Zoning, Sidewalk Sales and Highlighting Businesses for Village Board: Oak Park BAC - July 23, 2014

OPRF Chamber of Commerce | Aug 1, 2014 12:00 AM

Oak Park Business Association Council
Wednesday, July 23
8AM Village Hall

Attendees:
Village Staff: Cara Pavlicek, Tammie Grossman, Craig Failor
Elected Officials: Anan Abu-Taleb, Andrea Ott
BAC Chairman: Paul Zimmermann
Representing:
OPEDC - Viktor Schrader, John Hedges
Chamber of Commerce - Cathy Yen, John Lawrence
Hemingway - Dan Haley, Paul Zimmermann
North Avenue - Wendy Tannebaum, Dan Finnegan
Arts District - Mark Finger
Madison Street - Linda Sahagian
Chicago-Harlem - Jim Beckwith
Roosevelt Rd: Christine Tully-Aranza

CAVEAT: THESE ARE UNOFFICIAL MEETING NOTES TRANSCRIBED TO ASSIST BAC ATTENDEES WITH COMMUNICATION TO STAKEHOLDERS. PLEASE DIRECT ANY QUESTIONS TO YOUR BAC REPRESENTATIVE.

Zoning Issues

Craig Failor, Village Planner, distributed a packet of zoning laws by business district.
OP Police and Legal departments currently are reviewing the zoning ordinances with respect to pawn shops.
An existing business in the Arts District is concerned that a competing hair salon opened next door to his. Other communities have zoning ordinances specifying a distance between salons. For example, Forest Park has a 500 ft requirement.
Our permitted use laws vary by district and area (perimeter, transit areas, etc.). For example, Madison Street District has a 500 ft distance requirement in place for beauty- and salon-related businesses. However, the Arts District does not have this zoning restriction.
VOP’s zoning code will be reviewed in 2015 as a next step following adoption of the Comprehensive Plan.
Discussion points included: need to recognize neighboring towns’ permitted uses and zoning, especially for the perimeter business districts; possibility of establishing a moratorium on some uses until further review; the licensing process and subsequent notification of new businesses to business leaders; signage ordinances; and the difference between zoning to establish permitted uses, to enable a diversity of businesses and to impact density and competition.
The group agreed to continue the conversation at BAC while staff completes the necessary analysis.

Taxing Bodies' Procurement Policies and Local Business

VOP has a “quicklink” on its website entitled “RFPs and RFQs” that publicize current requests for proposals. Push notification capability is expected soon.
Cara asked for volunteers to sit on a subcommittee to continue to work on the issue. John Hedges and Cathy Yen volunteered. We expect that Kim Rasmussen will want to be part of the conversation. Linda Sahagian said she would work with Kim to ensure that one or both of them would be able to participate.

Retail Sales in “Public Way”

Staff is reviewing OP’s response to businesses using the “public way” for signage, sales and seating. There is an ordinance covering “use of public way” and a process for restaurants applying to set up outdoor seating. Sidewalk sales and other events that might bring tables, racks, chairs or other items outside are governed by the Village’s special events permitting process. “Sandwich board” signs may be allowed currently, depending on the business district.
Staff is seeking opinions and perspective from the business community on whether changes should be made to the current rules. Staff plans to review rules and requirements for outdoor cafes in 2015.
Public Works will be filling in the “tree pads” as needed to make the pathways safer.
The business representatives affirmed the need for retail and restaurant businesses to safely take advantage of outdoor weather and capitalize on pedestrian traffic. Additionally, outdoor sales, events and dining add to the perception of vitality in a district.
At the next BAC meeting, staff will prepare a review of the various ordinances for discussion.

Business Highlights as Part of VOP Board of Trustee’s Regular Agenda

Anan asked that the BAC work with Tammie and Cara to invite a local business to regularly scheduled Village Board of Trustee meetings. Village Trustees are interested in hearing a 3-5 minute overview of various businesses from the businesses themselves.
Key elements of the overview might include an introduction of the speaker, length of time in Oak Park, type of business, brief highlights, and opportunities/challenges.
Cathy and Tammie will work together to recommend a BAC process and timeline for extending the invitations. It is expected that BAC leaders would have responsibility for surfacing potential speakers from their respective districts.

Business District Representation

The group revisited the need for representation from every business district. However, no specific process was discussed for identifying potential representatives.
Business leaders interested in representing their districts should contact Tammie or Paul.

District & Association Updates from Attendees

Arts District: district leadership noticed activity at the former headquarters of Supreme Juice Co. at 333 Harrison, hopefully indicative of progress at that site. The La Majada space is ready for sale, having been emptied of furniture and fixtures associated with the previous business. Anan specifically requested that the BAC help correct any misperception in the community that the Village contributed to the closure of the former business. Separately, Village staff is working directly with Arts District leadership to keep them apprised of status changes related to the “Kleronomos properties.”

Chicago-Harlem: a dental clinic is completing their build-out in the former Oak Park Cycle location and a tattoo business is scheduled to open on Marion. The residential project on Maple and Chicago is expected to break ground in the fall.

Hemingway: Hamburger Mary’s is coming along; plans for streetscape in improvements in 2017 are underway. District leadership is hoping for “modest but handsome” improvements.

Madison Street: concerns about landscaping – nothing seems to have been done of late with current planters; Sugar Beet’s request for funding assistance from VOP was approved at the 07.21.14 Board meeting. Funding is contingent on Sugar Beet meeting specific financial goals.

North Avenue: following the successful June 12 “street walk” touring the Oak Park side of North Avenue, NABA has scheduled an August 6 tour of the Chicago side. Both Walgreen’s (Chicago side) and Fresh Market (Oak Park side) have closed.

Roosevelt Road: leadership is addressing streetscape issues related to the curbs around landscaping. The former Rosita’s Grocery site (Berwyn side) has been sold but the building will need significant work. Planning continues for “Light the Veltway” and the Zombie Walk.

OPEDC: significant progress on all three major developments (Lake and Forest, Colt-Westgate and South and Harlem). Recommendation on Sugar Beet financing proposal presented to, and approved by VOP Board 07.21.14

Chamber of Commerce: July 21 golf outing was a successful collaboration with the Forest Park Chamber of Commerce. Participation from Mayors/Presidents of all three villages as well as police and fire representation enhanced the event. Membership is growing. Small, targeted networking groups are forming including a Young Professionals group which seems like it will be popular.

Next BAC Meeting: Wednesday, August 27 8am Village Hall