4 - 1000 Skokie - 9-9-13 to 9-20-13 Public Comments

Transcription

PUBLIC COMMENTS RECEIVED 9-9-13 THROUGH NOON ON 9-20-13
Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Kathryn Hofschield <
Monday, September 09, 2013 6:17 PM
1000skokie
Walmart
Hello,
I am against having Walmart in Northbrook for the following reasons:
1) Walmart is a business that does not represent the area. There are plenty of other stores that provide the same
merchandise at a higher quality than Walmart, that we do not need to add competition to the market.
2) Walmart if not well-liked nor looked upon favorably in their business practices by the large societal majority. We do
not need that reputation coming to Northbrook or the northshore area. It seems clear that for Walmart to "request
changes in the zoning code," they have a big-box bully behavior/mentality.
3) Walmart is not a store for that location (1000 Skokie). Zoning codes were created for a reason, and obviously, not for
stores like Walmart. If Walmart needs a location, put it in the old "Wonder!" store that now sits vacant. There is plenty
of parking over there, too. **THOUGH AGAIN, as stated in #1 and #2, Walmart does not belong in Northbrook.
4) That stretch of Skokie Blvd is the only bike-safe artery to the forest preserve path via Tower Road. We do not need
crazy business traffic there, creating a highly unsafe roadway.
I could list more, but I support the many more insightful and well-researched reasons brought forth by others in our
community that speak against Walmart coming to 1000 Skokie Blvd in Northbrook.
I trust the Village Board has a good conscience in behalf of the community members, as they take vote on this matter.
Thank you,
Kathryn Hofschield
Northbrook
1
Why Walmart’s promises about benefiting the community are not credible and why the new super center will increase traffic and destroy property values: Let’s consider some numbers for Walmart for their last three fiscal years (January year-‐ends): 2013 2012 2011 Operating margin 5.9% 6.0% 6.1% Net margin 3.8% 3.7% 3.8% ROE 23% 22% 23% Sales $469B $447B $422B Total cash $13.0B $11.3B ($5.0B in $19.2B ($4.4B in distributed to ($5.4B in dividends) dividends) shareholders dividends) Why does this matter? Walmart’s basic strategy is driven by turnover in its stores—selling a lot of merchandise quickly at low margins. What does this mean for us in terms of our dealings with WMT? • A lot of volume—trucks and traffic. • To generate the profit margins they need to succeed, they need to either to increase prices or lower costs. If the competitive environment makes it difficult to raise prices, they will lower costs. Walmart’s business model is built on a relentless drive to lower costs by squeezing suppliers and employees. This is why their business model involves hiring predominantly part-‐time employees at rock bottom wages and unmercifully squeezing suppliers all over the world. Their treatment of local communities is based on the same model—the contributions to local communities lauded by the Walmart people at the last public meeting are a drop in the ocean given the numbers presented above. The model depends on volume, which in practical purposes means trucks, and lots of them. PUBLIC COMMENTS RECEIVED 9-9-13 THROUGH NOON ON 9-20-13
While WMT has promised the trucks won’t deliver at certain “quiet” times and that the number of deliveries will be limited, this promise simply isn’t credible: • If demand in the store increases, they will not stop selling—instead their business model means that more demand will lead to more shipments and more trucks. • Who, exactly, is going to monitor and enforce the limits on number and type of trucks as well as the number of trips per day? Even if the Village was able to monitor this, how would we enforce these limitations? • Based on the data in the two traffic studies done to date, it seems clear that even under the conservative assumptions made to date, traffic on Sunset Ridge and Voltz will be seriously adversely affected. • It doesn’t take a study to understand that this will have a significantly negative effect on property values on these streets, especially Voltz, where values are dependent on the quiet nature of the area. A large increase in traffic volume, especially of trucks, will destroy the peace and tranquility that makes these homes desirable. The extra volume of traffic due to trucks is of course not the only problem—there will be a large increase in volume of traffic due to customers. This is where the numbers for other Walmart stores are unlikely to give an accurate picture of what would happen in Northbrook. Because of the demographic profile of Walmart customers, the Northbrook store will attract an unusually large number of customers from outside the area relatively to the typical Walmart store. This means that traffic volume data from other stores likely seriously understate the effects on our area. PUBLIC COMMENTS RECEIVED 9-9-13 THROUGH NOON ON 9-20-13
Our financial mission: providing
strong returns to shareholders
Growth
Leverage
Net sales
(dollars in billions)
$401
$405
$419
Returns
Operating expense
(as a percentage of sales)
$444
$466
Total shareholder returns
(dollars in billions)
$19.2
19.7%
19.4%
19.4%
19.2%
$11.5
19.1%
$11.3
$13.0
$7.3
FY09
FY10
FY11
FY12
FY13
FY09
FY10
FY11
FY12
FY13
FY09
FY10
Dividends
FY11
FY12
FY13
Share repurchases
Walmart U.S.*
Walmart
International*
Sam’s Club*
Net sales surpassed
Net sales surpassed
Net sales surpassed
3.9%
7.4%
4.9%
$274B
$135B
$56B
Increase from fiscal 2012
Operating income grew to
$21.5B
$6.7B
$2.0B
*Dollars represent fiscal 2013 financial results.
14
||
Walmart 2013 Annual Report
137073_L01_NARR.indd 14
4/5/13 11:53 PM
Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
nancy951 <
Schoon, David
traffic impact on key intersetions
I'm glad you are embarking on traffic impact studies for the proposed Skokie Rd corridor developments; however, the
chosen intersections (as illustrated on the village web site map) seem limited. I believe the scale of these projects,
especially Walmart, will have a wider impact than just the obvious close- to- the- development intersections that will
surely be impacted. In addition, I would suggest that the intersections of Shermer and Dundee, Lake Cook and Skokie,
Waukegan and Shermer, Dundee and Waukegan, Willow and Shermer, and beyond should be included. The potential
for a large Walmart to draw from surrounding communities and the creative routes that people may take to get there
should not be under estimated. These projects could create incremental traffic all over town.
Perhaps your budget, personnel, and time resources to conduct the study are limited, or maybe it is just limited by
design and title, but even an acknowledgment of a potential wider impact beyond the scope of the study would be
meaningful.
Sincerely,
Steve Scott & Nancy Scott
1
Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
s zee <
1000skokie
No Walmart in my neighborhood!!
Walmart will destroy the the integrity of our Village. Northbrook is a community with a homey vibe,
not a big box vibe. We are not Schaumburg or Gurnee. I understand that we need tax dollar revenue,
but Walmart, and all the negatives that come with it do not fit our lovely village. Walmart is notorious
for low wages, sex discrimination against women, and cutting employees hours so that they do not
qualify for health care. They teach their employees how to file for financial aid, while they make
BILLIONS of dollars in profit. A study in Huffington Post states that EACH Walmart store COSTS
TAXPAYERS $900,000 A YEAR in healthcare benefits and food stamps for their employees.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/31/walmart-taxpayers-house-report_n_3365814.html
I stayed until 1am at the planning commission meeting, and what I heard was absolutely ridiculous!
First of all is the traffic study. The IDOT study used is FIVE years old! The traffic in East Northbrook
has gotten much worse in the past five years. A FIVE year old traffic study is MEANINGLESS! Also,
the traffic study DID NOT include Skokie Blvd. & Dundee or Sunset Ridge. Conveniently it did not
take into account Sunday traffic, either, making the traffic study irrelevant.
We were also told that you were going to have a "communication plan" with your trucks heading to
and from your store, and that you would tell the drivers NOT to drive down Sunset Ridge, yet you are
not the police, so how could you enforce this meaningless plan??
We were told that the semi trucks WOULD NOT be idling at your docks. This is FALSE. Semi drivers
ARE NOT going to turn their trucks off. There is a lot of air pollution from trucks idling, and noise
pollution. Trucks will have to back up to get out of the dock area, the backup alarm on a semi is
LOUD!! BEEP BEEP BEEP! We can hear traffic from the Edens at our homes already, don't tell me
we won't hear the semis idling and their backup alarms, from 6am til midnight, EVERY DAY!
1
Home prices in the area were also discussed. The survey shown went up to 2008, when house prices
fell. Again, more meaningless information.
Power line analysis was from 2003. That information is TEN years old!
One of the most amusing comparisons mentioned was the property values of homes near Northbrook
Court to a Walmart. Northbrook Court is a high end mall. Walmart is anything but high end. It's like
comparing a ring from Tiffany & Co. to one you get in a Cracker Jack box.
In one breath we were told that there would be NO OVERNIGHT parking at this store, but later on
we were told that IN FACT, there would be people working overnight, so IN FACT, THERE WILL
BE PEOPLE PARKING OVERNIGHT IN THE PARKING LOT.
And now, the GMO ladened carrot you are dangling in front of the Village, sales tax dollars. 18
million dollars in 15 years...NO. How many millions of dollars will the Village have to pay for grading
and street widening for one company? How many businesses who have been a part of our community
will we LOSE tax dollars from when they go out of business? Don't forget the tax dollars we will have
to pay for the medical care of the employees of Walmart, $900,000 a year. How does any of this
really benefit our village? YOU board members do not live in our neighborhood. Would ANY OF
YOU want a Walmart in your backyard? WE DON'T WANT IT!!!!! Walmart is NOT FOR
NORTHBROOK!!! We are entitled to have just as good of a quality of life in East Northbrook as the rest of the
Village!!
Sheryl Zeidman
2
Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
cheryl deetjen thuente <
1000skokie
walmart
Please take into consideration whether or not Walmart can offer a living wage to entry level employees. Can
the people who work at Walmart afford to live in Northbrook on the salary and benefits they are willing to
provide? Minimum wage is not a living wage. Are we just offering cheap goods to Northbrook residents (by
the way, what is the median salary in northbrook? Do they really need to nickel and dime the retail industry?
Are people in favor of Walmart willing to provide low cost products and services in their own businesses or do
Northbrook residents in favor of Walmart live a double standard? Low cost goods come at the expense of the
people that work at Walmart.
Please break this cycle! Please do not continue to support industries that make money for the rich, or keep
money in the rich people's pockets.
It is hypocritical to believe in fair trade for third world countries, caring that employees are being paid fair
wages yet we don't see it in our own backyard.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Cheryl Thuente
-c
1
Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Becky Ofsaiof <
1000skokie
Environmental Impact of Walmart near the Tower Road Skokie Lagoons
We are concerned about the drainage emitted from the proposed Walmart site and it's effect on the Tower Road
Skokie Lagoons, which is one mile east of the proposed site.
This is a fragile wildlife refuge and recreational area. Would not like to see any of this area damaged.
Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
Becky & Burt Ofsaiof
1
Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Kenneth Johnson <
1000skokie
Wal-Mart
To the Village Planning Commission: I add my voice to those who ask you to not let Wal-Mart build here. I
believe that Skokie Blvd. has improved over the years and will continue to do so. I believe that Wal-Mart will
harm those businesses in the area and ultimately turn the shopping areas nearer to Lake-Cook and Dundee
(proposed) into deserts of second rate shops and stores. Further, I believe that Dundee cannot handle the
increased traffic; ditto for the Edens ramps at Dundee and at Willow. Thanks, Ken Johnson, 640 Gregg Road,
Northbrook, IL
1
Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
David and Paula <
1000skokie
Wal-Mart proposed for Northbrook
Dear Representatives,
I do not live in Northbrook, but I drive in the area of Skokie Boulevard often to work, shop, and dine. Therefore, I hope that
will consider how non-residents feel about Wal-Mart’s proposal as well. I do not support their plan to build this store for
many reasons. Wal-Mart has a documented track record of putting small business owners out of business just by the
nature of the fact that smaller businesses cannot compete with the huge inventory and the humongous parking areas that
always accompany Wal-Mart stores. I do not believe that the amount of traffic that this store will generate has been
calculated corrected or fairly. This proposal, if approved, will actually result in people like me who would have driven to
this area to shop at current businesses like Ferraro’s Garden Center, Francesco’s Hole in the Wall Restaurant or the
Marathon Gas Station at Dundee and Skokie Boulevard from doing so, thereby actually decreasing the amount of
business that Northbrook as a municipality thinks will be generated by approving this site for a Wal-Mart. In addition, the
hours that the store intends to be open with their requisite lighting needs for the parking lot will decrease nearby residents’
home values. The presence of this store may generate sales tax revenue but at the expense of the current level of
property taxes that the Village of Northbrook assumes will always be there for the operation of their village.
In conclusion, I do not approve of this store receiving the zoning relief that it needs to open and operate at this location;
nor should it be considered the economic engine that the municipality hopes it may be. For these reasons, please do not
approve Wal-Mart’s plans for a store at this location. Nearby homeowners, local businesses and even neighboring
residents are counting on you to consider the needs of all of them over the needs of a giant retailer like Wal-Mart.
Sincerely,
Paula Twilling
Evanston, IL
1
Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Plamena Todorova <
1000skokie
Please Do Not Allow Walmart in Northbrook
Dear Village of Northbrook Trustees,
Thank you for your service to this community!
I hope you will continue to work in the interest of Northbrook and it's residents by not allowing the
development of a Walmart Super Center to move forward.
Walmart is responsible for the largest share of public assistance recipients over any other corporation in the
United States. Our taxpayer dollars already subsidize Walmart employees through public assistance because
Walmart pays it's employees below poverty line wages.
I do not want my little brother or my children to have limited opportunities for a first job in the Village of
Northbrook to a poverty wage position at Walmart. I want them to have a more meaningful work experience at
one of the smaller businesses in this community.
Introducing Walmart in this community will be the beginning of the erosion and ultimate demise of this great
neighborhood.
The introduction of Walmart into Northbrook will lower property values and drive the exodus of the core
members of our community. My parents own a home in this great neighborhood and I hope to purchase one
here next year but my concern over the future value of my home due to a Walmart development will drive me to
seek a home in another neighborhood.
Also, the additional traffick, light pollution and general noise and chaos a superstore like Walmart inevitably
brings will make Northbrook an undesirable place to own a home and raise my children.
I hope you will consider the wishes of the members of the Northbrook community and block the development
of a Walmart Super Center.
Thank you for your time and consideration of my and my parents' concerns!
Sincerely,
Plamena Todorova and The Todorov Family
Northbrook, IL 60062
1
Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Hugh Hogan <
1000skokie
Wal-Mart
I am for the approval of the Wal-Mart.
Hugh Hogan
Northbrook, Illinois 60062
1
Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
1000skokie
Village of Northbrook Public Hearing, Speaker Registration
Submission information
----------------------------------------Submitter DB ID : 2226
Submitter's language : Default language
IP address : 108.194.244.49
Time to take the survey : 9 min. , 23 sec.
Submission recorded on : 9/9/2013 5:42:40 PM
Survey answers
----------------------------------------* Name:
charles e goss
* Address:
Address 2:
* City, State, Zip Code:
northbrook il 60062
* Email Address:
* Are you representing a group?:
No
[x]
I do not plan on speaking at the public hearing, but please make my comments below part of the record:
You would not accept Costco how can you accept walmart. the traffic,noise will be terrible. The value of our homes will
decrease.
1
Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
John Sasaki <
1000skokie
Walmart Development
It would be helpful to more fully understand the actual “facts” of what will result from the Walmart site
development. The homeowners association opposing the development publishes various allegations of negatives to the
development but offers no basis or actual studies that support their positions. It would be helpful to us general
residents for the Village to offer specific responses to verify whether the Northbrook East Homeowners Assoc’s
“negative points” are factual or just “speculation”.
I would like to know how much in sales tax revenue that this development is projected to generate for the Village and
whether the economics net/net are advantageous to the overall community.
It would be helpful to know how much lost revenue the Village lost out on from the Costco development that was being
considered for this same spot. My suspicion is that Costco generates millions annually in sales tax for Glenview that
Northbrook lost out on and what impact that this has on the average Northbrook homeowner.
In summary a more balanced release of information to the media by the Village would all be very educational for the
overall Northbrook residents. Residents should know these facts to offer a more informed basis to provide a more
balanced view to the Trustees of what the overall Villages residents believe is for the good of the overall greater
community.
Thanks
John Sasaki
.
John R. Sasaki | Managing Director | The Claro Group, LLC | 321 N. Clark St., Suite 1200, Chicago, IL 60654
W: 312.893.4600|M: 213.798.6677|F: 213.477.2293|
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1
Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
For the LAMET family at
Northbrook.
Tuesday, September 10, 2013 6:55 AM
1000skokie
WALMART
we would like the Board to vote NO on adding a Walmart to
1
Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Susan Sack <
1000skokie
Reject Walmart proposal
I want to register my opinion AGAINST allowing Walmart to build a SuperCenter at 1000 Skokie Blvd.
My reasons include:
Increased car and truck traffic
Increased burden on local police and fire departments Increased cost to local police and fire departments Decreased
property values Negative effect on local businesses Harmful environmental impact from noise and water retention
365 days of 6am-12am operation with parking lot lights on 24 hours Walmart's unfair and exploitive employment
practices
Additionally, I am not a Walmart shopper and close proximity to Walmart will not convert me to be a Walmart shopper.
I have worked in Northbrook for 32 years and lived in Northbrook for 14 years. I love being here. Please, please, please
protect and maintain the character and integrity of our village.
Susan Sack
1
Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Laura Lester <
1000skokie
Comments
I grew up in Northbrook, and have returned to Northbrook to start a family of my own. I have lived here for 25
years and current live on Asbury Road. My professional background includes over 10 years of experience as
an investor, evaluating and valuing businesses. When I moved back and purchased my home, I was attracted
to Northbrook because of the small town, upper middle class feel and my assessment that the village had
made a lot of positive changes that would increase real estate values for all of us. Since moving back, we have
added a Goodwill store and a Dollar store. We are now considering a Walmart. We all need to decide what
type of image we want for our town. I believe that the addition of Walmart will absolutely negatively affect
our property values.
Further, the Downtown Northbrook shopping area is in desperate need of revitalization, which will only be
prompted by the addition of high quality small businesses. The many vacancies are a significant black eye for
all of us and finding a solution needs to be our #1 priority. There is a fixed number of small stores that want to
open in our area and existing competition for small business owners needed to fill existing vacancies in
The Glen, Willow Festival shopping area, Northbrook Court, downtown Glenview, downtown Deerfield,
downtown Highland Park and downtown Glencoe makes it difficult for Northbrook's downtown to win these
tenants. As a result, low quality stores such as the Dollar Store have opened while other store fronts remain
vacant. Adding more store space at 770 Skokie Blvd and a Super Walmart at 1000 Skokie will further deter
small business owners from opening stores in our downtown area. Let's make moves to entice small business
owners, not drive them out.
Thank you,
Laura Lester
1
Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Attachments:
Teresa Marie <
1000skokie
Walmart Presentation and reference
Super Center Trip Generation Analysis.pdf; Superstore_Impacts_Rodino Study.pdf; Safety
and Security on Voltz Rd.pdf
Thank you for the opportunity to present at last nights hearing. Attached is my ppt, the last few
pages of which I was not able to share in person.
I have also attached the Trip-Generation article which identifies the shortfall in the ITE traffic
estimation for supercenter formats. This study found that the ITE estimates, which the consultant
indicated they used, can often underestimate traffic by 42+%. Since traffic is a major concern of the
community, and the study is a key input to the dialog, I would like to see several scenarios for traffic
which include this higher trip generation level. In addition I would like to see the estimated impact to
the Voltz-Sunset Ridge intersection in more detail.
The last attachment is another study of the pre- vs post- results of opening Walmart stores on
various communities. FYI.
Regards;
Teresa Marie
1
Safety and Security on
Voltz Rd
September 9, 2013
East Northbrook residents rely on the
city to protect our safety along Voltz Rd.

