The 1990 update of the Gurnee Comprehensive Land Use Plan was adopted by the Village Board on November 26, 1990. This concluded a 12-month process whereby the Plan Commission and Village Board reviewed all areas of the community to determine the most logical and beneficial land use patterns. One of the major tenants of the Gurnee Comprehensive Land Use Plan is to promote a viable and balanced community in terms of residential, commercial, office, and industrial uses. This balance is intended to provide a broad range of housing choices, as well as business and employment opportunities; for both current and future residents.
In residential terms, balance requires housing appropriate for individuals and families throughout various life-stages. This includes: apartments, townhomes, and starter homes for young singles and families; custom and semi-custom homes for the move-up home buyer; and townhomes, condominiums, and cluster single-family homes for senior citizens and empty nesters. These examples have proven to be very realistic in terms of needs within the Village. Housing variety allows us to keep home grown young talent within our community, as well as older residents when they no longer wish to maintain a substantial yard and large single-family home.
Another benefit of a balanced community is financial stability. Gurnee's municipal government is primarily financed by sales tax and amusement tax collections. Property tax amounts to only 7% of our revenue. Therefore, a sound commercial base is critical in providing essential municipal services.
Commercial, office, and industrial development also provides local job opportunities, allowing people to work in the community where they live. Additionally, these types of land uses create a tax base for the community in the way of assessed valuation. That, in turn, serves as the foundation for the property tax base that supports our schools, library, and park district.
The following table illustrates the estimated ratios of the various land use categories of the 1990 Comprehensive Land Use Plan compared to the national small cities average. Gurnee's goal to create a self-sustaining, balanced community is being accomplished incrementally, while following the overall guidance of the Comprehensive Plan.
Taisto "Ty" A.
Aho, chairman of the Gurnee Plan Commission, died December 9. Born in
1917 in Virginia, Minnesota, he was a true civic leader. He is
survived by his wife of 50 years, Tagne; three children:
Claudia(Jack) Hoogasian, Connie (Michael) Hughes and David (Libby);
and five grandchildren.
Mr. Aho was an integral part of the Plan Commission; but that was only one of his civic duties. He had served on the Lake County board for 16 years, was a past president of the Lake County Forest Preserve District. While he was chairman of the Lake County Public Building Commission, the Lake County Courthouse building was constructed.
Mr. Aho retired from Abbott Laboratories as director of corporate civic affairs in 1975. He was a member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church (Waukegan), the Masonic Lodge and Elks Club.
Mr. Aho's career, his civic involvement, and his participation in many charitable, community, and church organizations earned him the respect of area residents. The people of Gurnee are truly saddened by his passing and will always remember his efforts to help shape the community.
The removal of snow and ice from Village streets is performed by a dedicated group of individuals in the Public Works Department. The procedures for snow and ice removal are outlined below.
The Village is currently divided into seven snow plowing areas. Each consists of approximately 16 lane miles of main roads and varying amounts of dead ends and cul-de-sacs. One large truck and one smaller plow are assigned to each area.
Plows may make two to six passes,
depending on the amount of snow, in an effort to clear streets
completely. Please be understanding when snow is deposited more than
once at the end of a driveway. Current snow removal techniques do not
allow for efficient clearing of driveways by Village equipment.
Snow must be removed far enough off the road to give the Post Office access to mail boxes. In the process a few mailboxes may be accidentally "removed." Checking that your mailbox is securely fastened and clearing the area around your mailbox after a snowfall are two good ways to protect your mailbox. A crew will repair or replace mailboxes damaged by plowing.
Cul-de-sacs present unique snow removal problems. They typically afford no "good" place to pile snow. Cul-de-sacs with a large amount of piled snow will be cleared after plowing has been completed.
Planting areas within the
right-of-way are especially susceptible to salt and plow damage.
Relocating such areas should be considered. Also, large rocks and
boulders should be moved away from the curb or edge of the pavement.
These objects cannot be seen under piled snow and cause a great deal
of damage to both snowplows and lawns.
Also, please remember that a parking ban on Village streets is in effect throughout the Village during any snowfall of two inches or more.
Village ordinance prohibits placing snow from a driveway or parking lot in the street. Placing snow in the street following plowing operations can become a hazard after thawing and re-freezing. Please help us keep the streets clear of snow.
