserve WestChicago by attracting residents and visitors. arts and culture venue with outdoor Chicago’s historical character. NewAdaptive reuse offers many additional performance space promise to be a construction should continue to respectbenefits, including environmental and cornerstone of community gathering and historical qualities by using similar designeconomic sustainability, support for start- activity for Downtown West Chicago. elements, materials, window and doorup businesses (lower construction costs), a sizes and proportions, and modernshowcase for community pride and identity, • Consider a wide variety of strategies and solutions.and leveraging of urban revitalization trends. policies to promote and raise awareness of the City’s historical assets. • Continue publicizing and expanding where feasible local incentives and • Ease any existing restrictions or obstacles grants. for individuals and businesses with adaptive reuse projects and programs. 70 City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan ===== PDF PAGE 93 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] SPOTLIGHT Top left, right: The historic 1869 Chicago & North Western Depot, then and now. Bottom: An architectural rendering completed for the Mexican Cultural West Chicago City Museum MUSE Community + Design Center DuPage of a revived, activated depot. REVIVING THE DEPOT The Mexican Cultural Center DuPage (MCC) has undertaken plans and studies to redevelop the historic 1869 Chicago & North Western Depot. The MCC and its local supporters have reimagined the freight depot, located at 119 W. Washington Street, as a vibrant cultural and arts center to showcase the best of West Chicago. Continuing to support the work already being done in the community and efforts like that of the MCC can help guarantee the future Mexican Cultural Center DuPage success of West Chicago Forward. City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan 71 ===== PDF PAGE 94 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] Downtown, and allow for retrofitting of vital component of a lively Downtown is existing homes. increasing the number of families who resideHOUSING there. Successful Downtown businesses will An increase in the mix of housing types can need to capture customers from all over appeal to a wider buyer pool and allow the West Chicago and adjacent communities,West Chicago should preserve existing City to remain attractive as market conditions but regular business from customers who liveneighborhoods and housing supply while continue to change. The City should Downtown will also be essential.identifying opportunities for new housing work with developers to support housing development. These developments can be opportunities for households at any life primarily Downtown and in northeastern stage, whether students home from college, West Chicago. Policies young families, or downsizing empty nesters. West Chicago’s housing stock should • Encourage higher-density housing accommodate households of various sizes, DOWNTOWN development and diverse housing typesincomes, and lifestyles. Uniform housing (including townhomes and apartments) in stock can result in missed opportunities to West Chicago residents, employers, Downtown and within walking distance attract new residents. While most of West employees, staff, and local businesses are of the West Chicago Metra Station. Chicago consists of single-family homes, the interested in revitalizing Downtown and City has the chance to diversify its housing creating a vibrant district that celebrates stock through new development, particularly West Chicago’s history and culture. A VHT Studios / @properties Timber Lake Apartments MUSE Community + Design 72 City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan ===== PDF PAGE 95 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] • Use the City’s ownership or control of NEIGHBORHOODS many Downtown parcels to influence and direct the types of development that may West Chicago’s residential neighborhoods SPOTLIGHT take place there. are nearly built out, so there is limited opportunity for new housing construction. • Identify specific strategic locations for That means housing improvements in infill development based on the Central– ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS residential neighborhoods should focus on Main Street Redevelopment Plan Update maintaining affordability, energy efficiency, (2018). Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are and habitable conditions. secondary dwellings on the same property as a homeowner’s primary Implementation Strategies residence. They might be coach houses, Policies an apartment over a garage, a tiny • Coordinate with Metra on innovative house, or a basement apartment. • Encourage a diversity of housing types, partnerships, easements, property sales, Sometimes they are known as granny including accessory dwelling units, in and leases to maximize opportunities to flats or in-law apartments. built-out neighborhoods. develop housing within walking distance of the West Chicago Metra Station. • Encourage townhomes in new residential ADUs can have great benefits for a developments. community. ADUs can house a family • Continue promoting Downtown member, such as an aging parent, or developments to achieve more than 200 • Continue promoting a balanced, provide extra rental income. They also apartment and condominium units. multilingual approach to code can increase housing affordability and enforcement to support neighborhood • Consider reducing the minimum lot area property values, increase density, and stability and homeowners’ ability to for nursing homes and