Northbrook village trustees voted to streamline the public hearing process for large-scale development projects at their June 13 board meeting, one month after Erickson Senior Living abruptly abandoned it’s proposal to redevelop the former Green Acres Country Club site.
The board voted to give itself the option of choosing if the board, the Plan Commission or both would conduct public hearings on proposed large-scale projects going forward.
The Board of Trustees and Plan Commission planned a May 9 joint public hearing to get the Erickson Senior Living proposal fast tracked to the May 23 board agenda but by then, Erickson already said the company’s investment became financially unsustainable.
Erickson was supposed to provide a senior living facility, $15 million in affordable housing payments, donated recreational acreage and a spot to build a new Northbrook fire department headquarters facility.
The amended legalese to address the required public hearing process is poised to keep current and potential developers interested in Northbrook.
“When it came to the Erickson project in December, when Erickson changed the project, the village board wanted to hold a public hearing in conjunction with our plan commission,” Northbrook Village President Kathryn L. Ciesla said. Ciesla also noted that Northbrook Village Attorney Steve Elrod, “advised the village that it was appropriate for us to amend our code to provide for the ability to have that public hearing with the Plan Commission.”
A compromise was reached with the Plan Commission regarding when it would be best to call for a joint public hearing.
“I think what this does, in 2023, in a challenging economy and where Northbrook has to compete with other communities for business entities, it gives us the flexibility to move a project quickly, it also gives us the flexibility to take large projects and really vet them together,” Ciesla said.
“I think this would be a win for us.”
Elrod asserted the Plan Commission is not being scrapped by amending the zoning code, saying board action that Tuesday night, “eliminates the concept of eliminating the Plan Commission altogether,” Elrod said.
Ciesla said, “At no time, I want to make very clear, at no time has this village board considered eliminating the Plan Commission, we have no interest in doing that, at no time have we ever considered that. We value the Plan Commission,” Ciesla said, which other board members echoed her opinion.
“The Plan Commission especially I hold in high esteem and I believe that they serve a valuable purpose,” Trustee Robert Israel said.
Trustee Johannah K. Hebl said the board needs to be more “nimble” when it comes to large financial trends.
“I know we talk about in government maybe being faster but I’ve learned something being on this board that, you know, we move slow and deliberately,” Hebl added. “There is some element of confusion from the public when we do multiple public hearings.”
Northbrook Court Brookfield Properties operators were in the audience for a preliminary review of the shopping mall’s 10-year redevelopment plan. The property at 1515 to 1775 Lake Cook Road and is nearly 107 acres.
Northbrook Court proposes to redevelop just over 97 acres, excluding the Neiman Marcus building and parking lot (7.7 acres), the Citibank out-parcel (1.14 acres) and the Bank of America out-parcel (0.95 acre).
At the early proposal stage, “I’m comfortable with the concept from what’s been laid out,” said Trustee Heather E. Ross. “I’m actually very excited about it.”
Trustee Daniel H. Pepoon said, “I don’t quite see enough detail yet but I definitely want to work together.”
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“I’m also very excited about this opportunity that we have to build out our Northbrook Court,” Trustee Joy U. Ebhomielen said. “We do agree that this is a conceptual plan.”
Northbrook Court hosted two public open houses on June 17 and June 13 at the mall to listen to neighbors and interested mall patrons.
“We are pleased to be moving forward with the village process and appreciate all the positive engagement from the community at our recent open houses, both milestones in the continued evolution of Northbrook Court as a dynamic, retail and mixed-use neighborhood,” said Ben Freeman, senior vice president (SVP), development of Brookfield Properties.
“We’re committed to continued thoughtful and thorough community engagement as we advance next steps in creating a thriving destination that can be celebrated for generations.”
Karie Angell LucMultimedia Journalist/Non-Linear Editor/Photographer/Documentary Filmmaker[email protected]@KarieAngellLuchttps://karieangellluc.zenfolio.com