Protect existing and planned neighborhoods
from undue cut through street traffic.
a. Take appropriate measure to mitigate
the impacts of “cut-through” traffic on
residential areas considering a variety of
regulatory and “traffic calming” methods
b. Traffic calming projects should support
objectives, including enhanced street
aesthetics, improved walking and cycling
conditions, as well as controlling traffic
speeds.
Source: Northbrook Comprehensive Plan,
Element Six: Transportation Choices
Voltz Road near Grant Road Intersection -9/2013
Voltz Rd serves Northbrook’s most significant
area of Large Lot Single Family Homeowners
Northbrook Junior
High School
Sunset Ridge School
Current Village plans do not call for any
improvements to Voltz Rd.
Neighborhood Connector
Designated Bike Path
Note: Voltz Rd has 28 ft of pavement and 60 ft right-of-way which is below standard for
Neighborhood Collector.
Current use conditions and traffic create
“danger zones” along Voltz Rd


Residential Current uses

Current Road/Use conditions
o
Homeowner access
o
28 Ft Paved surface (no shoulder)
o
Pedestrian use (joggers, walkers,
walking dogs)
o
Posted 15-30 MPH speed limit (generally exceeded)
o
Student access to schools (Sunset
Ridge to the east; Northbrook
Junior High to West)
o
Several limited visibility intersections / stretches
o
Worn/low visibility street marking / signage
o
Other considerations:
— No curb or gutter/drainage
— No sidewalks
— Street side mail boxes
— Limited street lighting
— No limitation on truck usage
— No limitation on street parking
— Deep drainage ditches on both sides of road
— Dense brush and poison ivy in roadside ditch
Other uses:
o
Bike path traffic (Dozens!)
o
Access to Sunset Ridge Woods
o
Street parking (landscaping)
o
Wildlife crossing
o
Cut through traffic
Summary of key high-risk points on Voltz Rd

A: Grant-Voltz-Bridlewood Intersection

B: Voltz – Northern 90% turn

C: Voltz- North/South short stretch

D: Voltz-Midfield – Driftwood - South
Lns intersection and 90% turn

E: Voltz – Sunset Ridge Rd Intersection
Issues – Low visibility, high-risk pedestrian
crossing, narrowed passage from street
parking, high-speed traffic, failure to drive
within lane
Result – traffic and pedestrian accidents and
near misses (one fatality in the past few years)
A
B
C
D
E
Blind Section on Voltz Rd
(note C / D on prior page)
(September 2013)
Potential road obstruction and pedestrian
traffic just around the blind corner exceeding
safe braking distance.
Conditions will worsen with additional traffic
from East Northbrook development
(Walmart, 770, others TBD)
Potential Immediate Actions

Traffic calming techniques
o
Reduce speed limit (25 MPH)
o
Restrict truck traffic (Posted no trucks)
o
No passing zone for entirety
o
Speed bumps on 90 degree turns with
posted pedestrian crossing areas
o
Stop sign at Grant Rd. intersection
(pedestrian crossing) – addition of stops
on Voltz Rd.
o
Improved signage and street markings
(including white line and center line)
Mid-Term Options