senior housing protect renters through more formal maintain homes and property conditions. to allow greater housing diversity as leasing arrangements. residents “age in place,” which is seniors’ ability to live independently in their own home and community. Implementation Strategies • Consider reducing parking requirements • Allow for a diversity of housing types to promote land use and housing at commercial nodes, such as the affordability goals. For example, intersection of Neltnor Boulevard with restaurant (10 spaces per 1,000 square North Avenue and Roosevelt Road. feet) and residential (2 spaces per unit) ratios may not align with market trends • Allow accessory dwelling units, attic and inadvertently increase development apartments, and coach houses in costs. R-1/single-family-zoned residential districts. Illinois Realtors City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan 73 ===== PDF PAGE 96 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] AGING IN PLACE Implementation Strategies “Aging in place” refers to policies that make • Publicize to West Chicago seniors their it easier for seniors to stay in their homes eligibility for home maintenance and and communities. Seniors who age in place handyman programs (such as through have greater independence, live in healthier DuPage Senior Citizens Council and and safer environments, have a better DuPage Habitat for Humanity) to quality of life by staying close to family and enhance access to low-cost services and friends, and save money. help them live independently in their homes. Residents who have chosen a community already know its benefits and are likely • Continue partnering with Ride DuPage to have roots there. West Chicago can be Transportation Program and promoting proactive in attracting and retaining seniors DuPage County Senior Services. DuPage and long-time West Chicago residents County offers many programs and by enacting policies and practices that resources that facilitate independent encourage residents to stay. living for seniors, including housing assistance and advocates, home health care, transportation, and senior centers. MUSE Community + Design Policies • Improve the walking environment in residential neighborhoods and adjacent • Increase opportunities for seniors to age to services to increase accessibility in place and remain part of the West for adults who no longer drive. This Chicago community. includes providing places to rest, such as benches, and health and safety • Encourage homes that follow principles measures, such as shade for the daytime of Americans with Disabilities Act and good lighting at night. accessibility and also universal design. • As housing is newly built or rehabbed, coordinate funding with local and regional partners to incentivize accessibility retrofits (such as ramps, chairlifts, grab bars, and easy-access closets). West Chicago VFW and Auxiliary Post #6791 74 City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan ===== PDF PAGE 97 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] AFFORDABILITY Policies Implementation Strategies The definition of “affordability” includes Area • Maintain and expand housing • Coordinate Federal, State, County, and Median Income (AMI), which is the middle affordability for low- and moderate- local housing funding and resources point of a region’s income distribution. income households, including seniors, to support low- and middle-income That means that half of the people earn public-sector employees like teachers households, including seniors, public- income less than that point, and half earn and police officers, and service workers. sector employees, and service workers. more. According to the Illinois Housing and • Encourage a diversity of housing • Promote partnerships (such as DuPageDevelopment Authority, more than 30% of types: accessory dwelling units in Senior Citizens Council and DuPageWest Chicago’s housing stock is affordable built-out neighborhoods, townhomes Habitat for Humanity) and publicizefor home buyers with at least 80% of AMI in new residential developments, and residents' eligibility for such programs toand for renters with at least 60% of AMI. apartments in Downtown developments. give West Chicago homeowners in need The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban access to low-cost maintenance services. Development defines “affordable” as • Allow accessory dwelling units spending no more than 30% of household (also known as “granny flats”), attic income on housing. Compared to most apartments, and coach houses in DuPage County communities, West Chicago R-1/single-family-zoned residential housing is relatively affordable. districts. ComEd / DuPage Habitat for Humanity City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan 75 ===== PDF PAGE 98 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] Policies • Consider combining policies that address Complete Streets and greenCAPITAL • Use West Chicago Forward to guide infrastructure to maximize impact and all decision-making around capital efficiencies.IMPROVEMENTS expenditures. • Incorporate high-performance Implementation Strategies principles, such as project coordinationCapital improvements are long-term and best available technologies, into allinvestments cities make to provide services • Include public engagement into the project phases, design guidelines, andand facilities to the population. They include City's annual review of the Capital development review. This offers highroadways, water, wastewater, utilities, Improvement Plan. returns on investment by lowering costsmunicipal facilities, equipment, and other and saving time. • During