Village of Lombard Legistar System

Paul Simon, 2215 York Road in Oak Brook, spoke regarding the Lombard Sign

Ordinance amendment on that evening's agenda. He appeared on behalf of a group of

property owners and sign companies who would be affected by this change, as the

amendment would result in the loss of twenty one signs. He stated that the concept of a

seven year amortization and ultimate removal of the signs to be a very anti-business

policy and would result in the taking of private property without compensation. He sited a

Federal and Illinois domain law. He expressed his belief that there should be cash

compensation to business owners and mentioned possible lengthy and extensive court

battles. He stated that these signs carry commercial and non commercial information

such as public service messages and political advertisements.

Ron Willems, 1064 Hammerschmidt, spoke regarding the temporary storage of salt at

276 E. Central and sited specific environmental concerns. Among his concerns were the

salt being stored on the ground, seepage into the water system, studies that have been

done concerning environmental consequences and his concern about the aesthetics of

the storage area and the visual impact to the neighborhood. Also, he questioned if, at

the end of the winter, would the salt be moved or will it sit for one more year until the

new storage facility is built. He also asked why the construction of the new maintenance

facility had been pushed back. Mr. Willems also commented that branches overhang

the sidewalks around the Village Hall complex, which make it very difficult for walkers,

especially in the dark.

Mr. Lichter responded to these concerns by saying that the salt storage would be

temporary over the winter months and as the regular supply of salt empties, the

temporary pile will be moved. He also stated that because this coming winter season

may be very snowy, additional salt has been purchased. He also commented that the

maintenance facility plan has been pushed back for financial reasons and assured

residents that public input will be sought before the facility is started. Mr. Lichter

promised that the branches will be taken care of.

Mr. John Burg, Assistant Director of Public Works, commented that gravel was

discussed for the base of the salt being stored at the 276 E. Central location.

Mr. Lichter stated the resident could be contacted, if he wished, once a decision has

been made regarding a base for the salt storage.

President Mueller stated that the Glenbard Wastewater Authority Executive Committee

met on November 14, 2001 and information was shared on the recent flooding.

President Mueller then went on to comment on a meeting which he and Mr. Lichter

attended in regard to disasters and community response at which time they received

up-to-date information as to what is happening in DuPage County.

President Mueller then went on to explain the schedule of holiday events, such as the

December 1st Christmas Walk and other festivities.

Trustee Koenig announced that the malfunctioning traffic signal at Highland and 22nd

St. had been corrected.

Trustees Florey and Koenig stated that they are liaisons for the Chamber of Commerce

and reinforced an invitation to residents to attend the Downtown Holiday Walk

President Mueller commented that December 1, 2001 is the kick off of many holiday

events in Lombard. Events planned for that day include the First Annual Christmas

Walk, the lighting of the Christmas Tree and Santa arriving in town, the performance of

the Canterbury Carolers and a Christmas Sing-Along at the Maple Street Chapel. He

then reminded everyone that Yorktown Shopping Center would be open until 11:00 p.m.

John Brill, 1721 S. LaLonde, stated that he has discussed this situation with other

homeowners, the Village and the Police Department. He believes that the problem is the

parents and students of Montini High School going through the subdivision to avoid the

traffic signals. He asked for the courtesy of drivers in the area to slow down in

consideration of the children in the neighborhood. He informed the Board that

automobiles whip around the school busses as they are stopped to pick up students.

The Police Department has placed a patrol car in the area as well as a speed sign,

drivers slow down when the Police are in the area, but continue to speed when the area

is unmonitored.

Barb Caruso, 396 E. 17th place, had brought a message for the Board from her 5

children. She stated that she is able to watch her children at the bus stop from her

window. She stated that she has called Montini High School and asked them to speak to

the parents. She commented that she is not opposed to increased population or growth

of the community, but feels that it is irresponsible of Lombard to increase in size but not

to monitor the growth.

Tom Koprowski, 1729 S. LaLonde, spoke about the survey and analysis that was done.

He inquired where he may obtain a copy or review the results.

Clerk Kramer confirmed that she would send him a copy of the results.

John Wittert, 383 E. 17th Pl. spoke of the Providence Subdivision being a well travelled

shortcut to Highland Avenue and referred to the documents that he presented to the

Board of Trustees. He stated that John Johnson, Technical Service Supervisor, did not

support the request because the area did not meet the State of Illinois guidelines. Mr.

Wittert continued on to say that there were no objections from the residents of the

subdivision to a four way stop sign at 17th Street and LaLonde. He stated his belief that

the proposed Medical Center on Highland would also impact traffic.

Mr. Wittert then referred to a study done in Boulder, Colorado regarding the low

percentage of drivers that come to a complete stop at a stop sign, but do slow down for

the stop sign. He also referred to the studies done in his area in April and September

that addressed the speed issue and vehicle counts. Mr. Wittert requested speed signs,

as there are many children to protect in that new subdivision.

There was some discussion of the issues in the reports.

Mr. Lichter deferred to Trustee Soderstrom.

Trustee Soderstrom reviewed John Johnson's reasons for the recommendation to deny

this request. Among those reasons were the results of the traffic counts, speed studies

and lack of accidents. He mentioned that this matter was brought up at the October 1,

2001 meeting of the Transportation and Safety Committee and Mr. Johnson suggested

not to approve due to the results of the survey conducted that showed traffic counts did

not warrant a four way stop sign. He went on to say that the average speed was 28

mph, and reported that according to records, no accidents had taken place in the year

2000-2001. Trustee Soderstrom discussed the unusual votes at that meeting and said

that he surveyed members of the Transportation and Safety Committee and the original

motion was misunderstood and the Committee would have recommended to

disapprove.

