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HomeMy Public PortalAbout10.12.98 COW AgendaVII..LAGE OF PLAINFIELD WILL COUNTY'S OLDEST COMMUNITY WORKSHOP OF THE PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES HELD ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 12,1998 AT THE VILLAGE BOARD ROOM 23145 W. LINCOLN HIGHWAY, PLAINFIELD 7:OQ P.M. 1) CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL, PLEDGE. 2) MINUTES -Approval of Workshop Meeting Minutes, September 28, 1998 Richard A. Rack PRE8I~ENT TRUSTEES Jay D. Darnell Jeffrey Dement Kathy O'Connell Steven L. Rathbun Raymond Smolich Kurt 5talzer Susan Janik VILLAGE CLERK 3) WALLIN WOODS HISTORIC SITE - At the October 5 Village Board Meeting, Mr. Lambert and representatives of the Plainfield Historical Society presented a S-page memorandum together with a request for action within 30 days. While this matter has continued for several years, athirty-day decision period for the Boazd may be difficult to achieve. My office is conducting some reseazch that may not be completed until the day of the Committee meeting. Trustee O'Connell has asked to schedule this matter for the Workshop. I am attaching various recent news articles, the unsigned statement delivered to the Board on October 5, unsigned minutes of an August 7 meeting of Mr. Lambert, Mr. Bott and Mrs. O'Connell and the unsigned proposal reviewed by the Board at its June 15 meeting. 4) ANY OTHER BUSINESS. DEFERRED ITEMS Downtown Competition Implementation Joint Meeting with Plan Commission Infrastructure Maintenance Fee Economic Incentive Tazget Areas Impact Fee Analysis Financing Southwest water/sewer lines I-55 Connection Feasibility TIF District Programs Alternate Water Sources Sewage Treatment Plant Traffic Signal Locaitons 23145 W. LINCOLN HIGHWAY •PLAINFIELD, ILLINOIS 60544 • ($15) 43fi-7093 • Fax ($15) 436-1950 7 _ Wednesday, October 7, 1998 /'Ihe Plainfield Sun ~ Historical Society asks board for vote on park proposal Vii, • By Benjamin Cox STAFF WRITER _ Frustrated officials from the Plainfield Historical Society requested action on a proposal for a historic park from the Plainfield Vil- lage Board during the public com- ment portion of this weeps board meeting. 'I~te -society wants to save two buildings, the EJ&E Railroad begot and the early 19th~entury Chap- man-Hatch Residence, and relocate them to a park where the archaeo- logical site of a fur trader's cabin remains: The village owns the prop• erty for the proposed site. Time is of the essence, according to the society, because both build- ings are scheduled to be demol- ished soon by their owners. The society thinks it has designed a plan that will facilitate the park's creation. But the society says it needs the village's participation on several lev els to make the park a reality. Soci- ety representatives say with one exception -~ the appointment of Trustee Kathy O'Connell as a vil- lage representative to a park devel- opment committee -the village's help in the matter has been inade- quate.The society did thank O'Con- nell for faithfully attending the meetings. Society members said they understand the larger issues of Park District and Village Board cooperation need to be resolved. The village currently requires all developers who annex into Plain- field to donate land or cash for parks. However, the board mem- bers have not decided what to do with the land once they receive it They are trying to decide if the land should be turned over to the Park District or if they should devise a way to operate the parks through the village. The society wants the board to adopt an action that states the "level of support for the project and its position for participation with fund- ing, planning, development, man- agement responsibilities and on- going maintenance. of the site" along with a timeline. Development delay Frustrated residents from the Ashbury Faints subdivision also requested board action at this week's meeting. For the past 19 months, residents say they have-been attempting to get their developer or the village to resolve problems in the subdivision with retention ponds and lots that are not being maintained. Because sewers were not installed and land grading was not completed during Phase III of the development, the Phase II ponds are not draining properly. Residents also complained that trash is being dumped on the undeveloped lots, and the weeds and grass are going unxnowed. The Village Board decided in June to complete the letters of cred- it for the public improvements in the subdivision. The village's attor- ney said funds would be available within the next week or two. "We haven't done the job," said Terry Burghard, village administra- tor. "We will do a better job." r.u ,.~:.