Village of Lombard Legistar System

John Merkle, 533 N. Lombard Avenue, stated that he felt compelled to say a few words

about the DuPage Theater. He commented that the referendum had been objected to by

a small minority of residents. He said that among the objections was the fact that the

referendum is a compound question and also that some of the names on the petition

were printed and not signed. He then proceeded to read the referendum question. He

stated that the referendum question gives residents the necessary information needed

to make an educated decision. He believed that even if the supporters of the theater

could raise the six million dollars needed to open the doors, the theater would still have

to be subsidized. He commented that there are 42,000 people in Lombard and less

than 300 people have financially supported the theater.

Trustee Florey stated that the Economic and Community Development Committee met

on September 3, 2002. Items discussed at that time were a facade grant for 10 S. Park,

Lilacia Cleaners, and the Treasure Chest. He stated that the owner of building came

forth with a very attractive facade for both the front and the rear of building. As this grant

is below the amount of ten thousand dollars, he stated that this would not go to the

Board. Also discussed was the Business Recognition Luncheon which was very

successful. Discussed also was the Main Street Community Program.

The next meeting of the Committee is October 1, 2002.

Director of Community Development David Hulseberg gave a power point demonstration

and explained the new Park District maintenance building and their request for

conditional use. He stated that the area is zoned CR (Conservation/Recreation) and has

been improved with parks and ball fields, and also that Route 53 access had been

approved by IDOT.

Trustee Koenig asked if mature trees would be removed.

Mr. Hulseberg stated that trees would be removed but would be replaced by the planting

of 53 additional trees.

Trustee Tross commented that only five mature trees were to be removed. He stated

that the storm water detention is a critical component and suggested moving forward.

He also pointed out that the Park District was working with District 44. He had received

assurances that the recreation aspects of the area would be preserved.

Trustee DeStephano asked it this would require an amendment to the zoning code.

Mr. Hulseberg replied that it did.

Trustee Koenig asked if this would be setting a precedent.

Mr. Hulseberg responded by saying the aspect is very narrow, and would only apply to

the CR (Conservation/Recreation) district.

Trustee Tross said that this would be attractive and aesthetically pleasing.

Trustee Soderstrom agreed that this would be a nice looking building and suggested

approval.

President Mueller mentioned that IDOT would be adding additional screening with the

Route 53 improvements and that fifty trees had been donated by Commonwealth

Edison, which would be planted and become President's Grove.

Village Manager William Lichter stated that he was requesting input from the Board in

order for staff to make recommendations to IDOT informing them of the Village's desired

cross section of intersection. He informed the Board that York Township Highway

Commissioner Schroeder has indicated he may be willing to reopen Madison if the

Village of Lombard would reopen Charles Lane.

President Mueller stated that IDOT is moving forward in designs and changes in designs

for Route 53 and possibly having a public hearing in Lombard. He commented that it

would be in the best interest of all not to take any action that evening on the intersection,

but to move forward with what Mr. Dratnol would be discussing.

Village Engineer Dave Dratnol explained the improvements.

1. Parkview Blvd. and Surrey Drive: Staff would request a left hand turn lane.

Trustee Tross expressed his desire for a signalized left turn lane.

2. Intersection with Whitmore Lane: Staff would request that full access to/from Route

53 would continue with left turn lanes provided on Route 53.

Trustee Tross did not like the idea of a left turn lane as it may lead IDOT to believe that

we wanted a three or a five lane highway. He also stated that the traffic pattern did not

warrant a dedicated left turn lane.

President Mueller commented that a protected left turn lane is considered safer.

Trustee Sebby inquired who pays for the signalization.

Mr. Dratnol responded by saying the Village of Lombard would pay about 20% but that

cost would be shared with Glen Ellyn.

Trustee Tross suggested investigating the possibility of the industrial park participating

financially.

3. Wilson Avenue: Mr. Dratnol stated that the Village has jurisdiction of the western one

hundred feet, and the remainder is private driveway. Staff recommended that Wilson

Avenue on the east side of Route 53 be treated as a driveway with a curb cut for

entrance. The Board concurred.

4. Intersection with Parkview Boulevard and Park District driveway: Staff recommends

left turn lanes for that intersection.

Trustee Tross suggested if only one intersection would be signalized, this might be the

site for it.

Mr. Dratnol stated that this site may not qualify. The Board concurred.

5. Harrison Road: Staff recommended that this remain right in/right out. The Board

concurred.

6. Harding Road: Mr. Dratnol stated this intersection is under township jurisdiction. Staff

recommends that the right in/right out intersection remain and that a raised island be

constructed to emphasize the right in/right out only restriction.

Trustee DeStephano commented that she doesn't like raised medians, as there is no

flexibility and asked if the right in/right out can be accomplished with signage.

Mr. Dratnol stated that violations occur without a raised median.

Trustee Koenig agreed with Trustee DeStephano on the matter and stated she would

rather keep the idea about a raised median flexible at this point.

Trustee Soderstrom commented that signage would not work.

President Mueller stated that raised medians need to be used for traffic calming.

Trustee Tross asked that board concur with Highway Commissioner Schroeder and

move forward. The Board concurred with the recommendation of a raised median.

7. Intersection with Madison Street: This intersection is also under township jurisdiction

and is currently posted as right in/right out only. An agreement has been reached

between the Township and the Village of Lombard to re-open Madison to full access to

Route 53 in conjunction with a reopening of Charles Lane. Staff recommends Madison

be re-opened to full access and a dedicated left turn lane should be provided to safely

accommodate the southbound to eastbound turning movement, with Madison Street to

be widened to three lanes at the intersection.

Trustee Tross said that as this would be the only collector street in the southwest

quadrant it should be full access with signalization.

Trustee Florey stated that this makes sense and that it is supported by School District

44 with no hardship.