Trustee Koening had encouraged residents to come tonight and speak. She said that

speeding was the number one complaint of the residents in the area. She stated that as

a parent, she understood the concern of the residents and parents. She added that she

has witnessed three requests for stop signs where they were unwarranted. She had not

supported these because through her reading, she has found emperical evidence does

not necessarily support what we think is going to happen. She then went on to quote

from an article in the Traffic Planning Journal which suggested that the addition of a

pedestrian crossing increased exposure time to pedestrians and make the situation

more dangerous. She stated that if this unwarranted stop sign request were approved, it

may set a precedent for other unwarranted stop signs. She discussed safe driving habits

in that area and asked Montini students and parents to adher to the speed limit and be

considerate of the children in the area, and that the area will be patrolled.

Trustee Sebby said that as the Vice-Chairman of the Transportation and Safety

Committee, he felt that statistically the stop sign may not be warranted, but he realized

there are roughly seventy petitioners who requested the stop sign and that he would be

in favor of a four way stop at that location.

Trustee DeStephano asked for staff recommendations so that the Board could address

speeding in the community as she finds that one in three calls to her from residents is in

regard to speeding.

Trustee Koenig shared Trustee DeStephano's concerns and referred to a section of the

study on speed control. She stated that a four way stop sign was placed in the area

where she lives and it has not resolved the issue as people only slow down and do not

stop.

Trustee Tross stated that stop signs do not control speeding, but speed limits do control

speed. He said that he would support the position of the Trustee of the area, as she

knows that area best.

Clerk Kramer asked Police Chief Dillenkoffer if there are other communities that

mandate a stop sign at a bus stop, and he responded that he was not aware of any.

President Mueller asked Chief Dillenkoffer what the speed limit is in the area.

Chief Dillenkoffer responded that residential areas that are unposted are assumed to be

thirty miles per hour.

President Mueller stated that he was in favor of lowering all speed limits in residential

President Mueller would like other areas, such as the speed on Fairfield, looked at also.

Trustee Tross would also like Fairfield looked at.

Trustee Soderstrom stated that he had received many cautions about knee jerk

reactions from the dais. He commented that the Transportation and Safety Committee is

in place to review these types of things.

Trustee DeStephano asked if the Transportation and Safety Committee could look at the

issue of a twenty five mile per hour speed limit in all residential areas of Lombard.

Trustee Tross commented that he feels the Transportation and Safety Committee looks

at what is warranted, not what this governing body wants.

President Mueller suggested sending the issue of a temporary speed limit of twenty five

miles per hour and pedestrian crosswalks back to the Committee, as that is what

committees are for.

Trustee Soderstrom stated that he would like to close the discussion but felt compelled

to take exception to Trustee Tross's comment alluding to the fact that the Transportation

and Safety Committee had blinders on and can't make a decision on values.

Trustee Tross apologized.

Don Hubbard, 31 W. Loy Street, stated that the soil of the property is not suitable for

building according to soil testers that came out 10 years ago. Mr. Hubbard also thanked

the Board for the sewers.

Pete Occhipinti, 303 W. Windsor, stated that DuPage County has said that there are no

wetlands on that property. He agreed that it is bad ground but the home he lives in is

built on pylons and he has had no problems in twenty five years.

Village Manager William T Lichter, stated that the Board's direction was to include a

development agreement which the Director of Community Development David

Hulseberg explained.

Mr. Hulseberg stated that pursuant to the Board's direction, Staff reviewed the

ordinances and the legal staff dictated the inclusions into the development agreement

regarding soil conditions, borings and requirements regarding flat work. He stated that a

structural engineer would have to provide documentation as to how these homes were

built.

Trustee DeStephano commented that the residents of this subdivision and herself have

concerns about public protection. She felt that she needed more time to confer with

staff regarding Section 10, G-4, and 3-C and requested to table this item to the Board

meeting of January 3, 2002.

Trustee Tross explained that he requested that this item be removed from the consent

agenda to express his displeasure and did not feel that a tarp covering salt would be

appropriate in a residential environment. He requested that a better location could be

found.

Trustee Sebby asked what other sites would be available.

Assistant Director of Public Works John Burg stated that there are other sites, but the

site on Central would be more convenient and better for operation.

Mr. Lichter commented that Fire Station II would be the most reasonable alternative, as

the Garfield site is not adequate because that location is next to a wetland.

Trustee Tross questioned why the Garfield would not be adequate as, this is where salt

storage will be in the future.

Mr. Lichter clarified that at this time, the Garfield site would not be acceptable now due

to the fact that the salt would have to be put on the ground, and when the site is

developed the salt will be on a cement slab.

President Mueller commented that there are no funds at this time to develop the Garfield

site. He asked Mr. Burg if there were any other alternative sites, such as the

Wastewater area.

John Burg stated that the Wastewater site was too remote, but alternative sites could be

reviewed.

Mr. Lichter said that the salt could be delivered and stored as in the past, but the aim

was to store more salt, as there are delivery issues if additional salt is needed.

President Mueller asked if the salt storage area was filled up at that point.

Mr. Burg responded by saying that if alternative site was available, delivery could begin

now.

Trustee Tross felt that the salt should be stored in a remote area as Public Works would

have to transport the salt when needed, no matter what location the salt was in.