~.. ,~~ .v .. CJ • Historical park hinging on village By Benjamin Cox COPLEY NEWSPAPERS PLAINFIELD -Frustrated officials from the Plainfield Historical Society urged the village board this week to do it's part to create a historic park. The society wants to save two build- ings, the EJ&E Railroad Depot and the early 19th-century Chapman-Hatch Residence, and relocate them next to the archaeological site of a fur trader's cabin. The village owns the property for the proposed historical park. Time is of the essence, the society told the village board, because both buildings are scheduled to be demol- ished soon by the owners. The society members think they it have designed a plan to create the park. But the society said~it needs the vil- lage's participation to make the park a reality. Society representatives say with one exception -the appointment of. Trustee Kathy O'Connell as a village representative to a park development committee -- the village's help in the matter has been inadequate. The soci- ety did thank O'Connell for faithfully at- tending the meetings. Society members said they under- stand the larger issues of park district and village board cooperation need to be resolved. 'Che village requires all developers who annex into Plainfield to donate land or cash for parks. However, the board members have not decided what to do with the land once they receive it. }~e~ They are trying to decide if the land should be turned .over to the park dis- trict or if they should devise a way to operate the parks through the village. The society wants the board to adopt an action that states the "level of sup- port for the project and its position for participation with funding, planning, development, management responsibil- ities and on-going maintenance of the site" along with a time line. Development delay Frustrated residents from the Ash- bury Farms subdivision also requested board action at this week's meeting. For the past l.9 months, residents say they have been attempting to get their developer or the village to resolve problems in the subdivision with reten- tion ponds and lots that are not being maintained. Because of sewers wore not installed and land grading was not completed during Phase III of the development, the Phase II ponds are not draining properly. Residents also complained that trash is being dumped on the un- developed lots, and the weeds and grass are going unmowed. The village board decided in June to complete the letters of credit for the public improvements in the subdivi- sion. The village's attorney said funds would be available within the next week or two. "We haven't done the job," apolo- gized Terry Burghard, village adminis- trator. "We will do a better job." ~~ -~~~~ • .. Public Comments delivered before the Plainfield Village Board October 5, 1998 Nearly four months ago, on June 15th, the Plainfield Historical Society proposed to this Board that the 1885 EJ & E Railroad Depot and the ca. 1837 Chapman -Hatch Residence be relocated near the archaeological site of a ca. 1825 fur trader's cabin at Wallin Woods park. The Proposal developed as the result of several circumstances. For several years, the Plainfield Historical Society has negotiated with the E J & E Railroad to acquire its abandoned depot with the intent of relocating it to nearby, leased railroad property. However, after three years of unsuccessful efforts to meet the minimum Village-mandated site development requirements at the proposed location, the Society sought other alternatives to assure the preservation of the depot. Within the last year, the Forest Preserve District of Will County sought a demolition permit for the Chapman -Hatch House because it did not correspond with plans for the long-term development of the Lake Renwick Preserve. Following County procedure, the demolition request was reviewed and granted by the Will County Historic Preservation Commission subject to discussions with the Plainfield Township Park District for the relocation and preservation of all or part of the historic house. The Plainfield Township Park District expressed interest in exploring the Concept. The two buildings, along with the archaeological site, represent significant periods of development within the Plainfield community. The cabin site represents the initial influx of white settlers in the region; the house is representative of the type of austere homes erected by the early pioneers with lumber milled at Walker's Mill; and the depot represents the evolution of the communit and its connection Y with a larger trade market through industrial ,technology at the end of the nineteenth century. Based on precedent, the Society believed that the Wallin Woods site would be under the jurisdiction of the Plainfield Township Park District. Because the Society has enjoyed an excellent working relationship with the Park District and because of the historical significance of the area surrounding the DuPage River, the Society suggested the concept of preserving bath buildings as a historic component of the Wallin Woods site. At that time, the Society discovered that questions of park jurisdiction