Board Meeting: Business Zoning in Commonwealth, Ogden Crossing, Work on 'Well No. 4'

Monday's Village workshop meeting started off on a somber note with a moment of silence for the loss of Municipal Services Director Bill Nelson, who was considered a friend by President William Rodeghier and the Board of Trustees. 

In the planning and zoning department, Trustee Marcia Buell said that the Western Springs Medical Complex (WSMC) LLC  is working on zoning for both the former Vaughans Garden Center building (at the corner of 47th Street and Commonwealth Avenue), and a second building they plan on building in the open area south of the current property. There will be a public hearing on February 22nd to look over their plans. The bank that owns the building is pushing the developer with a tight timetable. 

Also in planning and zoning, Wright Ride—an Oak Park cycle club—needs a temporary use permit for a recreational ride they have planned that will be going through the Village. Director of Community Development Marty Scott said that "we need more details [on the permit,]" which the club will be getting to the Village by the end of the week. 

Trustee Horvath reported on the intergovernmental agreements with the school districts pertaining to the laying of a fiber-optic cable network.  With the building of the new fire station, cable will be run down Grand Avenue.  This network will be the fastest and best in the country,  and schools will have an opportunity  to tap into it. St. John of the Cross and District 204  (LTHS) are in negotiations with the Village for their cost to connect.  School District 101 already has a signed agreement. 

Naperville resident John Hogan is working out the details of a lease with Taste of Vino, planning his new restaurant, Le Mecenat. He will be applying for the same liquor licenses currently in place. Trustees said they were impressed by a sample of his menu. Hogan plans on keeping on the current chef, and says he loves Western Springs and is looking forward to creating an environment where residents can enjoy hanging out.

On an amusing note, the Village is preparing to resolve a conflict on poultry regulations.  One regulation in the code forbidding poultry cancels out another permitting it, making neither enforceable.  A change in the ordinance will clear that up, removing poultry from the banned animals list; however, the fierce restrictions make it very unlikely you will be able to keep live chickens on your property. 

A Peer Grant has been awarded to the Village which will be used to develop a DVD by Lyons Township High School about trains and crossings.  It will be a railroad safety video used by the cable channels and high school.  

As the water department prepares for the changes that will be taking place in the Village’s water system, they will be working on Well No. 4—currently a back-up well, but one which will be relied on heavily while the Village changes water plants to a reverse-osmosis system.  The work on Well No. 4, which is the deepest well in the Village and is located in the public works yard, will cost approximately $90,000-$95,000, as well as any unexpected charges from the work.

Engineers are continuing to search for an option to create a crossing for the Bemis Woods Bike Trail on Ogden Avenue, with President Rodeghier calling the search "a long and tortured history.” The Village is currently stuck in negotiations with the county to find a suitable location for a safe crossing of the busy Ogden.

Rodeghier also thanked the Quasquicentennial Committee that was responsible for the 125th Birthday Party at McClure Jr. High last month.  He complimented them on how well it came off and how much he personally appreciated it. 

The meeting ended with “thank yous” to all the people and police who worked during the blizzard to remove the snow. During this period the Fire Department fed all the workers. Trustee Buell added a “thank you” to all the residents who kept the sidewalks clear for commuters, dog walkers and students.