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Village of La Grange Community and Economic Development Commission met Feb. 3.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: 

A meeting of the Community and Economic Development Commission was held on February 03, 2022 in the auditorium of the Village Hall at 53 South La Grange Road, La Grange, IL and was convened at 7:06 p.m. by Chairman Russ Riberto.

Present: Commissioners Buttron, Carlson, Cassidy, Hall, Hayes, Heery, Janevski, Janowski, McQuiston, Palmer, Sher, and Chairman Riberto.

Absent: Commissioners Hanson and McGee.

Also Present: Community Development Director Charity Jones

II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 

On motion by Commissioner Carlson, seconded by Commissioner Hall, the minutes of the November 4, 2021 Community and Economic Development Commission meeting were approved.

III. NEW BUSINESS: 

Community & Economic Development Activity Report 

Director Jones gave a presentation of sales tax trends through fall of 2021. She reported that municipal sales tax continues to trend significantly higher than usual as a result of the Leveling the Playing Field Act that changed how the state collects sales tax on online purchases. Director Jones then summarized the key elements of the Act. She noted that following a professional event in the fall the Illinois Department of Revenue provided additional explanation to local municipalities regarding the state’s sale tax reporting, so staff can continue to track local activity and exclude the majority of online activity. The state’s data reflect that local taxable retail activity through fall of 2021 increased 16% from 2020 and was 11% higher than the same period in 2019.

Director Jones then reported on permit activity through the end of 2021. Permit applications continued the higher than average trend, which began in mid-2020. Permits issued in 2021 were 20% higher than La Grange’s 5 year average level of activity.

Director Jones then announced new businesses and businesses that have planned openings in the near future. She also noted that after nearly 40 years in business, the Palmer family sold La Grange mainstay Palmer Place to Dave and Leslie Tarman. She reported that Dave and Leslie, who also own the Silo in Lake Bluff, say they intend to make only modest adjustments to this cornerstone restaurant in La Grange.

Director Jones provided a summary report of the 2021 holiday promotions, including in person and virtual offerings. She noted that the Village’s promotional team did an excellent job in garnering media coverage for local businesses in La Grange, which provides direct promotion for these businesses and raises La Grange’s brand awareness throughout the Chicagoland area. She also noted the successful new partnership with Visit Oak Park, who partnered with the Village to provide professional photography services at the holiday walk. Director Jones announced that Restaurant Week is scheduled for February 25 – March 6 and asked the Commission to help promote the event to friends and neighbors.

Walgreens Alcove – Public Art Concepts 

Director Jones showed the CEDC the final artwork, installed that week.

Update on Upcoming Projects 

Director Jones reported that phase one of the streetscape project would commence next month. Phase two of the streetscape project is scheduled for installation in fall 2022.

Director Jones noted that Hitchcock Design Group is preparing specifications for bid for the downtown wayfinding and gateway signs. As part of the contract they are undertaking an evaluation of all of the Village’s existing wayfinding signs to see if there are any opportunities for improvement, such as make parking areas more recognizable. Staff anticipates a March bid notice.

Director Jones also reported that the Village staff is in the process of developing a Request for Proposals to solicit a consultant to complete a parking study. The consultant will be tasked with studying parking supply in light of current and projected demand, and evaluating current pricing models, parking regulations, and other Village protocols related to parking. The consultant will also evaluate emerging trends in parking management, such as parklets and electric vehicle charging. Director Jones noted that in the short-term, the parklet program will continue in 2022.

Commissioner Palmer noted that every business benefits from the parking throughout the downtown, not just the spaces immediately near their establishment. Commissioner Hall said that she is interested to see how consumer preferences for indoor vs outdoor dining changes or stays course in 2022. Commissioner Janowski noted that Hinsdale is likely to continue with its street closure for outdoor dining in 2022. Commissioner Janevski encouraged staff to continue with the parking inventories in summer 2022 to compare to the same period in 2019; the data may help shed light on the impact of the parklet program. Commissioner Palmer noted that there are lots of policy considerations related to the parklet program, including competing public and private concerns; it is a good temporary measure, and if the Village considers it on a more permanent basis, it will be important to look at the whole picture.

IV. Chairman Comments 

Chairman Riberto thanked Director Jones for her presentation. For the benefit of the newer commissioners, Chairman Riberto provided a brief overview of the CEDC’s role in helping implement the recommendations in the La Grange 2020 report and noted that many of the projects are now coming to fruition.

V. ADJOURNMENT: 

There being nothing further to come before the Community and Economic Development Commission, a motion was made by Commissioner Janevski, and seconded by Commissioner Hayes that the meeting be adjourned at 8:07 p.m.

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