Posted pedestrian crossing on
Voltz/Sunset Ridge Rds

Stop sign or light on Voltz/Sunset
Ridge intersection (pedestrian
crossing for school, high traffic)
Thank you for your attention
Trip Generation Characteristics of
Free-Standing Discount Superstores
FREE-STANDING DI$COUNT
SUPERSTORES HAVE
GAINED IN POPULARITY
BECAUSE OF THEIR
CONVENIENCE,
COMBINING
GENERAL RETAIL
MERCHANDISE,
FULL-
SERVICE GROCERY
DEPARTMENTS AND OTHER
SPECIALTY SHOPS AT
DISCOUNT RATES. THIS
STUDY SHOWED A P.M.
PEAK-HOUR TRIP
ued to gain in popularity because of their
convenience, combining general retail
merchandise, full-service grocery departments and other specialty shops, such as
pharmacies and photo processing, at discount rates.
Due to this popularity, many localities
are growing concerned over the impact of
these stores on their communities and
infrastructure system. Regarding traffic
impacts, an important issue has been raised
concerning whether the published Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)
trip generation rates for fi-ee-standing discount superstores are accurate for superstores that are larger than the average
facilitiesdocumented in Trip Generation.
This feature provides a summary of a
trip generation study prepared for a major
discount superstore company located
throughout the United States by looking
at traffic conditions related to five free-
GENERATION RATE OF 5.50,
standing discount superstores.
SUBSTANTIALLY HIGHER
INTRODUCTION
THAN THE STANDARD liE
FREE-STANDING DISCOUNT
SUPERSTORE P.M. PEAKHOUR RATE OF 3.87.
BY GEORGIENA
30
IN THE PAST DECADE, THE NUMber of proposed free-standing discount
superstores has increased throughout the
United States. These stores have contin-
M. VIVIAN
Trip generation for traffic impact analyses typically is conducted using trip generation rates published by ITE. For most
retail land uses, traffic impacts are focused
on the p.m. peak-hour of adjacent street
traffic to determine the needed infrastructure improvements surrounding the store.
In the case of free-standing discount
superstores, the published trip generation
rates are based on surveys conducted during the 1990s and
2000 throughout the United States.
It is believed that larger superstores
may generate at different rates. It should
be noted that: only 10 stores were surveyed for the ITE rate; the average size of
the stores surveyed in determining the
I1'E rate was 161,000 square feet,
although many of today's free-standing
discount superstores have more than
200,000 square feet (213,210 for purposes of this study); and free-standing
discount superstores intuitively should
have a higher trip generation rate than
free-standing discount stores, which by
definition do not contain a full-service
grocery store but have most of the other
amenities of the superstore.
This study was undertaken to provide
additional information regarding the
issues noted above. The principal question to be addressed in the study was
whether today's free-standing discount
superstores with sizes greater than
200,000 square feet have different trip
generation characteristics than the freestanding discount superstores averaging
161,000 square feet, which were sources
of data for ITE Land Use Code 813. The
current 1TE category used for a freestanding discount superstore is Land Use
Code 813.
Discount superstores are free-standing stores with off-street parking. They
offer a variety of customer services and
centralized cashiering and contain a fullservice grocery department under the
same roof that shares entrances and exits
with the discount superstore area. They
typically maintain long store hours,
seven days a week.
The stores included in this land use
often are the only ones on the site, but they
also can be found in mutual operation
with a related or unrelated garden center
and/or service station. They sometimes are
found as separate parcels within a retail
complex with their own dedicated parking
area. L1nd Use Code 815 (free-standing
discount store) is a related use.
Table 1 depicts the ITE published
average daily weekday rate of traffic and
the p.m. peak-hour rate of adjacent street
traffic for a free-standing discount superstore per 1,000 square feet of gross floor
area (GFA). Per the discussion, l;lble 1
ITE JOURNAL
/
AUGUST
2006
,.
,
"
379
10
Discount Center
Store 49.21
407
47
115
42.94
3.75
5.06
56.02
lYE
Shopping
(Land
Use Code 820)
~ 15)
IT~ Free~Standing
161
Table
1.
ITE Trip3.87
Generation,
Comparison of published trip generation rates
" '
count Superstore
hour
generation
of adjacent
rate rate
street
Average
trip
generation
weekday
tripper traffic
"
7th Edition, Volume 3.
lYE Free-Standing
Garden Center/Gas Station/Grocery/
McDonald's/Pharmacy/Photo
Center/
Portrait Studio/Tire and Lube
The building totals 204,000 square
feet with the garden center and tire and
lube shop and has an additional fourpump gas station of 225 square feet. For
purposes of this study, the gas station's
square footage was not included in the
analysis. Six driveway entrances to the
parking lot were counted for the analysis.
Garden Center/Grocery/McDonald's/
Pharmacy/Photo Center/Portrait
Studio/Tire and Lube/Vision Center
also includes the tate for Land Use Code
815 for comparison.
In addition to the use of the free-standing discount superstore, often when part of
a larger retail development, traffic impact
analysis will' be conducted using the ITE
rate for Land Use Code 820 (shopping
center). For discussion purposes, the shopping center rate also is included in Table 1.
METHODOLOGY
This study included five stores in the
states of Oklahoma and Texas that fit the
ITE definition of free-standing discount
superstore to estimate their peak-hour trip
generation. Field review of all locations
included a sketch-level drawing of the site
plan, including the driveways to be
counted at each location.
Each building's square footage was
attained and calculated either by site
plans obtained from each local jurisdiction in which the superstore was located,
by a measuring wheel during field review,
or by contact with the store. The square
footage of the garden center and tire and
lube shop were included in the square
footage calculations.
Staff were positioned at the driveway
openings and traffic counts at each of the
facilities were conducted on two typical
weekdays (Tuesday, Wednesday and/or
Thursday) from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The first weekday count was taken in
July 2003 and the second in October
2003. It should be noted that no
inclement weather occurred during either
season of the traffic counts. The peak
hour of adjacent traffic was determined
ITE JOURNAL
I AUGUST
2006
to be from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and
was used for analysis purposes.
SITE SELECTION
'As defined in ITE's Trip Generation,
7th Edition,
free-standing
discount
superstore locations chosen for study
had dedicated parking, provided general
merchandise a'nd a grocery store and
operated seven days a week. In addition,
it was decided to include only stores
with a size of 200,000 square feet or
greater. Each location is described below,
including the type of services (in addition to general merchandise) provided at
that superstore location.
Garden Center/GroceryiPharmacylPhoto
Center/Portrait Studio/Tire and Lube
The GFA totals 210,945 with the garden center and tire and lube shop and
currently is on the site with no other
developments.
Six driveways were
counted for the analysis.
Pharmacy/Photo Center/Portrait Studio/
Tire and Lube
The superstore site totals 209,115
square feet with the garden center and tire
and lube shop. The building has a driveway entrance from a gas station located at
the southwest corner of the property. For
analysis purposes, the traffic entering in
and out of the driveway connecting the
gas station and superstore parking lot was
counted and, therefore, the gas station was
excluded from the analysis. A total of four
driveways were counted for analysis.
The superstore site totals 209,000
square feet with the garden center and
tire and lube shop. Four driveways were
counted for analysis.
'
Pharmacy/Photo Center/Portrait
Studio/Tire and Lube/Vision Center
The superstore totals 233,000 square
feet with the garden center and tire and
lube shop. Five di'iveways were counted,
including a driveway entrance between
the parking area for the superstore and
another retail store with a separate driveway entrance.
TRIP GENERATION
ANALYSIS
Trip generation was conducted by
utilizing the average peak-hour (4:30
p.m. to 5:30 p.m.) counts and the square
footage of each free-standing discount
superstore to determine the trips per
1,000 square feet during the p.m. peak
hour. Furthermore, the average traffic
turning in and out of the superstore driveways each was divided by total traffic
to determine the p.m. peak hour in and
out percentages.
The two days of traffic counts (July
and October 2003) were summarized for
each of the five locations. The average
rate of the two weekday counts for p.m.
peak hour traffic and the in and out percentages are calculated in Table 2. In
addition, Table 3 utilizes the ITE fitted
curve equation for the free-standing discount superstore.
LIMITATIONS
OF STUDY
Although this study was conducted
using standards that comply with ITE
31
I
square feet), peak
1672
6.84
759
48.3%
708
484
209.124.65
606
48.0%
508
209.124.92
624
233.005.05
233.005.58
973
418
1209.004.16
209.00,j,z6
397
213.215.50
204.00
209.124.79
48.2%
1001
1170
604
689
891
624
50.8%
49.2<7\'
210.956.27
650
49.4%
51.5%
48.5%
-18.]%
50.6%
50.3%
1028
1176
1301
-151
570
869
49.6%
715
1442
727
651
438
209.004.04
48.1%
51.7%
49.2%
47.0%
In%
50.2%
51.9%
204.007.19
Out
49.8%
210.956.56
51.8%
233.005.32
In
1467
656
448
-153
845
496
705
615
694
%
1322
50.4%
50.8%
53.0%
1239
1383
1255
1361
505
6.15
6.67
50.2%49.9%
49.7%
52.0%
489
520
677
210.95
traffic
O
ut
street
traffic
1,000
Day
square
hour
of
feet
adjacent
Site
(trips
1,000 Table
generation
rate
hour per
trip
2. Trip generation for free-standing discount superstore
trip generation included in this study ..p.m. peak-
Table 3. Fitted curve free-standing
discount superstore
trip generation,
p.m. peak hour, peak hour of
adjacent street traffic.
4325 Site
Average
1
vehicle
210.95
209.12
204.00
826.60
233.00
209.00
928.12
834.85
827.11
3.96
3.98
844.43
feet
rate
(trips
805.45
3.95
curve
generation
trip
per
square
ends
1,000
feet)Fitted
Trip
average
213.21
square
1,000
equation
I
superstores analyzed in this study for the
p.m. peak hour of adjacent street traffic.
The results shown in Tlble 4 indicate
3.96
5.50
3.87
Average
] 61.00
213.21
rate
square
feet
of
GFA
Study
average
tined
curve
tripDiscount
generation,
p.m. peak hour,
ITE Trip
Free-Standing
Generation,
7th Superstore
Edition
Table 4. Comparison
p.m. peak of
hour,
study
triphour
generation
ratesstreet
to ITEtrip
pea~
~f adjacent
tra ic.»eneration
Average
1,000
rates,
that today's fj'ee-standing discount superstores with sizes greater than 200,000
square feet have significantly higher trip
generation rates than the stores used to supply data for ITE bnd Use Code 813. This
leads to the following recommendations:
• Transportation professionals should
consider using the trip generation
rates documented
in this study
when analyzing free-standing discount superstores that more closely
match the characteristics of the
stores included in this study as compared to the stores used to supply
data for ITE Land Use Code 813.
• ITE should consider adding a new
land use category consistent with
today's free-standing discount superstores with sizes greater than
200,000 square feet, as described
below.
trip generation procedures, it is important to note its limitations so that transportation professionals can determine
how best to use the results. The following
limitations are noted:
• The study included sites located
only in the south central United
States.
• Only five sites were included in the
study.
• The study analyzed only weekday
p.m. peak-hour conditions and did
not include daily counts or Saturday
counts.
32
Despite these limitations, the study
provides new information on a land use
category that does not appear to be fully
addressed in previous studies .
The proposed definition for the new
ITE land use category is:
• brge Free-Standing Discount Superstore (greaterthan 200,000 square feet)
CONCLUSIONS
Trip generation rates for the stores
included in this study, as shown in Table
2, were compared to the p.m. peak-hour
rate of adjacent street traffic for freestanding discount superstore as shown in
Table 1. Table 4 summarizes the ITE trip
generation rate and the average trip generation rate for the free-standing discount
This category generally is described as
a free-standing superstore with off-street
parking and a CFA of 200,000 square
feet or greater. These stores usually have a
variety of customer services, centralized
cashiering and a wide range of products,
and include a garden center, service station, auto service center, full-line grocery
ITE JOURNAL / AUGUST 2006
store and,
often,
a f1st-food
restaurant
(all inclusive in the CFA).
Institute ofTransportation
Engineers
These stores typically are open 24
hours, seven days a week and often are
stand-alone £1cilities, but also can be found
in mutual operation
with other retail
store(s). Typically, the discount superstore
will maintain its own dedicated parking
when part of a larger shopping center.
It is recommended
that the square
footage used for this category include any
Advertise
garden centers, tire and lube shops, internal restaurants and external gas station.
This recommendation
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As mentioned previously, the ITE trip
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and
impact assessments, this issue should be
looked at closely because the currently
accepted ITE trip generation rate using
the average rate for a shopping center
during the p.m. peak hour of adjacent
traffic is 3.75, as identified in T1ble 1.•
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37
Rodino Associates_______________
Economic Development & Real Estate Services
June 21, 2010
Council President Ben Hueso
City Council Members
City of San Diego
th
City Administration Building, 12 Floor
202 C Street
San Diego, California
Re: Review and Summary of Superstore Impact Studies since 2003
Dear City Council President and Members:
As requested by the Center On Policy Initiatives, a summary of the studies conducted on the impacts of
superstores on urban communities is provided herein, updating the study conducted by Rodino Associates for the
City of Los Angeles in 2003. We have reviewed studies relating to:
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Overall economic impacts
Labor employment and compensation
Impacts on neighborhood retailers and supermarkets
Consumer choice and benefits
Municipal revenues
Property values
Land use and urban design
Overall Issues and Conclusions
The nation‘s retail grocery sector is undergoing a major transformation, led by supercenters –
big-box retail stores with full-scale grocery service. These supercenters are the latest
development in the nationwide restructuring of the retail grocery industry. Based on efficient
distribution systems, low prices, and shoppers increasingly seeking value, supercenters are
intensifying competition within the sector. While they are a national phenomenon, supercenters
also have important local impacts. However their appearance in California and most other regions of the nation
raises a complex range of issues concerning their costs and benefits, fiscal implications for local communities,
governments, and land use policy. The claims made by the advocates of supercenters regarding their economic
development benefits are often invalid, and in fact numerous studies have found their impacts can be economically
harmful.
E-mail:
State College, PA 16803 Phone:
Web Site: www.RodinoAssociates.com
The overall conclusions of our current review of studies are similar to the conclusions of our 2003 report, and are
based on the following:
In a mature urban retail market, such as San Diego, a superstore of 100,000 to 200,000 square feet of floor
area, averaging $50 million to $100 million in annual sales, must take most of those sales from the
surrounding retailers selling similar products within the trade area. There is not enough population growth
within the mature trade areas in the City of San Diego to generate retail sales from increased demand. In
other words there are little or ―no net new sales‖ within a superstore‘s trade area.
While a portion of sales can be made up from consumers coming into a trade area, i.e. into the City of San
Diego from outside the city, this process is rarely sufficient to satisfy the annual sales volume associated
with superstores. Regionally, there would still be little or no net new retail sales growth, since those
retailers outside the trade area would correspondingly lose sales volumes.
Focusing on the source of retail expenditures, namely consumers, is key to understanding the economic
processes at work. Since consumers do not consume more simply because a new superstore has arrived,
their retail expenditures are primarily redistributed to the superstore from the existing grocery and general
merchandisers in the trade area.
With no ―net new expenditures‖ there are no ―net new jobs‖ created. In fact a decrease in retail employment
may occur since superstores can generate more sales with fewer employees. Those jobs at the superstore
often pay less with lower benefits than the jobs at competitive retailers, particularly compared to jobs at
unionized supermarkets or retailers paying similar wage and benefit packages.
Since prices are often lower at superstores than at local competitors (although this is not universally true)
sales tax revenues may actually decrease as a result of the superstore, since sales taxes are based on the
dollar volume of sales, which may decrease if there are no net new retail expenditures.
In some communities competing grocery stores have closed due to their reduction in sales. When this
occurs consumer choice is reduced as well as employment, municipal revenues and property values.
Superstores have sometimes relocated out of their stores within a given trade area, to what is believed to
be a better location, often leaving their former stores dark, holding on to their lease, and thus preventing
other retailers from occupying their former store. When this occurs, and particularly if combined with closed
grocery stores within the trade area, property values impacted decrease and surrounding businesses that
had depended on their proximity to the superstore or supermarket lose business. The cascading impact
can mean not only a loss of property values to property owners, but of a loss of property taxes and sales
taxes to the local municipality.
Since superstores require about 7 to15 acres of land for the store and parking, this large expanse of blacktopped parking can create problems for communities seeking to create pedestrian-oriented retail areas.
614 Berkshire Drive, State College, PA 16803 Phone:
E-mail:
Overall Economic Impacts: No “Net New Sales”
The trade area of a supercenter in a mature urban market is generally about 10 miles in radius. Retail sales within a
given trade area are the result of the consumption patterns of consumers in that trade area. If retail consumption is
not increased there can be no net new retail sales within the trade area, only a redistribution of sales from one
retailer to another. An apparent modification of this conclusion occurs when consumers from the trade area enter
another municipality to make purchases. The retail sales of the host municipality will increase, but it will usually be
at the expense of the retailers in other parts of the trade area. Thus the economic development benefits of a
superstore must be carefully examined to ascertain it‘s legitimate impact. In a study conducted by East-West
Gateway Council of Governments; (St. Louis, Missouri region) January 2009, entitled “An Assessment of
the Effectiveness and Fiscal Impacts of the Use of Local Development Incentives in the St. Louis Region,
[PDF]‖ it was found that despite spending more than $2 billion in tax breaks for new shopping centers and big-box
stores, the St. Louis metro region has seen no growth in either retail sales or jobs. Between 1993 and 2007, the
study estimates that tax increment financing (TIF) and special tax districts alone cost taxpayers $2.5 billion. About
80 percent of this was directed to retail development, including many large shopping centers filled with chain stores
and located in affluent suburbs. The study concludes that the subsidies did not increase taxable retail sales, nor did
they boost revenue for local governments. Furthermore, the subsidies did not produce significant job gains.
As similar study was conducted by the Federal Bank of Minneapolis Jan 2008, as reported in the Fedgazette,
found a slightly more positive impact but one that is not supported by other studies reviewed, as reported herein
(see below). It stated ―Wal-Mart (has not) been a boon for local communities. Poverty rates, for example, declined
in most counties during the period studied, but they declined by less (poverty rates didn't improve as much) in WalMart counties. By other measures, Wal-Mart had no noticeable effect. Overall, counties with and without Wal-Mart
had similar growth in population and income per person. In sum, Fedgazette findings suggest that Wal-Mart has a
slightly positive effect on counties where the retailer decides to set up shop. But the effects are small; one could call
the results mostly a wash. As a result, maybe the most concrete conclusion of the study is that Wal-Mart's presence
(or lack thereof) has little or no predictive power regarding the economic success or failure of a county.
Studies have found a negative impact on poverty rates to be a characteristic of counties that have Walmart stores.
In a study published in Social Science Quarterly, June 2006 “Wal-Mart and County-Wide Poverty” - by