periodic Comprehensive Plancritical infrastructure. Capital improvements reviews, review and revise the existingare among the largest local government • Consider developing a Green Capital Improvement Plan, whichexpenditures and are very important for Infrastructure Plan to support sustainable outlines the scope and funding for Cityimplementing West Chicago Forward’s ideas urban relationships between people and infrastructure.and recommendations. place. This has benefits at three scales: • Create streetscape and development Regional: Protects diverse ecologyMany capital improvement projects can guidelines to promote sustainability and and social uses of high-quality coreincorporate green infrastructure to promote community and climate resilience. landscapes and connect them tocommunity health and vitality. Green community-scale open spaces. • Establish a partnership program (such asinfrastructure can enhance public health grants or cost sharing) in which the Cityefforts, safety, and quality of life, and it has City: Encourages green infrastructure and private sector (such as homeowners,many environmental and economic benefits. measures in public spaces and parks. businesses, and nonprofits) apply for Site: Incorporates green assistance with green infrastructure infrastructure into hardscapes (such installation (such as rain gardens, as walls and paths), individual permeable pavement, and native properties, redevelopment sites, plantings). parking lots, and transportation rights-of-way. • Integrate green infrastructure into capital projects and development efforts, land use regulations, and public works activities (such as stormwater curb extensions at the intersection of Main and Washington Streets). 76 City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan ===== PDF PAGE 99 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] STREET NETWORK • Prioritize roadway improvements (such as maintenance, resurfacing,West Chicago has multiple high-crash and reconstruction) by pavement SPOTLIGHT intersections along Neltnor Boulevard, condition, traffic volume, and economic including at Main Street, Washington Street, development initiatives. and North Avenue. Several intersections • Align improvements with other planning could benefit from improvements for people and development priorities (such as traveling by any mode, but especially on foot incorporating stormwater and trail or bike. improvements into the scope of a roadway improvement project). Policies Implementation Strategies • Continue implementing the local roadway improvement program to • For roads that the Illinois Department of maintain all of West Chicago’s roads Transportation (IDOT) controls, consult The Conservation Foundation / DuPage County Stormwater Managment in a state of good repair. Implement with the DuPage County Division of intersection and roadway improvement Transportation or Active Transportation projects that improve the safety of all Alliance to develop a strategy for GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE road users. working with IDOT to promote road • Adopt a Complete Streets Policy to safety on all roads in the City and County. Green infrastructure is scalable. At prioritize investments and right-of-way the regional scale, interconnected • Build facilities to enhance safety and design so streets are slower and safer for natural areas like forest preserves and improve bike and pedestrian facilities everyone. This will make the City more stream corridors are core landscapes into grant applications, particularly when competitive for federal funding, such as that help protect biodiversity, provide there is strong community support for the Surface Transportation Block Grant recreational opportunities, and help such improvements. Examples of grants Program (STP), the Congestion Mitigation manage stormwater and flooding. At may include the Illinois Transportation and Air Quality Improvement Program the City scale, smaller parks, greenways Enhancement Program (ITEP), the (CMAQ), the Transportation Alternatives and trails, and other open spaces offer Transportation Alternatives Program Program (TAP-L), and others. recreational and aesthetic benefits. (TAP-L), the Surface Transportation Block At the site scale, green infrastructure • Together with a Complete Streets Policy, Grant Program (STP), and the Congestion best management practices and low- adopt a Green Infrastructure Policy to Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement impact development involve vegetation, coordinate spending with sustainability Program (CMAQ). soils, and engineered solutions (such and walkability goals and support grant as bioswales and stormwater curb applications. extensions) to mimic natural processes. City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan 77 ===== PDF PAGE 100 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] • Consider seeking collaboration or grant SIDEWALKS AND potential difficulties exist because of funding for the following projects: unincorporated areas next to and within WALKABILITY City boundaries. • Neltnor Boulevard/North Avenue Intersection Improvement Sidewalks are essential to quality of life, • Focus on sidewalk connectivity within the Project (with IDOT): Intersection public health, and economic vitality. Because City and neighboring areas to improve reconstruction, pavement markings, they allow safe and efficient movement community access to businesses, active lighting improvements. of people, goods, and commerce, safe, public transportation, public services • Neltnor Boulevard/Main Street accessible, and well-maintained sidewalks (government institutions, hospitals, Intersection