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."
~~
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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
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"this estimate may be reduced by $50.000..00 if only two buildings are moved to the site
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A Proposal
for the
Relocation &
Restoration of
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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.
Because time is of the essence to assure the preservation of these two structures, approval of the concept
is needed as soon as possible.
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