Planners Will Make Their Pitch for North York Design Tonight

Elmhurst's Development, Planning and Zoning Committee tonight will take a first look at two plans for the North York Street Development area, which is part of the city's newest tax increment financing district. 

The city received eight responses to its requests for proposals for an overall design framework for North York. Five candidates were interviewed and two were asked to attend the July 8 committee meeting at 7 p.m.

RELATED: Committee Wants to Hire a Planner to Craft the Future Look and Feel of North York

Houseal Lavigne Associates community planners works with a team of engineering, traffic, environmental and streetscape professionals. A look at their plans for North York can be found here.

The other proposal is led by Ginkgo Planning and Development, which also offers a team approach using market analysis, transportation and other planning experts. Read Ginkgo's plan for North York here.

The DPZ Committee also will hear a presentation from Findzall Marketing to determine whether to recommend a continuation of the firm's contract with the City of Elmhurst.

Also on the posted agenda for DPZ is a discussion about the fourth letter of agreement with Addison Corridor Development LLC. At the Elmhurst City Council meeting July 1, aldermen decided to postpone a vote on whether to continue this contract until all of the aldermen had an opportunity to read the letter of agreement. 

Read more here: Decision on Contract Extension for Addison Development Postponed to July 15

At that time, it was not slated to go back to the committee for discussion, but it is, in fact, on tonight's agenda.

DPZ Committee also will discuss a map amendment (rezoning) for 140 W. Industrial Drive, from general commercial to restricted industrial. An HVAC/welding trade school, Environmental Technology Institute, was interested in the vacant property, but current zoning does not permit trade schools. The city's Zoning and Planning Commission last month recommended the city deny the request.

Finally, the committee will hear a request for sign variations at 169 E. Butterfield Road, State Farm Insurance. The Zoning Commission last month recommended approval of the request.

Also meeting at 7 p.m. Monday is the Finance, Council Affairs and Administrative Services Committee. The committee's agenda includes the following items:

• Electric aggregation update
• Review of the draft tax increment financing and sales tax incentive policies
• Review of new GASB statements regarding financial reporting for pension plans
• Review of disclosure ordinance

Public comment is welcome at both committee meetings, which will be held at City Hall, 209 N. York St. The city's other two standing committees, Public Affairs and Safety, and Public Works and Buildings, are not meeting Monday.