THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2006
An Earful On Executive Plaza Plan
By DWIGHT ESAU
Journal Reporter
Say the word "redevelopment" in Park Ridge, and you'll get a vast array of quick responses.
Some hear the word and think open space. Others start computing density numbers, still others ask how high the buildings will be. Others worry about traffic congestion and safety.
To some, redevelopment is all about stores and retail sales taxes. To others, it's all about condos and townhomes. Still others like offices.
Nowhere is the diversity of views regarding land use more apparent than in the city council, where the 14-member group trotted out its debating talents in full flower Monday night (Aug. 21).
Aldermen were augmented by more than half-a-dozen residents. The subject? A proposed master plan for the Executive Plaza site at Northwest Highway and Touhy Avenue, on the eastern edge of Uptown.
During more than an hour of debate, aldermen got an earful from residents about the pros and cons of a broad plan that envisions replacing the eight office buildings on the plaza now with mostly condos and townhomes, or possibly senior housing, augmented by modest service retail establishments.
This is a broad vision for the site, not a specific proposal. It remains to be seen what developers will propose. Residents served notice, however, that whatever is proposed, it will have to survive a gauntlet of very close resident scrutiny and probable controversy.
Both aldermen and residents expressed a striking array of objections and skepticism to the plan, which was put together by the staff and a land use consultant, and approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission in 18 months of public hearings and dialog.
At one point Monday night, a couple of aldermen suggested returning the plan to the commission for more study, but in the end, the plan was approved by an 8-5 vote. Voting no were Ald. James Radermacher, Mark Anderson, Mary Ryan, Rex Parker, and Jeannie Markech. Ald. Andrea Bateman was absent.
"This is a good basic outline of our vision, let's proceed with it," said Ald. Kirke Machon. We need to be proactive. There is little or no interest by the private sector in rebuilding these office buildings. We're not changing the zoning ordinance here, we're just suggesting a framework for how to deal with specific proposals when they come."
"Why are we in such a rush, too many issues aren't being addressed," countered Ald. Ryan. She specifically mentioned open space and density.
Ald. Parker, a consistent proponent of more commercial development, criticized the emphasis on condos. "Why are we always talking about condos?" he said. "Let's send this back, it needs more thought. Why can't we think about senior housing and more green space?"
Herbert Zuegel, the city's senior housing advocate, was absent but submitted a statement calling for the council to designate the site for senior facilities. He said there are two possible developers that have expressed interest in building senior housing facilities in Park Ridge, which doesn't have any of them now. (The city only has nursing homes and assisted living facilities).
While some aldermen and residents complained about the lack of detail in the plan, others said too much information was being revealed.
"We are showing too many cards up front," said Ald. Rademacher. "Why limit ourselves? We may be missing some things that may be out there."
More than half-dozen residents objected to the report, none spoke in favor of it. Some even complained about things they said were in the report, but actually weren't. One resident of Berry Parkway objected to what he apparently thought was a plan to put such things as a Walgreen's or a bank along Touhy, when the report doesn't mention that and suggests commercial only along Washington Street.
Robert Trizna said more data on the number of people expected to occupy the redevelolped area and other details is missing.
"You will have trouble controlling what happens there unless you do more homework now," he said.
Resident Bruce Gilpin agreed with Trizna. Another resident suggested that the area be left alone, and the office buildings be retained. "They are good neighbors and very quiet, why do we need to build something else?" she asked.
Randy Derifield, staff community development director, said two of the office buildings are vacant, and the other buildings have outlived their useful lives.
"The market for offices in the O'Hare area, including Park Ridge is weak now, and I simply believe major office development here just won't happen," he said. "Some modest offices to accompany residence does seem feasibie.
"I have talked to seven possible developers, and all of them talked about residential here, that is where the strong market is today," he said.
The future debate and planning for this site could last as long, or even longer, than the six years of Uptown debate, since the Executive Plaza site of 16-plus acres is several times larger than the PRC Partners Target Area II in Uptown.