In a side note we added to our Monday post, we suggested PRU readers give the Planning and Zoning Committee videos some time and attention too.
And you did not. For shame!
So again today we're going to wave a big red flag and nag you about giving your time and attention to the specific Planning and Zoning Committee video segments below. We've indexed them for your convenience.
The PRU Crew is not kidding about this issue -- this is a very serious matter people should be paying attention to, as the potential for altering the dynamics of your City government are far reaching.
video #00003.MTS PRPZ 9-22-09
Begins with a discussion of Text Amendment changes to the zoning ordinance -- specifically, the City Council's request that the Planning and Zoning Commission reconsider the Council's authority to review denials by the Planning and Zoning Commission, revocation and extensions of PUDs for stage two plans, change to zoning code for ground pole signs, and other minor house-keeping issues.
@05:20 mark -- Discussion of construction schedules for building projects begins
@23:45 mark -- Discussion begins on whether the City Council should have the authority to review denials of Text Amendments by the Planning and Zoning Commission
@26:20 mark -- Commissioner Rifkind begins to hit the nail on the head
@27:16 mark -- Commissioner Rifkind sinks it -- nothing but net!
@29:05 mark -- Commissioner Baldi comments on legislative process vs. a matter of personal interest and privilege
@34:15 mark -- Commissioner Austriaco offers her agreement with Commissioner Baldi's remarks and comments upon the "potential for abuse"
@35:43 mark -- Ald. Rich DiPietro "preaches to the choir"
@40:39 mark -- Resident Pat Livensparger addresses the Commission, offering her observations of "interesting behavior" she's seen at recent Council and Zoning Board of Appeals meetings
@48:59 mark -- Commissioner Rifkind moves to approve changes with deletions (as amended by the Planning and Zoning Commission)
video #00004.MTS PRPZ 9-22-09
Begins with continuation of Commissioner Rifkind's motion for approval of changes with deletions
@06:20 mark -- Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously votes to tell the City Council to shove their politicizing power grab up their collective Council caboose
@07:30 mark -- Discussion of changes to revocations and extensions for PUDs begins
~~ here PRU.ADMIN confessed the meeting became a bit of a snoozefest
@12:55 mark -- Commissioner Rifkind moves approval of changes
@30:05 mark -- Audience member and as previously mentioned here (and here and here too) local zoning variance czar, attorney Jack Owens, thinks he's back in grade school and approaches Commissioner Baldi with a note
@30:48 mark -- Commissioner Rifkind withdraws her motion
@31:30 mark -- Commissioner Baldi points out a conflict in the ordinance language
@32:12 mark -- Commissioner Rifkind suggests a motion to table the matter
@32:35 mark -- Commission unanimously votes to table the matter
@32:55 mark -- Discussion on ground pole signs begins
@35:40 mark -- Commissioner Roskiewicz moves approval
@37:05 mark -- A roll call vote of 6 to 2 -- the motion failed
@37:43 mark -- Discussion on non-conforming uses begins
@38:45 mark -- Commissioner Austriaco moves approval, then motions again @39:23 mark
@39:39 mark -- Commission unanimously approves motion
@39:51 mark -- Commission begins consideration of modified definitions
@40:10 mark -- Commissioner Baldi moves for approval
@40:25 mark -- Commission unanimously approves motion
@41:00 mark -- Motion is made to close the public hearing
@41:36 mark -- Motion to adjourn is made
October 8, 2009
Your Attention, Please!
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57 comments:
Fire up the City Hall grill!
Ah, yes, the omnipresent Jack Owens, the ultimate insider. Does he have a "special relationship" with P&Z member Baldi? Isn't there a rule (and a sign?) that says nobody can go past the point that Owens had to go beyond to advise Baldi?
PRU, before I watched the vids I thought maybe you were being dramatic about the potential for changing the way business gets done for zoning plans.
I sure do not think so now. My god. All our commissioners got this one right on and I can't believe responsible people would even think making this process political is a good idea at all. I thank the commissioners for the work they are doing.
If Commissioner Rifkind got nothing but net, then Commissioner Baldi hit one out of the park.
I agree with everything that was said.
Nice to see that there's at least one deliberative body in this city(and it ain't the City Council) with a backbone. Way to go commissioners on the unanimous up your "caboose" vote.
What will happen now? Since the Commission voted no on it, is it over>?
Anon@12:36 --
What is likely to happen is, P & Z will meet again in late October and vote on the portion of the Text Amendment they tabled at this last meeting.
After that, the issue will go before the City Council for discussion and a vote.
It should be very entertaining to watch certain Alderdunces talk about why the City Council should be able to review all denials made by P & Z, and why we should trust them -- politicians -- not to allow the planning and zoning process to become politicized in spite of all current evidence to the contrary.
Then the Aldermen can just vote to give themselves the final say anyway? Then why did this even go to the Commission?
