Steve Gutierrez

The Village Board meeting agenda included employee recognitions, the Village President's Report featuring a Park District informational presentation, and a Public Comment period. Key action items covered under the Omnibus Vote (Consent Items) involved the approval of an Indemnification Agreement with Cook County, appointing delegates and alternate delegates to NIPSTA, declaring property surplus, approving an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Village of Winnetka for Fire Training Tower Usage, and authorizing the purchase of a replacement Ford F-350 and utility box. Individual Vote items included authorizing an agreement with Wight & Company for parking lot design services, approving an amendment to the SAFEbuilt Professional Services Agreement, and authorizing the purchase of a replacement ambulance.

The meeting agenda included several key considerations and discussions for the upcoming fiscal year. Topics included consideration of architectural revisions requested by Bloomfield Development for the planned unit development at 405 Central Avenue. The committee also planned to discuss the Proposed Fiscal Year 2026/27 Goals and Objectives, which guide the budget development process, highlighting priorities like Economic Development and Resident Outreach. Furthermore, the agenda covered whether to forward a request for automatic car washes to be considered an allowed use in the B-1 zoning district, and a discussion regarding the minimum standards required for the dedication of private lanes to the Village.

The agenda for the Committee of the Whole meeting included several key discussions. Primary topics involved the discussion and acceptance of the FY2024/2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and the Police Pension Actuarial Report for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2025. Further discussions were scheduled regarding credit card processing fees and an overview of the Visioning Session. The committee also planned to discuss the Fund Balance Policy. The preceding meeting minutes from August 26, 2025, covered discussions on a resident request for assistance with the privately owned Middlefork Bridge, agreeing that the Village should oversee a load capacity analysis without funding it, and a recommendation to pass through credit card processing fees, with a decision to apply surcharges for escrow and large ticket items but not utilities. Staffing changes for the Building Division, proposing elevation of a part-time official to full-time, and updates on the Winnetka Road Bridge enhancements, specifically regarding the IDOT design changes affecting the Northfield logo placement, were also addressed.

The Architectural Commission meeting addressed several agenda items requiring variations or approvals. Key discussions included signage variations for Dana Reed Designs Jeweler at 1721 Orchard Lane, concerning the use of window clings and an aluminum composite sign, with specific variations approved regarding lot and facade coverage and rotating clings quarterly. A variance was approved for BluePearl Pet Hospital at 820 West Frontage Road regarding signage square footage due to rebranding. A fence variation request for 1940 Sunset Ridge Road involved approving an eight-foot solid cedar wood fence in the front yard for privacy, with discussion on property restoration and plantings along the boundary with a neighbor. The final major item concerned extensive athletic facilities improvements at 7 Happ Road (New Trier Township High School), including replacing the running track with turf fields and a community walking path, upgrading stadium bleachers and installing a new LED video scoreboard, replacing existing athletic field lighting with LED technology and relocating poles to meet foot-candle requirements, and installing safety netting around fields. The Commission also reviewed landscaping enhancements and discussed security fencing plans for the new northern fields, which are intended to be opened to the community when not in use by the school.

The meeting centered on a request for approval concerning the site plan, exterior facade, lighting, fencing, landscape, hardscape, and signage for a proposed development of 28 rental townhomes on a 2.5-acre site. A petition to postpone the meeting was raised due to the limited time available to review the Staff report and the submission of new drawings by the Petitioner. The Chairman denied the postponement but assured that no vote would occur that evening, allowing the Petitioner to present design guidelines and receive feedback. Discussion included the density of the development, aesthetic considerations, site plans, and signage. The Petitioner presented the project, addressing site challenges, design evolution, and architectural details, including modifications to building height and materials.