Improvement Project: are a fundamental investment. pharmacies, clinics, schools, and others), and employment. new bike facilities; intersection Downtown West Chicago has a complete modernization; Americans with • Prioritize sidewalk expansion and sidewalk network, but in other parts of the Disabilities Act improvements to completion in neighborhoods City and in adjacent unincorporated areas, facilitate accessibility; lighting with limited sidewalk connectivity, the network is incomplete. Some potential improvements; streetscape including sidewalks on one side of difficulties exist in improving the network improvements; improved shared-use the road. Examples include between because of road jurisdiction, including path facility; pavement patching. neighborhoods, near the Union Pacific– unincorporated areas. West railway, along Roosevelt Road, • Neltnor Boulevard Corridor Improvement Project: Signaling, This may require coordinating projects with Downtown, and on Neltnor Boulevard. evaluation of shared access the Illinois Department of Transportation, • Ensure that new development and and parking, infill opportunities, DuPage County, and other entities to improve redevelopment provide opportunities to pedestrian improvements, perceptions of connectivity, safety, and improve access and walkability. This may wayfinding, and signage. accessibility for residents and visitors. include providing new sidewalks or trails, reducing or eliminating curb cuts, or • Request that developers install public- providing pedestrian access within a site. access sidewalks or bike paths in the Policies right-of-way as part of developments. • Create new pedestrian-friendly facilities This can be of particular benefit in available to and accessible by the public. • Assess and map sidewalk gaps as well as commercial corridors. • Improve sidewalk connectivity within the bike connectors throughout the City and City and collaborate with neighboring to major destinations in order to work areas to improve access to businesses, toward an interconnected network of active public transportation, public sidewalks and other pedestrian facilities services (hospitals, pharmacies, schools, and amenities. and others), and employment. • Work to continuously repair and expand the existing sidewalk network. Some 78 City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan ===== PDF PAGE 101 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] Implementation Strategies • Enhance the pedestrian network by SPOTLIGHT assessing and enhancing sidewalk connectivity, crosswalks, street lighting, and pedestrian signals that prioritize public safety. • Coordinate an annual West Chicago Jane’s Walk, a community conversation in honor of Jane Jacobs, a community advocate. In these walks, residents share community stories and discover unseen aspects of their neighborhoods. The walks also provide an opportunity for community members to interact with MUSE Community + Design MUSE Community + Design City officials and provide feedback on pedestrian and bicycling improvements. • Partner with Metra and Pace to enhance transit access. Apply for grants through the Regional Transit Authority’s Access HELPING EVERYONE GET AROUND to Transit program, the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP-L), and the West Chicago residents say access to • Currier School, trails in Blackwell Forest Illinois Transportation Enhancement green space is one of their favorite things Preserve, Neltnor Boulevard shopping Program (ITEP). about local life. Still, some residents and dining, and Riverwoods Apartments might not know about these spaces or • Downtown West Chicago, Kress Creek not feel welcome there. Wayfinding Farms Park and disc golf, Leman Middle and signage that shows walking or School, Roosevelt Road shopping and biking distances, names of destinations, dining, and Aspen Ridge Apartments and types of amenities and activities available—like the skate park at Reed- • Indian Knoll Elementary School, Keppler Park, or minutes to walk to Don Earley Park and fishing, Neltnor the City Hall Drop Box—can help say Boulevard shopping and dining, “Welcome!”For example, connect: Downtown West Chicago, and Main Park Apartments City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan 79 ===== PDF PAGE 102 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] TRANSIT AND MOBILITY • Expand and improve access to transit an on-demand community-wide or and shared-mobility services through workforce-focused transportation NETWORK infrastructure improvements and program. A program could include new transportation programs (such vouchers for transportation networkWest Chicago faces some challenges to as microtransit, paratransit, and rides, on-demand microtransit service,interconnectivity that transit and mobility micromobility). late-night service (for shift workers),can help address. These recommendations micromobility (such as bike and scooterwill create an interconnected, multimodal, • Focus on implementing projects, policies, sharing), or some combination of theseand seamless mobility network that supports and programs designed to create a more and other shared-mobility strategies.the safe and efficient movement of people connected community. and goods. “Seamless” mobility means the • Complete a City-wide audit of public interconnection and integration into one parking lots to identify potential platform of different transportation modes, Implementation Strategies conversions to more productive land use such as trains, bikes, scooters, pooling, and (such as mixed-use development and ridesharing. • Collaborate to retrofit the Metra Station multi-family