within the Village were emerging. The Society believed that the Wallin Woods site afforded many possibilities including that: the rich history of the area--for which many Plainfield residents are proud--could be interpreted through authentic places; the park site rs bordered by a grove of trees which is representative of the landscape of an earlier era; the historic site could be linked tv the proposed Electric Park redevelopment; the park is centrally located and easily accessible to residents, school groups, and visitors to the Village; the site is more visible than other locations where vandalism may occur undeterred; the historically-developed site may attract visitors to the downtown business core thereby supporting the economic development goals of both the Village and MainStreet; and i wn r hi f h sical remnants the larger community cot ld claim o e s p o p y of Plainfield's heritage. In June, the Village Board seemed receptive to the proposal, and Village staff seemed supportive. At that time, the Society asked the Village to appoint a liaison to work with the Society and the Park District to work out the details of ownership, development, funding, and long-term maintenance. The Society understood that the three entities would work together to fund and develop the Project in a manner that would encourage public support. One month after our request, Kathy O'Connell was #inally appointed to represent the Village. She has met, faithfully, with Greg Bott of the Park District and me, the Society representative. However, nearly one -third of a year later, we'are no further along with the planning process than when the idea was first presented. In the interim, the EJ & E has continued towards its goal of disposing o~ the depot building. The Society has not been able to conclude its negotiations with the railroad pending the Society's ability to accept and relocate the building. The Society has continued to explore the possibility of other sites for the depot but continues to believe that the Wallin Woods park site is the best location in terms of community accessibility, community-based commitment to the Project, and long-term security of the historic structures. Also, in the interim, the Society has developed a realistic budget for the restoration of the buildings and development of the immediate area of the park which has suggested responsible parties for financial, planning, construction, and operating aspects of the Project. Additionally, the Society--with the assistance of the Park District staff--has identified at least three potential sources of significant grant funding for the development of a historic component at Wallin Woods park. Furthermore, donations of money, labor, and material have been offered towards the Protect. Residents of the community have inquired about the status of the Project and have expressed support for it. Newspapers have wanted to do publicity stories on the Project. Unforkunately, the Society is unable to give anyone definitive information because we, still, have none to offer. At this time, the Plainfield Historical Society is waiting on the Village Board, as holder of the title to the Wallin Woods parcel, to authorize the relocation of these historically significant structures to their property and to resolve the larger issues of park development and management which have stalled action on this Proposal. The time has come for a decision to be made so that planning for and coordinating the work may begin. Time is running out because the owners of the buildings are not interested in preserving these historic structures themselves and have taken action towards demolishing them. They do not have to wait for the Village. We understand that many outstanding issues must be resolved. However, we understand, also, that many of these issues are new issues for the Village but not for the Plainfield Township Park District. We suggest that there maybe no better steward of Plainfield's "local" interest in the Wallin Woods site than the Plainfield Historical Society, which has been safeguarding our community's historic image for decades. If agreement cannot be reached between the interested parties or the Village is not prepared to move forward at the Wallin Woods site, then the Society may be forced to abandon its remaining options for saving these important historic structures. If either of these buildings is lost due to indecision, it will be a sad commentary on the spirit of cooperation that once flourished in the Plainfield community. Therefore, in the spirit of cooperation, the Plainfield Historical Society requests that zuithiri thirtJ days the Plainfield Village Board stipulate and submit to the Society,-iji zuritittg--an action plan for the Historic Component of Wallin Woods Park that clearly states the Village of Plainfield's level of support for the Project and its position for participation with funding, planning, development, management