Stephan Goetz and Hema Swaminathan, counties that have gained Wal-Mart stores have fared worse in terms of
family poverty rates. The presence of a Wal-Mart store hinders a community's ability to move families out of
poverty, according to this study. After controlling for other factors that influence poverty rates, the study found that
U.S. counties that had more Wal-Mart stores in 1987 had a higher poverty rate in 1999 than did counties that
E-mail:
started the period with fewer or no Wal-Mart stores. The study also found that counties that added Wal-Mart stores
between 1987 and 1998 experienced higher poverty rates and greater usage of food stamps than counties where
Wal-Mart did not build, all other things being equal.
Labor Employment and Compensation
A major study conducted by the Center for Labor Research and Education at the University of California at
Berkely in December 2007 found an overall depression of wages and employment as a result of Walmart store
openings. The study is quoted as follows:
―Empirical evidence suggests that employees at Wal-Mart earn lower average wages and receive less
generous benefits than workers employed by many other large retailers. But controversy has persisted
on the question of Wal-Mart‘s effect on local pay scales. Our research finds that Wal-Mart store
openings lead to the replacement of better paying jobs with jobs that pay less. Wal-Mart‘s entry alsodrives wages
down for workers in competing industry segments such as grocery stores..
―With an average of 50 Wal-Mart stores per state, the average wages for retail workers were 10 percent
lower, and their job-based health coverage rate was 5 percentage points less than they would have
been without Wal-Mart‘s presence. Nationally, the retail wage bill in 2000 was estimated to be $4.5
billion less in nominal terms due to Wal-Mart‘s presence. When Wal-Mart‘s timing of expansion is taken into
account, we find strong evidence that each new Wal-Mart lowered retail wages.
―Opening a single Wal-Mart store lowers the average retail wage in the surrounding county between 0.5 and 0.9
percent. In the category of general merchandise, wages fell about 1 percent for each new store, while workers in
grocery stores saw average wages decline about 1.5 percent. As we would expect, there was no noticeable effect
on wages in other low-paying economic sectors that did not compete with Wal-Mart. Restaurant workers, for
example, saw no change in their take-home pay as a result of big box entry into their county.
―Some research suggests that Wal-Mart may be responsible for a small net increase in jobs. Our study
demonstrates that the opening of new Wal-Mart stores produces a decline not just in average wages but in the total
wage bill of a county. Every new Wal-Mart in a county reduced the combined or aggregate earnings of retail
workers by around 1.5 percent. Given that the fall in total wages was greater than the decline in average wages, it
is highly unlikely that there is compensating positive employment growth associated with a Wal-Mart store opening.
E-mail:
―Wal-Mart‘s effect on county wages appeared only in metropolitan statistical areas. The strong decline in earnings
that was evident in metropolitan counties did not show up in rural counties. This result is consistent with other
research that shows that rural areas are more likely to have low-wage firms. Where wages are low to begin with,
the arrival of the retail chain is less significant. This is especially true because the minimum wage becomes binding
at low wage levels, which is more likely in rural areas. In metro areas with better-paying jobs and a higher rate of
unionization, Wal-Mart‘s entry was more likely to have an impact on the labor market.
―This is particularly important since the large majority of new Wal-Mart stores are located in metro areas. This also
explains the greater resistance to Wal-Mart store locations in metropolitan compared to rural areas, since workers
and unions have more to lose in urban settings. The new research strongly suggests that Wal-Mart entry lowers
wages for employees in competing businesses, and the effect can be seen at both the county and state levels.
―Controlling for demographic or skill mix of the workforce cannot explain the results. Wal-Mart openings depress
average and aggregate wages and reduce the proportion of the workforce that is covered by
employer-sponsored health insurance.
―Of course, Wal-Mart‘s presence is also likely to bring lower prices. Existing research shows big-box
stores like Wal-Mart can use their distribution systems and leverage with suppliers to produce
substantial savings to consumers. However, to the extent that competing on cost produces negative
effects on low-wage workers, this is an important consideration when deciding the ―rules of the
game‖ that big-box retailers need to abide by. And since wage and benefit savings are not the main
part of the cost advantage for a company like Wal-Mart, it could continue to pass on most of these
savings while paying higher wages and benefits. These factors should be taken into account by
policy makers in their decision-making on economic development.‖
Other studies have found similar results. A study conducted in the Bay Area Economic Forum in January of
2004 entitled ―Supercenters and the Transformation of the Bay Area Grocery Industry: Issues, Trends, and
Impacts”, found the average grocery job in the large Bay Area of California supermarket chains paid wages and
benefits worth about $42,552 per year, of which about a third is the value of the benefit package (including health
care coverage, vacation, holiday and sick leave). Supercenters offered a total compensation (wages and benefits)
estimated at about $21,000 less yearly per average grocery employee. The study found that these direct losses
had indirect consequences. Lower regional incomes meant less spending on other goods and services. Through
multiplier effects, the net economic impact of this reduction of wages and benefits to the regional economy could be
more than double the direct loss, though such multipliers are difficult to quantify. The study authors were R. Sean
E-mail:
Randolph, Bay Area Economic Forum, Dr. Marlon Boarnet and Dr. Randall Crane, and Daniel Chatman and
Michael Manville, Public Economics
Group.
Another study entitled ―Impact of Wal-Mart Growth on Earnings throughout the Retail Sector in Urban and
Rural Counties” conducted by Arindrajit Dube, Barry Eidlin, and Bill Lester, Institute of Industrial Relations
Working Paper Series, 2005, analyzed the impact of Wal-Mart's expansion during the 1990s on the earnings of
retail workers. This study found that, in counties that were part of Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs), every
additional Wal-Mart store reduced average earnings in that county by between 0.5% and 0.8% for workers at
general merchandise stores and between 0.8% and 0.9% for grocery store employees. This drop in average
earnings, combined with a reduction in the overall number of jobs in these sectors caused by Wal-Mart's arrival,
produces a total loss in earnings for grocery and general merchandise workers of 1.3% for each Wal-Mart store that
opens.
Impacts on Neighborhood Retailers and Supermarkets
Numerous studies examine how the arrival of a big-box retailer displaces sales at existing businesses, which must
then downsize or close, resulting in job losses and declining tax revenue. For example, supermarkets often anchor
neighborhood shopping districts. A loss of a supermarket to big box competition could threaten the economic health
of other stores that rely on foot traffic generated by the grocery store. In some cases, supercenters—much as the
big-box retail format more generally—could impact the economic vitality of existing downtowns or neighborhood
shopping centers (Bay Area Economic Forum in January of 2004, op . cit.)
The opening of a Wal-Mart on the West Side of Chicago in 2006 led to the closure of about one-quarter of the
businesses within a four-mile radius, according to this study by researchers at Loyola University. They tracked 306
businesses, checking their status before Wal-Mart opened and one and two years after it opened. More than half
were also surveyed by phone about employees, work hours, and wages. By the second year, 82 of the businesses
had closed. Businesses within close proximity of Wal-Mart had a 40 percent chance of closing. The probability of
going out of business fell 6 percent with each mile away from Wal-Mart. These closures eliminated the equivalent of
300 full-time jobs, about as many Wal-Mart added to the area. Sales tax and employment data provided by the
State of Illinois for Wal-Mart's zip code and surrounding zip codes confirmed that overall sales and employment in
the neighborhood did not increase, but actually dipped from the trend line. Although Wal-Mart claims its urban
stores recapture dollars leaking to the suburbs, the findings of this study suggest that urban Wal-Mart stores
primarily displace sales from other city stores. "There is no evidence that Wal-Mart sparked any significant net
E-mail:
growth in economic activity or employment in the area," the researchers conclude. (The Impact of an Urban WalMart Store on Area Businesses - by Julie Davis, David Merriman, Lucia Samayoa, Brian Flanagan, Ron
Baiman, and Joe Persky, published by the Center for Urban Research and Learning, Loyola University
Chicago, December 2009).
Consumer choice and benefits
For most consumers, the clearest advantage of supercenters is the mix of goods offered at lower than average
prices. As supercenters achieve sizeable market share, these savings are often considered to be significant. A
study conducted by Global Insights, commissioned by Walmart, found the multiplier effects from lower prices could
be up to two times the amount of direct expenditure savings. However a study of the Global Insight study found
errors and inconsistencies in the analysis. In ―Wrestling with Wal-Mart: Tradeoffs Between Profits, Prices, and
Wages” - By Jared Bernstein, Josh Bivens, and Arindrajit Dube, Economic Policy Institute, June 15, 2006,
the study noted that the economic multiplier affect can be offset by a similar negative multiplier due to lower wages
and benefits. This analysis refutes the findings of a 2005 study by Global Insights (GI) that found that Wal-Mart
saves U.S. consumers $263 billion annually, or $2,329 for the average household. The Economic Policy Institute
concludes that the GI study is "fraught with problems." It identifies major internal inconsistencies in GI's figures and
finds that the firm's statistical analysis "fails the most rudimentary sensitivity checks." The authors state, "Once we
addressed these weaknesses the statistical and practical significance of Wal-Mart's price effects effectively
vanished."
Municipal Revenues
Municipalities and their consultants commonly believe that big box discount general retail stores have a positive
influence on net sales tax receipts. This has been disputed by some researchers, who point out that large retail
stores, and general merchandise discounters in particular, might cannibalize sales of existing retail stores within the
city limits, depending on the particular size and geography of the municipality. (Bay Area Economic Forum,
op.cit.)
However, the bottom-line calculation of supercenter tax revenues is more nuanced than often appreciated. First, an
expansion into non-taxable grocery sales will not generate the sales tax revenue per square foot of a conventional
discount store. Second, net sales tax revenue will be reduced to the extent that supercenter sales simply displace
E-mail:
sales at other stores in the same municipality. At a regional scale, supercenters bring the potential for shifting sales
tax revenues across municipalities, creating a regional pattern of winners and losers. Third, any revenue impact
must also be weighed against local public sector costs, such as the traffic, possible vacancies at other retail sites,
and the public services required by a supercenter. Local government must consider both the positive and negative
externalities of the supercenter format to arrive at the true impact of on public revenues. (Ibid.)
Further, evidence exists that Walmart is using tax loop holes to avoid or minimize tax payments. Wal-Mart Watch
has prepared a memorandum to illustrate how Wal-Mart, using tax avoidance schemes provided to it by the
accounting firm Ernst & Young, has short-changed many states out of millions of dollars of state tax money. As
revealed in a February 2007 Wall Street Journal story, Wal-Mart pays billions of dollars in rent per year, yet in many
states the retail giant has been paying rent to itself and then deducting those amounts from its state taxes. As is
commonly known, corporate tax loopholes are having a profound effect on state revenue collections, and mounting
evidence demonstrates that Wal-Mart has aggressively pursued them for many years in order to avoid paying state
taxes. The tax schemes vary in complexity as well as legality from state to state, but the underlying results are the
same: these strategies have saved Wal-Mart from paying hundreds of millions of dollars in state taxes. Walmart
Watch 2008 “Understanding the Fiscal Impacts of Land Use in Ohio” - by Randall Gross, Development
Economics, August 2004 compares the municipal tax benefits of big-box development with the cost of providing
these stores with city services, such as road maintenance, police and fire—finding that cities do not always come
out ahead. This report reviews and summarizes the findings of fiscal impact studies conducted in eight central Ohio
communities between 1997 and 2003. In seven of the eight communities, retail development created a drain on
municipal budgets (i.e., it required more in public services, such as road maintenance and police, than it generated
in tax revenue). On average, retail buildings produced a net annual loss of $0.44 per square foot. "The concept that
growth is always good for a community does not seem to correlate with the findings from various fiscal analyses
conducted throughout central Ohio," the report concludes. It cautions cities not to be taken in by the promise of high
tax revenue from a new development without also considering the additional costs of providing services. Unlike
retail, office and industrial development, as well as some types of residential, produced a net tax benefit.
Property Values
Superstores have often relocated out of their stores within a given trade area, to what is believed to be a better
location, leaving their former stores dark, holding on to their lease, and thus preventing other retailers from
occupying their former store. Wake-Up Wal-Mart Blog.com reported on April 23, 2010 the problems of dark bigbox stores in Ohio, in an article entitled “Wal-Mart Now Has 12 Dead Stores in Ohio”. The article stated: ―The city
of Elyria, Ohio has become the site of the 12th ‗dark store‘ owned by Wal-Mart. A 120,036 s.f. Wal-Mart in Elyria is
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now on the list of stores being marketed by Wal-Mart Realty---but its also another empty box whose property taxes
will plummet, and sales taxes disappear. The Elyria store has closed because Wal-Mart built a new superstore in
Lorain, Ohio, just five miles away. Ohio now has 1.2 million square feet of dead Wal-Marts. The 13.785 acre site in
Elyria is already listed for sale by Wal-Mart Realty. The store is only 18 years old--but at 120,036 s.f. (the size of 2
football fields) it is not likely to move any time soon according to local realty sources. Making matters more difficult--there is an empty Dillard's department store (which was killed by competitors like Wal-Mart) in the same mall, an
empty Michael's craft store nearby, as well as a nearby dead Circuit City. "We'll have another big-box building that's
empty," Elyria City Council President Forrest Bullocks, told the Chronicle-Telegram. Clearly Elyria and Lorain
should be doing some regional land use planning, because currently these big chain stores are playing one city off
the other---and squandering land in the process. Dead malls are not just a waste product of the free market system-they represent mindless sprawl and poor use of a limited natural resource.‖
In a similar development the town of Derry, New Hampshire faces the same problem. In” Wal-Mart in Derry, N.H.
Will Leave a Dark Store‖ the Wake-Up Wal-Mart Blog.com reported on May 10, 2010: ―Two years ago, in March
of 2008, Wal-Mart dropped plans to build a Derry superstore. But now the company says its plans are back on the
drawing board---which means the company will leave behind a ‗dark store‘ that could remain empty for years. The
new store will measure 147,000 s.f. Wal-Mart says the 160 people it employs at its current Derry store will be
transferred to the new site, and that 85 new jobs will be created. This, of course, is a gross figure, and does not
indicate the net jobs left once you subtract out the similar jobs that will be lost at existing grocery stores in the Derry
trade area. ―
Land Use and Urban Design
Changes in retail patterns can also be associated with changes in traffic patterns. In some cases, the low-density,
land-intensive nature of a supercenter might be at odds with municipal goals of building at higher densities. As
reported by the Bay Area Economic Forum in January of 2004, on average nationwide, supercenters generate
over 3,300 car trips per day. Furthermore, because supercenters are generally located on the urban fringe, they
often result in more total vehicle miles traveled (VMT) for grocery shopping in comparison with conventional grocery
stores.
In a study conducted by the Center for Clean Air Policy, “A Study of Land Use, Transportation, Air Quality,
and Health in King County, WA, Sept. 2005”, it was found that big-box stores generate large volumes of traffic—
much more than most other land uses. The amount of traffic is directly related to the size of these stores. ―The
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larger the store, the larger the geographic area from which it pulls customers and thus the higher the traffic counts.
A superstore typically generates more than 10,000 car trips on weekdays and more on Saturdays. The kinds of
businesses that often spring up near big-box retailers—fast-food outlets, gas stations, and convenience stores—
also produce large volumes of traffic.‖ The study went on to note that ―Traffic and noise depress property values in
nearby neighborhoods. More traffic increases the cost of local government services, such as road maintenance and
police.‖ The solution it proposed involved land-use regulatory policies ―By limiting the size of stores, prohibiting
sprawling development on the outskirts of town, and supporting neighborhood and downtown retail, communities
can shorten the distance from home to store, reduce vehicle traffic, and facilitate more walking, bicycling, and
public transit use. The benefits of this approach are substantial. The 2005 study of 3,200 households in King
County (greater Seattle), Washington, found that, compared to residents of low density subdivisions that lack
neighborhood stores, people who live in traditional neighborhoods with a variety of small scale retail services,
schools, parks, and other uses nearby:
•
log 26 percent fewer vehicle miles per day;
•
generate lower emissions of pollutants such as nitrous oxide, volatile organic compounds, and carbon
dioxide, a leading cause of global warming;
• are more likely to achieve the U.S. Surgeon General's recommended 30 minutes of moderate
activity per day; and
• are less likely to be overweight or obese.
The study controlled for age, gender, income, education, and other factors that also influence transportation
choices.
Respectfully,
ROBERT J. RODINO, PH.D.
RODINO ASSOCIATES
E-mail:
Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Adrienne Gallagher <
1000skokie
Regarding last nights meeting (September 9. 2013)
My husband and I attended last nights meeting.
We appreciated that the meeting was held in a venue large enough to handle the crowd. Parking was easy and the
venue was good. However, the microphone for the chair of the planning commission wasn't turned up properly. It was
such a shame that anyone sitting near the back of the venue strained to hear her and that she was oblivious.
Second, the presentation by the group who did the traffic study was poor.
1. Is the Walmart proposal a proposal or a done deal? They never said proposed Walmart but just Walmart and that was
so irritating and offensive. I wondered what we were doing there if this isn't still a project being considered.
2. Their information was poorly presented. Again in that large auditorium it was not possible for those near the back of
the auditorium to see their slides. This was disrespectful to the audience.
3. What they had to say made little sense. I won't elaborate.
Finally, in contrast to the city's portion of the meeting, which was disrespectful of the citizens of the community (hard to
hear, hard to see, slanted information), the prepared statements that we heard by the citizens (we stayed until almost
9:00) were professional and respectful. Their points, made again and again, is that this proposal of building a Walmart is
inconsistent with the community and its master plan.
Why is a Walmart even under consideration? This project should have been rejected immediately.
Sincerely,
Adrienne Gallagher
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Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Lori Stone <
1000skokie
A vote against WalMart is a vote for Northbrook residents' health and safety
Wal-Mart pleads guilty to dumping
hazardous waste
Jayne O'Donnell, USA TODAY8:49 p.m. EDT May 28, 2013
Wal-Mart pleads guilty and settles charges that it dumped hazardous
waste in sewage systems, among other violations.
(Photo: Frederic J. Brown, AFP/Getty Images)
STORY HIGHLIGHTS


