UIC team seeks public input on development concepts
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Progress of a comprehensive study by the University of Illinois at Chicago to help shape the future look of the Harrison Street and Oak Park Avenue/Eisenhower business districts will be showcased at a community meeting from 7 - 10 p.m., Thurs., April 3, in Percy Julian Middle School, 416 S. Ridgeland Ave. This public meeting will be a "charrette" design presentation where citizens can voice their opinions about proposed concepts developed over the past few months. The charette is one of the final phases of the program that began last August when the Village launched the cooperative agreement with the UIC's prestigious Urban Planning Program to create visions for future development in the community. During the fall, faculty and graduate students studied transportation, traffic and land use trends in Oak Park and other similar communities, and gathered public input on what residents and business operators' think should be done to improve the vitality of the two business districts. The information then was refined into specific development concepts, including streetscape designs. The final phase of the program is intended to allow the community to help further refine the concepts into workable programs. The joint endeavor has brought together UIC students and faculty, Village officials, members of the local business community and civic-minded Oak Park residents, but more public input is needed to ensure the best possible results. For more information on the program or the charette, call 358.5418, visit www.oakparkinfo.lib.uic.edu or email lib-docs@uic.edu. Residents also can visit the local project design studio at 828 S. Oak Park Ave. from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Saturdays.
Comments Sought on Proposed Arboricultural Standards
Public input is now being sought into new arboricultural standards proposed by the Forestry Commission, citizen volunteers who review and make recommendations to the Village Board about tree care and plantings on public property. A copy of the Village's proposed Arboricultural Specifications and Standards Manual can be downloaded from the Village website www.oak-park.us. Click on news, then the "arboricultural standards" button to the right. After reviewing the draft manual, residents are invited to share their comments at a special Forestry Commission meeting scheduled for 7:30 p.m., Tues., March 11, in Room 101 of Village Hall, 123 Madison St. Comments also can be made via email to publicworks@oak-park.us. Due to copyright restrictions, some referenced materials are not available in the draft posted on the Village website. A complete draft manual can be reviewed in the Office of the Village Clerk at Village Hall. The culmination of nearly two years of study and research by the Forestry Commission, the proposed new Village guidelines are based upon American National Standards Institute (ANSI) principles for tree care.
Yardwaste Pick-Up Begins
- Collection of bundled brush and yardwaste will begin the week of April 7. Bundled brush no larger than two feet in diameter and four feet in length and yardwaste such as grass clippings, leaves, shrubs and vines will be picked up on regular collection days. A green yardwaste sticker must be attached to each brush bundle, 32-gallon paper bag and rigid container filled with yardwaste. Stickers are available for $1.80 each from Oak Park grocery and hardware stores and the Cashier's Office at Village Hall, 123 Madison St. Any yardwaste mixed with trash will not be collected. Residents are urged to look for alternatives to bagging yardwaste such as mulching mowers, leaf shredders or backyard compost piles.
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Village of Oak Park
F.Y.I. for March 2003