[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6129424,"mediaKeyId","5747303-0837c0e9970e987551841994209608d9","parentId",5747303,"title","City outlines 10-year capital program; delays pedestrian bridge work and trims street-rehab target for 2026","audioSeconds",1545,"startMs",6867000,"endMs",8412000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5747303-0837c0e9970e987551841994209608d9&start=6867&end=8412","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5747303-0837c0e9970e987551841994209608d9/thumbnail_6867000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6129424/Highland-Park/Lake-County/Illinois/City-outlines-10-year-capital-program-delays-pedestrian-bridge-work-and-trims-street-rehab-target-for-2026","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6129424-8b26639780222be66cc2cf4497a92296/orig.mp4?Expires=1770914462&Signature=Ni54S-9KrQEnbCkXsN9uN9vHZ4~-VhDLymeYnIPOVd0vVBq0ZOpnjeUXH7CugjxrgL36AFu9zCEf3RuX3wEpridKAtBuBsthKoknwvYOGJkLxwsytFVlFZEAtxYWbDG7Z0cEnmOgu62I6Ccly3d1zvIQJGE7XNnWAyoWJgCQ3xIzq6i7jkvKQWcbsaHo4fQ-G6ClRZNt86-dTL~uPr68EkDwmOhgNcgfAADZBoyi-7BXJ8JB0N66j9pVDvQeMPzXwd723LYJZPb6S~MJrrGbgVvIczPFcFv6s63zDSfWVKrtdo-rXG925U1ul16JqZIxw2wdN4RmUz8-~SZfmc~a1Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Highland Park, IL","date","2025-09-10T12:37:13Z","article","City staff presented a draft 10-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and a continuation of the FY2026 budget discussion at the Sept. 8 council meeting, highlighting major projects, grant dependencies, and near-term funding choices.

Staff said the CIP includes roughly $40 million in capital projects for the coming year across multiple funds, with major upcoming items including membrane replacement at the water plant, a multi-year lead service-line replacement program (funded principally through a low-interest loan), parking-deck repairs, and design work for a replacement or renovation of the Public Services Building and Fire Station 34. Staff noted the library construction renovation and the Place of Remembrance work are also reflected in the capital plan.

Two items generated particular attention. First, a $10 million pedestrian-bridge project remains a priority but staff said the city could not accommodate the full construction scope within the proposed FY2026 budget; staff warned a state grant for the bridge will expire if the project is not let by next November. Second, staff had proposed a $5 million annual street-rehabilitation program to improve the city's pavement condition index (PCN) but budget constraints left $3 million for resurfacing in 2026. Staff noted the city's goal is to get streets to a PCN of 70 or above; reducing the 2026 appropriation slows progress toward that goal.

Staff also briefed the council about the Sheridan Road sidewalk project, a multi-segment gap-closure project that would add a five-foot sidewalk from Roger Williams to Cedar Lane and provide improved access to Rosewood Beach. IDOT is performing related culvert work and staff said IDOT recently pushed its schedule into 2027-28; the city continues to plan its Sheridan work and has grant support (a DECO grant and an ITEP grant were mentioned). Staff asked council whether to proceed with the project in the city's schedule given the shifting IDOT timeline; council members signaled support to move forward so the city can advance design and construction readiness and seek reimbursement from IDOT if coordination allows.

Other CIP highlights: the water plant will receive additional membrane replacement in 2026; fleet upgrades include hybrid and electric admin vehicles but larger equipment remains diesel or diesel-capable; parking-deck structural repairs are scheduled; a suite of downtown maintenance and beautification projects was noted; and the city continues an annual tree-planting program (about 350 trees planted per year, staff said).

Why it matters: The CIP presentation lays out trade-offs the city faces between deferred major projects and ongoing maintenance. Staff flagged the pedestrian-bridge grant deadline and reductions in street rehab as two items the council may wish to revisit during final budget adoption.