Admits to negligently dumping pollutants across California
Company will pay $81 million, which also covers charges in Missouri

Counts are misdemeanors
SHARE 2057CONNECT 103TWEET 55COMMENTEMAILMORE
Wal-Mart Stores settled a decade-long investigation into its hazardous waste practices
Tuesday when it pleaded guilty to criminal charges and agreed to pay $81 million, the
Environmental Protection Agency said.
In cases filed in Los Angeles and San Francisco, Wal-Mart pleaded guilty to six counts of
violating the Clean Water Act by illegally handling and disposing of hazardous materials
at its retail stores across the United States. The company also pleaded guilty in Kansas
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City, Mo., to violating federal law governing the proper handling of pesticides that had
been returned by customers at stores across the country.
When combined with previous actions brought by California and Missouri, Wal-Mart will
pay a total of more than $110 million to resolve cases alleging violations of federal and
state environmental laws.
'This case is as big as Wal-Mart is," says Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Johns, chief of the
Justice Department's environmental crimes section in Los Angeles. "This conduct is
alleged to have taken place at every single Walmart in the country."
“Wal-Mart put the public and the environment at risk and
gained an unfair economic advantage over other companies.
”
— Ignacia Moreno, assistant U.S. attorney general
Wal-Mart did not have a program in place and failed to train its employees on proper
hazardous waste management and disposal practices at the store level, according to
documents filed in U.S. District Court in San Francisco.
The practices started at an unknown date and continued until January 2006. That meant
hazardous wastes were either discarded improperly at the store level — including being
put into municipal trash bins or, if a liquid, poured into the local sewer system — or they
were improperly transported without proper safety documentation to one of six productreturn centers located throughout the United States.
"By improperly handling hazardous waste, pesticides and other materials in violation of
federal laws, Wal-Mart put the public and the environment at risk and gained an unfair
economic advantage over other companies," said Ignacia Moreno, assistant attorney
general for the Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division.
Wal-Mart admitted trucking more than 2 million pounds of regulated pesticides and other
products from its return centers to Greenleaf, a recycling facility in Neosho, Mo., between
July 2006 and February 2008. Prosecutors say the products were processed for reuse
and resale, but lax oversight caused regulated pesticides to be mixed together and
offered for sale in violation of FIFRA.
In 2010, the company agreed to pay $27.6 million to settle similar allegations made by
California authorities that led to the overhaul of its hazardous waste compliance program
nationwide. The state investigation began eight years ago when a San Diego County
health department employee saw a worker pouring bleach down a drain.
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In another instance, officials said a Solano County boy was found playing in a mound of
fertilizer near a Walmart garden section. The yellow-tinted powder contained ammonium
sulfate, a chemical compound that causes irritation to people's skin, eyes and respiratory
tract.
"We have fixed the problem," Wal-Mart spokeswoman Brooke Buchanan said. "We are
obviously happy that this is the final resolution."
Court documents show the illegal dumping occurred in 16 California counties between
2003 and 2005. Federal prosecutors said the company didn't train its employees on how
to handle and dispose of hazardous materials at its stores.
In addition to sewage systems, the waste also was improperly taken to one of several
product-return centers throughout the United Sates without proper safety documentation.
Buchanan said employees are better trained on how to clean up, transport and dispose
of dangerous products such as fertilizer that are spilled in the store or have damaged
packaging.
For instance, workers are armed with scanners that tell them whether a damaged
package is considered to contain a hazardous material and are trained on how to handle
it, she said. Wal-Mart also says it has created nearly 50 dedicated environment
compliance staff, with elevated management authority;
Johns says Wal-Mart should have known better — sooner.
"We prosecute mom-and-pop stores for this type of conduct," he says. "If there's anyone
who has the resources to comply with the law, it's Wal-Mart."
Contributing: The Associated Press
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Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Maris Daugherty <marisd_
Tuesday, September 10, 2013 4:12 PM
1000skokie
No to Walmart
Dear Northbrook Trustees,
I was unable to attend the meeting last night but I did want to voice my opinion. Although Walmart proclaims to bring
substantial income to Northbrook we must look at several factors:
-
Small general merchandise, grocery, and specialty businesses struggle to survive in proximity to
Walmart. Between Mariano’s and Walmart you will put a sizable dent in the market share of Trader Joes, Sunset
Foods, and Garden Fresh
Too much additional traffic
Questionable synergy with Northbrook. This is an upscale neighborhood. Walmart is a race to the bottom.
Walmart is not what our neighborhood needs to help enable the family and community presence we value.
Thanks for listening,
Maris Daugherty
Senior Consultant
Home Office:
Mobile:
www.okamuraconsulting.com
Associate member Ebeltoft Group
www.ebeltoftgroup.com
1
Remarks for Skokie/Dundee Corridor Meeting at Northbrook, 9/9/2013
I’m sure many of you have recently experienced frustrating traffic jams, waiting for the lights to
change at the corner of Skokie and Dundee? Well, I certainly have --- I live, virtually, at that
corner --- I call it, “Ground-Zero”, of what we’re talking about tonight!
In a sense, we’re fortunate to be allowed a glimpse into the future, thanks to the new
construction going on, elsewhere, at Lake Cook and Willow roads. What we’ve had this summer
is rerouted traffic from these two construction projects. They have been the culprits causing
most of the headaches we’ve been experiencing here, and it will continue until they go back
where they came from.
Now, according to if the traffic survey submitted by Gewalt Hamilton Associates (GHA), if and
when, the Wal-Mart and 770 projects ever get approved, they will then become the new
culprits, and the Skokie/Dundee corridor will pick up about the same amount of traffic that the
Lake Cook and Willow construction projects generated this Summer. Whenever that may
happen, the Skokie/Dundee traffic load will return to summer 2013 levels. GHA’s (Exhibit 13B)
has projected the delays caused by these developments to be “Unacceptable” (84 sec./vehicle,
Eastbound) during peak hours, and “Very Long”, (60 sec./vehicle TH, Westbound), and also
“Very Long” (LT,E and TH,W ), even with improvements. We’re experiencing these delays, now
and will also, even after the planned remedial improvements are completed, according to GHA.
Many people already consider these to be failing grades, now. Just wait. (Very Long Delays are
also considered to be, “Unacceptable”, according to a GHA speaker at the 9/9/13 hearing).
In terms of the future then; De Ja Vu! What we have seen 2013 is what we’ll get, if Wal-Mart
and/or NorthShore 770 Developments are approved. Also, in addition, at any time, on any day,
traffic queues can build up at the Dundee R.R. crossing, just to add to our headaches. And, with
future population growth and increased traffic, the congestion in the Skokie Corridor, is certain
to increase in the future, as well. This is a perilous margin, indeed, to live with. It seems to me
that we’re already out of options at “Ground Zero”, as we speak.
All of this, in my opinion, is only part of the story. I believe we need a full assessment of the
impact of these two proposals, on the nature and well-being of Northbrook. In other words,
who are we now, and what is our vision for the future of our Village? Should we continue as an
attractive, resident-friendly North Shore suburban community, or are we up for sale to the
highest bidder and/or for the most generous sales tax revenue? I, for one, am not in favor of
creating Evanston-North here, in our beautiful Village!
My name is Jeff Kaminsky and I have been a resident of NB for 7 years. I live near the intersection of
Dundee and Western, which is nowhere near the subject area. I do not represent any group or
organization and I am only speaking as a citizen of the village.
I do however have some experience in the subject of rezoning, development and traffic studies. I hold a
degree in Urban & Regional Planning and Land Use Development from the University of Illinois in
Urbana. Early on in my career, I worked in the planning and zoning department of the Village of
Flossmoor, an affluent community in the southern suburbs. While I don’t work in the industry today,
from 2004 to 2008, I worked for developers on site acquisitions and retail development throughout the
Chicagoland area. And in so doing, I located and assembled potential retail sites, for retailers like
Starbucks, Walgreens, Lowes and Target.
We presented Retail Impact Studies and yes, Traffic Studies. And I then worked with zoning boards and
municipalities to get sites approved. I even worked with Mr. Hal Francke on a couple of the projects.
He’s an upstanding guy and I always enjoyed his involvement.
I share this because I hope that it gives some credibility to my comments here tonight.
Based on my experience, I ask the plan commission and the Village Trustees and President to deny the
request for variation of zoning from O-3 to C-5 due to inadequate traffic dispersion and the failure of the
proposed use for this property to be consistent with the policies and the goals of the Comprehensive
Plan for the Village of Northbrook and Skokie Boulevard.
I am not opposed to Walmart. I am however opposed to a Walmart in the subject location. The
intersection of Skokie Blvd & Dundee Rd., cannot handle all of the traffic that would come with the
other prime sites to be developed, (including 770 Skokie Blvd, and 1000 Sunset Ridge Rd.) in addition to
the traffic from the proposed Walmart site.
And for the record, I believe that we should develop the other sites including the NWC - 770 Skokie Blvd.
This property does meet the requirement of the Comprehensive Plan to “Promote the development of
integrated commercial and mixed use developments that form a major ‘gateway’ to the community”.
We should also make the recommended roadway improvements as laid out by KLOA and Gewalt
Hamilton. Those proposed improvements are needed now.
The 770 Skokie Blvd site is a mixed use development that fulfills the goals set forth in the village’s
comprehensive plan. Many of the vehicle trips to this development will be multi-purpose trips and
multi-purpose trips bring less overall traffic than do single purpose trips such as the types of trips the
proposed Walmart would bring.
According to Walmart’s website, there are currently 19 Walmart stores within 20 miles of Northbrook
and 7 Walmart stores within 12 Miles of Northbrook. There will soon be 8 stores within 12 miles as a
new Walmart Super Center was recently approved on Touhy in Skokie. I studied the 4 Walmart’s that
are closest to Northbrook, including Rolling Meadows, Wheeling, Mt. Prospect and Niles.
Based on IDOT ADT (ADT = Avg. Daily Traffic) statistics, the current intersection of Skokie Blvd & Dundee
Rd has between 51,000 and 56,000 ADT. This intersection today without the Walmart and the other
proposed developments, has more traffic than 3 of the 4 other Walmart stores studied. The one
exception is the Golf Rd Store in Niles, which has about 8,000 more vehicles per day at 63,000 ADT.
However, Niles is the only location with 3 Lanes in each direction of traffic for about ½ mile, plus turning
lanes, and we know per the Gewalt Hamilton traffic study, that 3 lanes in each direction for ½ a mile is
not a possibility at Skokie and Dundee. They are only recommending 3 lanes for a few hundred feet.
An additional consideration is that none of the locations have a freight train rail line on one boundary of
the intersection corridor area and an expressway on the other. I will explain why this is of great concern
in a moment.
If the Walmart is approved as well as the other proposed developments, the additional ADT of between
12,000 and 20,000 vehicles would bring the new total ADT of between 63,000 and 76,000 ADT to the
intersection of Skokie Blvd & Dundee Rd. These figures of additional traffic come from the developers
themselves.
Additionally, there are 2 major traffic impacts that have not been given adequate consideration in the
traffic studies that include Walmart. The 1st is the train that runs 17-18 times a day west of the
intersection and the 2nd is the Edens Expressway traffic that exits at Dundee Westbound and backs up on
the ramp dangerously close to high speed traffic at peak times during both the morning and evening
rush. The disaster that is waiting to happen is when a train stops traffic during the morning or evening
rush, and traffic has nowhere to go as it tries to exit the Edens. Cars will be trapped in gridlock with
potentially disastrous consequences as people’s lives are put at risk when stopped cars are backed up
from the exit ramp into high speed expressway traffic. There have been several times throughout the
year where I have been caught in this back up. I can’t imagine the impact with a Walmart adding
another 6,000 – 10,000 vehicles per day.
The Gewalt Hamilton traffic study only “studied” the railroad crossing on 2 days - November 29, 2012
and November 30, 2012. These dates were during the week following the Thanksgiving holiday
weekend, and I would argue that some people were still out of town on an extended holiday and
therefore, these dates were inadequate for a proper study. The study also failed to show the typical
daily train crossing schedule by the railroad, nor did it demonstrate whether or not the railroad was
running a reduced or typical schedule.
What is lacking at the intersection of Skokie Blvd & Dundee Road that will be adversely affected by the
proposed Walmart use at the site is what we refer to in the urban planning world as “Traffic Dispersion”.
Traffic dispersion means spreading the traffic from a source over multiple independent paths,
transmitting it in parallel through the street network. The strategy reduces the effects of bursts in the
traffic, and improves the network performance in terms of reduced queuing delay.
Giving that there is not, nor can be, adequate traffic dispersion, I believe that we need to suggest
another location.
As Walmart is not a single community store by their own admission, I would ask that the village consider
the best overall location that meets the traffic and retail zoning criteria.
I therefore submit that the Village of Northbrook work with Deerfield, Walmart and the property owner
to bring the store to the vacant southern end of the Deerbrook Mall and create an adaptive reuse of this
prime shopping center. Specifically the former Sears Great Outdoors and Wonder Building. The Best
Buy and Bally’s are both vacant site and the mall is more than half vacant and is zoned Retail/
Commercial already. I heard that there may be a restrictive covenant by the Jewel against other grocery
stores. If this is true, Walmart should consider building a Super Center footprint, but not having grocery
until the restriction expires.
This site is also in District 28 & 225 so the real estate taxes will still go to our schools in Northbrook.
The NB Fire department already serves the area, and gets reimbursed from Deerfield. So our villages are
already working together at this mixed use development. And best of all, we have sufficient Traffic
Dispersion with Lake Cook to the North, Dundee to the South and Waukegan connecting the 2 arteries.
Additionally, Walmart gets the same number of Edens Expressway exits as is at Dundee & Skokie. Since
there are already large pylon signs along the highway I would think that Walmart could get one too.
There is significant forest preserve land to the south of the Edens Expressway that serves as a buffer,
and it would be relatively easy to continue widening improvements along Waukegan Rd. south to
Dundee.
I’d like to make one final point. Walmart argues that other developments along Skokie Blvd have been
rezoned to Retail Commercial. And that’s a true statement. However, the entire area along Skokie Blvd.
between Dundee and Lake Cook have adequate traffic dispersion via those 2 major arteries. Never
before has the Village rezoned a development of this scale and size for a single use tenant. The other
developments along Skokie Blvd. have all been rezoned into multipurpose retail centers, and therefore,
reduce the traffic burden by creating multipurpose trips.
I believe that these points alone along with the newly created Comprehensive Plan, give the Plan
Commission and the Village of Northbrook ample, significant and justifiable reasons to deny the request
for variation of zoning from O-3 to C-5.
Thank you for your time.
Jeff Kaminsky, Northbrook, IL.
Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Isaac Velis <
Wednesday, September 11, 2013 6:33 AM
Schoon, David
Walmart Proposal
As a resident of Northfield I find it troubling that such a highly controversial store like Walmart is being considered near
the north shore. I urge you to research the adverse effects Walmart has been shown to have on communities and the