development). and parking lot as a “mobility hub” with • Partner with the RTA to develop and bike corrals; bike-share system docks or pilot a last-mile/microtransit partnership Policies bike rentals; pickup areas for app-based program. Pursue funding through the ridesharing, shuttles, and people with RTA’s Innovation, Coordination, and • Work to support a seamless mobility disabilities; electric vehicle charging Enhancement program. network to increase affordability, stations; and ample sidewalk and path • Explore the feasibility of launching a efficiency, and sustainability and support connections to Downtown. micromobility partnership program (such travelers’ safety and the transport of • Partner with the Regional Transit as bike and scooter sharing). goods. Authority (RTA) to develop and launch PACE MUSE Community + Design MUSE Community + Design 80 City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan ===== PDF PAGE 103 ===== [Extraction: OCR (rendered-page OCR)] Transportation Plan Legend — Existing bike path — Sidewalks +++ Rail — Airport — State highway HawthorneEn » ler h3 Raed kagpler Yall . \ § Qs. \. > ‘S at el x gsRdi PrineéGrossin Evaluate sidewalk conditions - "> Rail crossing improvement opportunity <> Recommended bike connection <==» Recommended collaborative bike connection City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan 81 ===== PDF PAGE 104 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] PARKS AND NATURAL AREAS • Develop an active transportation plan Implementation Strategies and a regional bicycle and pedestrian plan to guide West Chicago’s vision and • Explore partnerships with the West help secure federal grants. Chicago Park District, DuPage CountyPolicies • Enhance local waterways, wetlands, Forest Preserve District, and other land • Expand access to West Chicago’s lakes, and ponds to create recreational managers for physical improvements, parks and natural areas through opportunities, support native flora and programs, and partnerships. physical improvements, programs, and fauna, and add aesthetic value. • Improve connectivity between the partnerships to improve accessibility and DuPage County Forest Preserve District promote inclusion. and West Chicago’s neighborhoods (such as improved wayfinding and signage, access improvements, marketing, and outreach). • Merge the City’s bicycle and pedestrian plan with DuPage County’s Plan. When the County considers roadway improvements, this can create opportunities to discuss certain items. • Expand partnerships with the DuPage County Forest Preserve District and the West Chicago Park District to expand environmental education, stewardship, and outdoor recreation programming. • Create small-scale parks or parklets Downtown. MUSE Community + Design 82 City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan ===== PDF PAGE 105 ===== [Extraction: OCR (rendered-page OCR)] Parks and Open Space 1 Blackwell Forest Preserve 2 Cornerstone Lakes Park 3 Don Earley Park 4 Hampton & Prince Crossing Park 5 Kress Creek Farms Park 6 Kwasman Memorial Park 7 Meadow Wood Park 8 Pioneer Park 9 Pratts Wayne Woods 10 Prestonfeld Park Il Reed-Keppler Park 12 Sesquicentennial Park 13 Timber Ridge Forest Preserve 14 West Branch Forest Preserve 15 West Chicago Prairie Legend Parks MM Forest preserves Area within 10-minute walk of green space — Existing bike path e=== Planned bike path (DuPage County Bike Plan) <=> Recommended bike connection Neltnor Blvd rl HowsHornd Ln Fai \\ = > 3 KressRd--——— Fabyan Pkwy City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan 83 ===== PDF PAGE 106 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] WATER AND WASTEWATER assessment and work orders to (such as community gardens, trails, determine any remaining issues, map pollinator space, USDA Community Food locations, and prioritize areas with a high Projects, and stormwater management). density of breaks or other issues.Policies RAIL, FREIGHT, AND • Develop a water system improvement UTILITIES program based on a hydrology and LOGISTICS hydraulic (H&H) model. West Chicago is an important logistics hub • Support implementation of a best- Policy because it is close to air, rail, and highway in-class municipal water system and transportation networks. The BNSF, practices. • Improve coordination and collaboration Canadian National, and Union Pacific rail with utility providers, such as Nicor, lines are important assets to West Chicago, ComEd, and others, to ensure the but they create physical barriers. The shared Implementation Strategies delivery of high-quality utility services Union Pacific–West and Metra rail line and and improve the resilience of utility and embankment create a powerful hard edge • Until an H&H model is implemented, infrastructure systems. that effectively divides the north and south track location, time, and type of water- sides of the City. main breaks and other point repairs. This information can help prioritize water- While the opening of the Wilson Avenue Implementation Strategies main repairs and replacement. Bridge in 1989 created a north-south connection to Downtown, at-grade railroad • Continue to maintain, rehabilitate, • Designate a utility corridor to maximize crossings and frequent traffic backups and replace water mains, lateral City access to utilities, such as water illustrate how the rail line continues to lines, pumps, storage tanks, and other mains. Underground utility corridors function as a barrier. appurtenances to exceed the U.S. group access to utility lines together to Environmental Protection Agency and the limit surface conflicts and disruptions and Illinois Environmental Protection