Ending: Staff will return with a formal budget and options for including the pedestrian bridge and street-rehabilitation funding during final budget hearings, and the council asked to keep Sheridan Road sidewalk coordination with IDOT on an expedited track.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting - 09-08-2025","oneSentenceSummary","City staff presented a 10-year Capital Improvement Program, including deferred pedestrian-bridge work tied to an expiring grant, a proposed reduction in street-rehabilitation spending for 2026, ongoing lead service-line replacement, and a Sheridan Road sidewalk project the city plans to advance in coordination with IDOT.","taxTitle","Highland Park, Lake County, Illinois","taxId",55515,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6129431,"Council approves $500,000 from Housing Trust Fund for home for people with developmental disabilities",823,1186000,2009000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5747303-0837c0e9970e987551841994209608d9&start=1186&end=2009","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5747303-0837c0e9970e987551841994209608d9/thumbnail_1186000.jpg","/articles/6129431/Highland-Park/Lake-County/Illinois/Council-approves-500000-from-Housing-Trust-Fund-for-home-for-people-with-developmental-disabilities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6129431-ed75457557e9c2e113109f185f0f2250/orig.mp4?Expires=1770914462&Signature=na7Y1j9c9ciicVxQZ8wZsxTALi63MgvK32ZzSddiVSBipmEuHfI66uCNp6E0vl6POFjHg1H-M9pUWi8r~wQw6oET2XE-GPlzFpfm-Mod9wTSa2~pbMgi04oPEiTEYUI5I-kqSXiSxKgqwZvfTC1I-oZPKlXNEWGPXukJZJrfV6Gef95FOwgV0X7pFwHldtmLOW3tUWRUIThkraPG8GGp7g0PkXk4-IuNgAi9p0YLA7oagJjTyy2ZNDFJTk~6ldpF3hEYUs7Mh0F5CZBNLIes0zQwOfO4yFJICcfG-GXV86KBytMZNTpjz5mPOd0t2k9~GvgqV0Y-tPJX-FIM-aRzOQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Highland Park City Council on Sept. 8 approved an ordinance to amend the fiscal-year 2025 budget and increase the Housing Trust Fund appropriation by $500,000 to support a planned home for individuals with developmental disabilities at 1651 Richfield Ave.

The funding request came from the Collaborative Community Housing Initiative (CCHI) in partnership with the Housing Opportunity Corporation. The applicant, Laurie Williams, told council staff that the request had increased from an initial $400,000 to $500,000 after a needs assessment identified additional applicants who would benefit from the housing, and said the extra $100,000 would allow the program to serve another family.

City staff and the council clarified that the Housing Trust Fund is an independent municipal fund fed by payments-in-lieu, demolition taxes and related permit fees, not from property tax. Councilmember Littler asked whether the trust draws on property tax; staff reiterated it is funded primarily by fees such as demolition-tax revenue. The city manager confirmed a healthy fund balance and staff recommended the use of trust funds for this type of project.

Council members asked how future special assessments or unexpected maintenance costs would be handled. The applicant said the planned operation includes a reserve fund built into the operating budget. Corporation counsel noted that because the action requires a budget transfer the ordinance would need a supermajority vote (five votes). The clerk recorded seven ayes and no nays; the item passed unanimously.

Why it matters: The city is using locally held housing trust funds to support housing for people with developmental disabilities; the program will place a shared residence in Highland Park and the council approved the full $500,000 recommended by the housing commission.