burden they add to taxpayers by underpaying their employees. If they are allowed to build a store I strongly urge you to
hold them to high standards. They should be made to build to LEED standards. Make them install parking lot security
cameras and security guards due to the often unsavory individuals that these stores attract. I believe an upgraded highend façade should also be required instead of the standard ugly cookie cutter stores that you see in low income
neighborhoods.
1
Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Sandra Moretti <
Schoon, David
Frum, Sandy; Karagianis, Jim; Buehler, A.C.; Scolaro, Michael; Heller, Todd; Ciesla,
Kathryn; Israel, Robert;
Subject:
Walmart
To the Plan Commission and the Board of Trustees:
I attended the open meeting of the Plan Commission at Glenbrook North H.S. I heard a lot of
interesting testimony, but it left me with some unanswered questions and a lot of concerns.
1. Your traffic consultants briefly mentioned adding a lane on Midway and they weren't clear on
where and how. Are they talking about a left turn lane at the ends? I hope they didn't mean along the
entire street! This concerns me greatly. How is making it easier for traffic to exit Midway going to
discourage cut-through traffic? It makes no sense. Their entire presentation was unclear enough as
to be laughable if this wasn't such an important topic.
No matter what they say, Midway IS a cut-through street, as are Sunset Ridge and Voltz. I have
many friends who live in Northfield. They've said everyone uses these roads to avoid the busier
intersections. And everyone I know from here, myself included, has used Voltz to get to Waukegan
all summer long - so to say it won't be impacted is ridiculous. I live on Midway - I'm well aware of the
traffic. The thought of what it will be if Walmart is allowed in is frightening.
Further, how do they plan to "discourage" truck traffic on Sunset Ridge and Midway? Does the
Village plan to station a police officer on each street 24/7 to hand out tickets?
Lastly, on the topic of traffic, I'm wondering how they plan to address the problem of cars coming off
of Edens to go west on Dundee. As it is, during certain hours and when there's a slow moving freight
train the traffic can back up all the way onto the highway and down the side. You have cars speeding
along between 55 and 80 mph in the left and middle lanes and a right-hand lane where cars are at a
dead standstill. This has happened to me more than once and personally I find it terrifying to be
standing at a dead halt, just waiting for some idiot who is speeding and perhaps texting to plow into
the back of my car. This is already a horrific accident waiting to happen and Walmart will only
exacerbate the already poor conditions.
2. I didn't hear this topic addressed, but of major concern to me is the storm water run-off
from Walmart's acres of pavement. I know they plan to use a retention vault, but will this vault be
sufficient - not only under ordinary circumstances - but in a 35-year-storm - of which we can have
several in a year? The Village bulletin that just came out addressed the topic of potential flooding and
it mentioned that this is one reason why the village is zoned the way it is - to avoid massive flooding
in flood plain areas.
We all know how easily the East Northbrook area floods. If Walmart doesn't provide MORE THAN
ABUNDANT water retention facilities, the cost to local homes in flooding and attendant loss of
property and property values will more than offset any projected income to Northbrook. This is a topic
1
that MUST be addressed to the complete satisfaction of the residents and the Planning Commission
BEFORE it's too late - the cost of remediation will be enormous otherwise - and it would be
irresponsible to rezone this area without complete confidence in the solution first. I, for one, would
greatly resent having to purchase expensive flood insurance because of an irresponsible decision on
the part of the Planning Commission and the Village Trustees.
3. I have numerous other concerns if Walmart were to go in - their hours; the noise; the lights; the
campers and trucks parked in their lots overnight; the liquor sales; the potential gun/ammunition
sales; the potential crime it will bring into our neighborhood; the horrendous traffic; the trucks on our
two-lane roads; the monstrosity of an architectural design for their building; the lack of sufficient and
quality landscaping; the ugly signage at the gateway to Northbrook; their unfair and discriminatory
employment practices; the local businesses it will put in jeopardy; the list goes on and on - you've
heard it all ad nauseam.
However, one item that was brought up at the meeting bears repeating. This is the Village's
Comprehensive Plan which was devised with an enormous amount of input, time and effort expended
by residents and Village staff. Why would the Plan Commission and Trustees vote in favor of
allowing Walmart all its assorted variances and zoning code changes when they are in direct
opposition to this plan that the Village itself put into place such a short time ago? Why bother with a
Comprehensive Plan if at the first opportunity you abandon it?!
Why would the Plan Commission and Trustees vote in favor of an unscrupulous company that is
intent on inserting itself - unwanted - into our Village?
Why would the Plan Commission and Trustees go against the will of so many residents, their
constituents?!
I was very proud of my fellow Northbrook citizens Monday night. They stood up and were
heard. There can be no question about how they feel after attending that meeting. I was surprised
and pleased to see such a huge turnout. And these were just the people who were able to attend;
many, many more who feel the same way weren't able to be there.
After seeing that assemblage and hearing all that was said, I can't imagine that the Plan Commission
could possibly vote in favor of Walmart; it would be the height of irresponsibility to do so . . . and I
have to feel that the Trustees realize it would be political suicide to vote in favor of Walmart.
Please don't prove me wrong. Please do not inflict this horrible store on our beautiful Village.
Sandy Moretti
Northbrook
2
Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
1000skokie
Walmart
We want to notify you of our strong opposition to approval of the Walmart store on the east end of
Northbrook, Our reasons reflect a basic, common sense understanding of what is in the interests of
Northbrook residents. Our key concerns:
o The general increase in traffic on Dundee Road and Skokie Boulevard
o The noise and congestion from the constant stream of supply trucks required by a "Big Box" store
o The increased noise, traffic and night-time lighting that will impact the nearby residents.
Please heed our concerns.
Kenneth & Christine Hennig
Northbrook
1
Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
1000skokie
Walmart Opinion
I mistakenly thought the public meeting was Sept. 10, not Sept. 9. Please read my views as I would
have liked to convey by speaking at the meeting.
Thank you,
Jeanette Licata
Nbk
Northbrook,
I attended the August meeting where the Planning Committee conveyed their data about Walmart
I have the following comments:
1.TRAFFIC. You admit to 6000 additional cars per day. This is absolutely a negative for our village
residents. It is already a nightmare to drive around here, but it is much worse in suburbs that have
large stretches of businesses. We are not Schaumburg or Vernon Hills and don't want to be.
2. Parking spaces that are only 18 ft. Northbrook allows this for "low turn-over" areas. Walmart is
NOT a low -turn-over
situation. Walmart wants to cram in as many spaces as possible to maximize their profits and the
shopper is left dealing with a space
that is not adequate by your own admittance. This will result in extra police need, as there will be
many accidents related to this.
3. The Covent that says if Walmart decides to leave, no other big box company can occupy that
building! Really- Northbrook is going to widen Skokie Blvd at our tax-payer expense, pay for another
police officer for the extra crime and then they can leave and we are stuck with an eye sore building
that no one else can occupy so
that we can at least get some money??
That's a WIN-WIN for Walmart and a huge, kick in the teeth for Northbrook. Why would we even
consider this?
4. Northbrook has many rules in place which keep our town looking good aesthetically, which
Walmart's bid wants to over-ride.
For example, instead of the 80 foot set back distance from the street, Walmart wants 18 ft. That's not
a small difference.
Also, they want signage that is 3 times larger than our rules allow. Signs are a hugely un-attractive
feature which negatively
reflect on a town.
Why have these rules if you are just going to say, as at the meeting, "have we made an exception to
that anywhere else"?
We are NOT Schaumburg, Niles or any other suburb that caters to strip malls and has become ugly in
1
search of the all-mighty dollar.
Think about Winnetka, Glencoe and other beautiful suburbs. Yes, they have high taxes, but we could
shoot for a middle ground. Their Village Boards
have not ceded to these businesses.
5. Tax benefit: Walmart will not pay to widen Skokie Blvd. The 200 thefts per year will require extra
police. I think Northbrook really needs to add things up and see if the tax benefit would be erased by
all the 'extras' required by Walmart.
I did not move to Northbrook for low taxes. I moved here for good schools and a beautiful, tree filled
suburb without the strip malls of other surrounding suburbs.
We are getting away from this in search of the tax dollar. We have Willow Festival, Northbrook Court,
and nothing has really changed in terms of tax benefit.
It reminds me of the promise that the Lottery was going to solve all of Chicago's education problems.
We will just continue to have businesses come in, change the make-up of our suburb, and still have
tax issues.
6. Water drainage
How dare Northbrook consider this huge building that will take away water absorption and result in
more water in our pipes. We have too many streets that flood and these buildings will directly add to
that problem.. Yes, Walmart said they'd build a retention area. I hope you spend 1 year studying their
plan to see if it will be adequate, as you are 'studying' the street flooding solutions for your residents
who flood with the smallest rains. Your own engineer Paul has said there will be an impact on the
flooding here with all the building occurring.
Could Northbrook be liable if they pursue building, given the flooding issue? Residents are asking
that.
7.Crime. Your own study says there will be an estimated 200 thefts per year. That is 1 every 1.5
days!!! We will need to hire a Police Officer OR
have less police presence due to Walmart. This is not fair to residents.
8. Your study shows a possible need to widen Skokie Blvd. Walmart will not pay. Why is Northbrook
bending over backwards for Walmart?
9. Walmart's requests do not fit your Rezoning motto. Please re-read it and consider Walmart's
requests in light of it.
Why have a motto if you're not going to abide by it?
10. Property values for those living near Sunset Blvd. Who wants to live near a 24 hr Walmart with
constant deliveries? No one.
11. Putting businesses North of the proposed spot out of business. The Jewel in Niles could not
compete with the Walmart that
was put in there. Garden Fresh, Red's, to name a couple, would be forced out of business. We need
to foster smaller businesses,
not giant big box, cheaper, cheaper, cheaper kinds of stores.
Benefiting a few (Walmart executives) at a cost to many (small store owners and those who like
variety )
2
11. We teach our kids that "Character Counts". Walmart has admitted to bribing officials in Mexico to
build stores.
(New York Times report, Dec 2012, Apr 2013)
They are a company that keeps their employees' hours below 40 so that they don't have to pay for
benefits, for those making a whopping $7.75.
Of course, their own executives do not have this. Unethical and we should not bring this type of
company into our community.
Please do not let the Costco-got-away mentality shape your views on Walmart. I don't see
Glenview's taxes as much lower than ours.
Let them have it and the traffic.
There is no price tag to put on how our village looks. Do not underestimate this abstract feature. It's
important.
3
Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Audrey and Nate <
1000skokie
Proposed Walmart Store
As a resident of Northfield I find it troubling that such a highly controversial store like Walmart is being considered to
build a store near the north shore. I urge you to research the adverse effects Walmart has been shown to have on
communities and the burden they add to taxpayers by underpaying their employees. If they are allowed to build a store
I strongly urge you to hold them to high standards. They should be made to build to LEED standards. Make them install
parking lot security cameras and security guards due to the often unsavory individuals that these stores attract. I believe
an upgraded high-end façade should also be required instead of the standard ugly cookie cutter stores that you see in
low income neighborhoods.
1
Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Village of Northbrook <
Schoon, David
You have been assigned a new Request #: 6483
Request # 6483 from the Government Outreach System has been assigned to you by Kendal Maltas.
Request type: Complaint
Request area: Other - Miscellaneous
Citizen name: Erik Gardner
Description: To whom it may concern:
Please do not approve the proposed new Wal Mart store. My primary concern is the
effect that it will have on local businesses. As this study points out, "the opening of a
Wal-Mart store reduces county-level retail employment by 150 jobs."
[http://bigboxstudies.wordpress.com/2010/02/17/the-effects-of-wal-mart-on-local-labormarkets-by-david-neumark-university-of-california-irvine-junfu-zhang-clark-universityand-stephen-ciccarella-cornell-university-iza-discussion-paper/]
Another study found that "in a Chicago neighborhood following the opening of a
Walmart store, found that within two years of the store's opening, 82 local stores went
out of business."
[http://www.wbsonline.com/resources/Study-suggests-Walmart-has-a-negative-effecton-small-businesses/]
I love our local businesses. I would hate to see what Wal Mart would do to them.
Thank you,
Erik Gardner
Expected Close Date: 09/20/2013
Click here to access the request
Note: This message is for notification purposes only. Please do not reply to this email. Email replies are not
monitored and will be ignored.
1
Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Jeremy Melnick <
Friday, September 13, 2013 4:52 PM
Schoon, David
FW: My Comments to the Northbrook Plan Commission re proposed Walmart site
9-9-2013
Here are more comments.
From: Jeff Kaminsky [mailto:
Sent: Friday, September 13, 2013 4:47 PM
To: Jeremy Melnick
Subject: Re: My Comments to the Northbrook Plan Commission re proposed Walmart site 9-9-2013
Jeremy,
Thank you. Pay attention to the "flaws" I address regarding the traffic. They studied the train for only 2 days
and after the thanksgiving holiday weekend at that! And one of those days was a Friday so these days weren't
"normal" traffic days. And by the way, that was before the willow road and lake cook road construction
started.
These are significant flaws in their report. I've been stuck on the exit ramp with no place to go and it's very
dangerous.
Please call me if you'd like to discuss this further.
Jeff Kaminsky
C
F
On Sep 13, 2013, at 10:56 AM, Jeremy Melnick <
wrote:
Jeff
Sorry for the late response but I have been out of town. Thank you for sending me your comments and I
have asked the staff to share your comments with the Plan Commission.
Happy New Year and have an easy fast
Jeremy
From: Jeff Kaminsky [mailto:
Sent: Tuesday, September 10, 2013 11:32 PM
To: Jeremy Melnick
Subject: My Comments to the Northbrook Plan Commission re proposed Walmart site 9-9-2013
1
Hi Jeremy,
Below and attached are my full comments from last night to the Northbrook Plan Commission
regarding the proposed Walmart site re-zoning. I was not allowed to deliver all of my
comments, as we were only allotted 4 minutes and I was literally cut of and stopped from
speaking. Feel free to contact me with any questions. Thank you.
Dear Northbrook Plan Commission Members,
Thank you for the opportunity to address you here tonight.
My name is Jeff Kaminsky and I have been a resident of NB for 7 years. I live near the
intersection of Dundee and Western, which is nowhere near the subject area. I do not
represent any group or organization and I am only speaking as a citizen of the village.
I do however have some experience in the subject of rezoning, development and traffic
studies. I hold a degree in Urban & Regional Planning and Land Use Development from the
University of Illinois in Urbana. Early on in my career, I worked in the planning and zoning
department of the Village of Flossmoor, an affluent community in the southern suburbs. While
I don’t work in the industry today, from 2004 to 2008, I worked for developers on site
acquisitions and retail development throughout the Chicagoland area. And in so doing, I
located and assembled potential retail sites, for retailers like Starbucks, Walgreens, Lowes and
Target.
We presented Retail Impact Studies and yes, Traffic Studies. And I then worked with zoning
boards and municipalities to get sites approved. I even worked with Mr. Hal Francke on a
couple of the projects. He’s an upstanding guy and I always enjoyed his involvement.
I share this because I hope that it gives some credibility to my comments here tonight.