Agency increase access. Policies standards. • Partner with ComEd’s various energy • Continue hydrant flushing and valve efficiency programs. ComEd has rebate, • Explore ways to facilitate safe and exercise programs to ensure adequate financing, and technical assistance efficient mobility across rail lines fire protection. programs to enhance the efficiency of the with the community, including City’s streetlights, municipal facilities, and • Revisit the sewer system improvement pedestrian crossings/gates, edge commercial buildings. program for ongoing assessment, delineators, advanced warning signs, maintenance, repair, rehabilitation, • Explore the feasibility of using utility improved lighting, pavement crossing and replacement. Analyze the previous rights-of-way for more productive uses improvements, and other eligible 84 City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan ===== PDF PAGE 107 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] • projects through the Illinois Grade Crossing Protection Fund. • Improve freight flow locally and regionally through infrastructure improvements coordinated with the public and private sectors. • Adopt policies and implement projects and programs that facilitate freight’s safe, efficient movement within the City. Policies that regulate freight travel (schedules) can prevent environmental impacts and optimize travel patterns. Implementation Strategies • Conduct a freight study to assess efficient MUSE Community + Design travel and avoid traffic or shifts in travel patterns. This will optimize the freight schedule and decrease environmental impact in the community. The City should also incorporate study recommendations into its Capital Improvement Plan. • Promote regulation of freight size and schedules in certain areas that have higher environmental or safety risks. • Identify sites along North Avenue and Roosevelt Road, and Fabyan Road, that could support new transportation, distribution, and logistics development. • Identify opportunities to establish an intermodal facility within the City to benefit the community and increase opportunities for economic growth. MUSE Community + Design City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan 85 ===== PDF PAGE 108 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] RECOMMENDATIONS WORKFORCEECONOMY The following recommendations focus on maintaining West Chicago’s vibrant local economy and supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs. ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND MICROBUSINESS BUSINESS RETENTION AND EXPANSION TAX INCREMENT FINANCING RETAIL 86 City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan ===== PDF PAGE 109 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] • Target partnerships and investments • Partner with educational institutions toward underrepresented populations, and local businesses to establishWORKFORCE including Latinos, low-income internship, apprenticeship, or train-to- individuals, women, people with hire programs providing students with disabilities, and others. valuable on-the-job experience.West Chicago residents work in many industries. The leading ones are • Partner with social enterprises that manufacturing, retail, and health care. Their employ residents (such as We Grow places of work are all over Chicagoland, but Implementation Strategies Dreams), perform essential services, and primarily in DuPage and Cook Counties. West provide additional services like career Chicago also attracts many employees from • Actively engage local businesses and training and job placement. Chicagoland, primarily from DuPage and educational institutions to identify which • Partner with the College of DuPage to Kane Counties. industries are experiencing worker connect local industries to employees and shortages and the training to meet training opportunities.To continue prospering and sustaining a industries’ hiring needs. high quality of life, West Chicago needs • Regularly gather local and national data to maintain a well-educated and diverse on the evolving education and training workforce. In an environment of constant needs of workers in the ever-changing economic and technological change, economy. individuals need to learn new skills and training, sometimes multiple times. Additionally, there are disparities between White adults and adults of other racial/ethnic backgrounds in West Chicago in educational attainment, employment, and household income. Decision-making that strengthens the local workforce can contribute to eliminating these disparities. Policies • Use existing data (quantitative and qualitative) to inform decisions around workforce development partnerships and investments. City of West Chicago City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan 87 ===== PDF PAGE 110 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] Implementation Strategies • Provide coaching and mentoring for microbusinesses with partners such asENTREPRENEURSHIP • Coordinate community workshops and Innovation DuPage and Illinois Small events with partners (such as Western Business Development Center at CollegeAND MICROBUSINESS DuPage Chamber of Commerce and of DuPage. DuPage County) to provide information • Establish an adaptive reuse program and West Chicago has a long history of on investment, potential funding incentives (such as permit fee waivers) entrepreneurship. Reinforcing a business opportunities, and budgeting techniques to help local entrepreneurs turn vacant climate that supports entrepreneurship for local owners, entrepreneurs, and buildings into new businesses. creates more opportunities for “home- residents. grown” businesses to expand and thrive. • Connect small businesses to capital West Chicago can play a pivotal role in opportunities, including microfinance supporting local businesses and enhancing organizations, community development the vibrant, independent West Chicago financial institutions, and community economy reflective of its diverse population. banks (where most small business loans originate). • Provide small business assistance withPolicies marketing, legal, real estate, accounting, and other business operations. Consider • Leverage the local economy and actively partnerships or ways to direct interested contribute to building entrepreneurial parties to organizations like the Illinois spirit. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, • Provide financial, marketing, legal, real Western DuPage Chamber of Commerce, estate, and coaching connections and Illinois Small Business Development resources to entrepreneurs and small Center, and various assets at the College businesses. of DuPage. • Explore ways to provide or connect small • Publicize spotlights on businesses and businesses to catalytic small business business owners across various City investment. communications channels to serve as a networking resource and inspiration for potential business owners. 88 City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan ===== PDF PAGE 111 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] SPOTLIGHT INCUBATING SMALL BUSINESS IDEAS West Chicago is recognized for its diversity, and residents say it's one of the best parts of local life. As a recognized hub of the Mexican American community, and with residents hailing from cultures worldwide, West Chicago can be home to many micro and small businesses that provide a variety of goods and services. These businesses also enrich West Chicago economically and culturally. Many people have great business ideas Champaign County EDC Comal Heritage Food Incubator but don’t know where to begin, or think it is too difficult to become a business Top: Champaign County, in central Illinois, owner. The City already has supportive partnered with the City of Champaign and the programs in place, and it can help further Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County Economic Development pave the way for potential business Corporation to launch a fully virtual incubator owners by leveraging current strengths and creativity. Taking action like focusing Top right: Denver's Comal Heritage Food Incubator supports immigrants and refugees on their journey on ground-floor spaces, leveraging from home cooks to small business owners. the power of food as a microbusiness generator, connecting potential business Bottom right: Tenants in Wisconsin’s Platteville Business Incubator must be start-up businesses that owners to resources and support, and make a good or provide a service and also have loosening regulations to allow for the potential to create new jobs. creative pop-ups in otherwise vacant Platteville Business Incubator spaces can drive small business growth in West Chicago. City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan 89 ===== PDF PAGE 112 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] • As remaining industrial vacancies finalize • Engage larger businesses to support leases and the DuPage Business Center the development of community identityBUSINESS fills, shift focus and strategy to business components, including public art, retention and expansion. landscaping, events, and marketing.RETENTION AND Implementation StrategiesEXPANSION • Establish a business and retention West Chicago has long been home task force within existing economic to businesses of all sizes and types. It development efforts. The task force successfully attracted an Amazon fulfillment can lead strategies to improve the center without any local financial incentives local business climate and coordinate and, together with the DuPage Airport responses to individual business Authority, established the DuPage Business concerns. Center. To support the local economy and • Conduct regular business surveys to existing businesses, the City of West Chicago identify warning flags for business should devote resources to business retention relocation or expansion, receive and expansion (BRE). feedback on programs and practices, and maintain ongoing communications with owners and managers. Delineate Policies individual challenges versus common challenges, and prioritize urgent ones. • Maintain regular communication with • Continue partnering with Choose DuPage local employers of all sizes. This will and other regional entities to elevate proactively address individual business industrial and office park development challenges and regularly evolve the BRE sites as a critical priority. This will allow strategy to address changes in the local, for the spending of available local regional, and national markets. economic development dollars on • Assist businesses at all stages of growth Downtown and small businesses. or decline, including initial location, • Collaborate with the DuPage Airport expansion, and additional location(s), as Authority to market and leverage the well as contraction, selling, and closing. benefits of locating near DuPage Airport. MUSE Community + Design 90 City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan ===== PDF PAGE 113 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] West Chicago offers two financial incentive Policies programs paid through the Downtown TIF:TAX INCREMENT the Downtown Retail and Restaurant Grant • Align TIF plans with the City’s overall Program and the Façade Improvement economic development plan.FINANCING