responsibilities, and nn-going maintenance of the site in addition to a timeline outlining a schedule for implementation and completion for this Project. Then, the representatives of our organizations truly can work towards turning an idea into a reality for the benefit of the entire Plainfield community. Thank you for your time. and consideration. C~ C~ Wallin Woods Historic Interpretive Sites Plainfield Illinois August 7, 1998 Meeting Notes and Subsequent PH5 Questions (8-11••98) (reviewed by G. Batt, K. O'Connell, M. Lambert) General DRAFT CONFI~ENTIFL Sites include the relocated EJ&E Depot, Chapman-Hatch-Platt House, George ~- Fou~}.u-i~r~~at~i~ Archeological Site, and (potentially) a historic • Choolhouse ~ ~ -- ~ . PHS to take lead in requesting participation/time commitment of Village and Park District as soon as possible How is money to be collected? L;~hen does money get turned over to the Village? How much money gets turned over to the Village (on an "as needed" basis??)? Who deceives accounting records of the Village Restoration/Development Fund? How are donations and entrance fees to be divided between PHS and Village during restoration and upon completion? (Suggestion: after PHS evens expenses paid, all other funds go to restoration & maintenance fund) PHS to make one-time financial commitment and act as Not-for-Profit funnel Ma,~imum ability of Plainfield Historical Society is $25,ODO.OD from its funds (which will include annual balance from Park District Museum Funds) plus any donations identified for this Pro%ect Move of buildings in Spring of 1999 and complete by 2001 All Foundation work completed in Spring of 1999 (Depot on Basement with toilet) Depot exterior complete by Summer 1999 House Exterior and Depot Interior complete by Summer 2000 House (and Schoolhouse) Interior complete by Spring 2001 Grounds, Access and Parking Lot complete by Fall 2001 Plainfield Historical Society Assist with Grants Application as needed One-time donation of 25K Coordinate restoration and donations Oversee maintenance program Pay alarm costs for all buildings Acquisition/coordination and installation of static railroad car display Act as Operating/Interpretation Agent with unencumbered access to the site and buildings at all times beginning Fall 1998 Village of Plainfield DRAFT Park Site Property Owner C~~I~ID~I~TI~~ Tree Trimming for move t f Caardinr,te Grants Provide Topographic and Site Engineering Extend All Utilities Site Lighting including payment of utility casts Dispense Restoratian, Construction and Site Development Payments 9~~oordinate and install at-grade pedestrian crossing at EJ&E RR by Fall 2000 stall Parking Lot at Countryman Drive by Fall 2000 r Toilet Installation not later than Summer of 2000 Three Year Financial Assistance (25K, 25K, 25K) plus normal maintenance Plainfield Townshi Palrk [~iatiric~k Assist with Grants Provide Site Maintenance Site Design Assistance Landscape Design and Installation Coordination (esp. of trees required to be placed by Annexation Agreement with Developer) Provide Construction Fencing Assist with Toilet Installation Three Year Financial Assistance (15K, 5K, 5K) Estimated Pro'ect Costs and Revenue Sources Total Project Cost: Two Buildings $ 130,000.00 Third Building $ 50,000.00 Archeological Site $ 35,000.00 Utility Extension $ 30,000.00 Site Development $ 150,000.00 Park'g. Lot & RR Ped. Crossing $ 60,000.00 Total Project Costs $ 455,040.00* • Estimated Revenue: Plfld. Hist. Society -cash $ 25,000.00 Plfld. Hist. Society - in kind $ 2,500:00 Village of Plainfield -cash $ 75,000.00 Village of Plainfield - in kind $ 80,000.00 Plfld. Twp. Park Dist. -cash $ 25,000.00 PIf1d. Twp. Park Dist. - in kind $ 35,000.00 Corporate Donations -cash $ 30,000.00 Corporate Donations - in kind $ 60,000.00 Civic Org. Donations -cash $ 3,500.00 Civic Org. Donations - in kind $ 3,500.00 Private Donations -cash $ 8,000.00 Private Donations - in kind $ 8,000.00 Grant Funding $ 100,000.00 Total Est. Revenue $ 455,504.00 ~~" ~~~~~~~I ~~ ~ ~~ I~ `S "this estimate may be reduced by $50.000..00 if only two buildings are moved to the site ~€2AFd C~s~ Vl~l~~6"! U~~~~..'-~l'1L I~ l S~ S o c._. C ~ u i'c ~lc ~ ~ trt "~u "C ~, .. ~ ~ a y.~ Cp r P ~~ as ono .3,S0o ~ ~,poa ~,~ 7 S,Ooa 30, ooO ~~~ ~,~ DD 3,'^00 3S,DO ~ g'~ 80,DO~ bo,Doo ~ O ~J~D ~ ~,d~C7 /S~ ~ ~~~ Q~, Ek7C7 r] i cT~ a'1,~ ~ C~ ~? ~ ~.~ ~~ A Proposal for the Relocation & Restoration of ~ ~:a~. _ .~~~~~.~b~~~..~.-~;.;:~: ~~;~~R' a~<~ Elgin Joliet & { ~ ~~~~ ~ a ~-~Y~~~ ~~r'~t ,~~ ~v~ ~ ,~~ ~. } ~ .Eastern (E J&E) ~r¢ ~ . L4~;: fly{, ~ ' f °~ ~•.xJ i~~. .~~. ~ \ D ~. i rl\-`_ ~^~~~~~~_ ~ ~"~;~~~''y ~ ~' ~`~ ~ Railroad Depot "x i~, "~"~ 'z'ar"' ~ "~ _ ;.