Based on my experience, I ask the plan commission and the Village Trustees and President to
deny the request for variation of zoning from O-3 to C-5 due to inadequate traffic dispersion
and the failure of the proposed use for this property to be consistent with the policies and the
goals of the Comprehensive Plan for the Village of Northbrook and Skokie Boulevard.
I am not opposed to Walmart. I am however opposed to a Walmart in the subject
location. The intersection of Skokie Blvd & Dundee Rd., cannot handle all of the traffic that
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would come with the other prime sites to be developed, (including 770 Skokie Blvd, and 1000
Sunset Ridge Rd.) in addition to the traffic from the proposed Walmart site.
And for the record, I believe that we should develop the other sites including the NWC - 770
Skokie Blvd. This property does meet the requirement of the Comprehensive Plan to “Promote
the development of integrated commercial and mixed use developments that form a major
‘gateway’ to the community”. We should also make the recommended roadway improvements
as laid out by KLOA and Gewalt Hamilton. Those proposed improvements are needed now.
The 770 Skokie Blvd site is a mixed use development that fulfills the goals set forth in the
village’s comprehensive plan. Many of the vehicle trips to this development will be multipurpose trips and multi-purpose trips bring less overall traffic than do single purpose trips such
as the types of trips the proposed Walmart would bring.
According to Walmart’s website, there are currently 19 Walmart stores within 20 miles of
Northbrook and 7 Walmart stores within 12 Miles of Northbrook. There will soon be 8 stores
within 12 miles as a new Walmart Super Center was recently approved on Touhy in Skokie. I
studied the 4 Walmart’s that are closest to Northbrook, including Rolling Meadows, Wheeling,
Mt. Prospect and Niles.
Based on IDOT ADT (ADT = Avg. Daily Traffic) statistics, the current intersection of Skokie Blvd &
Dundee Rd has between 51,000 and 56,000 ADT. This intersection today without the Walmart
and the other proposed developments, has more traffic than 3 of the 4 other Walmart stores
studied. The one exception is the Golf Rd Store in Niles, which has about 8,000 more vehicles
per day at 63,000 ADT. However, Niles is the only location with 3 Lanes in each direction of
traffic for about ½ mile, plus turning lanes, and we know per the Gewalt Hamilton traffic study,
that 3 lanes in each direction for ½ a mile is not a possibility at Skokie and Dundee. They are
only recommending 3 lanes for a few hundred feet.
An additional consideration is that none of the locations have a freight train rail line on one
boundary of the intersection corridor area and an expressway on the other. I will explain why
this is of great concern in a moment.
3
If the Walmart is approved as well as the other proposed developments, the additional ADT of
between 12,000 and 20,000 vehicles would bring the new total ADT of between 63,000 and
76,000 ADT to the intersection of Skokie Blvd & Dundee Rd. These figures of additional traffic
come from the developers themselves.
Additionally, there are 2 major traffic impacts that have not been given adequate consideration
in the traffic studies that include Walmart. The 1st is the train that runs 17-18 times a day west
of the intersection and the 2nd is the Edens Expressway traffic that exits at Dundee Westbound
and backs up on the ramp dangerously close to high speed traffic at peak times during both the
morning and evening rush. The disaster that is waiting to happen is when a train stops traffic
during the morning or evening rush, and traffic has nowhere to go as it tries to exit the
Edens. Cars will be trapped in gridlock with potentially disastrous consequences as people’s
lives are put at risk when stopped cars are backed up from the exit ramp into high speed
expressway traffic. There have been several times throughout the year where I have been
caught in this back up. I can’t imagine the impact with a Walmart adding another 6,000 –
10,000 vehicles per day.
The Gewalt Hamilton traffic study only “studied” the railroad crossing on 2 days - November 29,
2012 and November 30, 2012. These dates were during the week following the Thanksgiving
holiday weekend, and I would argue that some people were still out of town on an extended
holiday and therefore, these dates were inadequate for a proper study. The study also failed to
show the typical daily train crossing schedule by the railroad, nor did it demonstrate whether or
not the railroad was running a reduced or typical schedule.
What is lacking at the intersection of Skokie Blvd & Dundee Road that will be adversely affected
by the proposed Walmart use at the site is what we refer to in the urban planning world as
“Traffic Dispersion”.
Traffic dispersion means spreading the traffic from a source over multiple independent paths,
transmitting it in parallel through the street network. The strategy reduces the effects of bursts
in the traffic, and improves the network performance in terms of reduced queuing delay.
4
Giving that there is not, nor can be, adequate traffic dispersion, I believe that we need to
suggest another location.
As Walmart is not a single community store by their own admission, I would ask that the village
consider the best overall location that meets the traffic and retail zoning criteria.
I therefore submit that the Village of Northbrook work with Deerfield, Walmart and the
property owner to bring the store to the vacant southern end of the Deerbrook Mall and create
an adaptive reuse of this prime shopping center. Specifically the former Sears Great Outdoors
and Wonder Building. The Best Buy and Bally’s are both vacant site and the mall is more than
half vacant and is zoned Retail/ Commercial already. I heard that there may be a restrictive
covenant by the Jewel against other grocery stores. If this is true, Walmart should consider
building a Super Center footprint, but not having grocery until the restriction expires.
This site is also in District 28 & 225 so the real estate taxes will still go to our schools in
Northbrook.
The NB Fire department already serves the area, and gets reimbursed from Deerfield. So our
villages are already working together at this mixed use development. And best of all, we have
sufficient Traffic Dispersion with Lake Cook to the North, Dundee to the South and Waukegan
connecting the 2 arteries.
Additionally, Walmart gets the same number of Edens Expressway exits as is at Dundee &
Skokie. Since there are already large pylon signs along the highway I would think that Walmart
could get one too. There is significant forest preserve land to the south of the Edens
Expressway that serves as a buffer, and it would be relatively easy to continue widening
improvements along Waukegan Rd. south to Dundee.
I’d like to make one final point. Walmart argues that other developments along Skokie Blvd
have been rezoned to Retail Commercial. And that’s a true statement. However, the entire
area along Skokie Blvd. between Dundee and Lake Cook have adequate traffic dispersion via
those 2 major arteries. Never before has the Village rezoned a development of this scale and
size for a single use tenant. The other developments along Skokie Blvd. have all been rezoned
5
into multipurpose retail centers, and therefore, reduce the traffic burden by creating
multipurpose trips.
I believe that these points alone along with the newly created Comprehensive Plan, give the
Plan Commission and the Village of Northbrook ample, significant and justifiable reasons to
deny the request for variation of zoning from O-3 to C-5.
Thank you for your time.
Jeff Kaminsky, Northbrook, IL.
-Jeff Kaminsky
CF-
6
September 14, 2013
Northbrook Planning Commission
1000 Skokie Blvd Zoning Application
My name is David Yavitz and I am an attorney with offices in Chicago. I am the
former president of the 150 member Wildebrook Homeowners Association, however, I
am testifying today as an individual and not representing any group. I only mention my
past affiliation with the Wildebrook Homeowners for the Commission to know of my
community involvement. I have lived in Northbrook for over 30 years.
I originally intended to speak at the planning commission hearing on September
9, however, after listening to over 20 residents all testify against the Walmart application
I decided to wait so I could revise my presentation and offer my views on what others
were saying as well as what I had originally wanted to present. I was placed under oath
on September 9 and the testimony I offer herein is to be considered under oath,
verification at the end.
I was impressed with the traffic report and appreciative of the fact that the traffic
engineers considered the impact of traffic both from the proposed Walmart and the 770
Skokie project. It should be obvious that with either of these projects there will be
increased traffic. The question remains can that additional traffic be handled in a
reasonable manner. It also goes without saying that whatever development occurs on
these two parcels, there will be additional traffic. The recommendations for additional
lanes on Dundee and Skokie Blvd, extended turning lanes and traffic light timing made a
1
great deal of sense and should be implemented irrespective of whether or not 770 Skokie
or Walmart is approved. The Planning Commission should also take into consideration
and perhaps make it a condition of that approval, that 770 Skokie and/or Walmart make a
contribution towards the costs of implementing the traffic engineers’ improvement
proposals.
While on the subject of traffic, there was a great deal of objections to the Walmart
project from residents to the south of the area along Sunset Ridge and Voltz road. In my
opinion these objections are emotional knee jerk reactions from people who just don’t
want a Walmart in their neighborhood. Voltz has always been a cut through for traffic
between Waukegan road and Sunset Ridge and allowing a Walmart will not change that
fact. However, simply banning trucks on Voltz can resolve the fears of using Voltz as a
cut through for trucks making deliveries to Walmart. Irrespective of what development
are finally approved for the 770 and 1000 Skokie properties, there will be increased
traffic using Sunset Ridge and possibly Voltz to reach those developments and the
residents on those streets will have the same traffic objection to other future development
plans. Current traffic objections are the same that were voiced when Costco was being
proposed and they will continue to be the same objections no matter who wants to
develop these parcels. One resident testified that Walmart parking lots are known for
truckers and RVs using then for overnight parking and he objected to Walmart in
Northbrook becoming a “truck stop”. That objection is easily remedied, all that needs to
be done is to prohibit overnight parking and a strict enforcement of that ban.
After listening to numerous resident’s objections, it became apparent that
residents just did not like Walmart as a company for various reasons. There appeared to
2
be a lot of Walmart bashing based on Walmart’s perceived morals, ethics, alleged gender
discrimination, stores wages, liquor and gun sales. While some or all of these objections
to Walmart may or may not be valid, they are in no way are relevant to the requested
zoning changes. There appears to be an underlying attitude that Walmart just does not
“belong” in Northbrook. This perception appears to accompany a belief that since
Northbrook is one of the wealthiest towns in the United States, why should we “lower”
ourselves to allow a discount store that draws a class of bargain shoppers into our
neighborhood. Several residents testified to the effect that “Walmart is not our type of
store”, inferring that the residents of Northbrook shop at higher end stores and would not
be caught dead in a Walmart. In response I would state that there is nothing wrong with
trying to save money. Even though I live in Northbrook and an not considered
economically disadvantaged, I nevertheless shop at Walmart, Sam’s Club, Costco, Target
and other merchants that offer value. It should be noted that other high-end communities
such as Mettawa has a Costco and Highland Park has a Target. Accordingly, the Planning
Commission should ignore the snob approach that Northbrook is too good for Walmart.
I am not taking a position to either endorse or reject the Walmart zoning
application, however, I would like to make some general observations concerning
business development in the village.
During the 30 years I have resided in Northbrook I have observed numerous
economic opportunities that would help the village escape or be passed up. To put this in
perspective, during the 1800s in the United States there was a doctrine of Manifest
Destiny, the belief that this country should stretch from the Atlantic to the Pacific. It
appears that the village government for years has ignored the manifest destiny of
3
Northbrook. The natural boundaries of Northbrook start at Willow Road on the south and
extend to Lake-Cook Road on the north. However, past administrations, through their
restrictive business policies, have allowed our neighbors Glenview and Deerfield;
encroach into parcels that should have been in Northbrook. Examples of this are the
Deerbrook Mall annexed in Deerfield and the shopping center on the NE corner of
Pfingston & Willow annexed in Glenview. In the past the general perception has been
that Northbrook is not a business friendly village and this has caused businesses to
choose Glenview and Deerfield over Northbrook. The 1000 Skokie parcel, which is the
subject of the Walmart proposal, is the same site where a Costco was proposed several
years ago. We heard the same objections from local resident then as we hear today. It is
apparent we will continue to hear these same objections no matter who wants to develop
this site. As a result of those past objections, Costco did not build on that site and instead
built in Glenview. Costco is now thriving in Glenview and the residents of that town are
now enjoying the sales taxes that store generates.
One of the reasons I moved to Northbrook 30 years ago was because of its tax
base. Northbrook Court, All State Insurance and Underwriters Labs all help residents pay
a lower property tax. Walmart would also add a significant contribution to our village’s
tax base. This increased revenue is one of the basic considerations the Planning
Commission must take into account when deciding on whether or not to approve the
proposed zoning changes. Too often in the past Northbrook has squandered economic
opportunities. The basic consideration is whether or not the increased taxes generated by
a Walmart, or any other proposed development, will offset any negative impact the
development will entail.
4
The difference between shopping at Walmart in Wheeling or shopping at a
Northbrook Walmart is insignificant in terms of travel and gas consumption. However,
what troubles me is the fact that my tax dollars are going to Wheeling and Glenview
when they could be going to Northbrook. My family would prefer our tax dollars staying
in Northbrook knowing those tax dollars are going to help my village and indirectly help
lower my property taxes. Northbrook needs to be more business friendly. Whether or not
Walmart is the answer as to how 1000 Skokie should be developed, it is very important
for the Planning Commission to seriously consider the economic opportunity this
development offers and carefully weigh the advantages and negatives in either approving
or rejecting the proposed zoning changes. If the Planning Commission believes that this
parcel can be developed with the existing zoning then reject the proposal. However, if the
belief is that whether its Walmart or another proposed developer, a zoning change will be
needed to allow retail sales on this site, then the Planning Commission must give serious
consideration to the proposed zoning changes, keeping in mind how the village has lost
past economic opportunities. Also, it should note that if this proposal is rejected, the
Commission will in all likely event, here the same residents voicing the same objection
concerning any future proposed development project, unless of course, the development
is for another branch bank, which we already have too many in the village and seems to
be the only type of development that sails through the process.
Thank you for your consideration.
David B. Yavitz
Northbrook, Il 60062
5
Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Frum, Sandy
Wednesday, September 11, 2013 3:23 PM
DL/SE Burnham
Schoon, David
RE: Walmart Proposal
Thanks for your email. I will take your comments into consideration and make sure the others are aware of them as
well.
Sandy
Sandy Frum. President
Village of Northbrook
-----Original Message----From: DL/SE Burnham [mailto:
Sent: Wednesday, September 11, 2013 2:59 PM
To: Frum, Sandy
Subject: Walmart Proposal
Dear Sandy,
My wife and I have lived in Northbrook for 44 years.
I attended the 8/20 Plan Commission meeting at which Walmart made its presentation to the committee. There are a
number of areas of concern that we have but I would like to comment on one that may have been overlooked in the
rebuttals to the Walmart position. Most of the others, such creating traffic addition of 1 added car every 2 seconds on
the existing roadways (nearly 20,000 per day from this project and the northeast corner of Dundee and Skokie
development), the noise, the crime, loss of property values, losses of existing businesses in the area, etc. have received
much comment.
The matter under comment is whether the property that the investors purchased in 2003 would be selected by