Anon@12:52 --
To answer your second question -- this went to the P & Z for consideration because that is the process required for review and consideration of all Text Amendments, including those initiated by the Council.
To answer your first question -- yes.
Anonymous @ 10:53,
There is definitely a sign...I remember well why it was put up in the first place...
The "rule" I think you are referring to is the prohibition against attempts to influence members of boards or commissions...
Article 2, Chapter 5, Section 3, item G...of the municipal code...
...one of my personal favorites!
How did this become an issue?
Anon@3:52 --
You may send a 'thank you' note, or other form of correspondence, to Ald. Don Bachtard.
Figures.
Does flaming poo count as "correspondence"?
Anon@3:59 --
In a sense, it very well may.
But we strongly advise against it, and urge you to use words to convey the appropriate sentiments.
The Tree Task Force is also because Bachturd wanted to review a resident getting denied by staff to cut down healthy trees.
I wish Bachturd and the rest of them paid as much attention to all the spending they do, instead of on crap like this. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!
432, are you talking about when a shipment of meat got sent to city hall? I remember hearing about that. It's funny you should bring it up. That was some individual person who just wanted to cut down trees and then next thing you know there's this meat sent to city halll. Kind of makes you think that some big developer wanting a lot of variances could be even more generous with aldermen on one of these planning and zoning issues.
5:83 Does the word billboards ring any bells???
548, I sure do!
Getting back to the post subject for a moment, I too want to say I am glad the Planning Commission stood their ground. If the Aldermen are really responsible and honest, they will see they don't want to risk the potential for abuse which was spoken of.
I don't think any of us should forget how generous developers and contributors were with the last Mayor. These are all the Aldermen who supported him in the last election.
It's almost a given that big contributors expect something in return for their campaign donations. The whole thing stinks.
you are SO correct 8:38!
Oh!...the above comments from 8:38 and gypsy are spot-on and PRICELESS!
I remember the Schmidt campaign mailer that had a "for sale" sign in front of City Hall. So true...
The comments here are filled with negativity and cynical expectations.
What happened to all of you that you have become so jaded.
These aldermen are volunteers, our friends, and our neighbors. You all seem to believe they are out to cheat you.
I have lived in Park Ridge for years and have never seen so much discontent and ill will.
The blog masters and devoted blog following here got what you wanted and you still don't have anything positive to say about anything.
I'm not sure I think it's a great idea to change the system of how building projects are approved or denied.
I'm just not so quick to think the people who do have the opinion the process should change have some evil intent up their sleeves.
ah, yes, the truth is painful.
Ah, yes, October 8, 2009 9:39 PM - do you mean all these "volunteers," "friends" and "neighbors" who have borrowed this city into a $50 million debt hole, primarily for a project (Uptown) that continues to suck up millions in annual expense?
The same "volunteers," "friends" and "neighbors" who can't even balance a city budget, having posted deficits in 7 of the last 8 years to the tune of almost $11 MILLION, with the only surplus year resulting from the City selling off the reservoir block and the Bredemann property (at a price that may have been significantly under their fair market value, no less)?
The same "volunteers," "friends" and "neighbors" who spent the past few years wasting their time and our money on consultants to support their goal of a Taj Mahal police station that we can't afford and a huge majority of the voters/taxpayers don't want?
The same "volunteers," "friends" and "neighbors" who neglected the city's infrastructure for over a decade while demands on that infrastructure, especially sewers, increased substantially from more and bigger residential construction?
The same "volunteers," "friends" and "neighbors" who were asleep at the switch for the four years O'Hare was building the new runway, and the 18 months Des Plaines was angling for the new casino?
That's no reason for any "discontent and ill will," is it?
Anon 9:39
Exactly how long have you lived here?
What's got me cynical and jaded is learning about all the deals politicians make in secret and then spring on us. They allways tell us it will be good for us and then it winds up costing us mints in bailouts for these deals.
Anonymous10:06 talked about Uptown that I supported because it was supposed to bring in all this tax money. I haven't seen any tax relief and from what I read in the paper and read on the blogs it maybe is successful for the developer that got the deal but the taxpayers are getting stuck with the bills.
I see the Aldermen who were all in support of the last Mayor and all his secret deals as still trying to maybe get something done for the people the last Mayor made promises to. I'm saying that's what I see could be possible.
Anonymous @ 8:38,
Your take could very well be...as you said, "big contributors expect something in return for their campaign donations."
Indeed...they surely do...and they will make every effort to EXPLOIT their relationships with elected officials...and both will then expound upon the altruism of each...
Makes one want to vomit.
To the October 9, 2009 10:06 Anonymous who addressed me.
Your anger is over the top. The people who volunteer their time for all of us should be respected. They are our friends and neighbors first and none of them ever claimed to be perfect.
This blog gives people like you an outlet for your anger and that is a good thing I suppose.
We have problems we should not ignore. You listed some of them and I agree with you those things are problems.
Our community is much better off than so many others and I think it is due to the good volunteers who have always stepped up to serve.