The Public Works Department, with cooperation from the Gurnee Park District, will collect discarded Christmas trees. The program will begin Wednesday, January 2 and run through Friday, January 18. Pickups will be made daily. We ask that you place your tree at the curb for collection. Please be sure that all lights and decorations have been removed.
The trees will be taken to the Public Works Facility and chipped into mulch, which will be used this spring by the Gurnee Park District and the Public Works Department. A portion will also be available to Gurnee residents for home use.
The Village's
Solid Waste program is well under way. In the first six months of
curbside recycling the following has been collected:
76% of Village households are
participating weekly in curbside recycling, one of the highest rates
in northern Illinois. The Village appreciates your continued support.
Here are a few tips:
In 1971, the
Village purchased a warehouse at 4573 Grand Avenue and converted it
into the Gurnee Municipal Building. The site has served the Village's
needs for 20 years, but is now inadequate as our community expands.
Planning for a new facility began several years ago with the purchase
of a five acre site at O'Plaine Road and North Avenue. The land was
purchased from Warren Township High School. The nine acres east of
the site is owned by Gurnee Grade School District #56 and will house
a new school building.
After a lengthy search process involving seven architectural firms, Thomas Bleck and Associates (Waukegan) was selected. Bleck, a long time Lake County resident, was involved with the current Police Station, Fire Station, and Municipal Building. Work is currently under way on the floor plan and elevations. In early February, a model will be available for public viewing.
The Village's Administration, Building, and Engineering Departments will occupy the new building, which will feature a council chamber with seating for 100 and a community room for smaller gatherings. A site plan is being developed which will allow for expansion, while sharing parking and stormwater detention with the grade school.
The project is being financed in combination with internal water system improvements for receiving water from the Central Lake County Joint Action Water Agency (CLCJAWA.) A total of five million dollars in alternate revenue bonds have been issued for the two projects. The debt service on these bonds will be paid by sales tax revenue from Gurnee Mills and amusement taxes from Great America.
The water system improvements for CLCJAWA will give the Village a reliable source for Lake Michigan water. CLCJAWA is owned by the member municipalities and will give the Village control over rates and availability. Another benefit of securing our own water supply is that the Village's well sources can be relegated to backup use.
Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) is a 17-week course taught at Gurnee Grade School by Gurnee police officers. The program is designed to help children make the right decisions about drugs and build self-confidence.
D.A.R.E. got its start in Los Angeles in 1983, through a joint effort between the Los Angeles Police Chief and the Los Angeles Unified School District. In 1987, Governor James Thompson requested that the Illinois State Police offer an anti-drug program to our schools. State Police Officers were sent to Los Angeles to study the program and in 1988, D.A.R.E. Illinois was begun.
During the 17-week course, a specifically trained D.A.R.E. officer visits 5th grade classes weekly for 45 minutes. The focus is prevention of drug abuse in school age children, but the program also deals with building self-esteem and studying the consequences of abuse. The Gurnee Police Department currently has two D.A.R.E. officers, and the combined effort between the police and the Gurnee Grade School staff is working to teach children decision making skills that last a lifetime.
With the increased number of sidewalks in the Village, the Police Department has had numerous complaints of cars parked across sidewalks. Parking cars across sidewalks limits the use of the walks by pedestrians. The Police Department is urging residents and their guests to keep sidewalks clear. Parking across a sidewalk is a violation of state statute and Village ordinance.
Now that winter is upon us, please also remember that a Village Ordinance prohibits street parking during any snowfall of two inches or more. Your compliance and cooperation help the Village clear streets quickly after a winter storm.
Enhanced 9-1-1 service is on schedule for implementation in late 1991. The system equipment is being selected, the proper applications have been submitted, and address verification has been substantially completed.
When the E9-1-1 system is operational, the caller's address and phone number will be shown at the dispatch console for emergency calls. Until preparations are complete, please continue to use the seven digit emergency numbers in your telephone directory.
Several Village departments have either changed or added new personnel over the last few months.
David Harman is now working as the assistant mechanic at Public Works. David is also a paid-on-call firefighter. In the Water Department, Lyle Wesson is our newest member.
Two new police patrol officers, Timothy Lavris and Jeffrey Diehl, are now on duty. Andrea Mohrman and Lisa Ellis are the two newest dispatchers. Doug Parker is Gurnee's new community service officer.