8. Intersection with Charles Lane: Staff recommends that Charles Lane be reopened to

full access to/from Route 53 and be widened to three lanes at the intersection with

Route 3 to accommodate the left and right turning movements. If warranted, the Village

should consider signalizing this intersection.

Trustee Tross did not agree with signalization at this site due to the fact that it is one

block long.

President Mueller suggested keeping this area right in/right out if Madison is opened.

Trustee Florey clarified that the agreement with York Township is to open both streets.

Trustee Soderstrom agreed with no signalization at this area.

President Mueller said that this would be the same description as for Harding, right

in/right out with a pork chop.

9. Intersection with St. Charles Road: Staff recommends a full intersection and maintain

status quo.

10. Intersection with Woodland Avenue: Staff recommends right in/right out with a raised

median to emphasize the right in/right out restriction. This may require the acquisition of

at least one property at the intersection.

Trustee DeStephano did not agree with the raised median.

President Mueller acknowledged the fact that Trustees DeStephano and Koening were

not supportive of the pork chop. The Board concurred.

Trustee Florey wanted more information and said that if the pork chop entailed the

extensive taking of land he would not be in favor of this.

11. Intersection with Meadow Avenue: Staff recommends that this intersection be open

to full movements, with the installation of dedicated left turn lanes on Route 53 and a

widening of Meadow to three lanes at the intersection, with signalization strongly

considered if warranted and the reconstruction of the bridge over the Great Western

Trail.

Trustee Destephano agreed this should be an access point and favored signalization.

12. Intersection with Glenwood Lane: Staff is recommending right in/right out only. The

Board concurred.

13. Intersection with Pleasant Lane: Staff is recommending that both legs of Pleasant

Lane be right in/right out.

Trustee Tross inquired if the Village owns the area to the East.

Director of Public Works, Stan Rickard, stated the he believed it was accepted.

Mr. Lichter said that would be verified

The Board concurred.

14. Intersection with Sunset Street: Staff is recommending that left turn lanes be

provided on Route 53 for access to Sunset Street.

15. Intersection with North Avenue: Mr. Dratnol commented that whatever IDOT

proposes is what will be put in.

16. Intersection with Sidney Avenue: Staff is recommending that left turn lanes be

provided on Route 53.

Trustee DeStephano stated that these were good recommendations and questioned

what happens to signage in the short term?

President Mueller requested concurrence that these recommendations go to IDOT and

the Board concurred.

Cathy Badalamenti, 42 N. Columbine, stated that she is a twenty five year resident of

Lombard and has lived on Route 53 for eleven of those years. She commented on the

inaccessibility of access to shopping, schools, and Roosevelt Road. She said that the

signals in Glen Ellyn seem to be working well.

Trustee Sebby said that IDOT will want a five lane highway, but residents do not want

this, therefore it would be a more strategic move to delay a motion for two to three

weeks.

Trustee Florey asked if the decision should be postponed for two weeks.

Trustee Soderstrom felt it would be longer than two weeks to get a decision.

Trustee DeStephano asked if IDOT has traffic counts from that last six months.

President Mueller stated that the action taken has cut down traffic on Route 53 and less

accidents have occurred, and IDOT will see that if traffic counts are down, five lanes are

not necessary.

Trustee Koenig stated that she was in favor of opening the streets.

Trustee Tross said that he was in favor of opening the streets because school was now

in session and it takes 30 minutes longer for the buses. He suggested Illinois First

money may not be available, and he said that North Avenue was proposed 18 years

ago and is just now in the final design stage.

Trustee Soderstrom agreed with Trustee Tross about right in/right out being a mistake,

but he felt the Board should wait on their decision.

President Mueller said that he was not in favor of the signs, but he said five lanes are

wrong and residents do not want five lanes.

Trustee Koenig said that she wanted to take the longer term view for now and stated

that the signs have been a huge inconvenience.

Trustee florey commented that miraculously IDOT was considering a three lane highway

with the lowered traffic count and that opportunity should be taken advantage of.

Trustee Sebby said he saw the need to take long term approach and will be an

inconvenience, but if the traffic signs are taken down and the traffic count increases, a

five lane highway will be even more of an inconvenience.

President Mueller suggested again to hold off on a decision due to his talks with the

Highway Commissioner and Kurt Brown, Secretary of IDOT.

Trustee Tross suggested moving back to the motion and taking a vote.

Mr. Balis went over the history of the west nile virus. He mentioned that thousands of

birds have been infected. As of that date, there had been 190 confirmed cases in the

Chicagoland area, with 2 cases in Lombard and 9 in DuPage County. He stated there

was a high level of risk in this area. He also stated that late August or early September

is the peak time for the virus.

Mr. Balis explained the procedures for spraying, larval control, the treatment of standing

water, all of which were put into place during the last negotiation of the contract. He also

mentioned that additional funding from DuPage County Health Department had been

received.

Mr. Balis urged residents to use personal protection methods such as the use of

repellent with deet, and the tip and toss method of standing water on residents' property.

Trustee Tross returned to the dias at 10:20 p.m.

Trustee DeStephano asked how effective the seven day cycle spraying program is.

Mr. Balis responded by saying that the mist will go 500 - 1000 feet.

Trustee Sebby inquired if dogs are susceptible to the disease, and Mr. Balis responded

that only a couple of dogs had been diagnosed with the disease since the 1930's.

Trustee Florey asked if the Prairie Path and the Great Western Trail had been sprayed.

Mr. Balis said they had not been sprayed at this time, but if a need is seen in that area, it

will be looked at.

Mr. Balis assured residents that they do not need to stay indoors during the spraying.

Trustee Florey asked that staff look at Westmore Woods, the Prairie Path and the Great

Western Trail.