Carbondale Reporter

At a recent meeting, the Carbondale Planning Commission heard a presentation on the Downtown Master Plan and discussed several related issues.

Below are the minutes from this meeting, as provided by the commission.

Mr. Lebeau called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

Members Present: Anz, Field, LeBeau, Lilly, Litecky, Love, and Bradshaw (ex-officio)

Members Absent: Barke, Schachel, and Sheffer

Staff Present: Taylor

1. Approval of Minutes:

Ms. Litecky moved, seconded by Mr. Love, to approve the minutes for February 10,

2016.

The motion to approve the minutes passed with a unanimous voice vote.

2. Citizen Comments or Questions

There were none

3. Report of Officers, Committees, Communications

There were none

4. Public Hearings

Downtown Master Plan

Mr. LeBeau declared the Public Hearing open at 6:01 p.m. and asked Mr. Nik Davis

of Houseal Lavigne Associates to present the Downtown Master Plan to the

Commission.

Mr. Davis gave a presentation on the process in creating and the content of the

Downtown Master Plan.

Mr. LeBeau asked if there were any questions from the Commissioners for Mr. Davis.

MINUTES

Carbondale Planning Commission

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Room 108, 6:00 p.m.

City Hall/Civic Center

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Ms. Litecky reiterated concerns regarding Mr. George Sheffer’s comments at the

previous Downtown Advisory Committee meeting regarding the need to include

specific businesses targeted for downtown and the need for a business incubator

downtown. Ms. Litecky asked if any progress has been made regarding these topics.

Mr. Davis referenced the section in the Plan which discusses a downtown business

incubator. Mr. Davis also elaborated on the types of businesses which should be

targeted, with the note that until downtown improvements are made, the vision of

what businesses should be targeted has yet to be realized.

Ms. Litecky also noted that she was under the impression that Houseal Lavigne would

actually complete the branding for Downtown Carbondale.

Mr. Davis stated that the original plan for Houseal Lavigne was to brand the plan

itself. The branding for the downtown was not a part of the scope of work. Houseal

Lavigne did, however, develop a branding strategy.

Ms. Litecky stated that she was glad to see that the planting of native species was

prioritized in the plan. However, the species of trees proposed do seem to be those

banned by certain cities and are better suited for a different climate than Carbondale.

Mr. Davis stated that it was not the intent for all of these trees to be native to the area

as some native species may not be suited for roadway settings due to the amount of

salt that would be present in the soil during Winter months.

Mr. Anz expressed his concern that there are not more specifics regarding

development types. Standards regarding occupancy, parking, and building sizes,etc

are not in the plan. Developers will need these items explained.

Mr. Davis agreed that these standards are important. However, he did not believe the

intent of the Downtown Master Plan was to set those standards. The zoning code

should be the tool used to develop and enforce those regulations.

Mr. LeBeau asked if there were any further questions from Commissioners.

There were none.

Mr. LeBeau asked if there were any questions from the public.

Mr. Gail White stepped forward. Mr. White stated that he owns property on the north

side of the Historic Town Square. Mr. White explained the history and improvements

of this downtown area. Mr. White stated that there is some concern about the

availability of parking in the area needed to maintain the viability of businesses in the

area. He stated that there has been some discussion regarding the removal of some

parking in the Town Square and urged that property and business owners be included

in any future discussions on this topic. Mr. White also warned against the potential

vandalism that may accompany open recreational areas. Before concluding, Mr.

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White recognized Frank Butterfield who was in attendance representing the

Landmarks Illinois organization.

Mr. Mike McNerney stepped forward stating that he also owns property in the

Historic Town Square. Mr. McNerney stated that he seconds Mr. White’s comments

stating that careful attention needs to be paid to both historic preservation and the

parking need for the downtown area.

Mr. D. Gorton stepped forward reiterating an item that Ms. Litecky had mentioned

regarding the recommended trees noted in the plan. Mr. Gorton stated that the trees in

the plan do not coincide with those native and recommended for this area. Many of

the trees mentioned in the plan are prohibited and will not survive in this area. Mr.

Gorton stated that this section should be gone over much more carefully.

Ms. Jane Adams stepped forward to discuss several items. Ms. Adams stated that,

contrary to what the Plan states, the Downtown Advisory Committee did not charge

themselves with this work, rather they were given a charge by the Carbondale City

Council. Ms. Adams also noted that the Downtown Management Organization

referenced in the Plan already exists through Carbondale Main Street. Ms. Adams

asked Mr. Davis to explain the recommendation in the plan.

Mr. Davis stated that the wording regarding the charge of the Downtown Advisory

Committee is misleading and will be revised. Mr. Davis also stated that the scope of

the Downtown Management Organization would go beyond the current

responsibilities of Carbondale Main Street. Moving forward Carbondale Main Street

should, however, be a part of the process.

Ms. Adams stated that it was her understanding that a parking plan would was to be

submitted with the Downtown Master Plan. With regards to the Town Square, it does

not seem there is a specific solution for the displaced parking that would result from

the removal of the parking area. Ms. Adams inquired as to the intent behind laying

out some alternatives but not getting into the direct implications of the removal of

parking and where exactly new parking could be placed in the Town Square.

Mr. Davis pointed out the pages and sections in the plan where additional parking

was proposed for relocation. These options included new parking lots and possible

additional on-street parking options around the Town Square.

Mr. Frank Butterfield, Director of the Springfield office for Landmarks Illinois,

stepped forward. Mr. Butterfield expressed the importance of economic development

and historic preservation in the downtown. Mr. Butterfield also noted how

Carbondale Main Street furthers these priorities and how the City should consider

Main Street’s important role moving forward.

Ms. Bradshaw asked Mr. Davis what the next steps were in the process and how

people can suggest further changes to the plan.

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Mr. Davis stated that the online portal can still be accessed and feedback can be

received right up to the City Council meeting scheduled for April 19. 2016.

Ms. Litecky inquired as to how the changes suggested during the Planning

Commission meeting would be incorporated. Ms. Litecky stated how she would be

uncomfortable voting to recommend a Plan that still requires some adjustments.

Ms. Davis replied that the changes discussed tonight will be reflected in the City

Council’s final version of the Plan.

Mr. Taylor then read into the record a letter from Mr. Donald Monty expressing his

concerns with the Downtown Master Plan draft.

Mr. LeBeau asked if there were any further questions from anyone to anyone.

There were none.

Mr. LeBeau declared the Public Hearing closed at 7:08 p.m.

Mr. Love moved, seconded by Ms. Lilly, to recommend to City Council the adoption

of the Carbondale Downtown Master Plan.

Roll Call Vote:

Yes – 3 (Field, Lebeau, Love)

No – 3 (Anz, Lilly, Litecky)

Mr. Taylor announced that the result of the motion to recommend the adoption of the

Downtown Master Plan to City Council was a tie. Mr. Taylor explained that the Plan

would move forward to the Carbondale City Council and is tentatively scheduled for

the City Council meeting on April 19, 2016.

5. Old Business

There were none

6. New Business

A. City Council Agendas from February 23, March 8, and March 22, 2016

Ms. Bradshaw reviewed the City Council meetings as they related to Planning.

7. Adjournment

Mr. LeBeau adjourned the meeting at 7:15 p.m.