~. - ~.,~ ....,1. ~-~ ,. -~ '= °M~ 4 ~k: ~ a t Wallin Woods +Histary The origins of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern (E J & I) Railroad can be traced to a March 22, 1884 meeting in the Joliet, Illinois home of Daniel H. Robertson. In response to the need far a new railroad, Articles of Agreement were signed to form the Joliet, Aurora and Northern Railway (J A & N), which was proposed to run from the Indiana state line, through Joliet and Aurora, and on to the east bank of the Mississippi River. Of the #ive men present, Erwin E. Wood was from Plainfield. Erwin E. Wood was the son of Elisha J. Wood, who was an early pioneer that settled in Plainfield Township in 1845; built a home and established a farm (at the present site of Harvest Glen Subdivision); served as Plainfield's Postmaster from 1849-1853; and, later, built the Octagon House (destroyed by the 1990 tornado) just north of the Wallin Woods site along khe Lockport Road. Erwin E. Wood was a graduate of Northwestern College, which was, then, located in Plainfield. At age 16, he enlisted in the Civil War. Following the war, he engaged in the newspaper business, became an investor in several projects, and was elected a member of the Illinois General Assembly. The J A & N was incorporated on Apri130, 1884, and the line officially opened on August 14, 1886 tivhen krains ran on schedule between Joliet and Aurora. In October of that year, the J A & N approved the sale of all property to the E J & E Railroad, a newly formed company combining several operating and proposed railroads. Developed as a circumferential rail line, the E J & E ran around the City of Chicago from the shore of Lake Michigan at Waukegan to the Lakeshore at Gary, Indiana and provided a fast and efficient route around the congested, urban railyords within the City of Chicago. Most probably constructed in 1885-86, the Plainfield depot began service concurrently with the J A & N Railroad. The depot was an important link to other communities along the "industrial beltline" as .well as to the goods and markets those places beyond. The depot and railroad tivere key factors to the development of the Village and surrounding area as a delivery point of building materials, catalog shipments, coal and lamp oil, landscape stock, and other necessities of the day not produced locally. 6.• The area around the. depot was built up with grain elevators and related business enterprises in response to the rapidly expanding, local agricultural industry of the late nineteenth century. Serving, primarily, as a freight station throughout most of its existence, the depot was identified as a passenger station by the Sanborn Map Co. in 1893 and continued as a passenger station well after 1904. The last freight deliveries were made through the depot in the late 1960s or early 1970s. Proposal The Plainfield Depot should be moved to the Wallin Woods park site so that it is easily accessible to the residents of the Village. The proposed depot site is in close proximity to the site of Erwin E. Wood's home, the Octagon House. Along with two other historically significant buildings/sites (the archaeological remnants of the George Fouquier cabin and the restored Chapman-Platt-Hatch Residence), the depot could form an interpretive microcosm of Plainfield's significant periods of early development. Furthermore, the Wallin Woods park site could be linked with the proposed Electric Park re-development which has been discussed for many years. With cooperation between the Village of Plainfield, the Plainfield Township Park District, and the Plainfield Historical Society, the depot could be restored and interpreted in a manner that would help to depict Plainfield's historical development as a community and assist in the implementation of a longtime goal to establish a historic theme along the DuPage River Greenway. However, the Wallin Woods park site should be designed in such a manner that it does not become an "old building graveyard" or artificial "historic settlement." Perhaps, based on the success of this effort, other opportunities may emerge for the relocation of significant, endangered buildings at other sites along the DuPage River. Because the Village of Plainfield continues to hold title to the Wallin Woods park site, the Village could maintain ownership of the site (if so desired) as well as ownership of any buildings erected on the premises while the Plainfield Tot nship Park District could assist in the development of the park setting. Similar to arrangements made in other communities, the Plainfield Historical Society would be interested in maintaining an "operating contract/lease" for the property to utilize buildings for historic interpretations and museum use (the present building would continue as a museum but is rapidly becoming too small). Funding Eor the project could come Erom Village resources, the Plainfield Township Park District Museum Tax levy, the Plainfield Historical Society, and volunteer donations of labor, materials and services. The combined efforts would assure the continued viability of the project for many generations. 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