Ending: Staff will work with the applicant on next steps toward implementing the home; councilmembers who asked for additional detail about the trust fund noted they were satisfied the funding source is restricted to the trust and is not general property-tax revenue.","The council approved a $500,000 budget amendment drawing on the city's housing trust fund to support the Collaborative Community Housing Initiative's (CCHI) plan to open a home in Highland Park for individuals with developmental disabilities.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6129435,"Council narrows where timeshare-style fractional ownership can operate, bars use in single-family zones",3155,4809000,7964000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5747303-0837c0e9970e987551841994209608d9&start=4809&end=7964","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5747303-0837c0e9970e987551841994209608d9/thumbnail_4809000.jpg","/articles/6129435/Highland-Park/Lake-County/Illinois/Council-narrows-where-timeshare-style-fractional-ownership-can-operate-bars-use-in-single-family-zones","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6129435-fc4551f472fc54e1deb245c2586c9957/orig.mp4?Expires=1770914462&Signature=P7FiWcVQHYWtDSXfwY0pSMYgHg4ESuqM6lvQ75oaw-eRY2CgFMks2Ct8P25VIYHc27TtIvYKAKwsH~7zZBFaDRkgXMhYUq09Fxe5B5lIF~42vaGZB7NRvnUiIPu5xTary~IP2rmpwG9D3Mq55s5S0L7w-9j~XBqp9cKBHtRSy1AKaKf7yEsvnwdp6GGf1iNC1kRd-Ss8Pd01p6ow0zAJr3Zi2GSNGoTlOsk5JZuUtHgmFCHc-kQGw20-F7lA3SPrUUcjEvi7h3gO782vIuWfaSclYSrNkfE75sRfxjB0w0H3Q3EVyyOGQokrWKJLws7MNx18t4Wpu5Q4vXgZFRvjgA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Highland Park City Council on Sept. 8 approved a zoning-code amendment that defines \"time share related uses,\" clarifies that such uses are distinct from short-term rentals, prohibits them in single-family residential districts, and allows them only as conditional uses in specified nonresidential commercial districts.

Planning staff said the amendment responds to a council directive to evaluate whether the zoning code should prohibit or regulate timeshare arrangements, after concerns were raised earlier this year. Director Fontaine explained that \"time share related use\" refers to a method of ownership and fractional or limited-time rights (as defined under the Illinois Timeshare Act) and that the amendment treats such arrangements differently than short-term rental regulations, which govern use rather than title.

Under the approved changes, time share related uses are added as conditional uses in several business districts (B-3, B-4 variants, B-5 and the CDR overlay) and are expressly forbidden as accessory or principal uses in single-family residential zoning. The amendment also clarifies that short-term rentals remain separately regulated and that short-term-rental rules do not by themselves authorize timeshare ownership.

Council members asked concrete questions about hypothetical family LLCs and fractional ownership. Director Fontaine and staff explained that the Illinois Timeshare Act governs the definition of timeshare ownership and that the city's intent is to clarify that fractional-title arrangements governed by that statute are not permitted in single-family neighborhoods and would require conditional-use review where allowed.

A member of the public, Howard Sirlin, addressed the council with an example of three families jointly owning a residence and related that joint ownership does not necessarily constitute a timeshare under the statutory definition. Planning staff acknowledged the statutory complexity but said the city is adopting statutory language to minimize ambiguity.

The council approved the ordinance; the clerk recorded six ayes, one nay and one member present (see actions). The vote record indicates the council discussed the item at length and that staff will update application and code guidance materials to reflect the new definition.

Ending: The code amendment clarifies how fractional ownership arrangements are regulated in Highland Park, restricting timeshare-style ownership from single-family neighborhoods and requiring conditional-use review in specified commercial districts.","Council approved a zoning amendment to add and define 'time share related uses' in the zoning code, prohibit them in single-family residential zones and allow them only as conditional uses in certain nonresidential districts.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6129440,"Highland Park council narrows route for noncontiguous historic districts, approves owner-consent requirement",4225,5289000,9514000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5747303-0837c0e9970e987551841994209608d9&start=5289&end=9514","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5747303-0837c0e9970e987551841994209608d9/thumbnail_5289000.jpg","/articles/6129440/Highland-Park/Lake-County/Illinois/Highland-Park-council-narrows-route-for-noncontiguous-historic-districts-approves-owner-consent-requirement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6129440-03c0d1cbec4c8bf021fe4f65a530b21f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770914462&Signature=DQt8I5weohuAbNpL9Zdpu0UV9j~j2tub-Xy14SllkUCOQ~uNHI7ZHw1l7g8fdg8jSbgs9FZesDdWCo62ZBsFA87MOc8ER777xR80nShfKvxAgtXzLFcvv4-voItNVuf4yIVt~XIWvTW9BfiY2JelrSSw6bMAvC9dJzMQBntRfeQzCmsCm0mOD8thtJU21~nqfHQQ-7U9ctm-AkQ3Lj0EHj87iIfobpRHB83SJBWxmpT9aDeurRPqdNS~w49kGeK8n0WBChUpptNxchmzyJz-mHM-pXDGB0q3Wae8lWRn3fbTqu6gbsRb9B1HdlGl3d7r5eKuQqxMKSjMJusieRCzGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Highland Park City Council on Sept. 8 approved an ordinance amending the city code to require owner consent before a property can be included in a noncontiguous local historic district. The ordinance change passed after public comment and extended council debate over historic-preservation policy and a pending nomination that city staff and some residents said prompted the timing of the proposal.

