The Lake Bluff Letter - March 10, 2023

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Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers

Throughout 2022 the Village participated alongside 10 other North Shore communities to examine leaf blower regulations including best practices; environmental impacts; and alternative methods and new technologies used in landscape maintenance.

The working group released their final report in December 2022. On January 9, 2023 the Village Board refered the matter to the SEC who, at their February 21, 2023 meeting unanimously voted to recommend a May 15 - September 30 seasonal ban on the use of gas-powered leaf blowers (with limited exceptions).

The Village Board approved the first reading of an ordinance that enacts a seasonal ban on gas-powered leaf blowers (with limited exceptions) at their meeting on Monday, Ferbruary 27. Final consideration of the ordinance is set for March 13. 2023.

More information about the proposed ordinance can be found on the Village's website.

Stormwater Utility Fee

Following more than 2 years of study and public engagement the Village Board of Trustees has determined it is necessary to impose a stormwater utility fee upon users of the stormwater system in order to provide an effective and long-term approach to stormwater management within the Village and to provide an equitable, efficient, certain and neutral revenue stream for the construction, maintenance, operation and improvement of the stormwater system.

After including public comments received to date, the Village Board will be considering a draft ordinance at the Monday, March 13 meeting. To allow time for more public comment, finalize communication plans and to hear from local institutions and commercial businesses, the Village Board will hold off on a second reading of this ordinance for a minimum of 30 days. The draft ordinance includes an effective date of July 1, 2023.

More information about the stormwater utility fee can be found on the Village's website.

Village and Community Updates

LOCK YOUR CAR. When cars have been stolen in Lake Bluff, the vehicle was left unlocked with the keys stored inside. Always keep your valuables out of sight or in the trunk. Never leave valuables in unattended vehicles. Always lock your vehicle and take your keys with you.

WINTER PARKING REMINDER. Please move your vehicles off the street to help clear snow and ice from Lake Bluff roads. As a reminder, parking is currently prohibited on Village streets between 1 a.m. and 7 a.m. every night (November 15th-April 1th) or after a two-inch snowfall until snow removal is complete.

100 YEARS YOUNG. ‍In collarboration with the Lake Bluff History Museum, Lake Bluff School District 65 is planning a centennial celebration of the community's 1^st elected school board in 1923. To honor this occasion and to help celebrate the history of public schools in Lake Bluff, the district is asking former teachers, students, administrators, board members, and community members to email stories (written, photo, audio) about District 65 to 65stories@lb65.org.

‍Board and Committee Actions

For more information, visit the Village's meeting packets and videos page. Agendas and meeting materials are typically available the Friday before a meeting; videos within a week after the meeting; and minutes after they are approved at the next meeting of the public body. Not all meetings are recorded on video. Click here for details on how to participate remotely.

Recent Architectural Board of Review (ABR) meeting (March 7, 7 p.m.). The ABR:

• Discussed updates to the Village's Building Code.
  

Recent Historic Preservation Comission (HPC) meeting (March 8, 7 p.m.). The HPC:

• Conducted and terminated an advisory review for proposed alterations to 525 E. Center Avenue.
• Discussed the landmark status of 231 E. Prospect Avenue.

Upcoming Finance Committee meting (Monday, March 13, 5:30 p.m.). The Finance Committee will review:

• The Water Operating Budget and Rate Analysis.
• The Vehicle Equipment Replacement Fund.
• The Village Pay Plan.

Upcoming Village Board meeting (Monday, March 13, 7 p.m.). The Village Board will consider:

• Amending a professional services agreement with William A. Schelhas for services relating to the recording and broadcasting of public meetings.
• Authorizing the purchase and a service agreement with Flock Group, Inc. for a fixed license plate recognition (LPR) camera system.
• Authorizing the execution of a 3-year contract with TGF Enterprises, Inc. for public facility landscape maintenance.
• A second reading of an ordinance amending the Lake Bluff Municipal Code regarding the use of gas-powered leaf blowers.
• Amending Title 8 of the Lake Bluff Municipal Code to impose a stormwater utility fee.
• Approving a professional engineering services agreement with Christopher B. Burke Engineering LTD.

Upcoming Joint Plan Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals (PCZBA) meeting (Wednesday, March 15, 7 p.m.). The PCZBA will consider:

• Recommending floor area ratio and impervious surface coverage zoning relief for construction of a shed in the rear yard at 525 East Center Avenue to the Village Board.
• Recommending daylight plane height zoning relief to allow for a second floor addition at 355 West Sheridan Place to the Village Board.
• Recommending amending the Zoning Regulations to incentivize locally landmarked properties.

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‍Email: vlb@lakebluff.org | Web: lakebluff.org | Phone: (847) 234-0774

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40 E. Center Avenue, Lake Bluff, IL 60044