I still do not think anyone has set out to cheat us. I have a more positive and life affirming outlook toward my neighbors and fellows in our community.
respect is EARNED, it's not a given.
Blog to make a difference. Most of you sound like old ladies that own twenty cats. Check to see if you have the right genitals with the label given to you at birth. Get a life, or get some anger management.......No matter what you people say, or gossip about, what will be, will be. When anyone says anything positive you knock them down. What is wrong with you bitter, cynical people of Park Ridge?
and speaking of respect, for the THIRD straight week, the Herald-Advocate fails to spell "Maine South High School" correctly. Here, we find a lovely article about students helping out a fellow classmate injured in a car accident. That is a GREAT story and nice to see high school kids helping each other out.
However...can you please SPELL correctly and at least get the address right?!
http://www.pioneerlocal.com/parkridge/schools/1814590,park-ridge-207paige-101509-s1.article
5:59--
pot
kettle
black
The Crew has started a pool -- place your bets
Do you think Anon@5:59 is
the pot
or
the kettle?
i will put in a fiver that it's the pot.
does everyone in pr really love trees this much, who really gives a f*** about trees. theres bigger problems in the world but instead u all cry if a few ugly trees get cut whoopdie doooo
Anon@6:35 --
Are you attempting to demonstrate that ignorance is, in fact, not bliss by way of making an ignorant and bitterly negative comment?
:) yeah, how did you know?
Good guess.
must be sherlock,
you should quit the blog and start up your own investigation company, you make really good guesses.
unless of course this blog is a hobby of yours, which I really doubt.
Thank you. We do our best.
lol bitter unwanted old used up alderman...
Unfortunately, it appears we will not be able to return the compliment regarding your guessing ability.
it's okay, i could live my life without your compliment.
gonna go cut down some trees in a little bit, wanna help out?
Can't spare the time -- too busy blogging.
I just remembered something, that cutting trees is against your religion. It was very inconsiderate of me to ask you to help. My deepest apologies...
Go and sin no more.
Yikes! When God made the world interesting he might have overdone it.
Great Larson toon today, PRU.
Thanks. Glad you liked it.
Excuse me for interrupting the insult party.
I finally got the chance to watch the videos and read through all the comments.
Thank you to the volunteers who are keeping up with video taping these meetings and thank you to PRU for putting these here.
I have to agree with many of the comments here. I also see this as becoming too political if the aldermen put their nose into every decision. I think that is a very bad idea.
October 9, 2009 4:35 PM:
I beg to differ.
The problem with this town (and most other ones, especially Chicago) is that we don't get angry enough! We praise mediocrity and tolerate incompetence when we should be condemning it.
If these "volunteers" mismanaged their own assets the way they mismanage our tax money and public assets, they wouldn't be our public officials because they'd be living in Norridge or Franklin Park.
What they are doing with their mismanagement is STEALING from all of us. Worse yet, they are stealing from our children and grandchildren who will end up paying the checks these bozos are writing, or end up living in a town that can't afford to provide the quality of life we and our predecessors enjoyed.
For the money we pay in taxes, we should be a LOT better off than most others, and a LOT better off than we are. But with how these "volunteers" are screwing things up, our city government can't even afford to clean up road kill anymore!
It's the valium cases like you who set no standards for these "volunteers" other than that they just show up, so you're part of the problem rather than part of the solution.
Anonymous 12:55:
I could not agree more. People talk a good game about wanting accountability and honesty from the people we elect. However, when it comes to watchng these folks bumble their way through or worse, break promises and commit dishonest acts, so many of us shrug our shoulders. I for one am getting very angry about the constant promise breaking and bumbling.
...and personal agendas. what happened to doing what's for the good of the people?
BWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHAAAAA...
One man's personal agenda is another man's "good of the people"...
I can think of three of those "men" who would tell you that, right at this very moment...if they were forced to disclose the information.
For the 'leventeen-hundredth time, trees is good. They filter much of the filth dropped into the stuff we breathe by airplanes, which we occasionally see 'round these parts. Trees manufacture oxygen, something many of us find useful; and to do so use up only sunlight, which costs us nothing, and carbon dioxide, which we emit as exhalations. Trees counteract the heat islands caused by so much hardsurface concrete, faux limestone, brick, etc. etc. which we have more and more of all the time, so they keep our Uptown area and all buildings cooler in summer. Trees also buffer wind and insulate against cold, so they keep neighborhoods and buildings warmer in winter. When things are cooler in summer and warmer in winter, your A/C and heating costs less. They also add surprisingly significant value to your real estate, something we could use a bit more of lately. Buy a house in a subburb equally near O'Hare that doesn't have our trees, and you won't see our prices, limp as they may be at the moment.
And all that is in addition to the perception any feeling human has: Trees are graceful and beautiful or at least interesting -- even the ugly ones. Why on earth did you pay Park Ridge "Tree City" prices if you want to live in a concrete desert?
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