The new rule aligns noncontiguous-district nominations with the city's 2018 policy that requires owner consent for local landmark designations, city staff said. Director Fontaine said the change would \"prohibit the inclusion of a property from consideration in the proposed noncontiguous local historic district without owner consent\" and would not change owner-consent requirements for contiguous historic districts.

The measure drew lengthy public comment from local preservation advocates who argued that noncontiguous districts serve a different practical purpose than landmarking single properties and that requiring near-universal owner buy-in would effectively prevent any such districts. \"The noncontiguous historic district is a really interesting idea,\" historic-preservation applicant Jean Sogen told the council, urging the council to allow the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) to weigh in first. Several owners and preservation advocates, including owners of nationally significant properties, described past demolitions and urged stronger tools to protect architecturally important homes.

By contrast, attorneys representing the owner and the contract purchaser of a property that is the subject of a pending demolition application urged the Council to adopt the amendment now. One attorney said the pending noncontiguous nomination had been filed specifically to impede the demolition process for 175 Prospect and that the ordinance would remove uncertainty and align city policy with the council's 2018 landmarking change.

Council members debated procedure and timing: several said they wanted the HPC to review the proposed code change before final action, while others said the council must resolve an internal inconsistency in the code without delay. Councilmember Bloomberg moved to refer the matter to HPC; that motion failed. The ordinance ultimately passed by council vote (see actions). Corporation counsel told the council the city's standard practice would be not to grandfather recent applications under the new rule.

Why it matters: noncontiguous historic districts are a tool used in other communities to group historically or architecturally related resources that are not geographically contiguous. Supporters say the option can protect multiple dispersed properties that share a theme (for example, a common architect or architectural style). Opponents of the ordinance change said requiring owner consent for noncontiguous districts will make the tool effectively unusable and reduce the city's ability to preserve its architectural heritage.

The ordinance changes Highland Park Code chapter 24 to require owner consent for noncontiguous district nominations, aligning that procedure with the owner-consent requirement for local landmark designations. The council asked staff whether the ordinance should be applied to a specific noncontiguous nomination recently filed; staff replied the ordinance as drafted would apply and the pending nomination would not be grandfathered.

The council's action resolves a long-running tension between two policy aims: preserving historically significant buildings and respecting property owners' rights. Several council members and many public speakers urged the city to pursue additional incentives and programs to encourage voluntary preservation as well as continued public education about options for owners.

The council closed the item after the vote; opponents and proponents were told the change takes effect in the city code and staff will provide next steps for implementation.

Ending: The decision means future noncontiguous historic district nominations will require owner consent; commissioners and advocates said they plan to discuss how the change affects nominations and outreach at upcoming HPC meetings.","The City Council adopted an ordinance requiring owner consent for inclusion in noncontiguous local historic districts, reversing an earlier practice that allowed involuntary inclusion in such districts and prompting extended public comment and debate about preservation tools and individual property rights.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City outlines 10-year capital program; delays pedestrian bridge work and trims street-rehab target for 2026

Council approves $500,000 from Housing Trust Fund for home for people with developmental disabilities

Council narrows where timeshare-style fractional ownership can operate, bars use in single-family zones

Highland Park council narrows route for noncontiguous historic districts, approves owner-consent requirement