Program. Downtown TIF funds also paid for • Use TIFs to catalyze, rather than create, new streetscape construction, a cooperative market demand. advertising program, and special events, Tax increment financing (TIF) is a program such as Blooming Fest. In the Oliver Square • Use TIF resources to benefit the broader that municipalities can use to set aside future TIF District, TIF dollars have funded property community. increases in property taxes from a specific improvements and monument signs at what • Consider a debt service model. Issuing area, known as a TIF District, to pay for is currently known as Mosaic Crossing. a City bond and using the tax increment improvements in that area. In Illinois, a TIF to pay back bondholders would provide District is usually in place for 23 years. TIF The Downtown and Oliver Square TIFs expire gap financing for a project with high up- Districts can be extended for 12 more years, soon, and the City is planning to establish front costs, such as a catalytic Downtown but that requires an act of the Illinois General a new Downtown TIF District. With the redevelopment project or a reimagined Assembly. TIF Districts do not raise tax rates. assistance of TIF consultants, the City should Mosaic Crossing property. The City Instead, they reinvest the increased portion solicit community feedback on the extension must properly evaluate boundaries and (due to increased property values) in the TIF or redrawing of TIF Districts. (The Roosevelt parcels included in the TIF district to make district, not in the standard taxing bodies. Road/Fabyan Parkway TIF expires in 2040; sure they raise enough revenue and the City should evaluate any significant provide benefits to property owners andTIF Districts can be powerful tools for changes to scope or boundaries closer to the larger community.targeted redevelopment and economic that time). The following recommendations development, but they also have trade-offs. apply should any TIF Districts be redrawn or For example, TIFs can flatten tax revenues renewed. for public services like schools and libraries. They also have less oversight than other public spending does. Through 2021, West Chicago has had three active TIF Districts: Downtown (1990), Oliver Square (Neltnor Boulevard and North Avenue, 2004), and Roosevelt Road/Fabyan Parkway (2017). City of West Chicago Comprehensive Plan 91 ===== PDF PAGE 114 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] its strong local pride, small-town feel, and • Make it easier for pop-ups to lease cultural heritage, West Chicago is in an and operate spaces, including easierRETAIL ideal position to benefit from this changing permitting and automated plan review landscape. and permitting for simple tenant improvements.West Chicago has multiple successful retail areas, including Roosevelt Road, Downtown, • Encourage storefronts in Turner Court Washington Street and Neltnor Boulevard, Policies that focus on foot traffic. and North Avenue and Neltnor Boulevard. Local businesses and national and regional • Promote small business relocation chains provide a variety of goods and to Downtown West Chicago through Implementation Strategies services to City residents and employees. financial assistance. • Market West Chicago and its unique • Develop West Chicago “shop local” Retail trends are constantly in flux. Over retail offerings to residents, employees, discount and loyalty programs to the past few decades, retail shifted from and employers in West Chicago and encourage residents, employees, downtowns and main streets to department regionally. and employers to support local small stores and shopping malls, then to big-box businesses (which often are not membersretail and power centers, and again to • Think holistically about ground-floor of local chambers), increase sales taxAmazon and e-commerce. West Chicago spaces to allow for nuance and creativity revenue, and reinvest in the community.should continue to support local businesses in in their permitted uses (such as escape adapting and thriving in this ever-changing rooms, special events venues, and • Create new Commercial Storefront retail marketplace. coworking spaces). A focus on ground- Guidelines to update the most recent floor uses beyond generating sales tax guidelines from 1991. A traditional market study might focus on can allow the City to capture interesting • Expand ground-floor commercial uses West Chicago’s location, nestled between and fun new ideas and implement to include small-scale manufacturing, forest preserves, the DuPage Airport, placemaking strategies. nonprofit, arts and culture, child care and industrial areas, and Fermilab. These all • Promote short-term licenses to allow elder care, medical services, and shared function as a barrier to attracting national for pop-ups, which are temporary workspaces. retailers, as a result of distance and ease of spaces for stores or other businesses.access for non–West Chicago residents. • Conduct neighborhood needs These are especially good for first-time assessments to determine whether As online purchases become easier and entrepreneurs, community groups, residents can satisfy basic needs within 15 easier, brick-and-mortar stores need to offer creatives, and minority- and women- minutes of their homes (and employees something unique to remain competitive. owned businesses. They also provide within 15 minutes of their workplaces). Examples include exceptional knowledge immediate revenue to landlords, enrich and service, an experience, or a connection the retail landscape, and replace vacant to the local community and culture. 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