organizations for use in accordance with the current zoning. On pages 7 and 8 of the Walmart presentation, the facts
presented indicate that the property was purchased in 2003. In the intervening 10 years, there is a list of 11 prospects
that considered the property for offices but did not choose to go forward with a purchase for use as office space. The
conclusion drawn in the presentation was that therefore the land was not suitable for office space and therefore the
Village should change the zoning to allow for alternative use.
It was further inferred that the Village had an obligation to help the investor in this parcel realize a profit on the sale
which presumably had not been possible to accomplish as office space.
No where in the presentation was the cost of the original investment in this parcel presented nor was the price
presented that one of the 11 organizations would have been willing to pay for the parcel for use as office space as
zoned. This would lead to the conclusion that the investor was looking for the higher price again presumably from
1
Walmart rather than a sale as office space. It was inferred from the presentation comments that the Village was in
some way obligated to help the investor realize this higher profit.
First, many, if not most, investors in vacant real estate in 2003, if the real estate is still held, would realize that the value
today is less than what the original rationale for the investment analysis would have contained. The recession has
negatively affected not only commercial real estate values, but residential values as well.
Second, there is no obligation in the zoning procedure to merely change zoning so that an owner can maximize their
return on investment as is suggested in this case.
Third, there was no statement made at the presentation, nor was this question asked, that there was no interest in the
property for office use. At some price, it can likely be proven that office space would be a viable use of this property.
Lastly, the investor was fully aware of the restriction in the zoning at the time of purchase of the property. Hence, if a
loss or lower profit would result from reselling the property for office use, the investor is responsible for that. The
investor is not justified in expecting the Village and all of its residents to suffer the adverse consequences of what may
result from helping the investor avoid such a loss or lower profit that may be realized by selling the real estate for the
approved, existing zoned purpose.
Please share this with other Village personnel involved in the decision making process.
Respectfully submitted,
Duane (Burnham)
2
Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Roger Reardon <
1000skokie
'El And Rog Reardon'
FW: Walmark
President and TrusteesThe meeting last Monday was most interesting. Has any consideration been given to the purchase of this plot by the
Village? This would alleviate the concerns of the property owners, who have been trying valiantly for years to sell. With
this scenario, the Village could market the entire parcel to a buyer who would comply with the Comprehensive Plan, or sell
off portions that would also fit the Plan, or retain for future usage for a municipal facility, or some other appropriate usage.
If this were to occur, Walmart could take their heavy-handed, self-serving “studies” down the road, to a more deserving
community.
ThanksRoger & Eleanor Reardon
Roger Reardon
Buell Insurance
Libertyville, Il 60048
fax
_____________________________________________
From: Roger Reardon [mailto:
Sent: Thursday, September 05, 2013 10:13 AM
To: '
Cc: 'El And Rog Reardon'; '
Subject: Walmark
President and TrusteesI do not feel that I have the expertise or background to request speaking time at next Monday’s Public Hearing on the
Walmart proposal, but here are a few concerns:
1) With the recurring flooding problems in the Northbrook East subdivision, and at the intersection of Skokie Blvd.
and Dundee Rd., paving over large sections of parking areas and constructing new buildings will diminish
significantly the ground area for rainwater to be absorbed. Could the petitioner be required to pay for a study to
determine the impact? Will Walmart storm sewers tie in to the same storm sewers serving Northbrook East? It
appears that the recent construction along Sunset Ridge would indicate the new assisted living facility has already
tied in. With changing weather conditions forecast for the Midwest, is it fair to saddle current residents with the
side effects of Walmart’s plans, and has additional cost of flood remediation been contemplated in the true cost to
the community?
2) Many postings have indicated that Walmart’s monitoring of their parking lot security cameras has been lax or
nonexistent. Has this issue been addressed?
1
3) Not too long ago there was a wave of home burglaries in east Northbrook when criminals exited the Edens
Expressway, burglarized nearby homes and vehicles, and made their escape back onto Edens. With the
additional 10,000 vehicle trips per day, could this problem return?
We want to be fair to all parties, but the case made to date by Walmart has not been convincing.
Thank youRoger and Eleanor Reardon
Roger Reardon
Buell Insurance
Libertyville, Il 60048
fax
2
Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Riccardi, Tony <
1000skokie
Register for Sept. 23rd Meeting
I would like to register to speak at the September 23rd meeting for the proposed Wal-Mart development.
I am strongly in favor of the development.
Please let me know if this is possible.
Thank you,
Tony
Anthony J. Riccardi
1
Anthony J. Riccardi
Board of Trustees
1225 Cedar Lane
To Whom It May Concern:
I am a Northbrook Resident and am strongly in favor of the proposed Wal-Mart development in our community. As a father of
three young children ages 4, 2, and 1, the bulk of our shopping has been at the Target & Costco stores in Glenview. My family
is not alone amongst Northbrook residents shopping in Glenview. Rarely is a visit made to these stores that one does not see a
friend from the Northbrook community. Unfortunately, shopping at Target & Costco does not support the tax base of
Northbrook. Self admittedly, a greater effort by me, and others, needs to be made in order to support the school districts, park
district, library, etc. of Northbrook. The greater good of our entire town and all of its residents must be considered first and
foremost. This should be the most important factor for each of the trustees when voting on the proposed zoning change for
Wal-Mart.
The increase in tax revenue brought by Wal-Mart is not something to be taken lightly. Yes, the expected tax revenue to
Northbrook may only be 1-2% of the total Northbrook budget, but for a family’s tax bill that could amount to $150-200 of
savings that they would not have to pay. This may not be a big deal to some residents, but for others that is the difference in
whether a child can have a tutor to help them with their education, or it may mean a new pair of eyeglasses. People often have
a false perception that their friends may have more money than they do. I would hope that no resident of our great community,
rich or poor, ever takes any amount of money lightly. A little to one person may mean a lot to another. Our trustees will
hopefully not take this consideration lightly.
The design elements proposed by Wal-Mart are a significant improvement to what currently exists in other shopping centers
throughout Northbrook. The residents of Northbrook can be assured that Wal-Mart will maintain their facility. If the design is
considered “old” fifteen years from now, it is highly probably that Wal-Mart will remodel their building to bring the facility to
date. This is evident by what Wal-Mart has done in Wheeling, Niles, Mt. Prospect, and throughout the Chicago area. The
recent past history of Wal-Mart supports that they will maintain their property better than nearly all of the existing Northbrook
shopping locations.
The proposed landscaping far exceeds current plantings at Sanders Court located at Sanders & Dundee, the White Plains center
at Landwehr & Dundee, the Meadow Shopping Plaza on Cherry, etc. It would be a pleasant change to shop in a location that
had nice landscaping. For the most part, Northbrook’s current shopping centers pale in comparison to the landscaping proposed
by Wal-Mart.
There has been concern raised in regard to the storm water management of this site. This area will eventually be developed,
whether by Wal-Mart or by someone else. Having personally monitored the construction of multiple site developments, it can
be stated without question that no company has a better program for managing storm water than Wal-Mart. They have the
resources that few, if any, other companies have when it comes to implementing storm water controls.
Lastly, it has been repeatedly mentioned that Northbrook is too “upscale” for a Wal-Mart. This is an elitist attitude that I would
hope not be attributed to my community. No one knows what happens behind the closed doors of another family. It is possible
that one day my family may be struggling financially. We may not know it, but our neighbors could be struggling to make ends
meet. By encouraging competition this will help a family’s budget. Competition is what makes this country great. To the
residents of Northbrook that say our community is too “upscale” I would ask the following question. What makes you better
than someone else?
Sincerely,
Anthony J. Riccardi
CC: Northbrook Star
Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Stephen Rhee <
1000skokie
Walmart
To the Northbrook commission,
I am sure this email is one of thousands you have received.
I am a resident of Northfield and I have 3 children ages 11, 9, and 5 who go to Northfield schools.
2 of which go to Sunset Ridge School and walk down Sunset Ridge Road.
I attended the hearing on September 9th.
I am interested in knowing how Northbrook plans on “discouraging” Walmart from having semis and delivery trucks go
down Sunset Ridge Road.
I am also curious to know has the village considered
-10,000 additional cars also leads to an incremental increase accidents, casualties, and overall risk for the neighborhood.
-the additional cost or insurance premiums for the village, the residents, and commercial businesses as a result of the
increase in liability in the area.
-how many casualties would be projected to have been incurred with the increase?
-what potential lawsuits and litigation would the village face and where these claims would be subrogated to the village
if there is a casualty?
-how many casualties are too many ?
We have seen the impact of Willow Festival on Voltz.
Aside from the tax dollar gains, what do the residents of east Northbrook, and Northfield gain in this being approved.
There isn’t a single benefit to the homeowners in the area but jeopardizing their homewner
Overall, my main concern is the safety of our children, and neighbors. The financial gain that is being sought is probably
diminished by the increase in risk, risk financing, potential litigation and premium increase in the villages policies to have
the appropriate coverage.
How many children’s lives do you want to put in danger on a daily basis and is this the legacy you want the commission
to have?
Stephen Rhee I Aon eSolutions
Chief Operating Officer & Managing Director
Chicago IL, 60601
O:
C:
I www.aon-esolutions.com
1
Aon is the primary sponsor of Manchester United.
This message is intended only for the named recipient and may contain confidential, proprietary or legally privileged information. Unauthorized
individuals or entities are not permitted access to this information. Any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this information is strictly prohibited. If
you have received this message in error, please advise the sender by reply e-mail, and delete this message and any attachments.
2
Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Sheila Medvin <
1000skokie
re:Walmart
We are extremely upset about the possibility of a Walmart in our community. Decreased property values,
poverty wage jobs to give low prices on cheap merchandise, not needed with a wonderful upscale Costco
nearby. Increased traffic. We hope they don't come. They are not wanted by most Northbrook
residents. Why come where you are not wanted. They do not have a reputation as a good merchant with the
values we cherish in our community. I would certainly boycott it if they come as would most everyone in the
community. Sheila Medvin
1
Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Louisa E. <
1000skokie
WalMart in Northbrook
Dear Miss Altenberg,
I am hopeful that the Northbrook Star will cover the Walmart Public Meeting. I was
unable to attend due to professional and personal constraints, however this doesn't
diminish my concern for the situation.
There is no doubt, a Walmart will hurt the businesses in the surrounding areas, whether
those businesses reside in Northbrook, Northfield, Glenview or Deerfield. Another box
retailer is not what most residents or businesses want in Northbrook and really, who
needs a 24 hour store? Besides concerns for businesses, residents, traffic, etc...there is
another concern, that for the low-wage employee Walmart employs. Let us not kid
ourselves that their benefits and wages are enough to sustain a single employee, much
less a family. I challenge the trustees of Northbrook to ask what we, as a community,
will do to help and support the low-wage employees if we allow Walmart to build in our
community?
Will the trustees agree to and build greater low-income housing and apartments near
the Walmart? Will our school system embrace students of these employees allowing
them to benefit from our school and their parents' work if they can afford to live in
Northbrook while residents benefit from the "tax breaks"? Will the public transportation
system improve connections and schedules for the employees who cannot afford a car
and insurance to get to and from work?
None of us need and few of us want Walmart. Let's hope the trustees heed this
message and should they proceed with a less-than-living-wage employer, let them help
support the employees who will reduce our taxes by offering better public
transportation, affordable low-income housing and the benefit of our school system.
Sincerely,
Louisa Elder
1
Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Bruce Frankel <
Thursday, September 12, 2013 9:08 AM
1000skokie
Walmart comment
Dear Northbrook Planning Commission,
My wife and I strongly recommend denying Walmart permission to set up shop in Northbrook. As a small business
owner, I understand the devastating effect a predatory company such as Walmart, can have on a community and its
small businesses. I have first-hand knowledge, after watching as a dear family friend lost his business, what Walmart
can do to a small town with a small downtown shopping area.
My friend ran a long-standing family business in Marengo, Illinois. It was a family "dry goods" store. "Levin's Dry Goods"
sold clothing and accessories to the entire community and the surrounding communities. They had a good business and
had been there since the 1930's. 10 years ago, Walmart opened nearby and slowly strangled the small downtown area
in Marengo. Finally, about 2 years ago, my friend's business folded and he lost everything the family had worked for,
over the past 8o years. He tried to compete by bringing in unusual merchandise, but the lure of cheap underwear,
cheap shirts and pants,cheap shoes and accessories overwhelmed him. This will happen to our downtown shops.
Owners and employees with years of knowledge will be shut down. We will lose that expertise and personal knowledge,
replaced by a know-nothing staff with little training, at Walmart.
Please stop this insane plan. Stop Walmart. This would be a good way to show this "corporate weed" that not every
empty field is waiting for their invasive roots to sprout and crowd out the little guys.
Bruce Frankel & Nancy Frankel
Spots Video, Inc
fax
1
Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Charlotte Hadley <
1000skokie
against Walmart
My husband and I are against Walmart moving into our neighborhood. Charlotte and Stanton Hadley
1
Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Denise Handler <denise_
Thursday, September 12, 2013 8:39 PM
1000skokie
proposed contruction of Walmart
Dear Plan Commission,
I am a 19 year resident of Northbrook and take deep pride in writing this. During this time I have
been very active in both my community and local schools. I am writing in opposition to the proposed
building of Walmart at 1000 Skokie Blvd. for a variety of reasons:
1. I take the term "shop local" very literally. I buy groceries at Sunset. I purchase firewood at
Ferraro's Garden Spot. I buy books at The Book Bin. I patronize many other local businesses, too
many in fact to list. If Walmart is allowed to open in Northbrook many of these businesses will not
survive. These businesses are the life blood of our community. “Studies from all across the country
show that Wal-Mart's arrival does not bring the increase in jobs and retail spending that the company
promises,” said Brian Paul, Center Fellow and Masters of Urban Planning Candidate at Hunter
College. “Instead, Wal-Mart captures spending from existing stores, driving them out of business and
replacing existing retail jobs with lower-paying Wal-Mart jobs." Is this what we really want to happen
to our beloved Northbrook owned businesses?
2. At the meeting Monday night it was stated that "a pedestrian friendly area with sidewalks and
crosswalks" would be constructed by Walmart. Who do you think is honestly going to walk to and
from Walmart? It's Skokie Blvd.! Where do you think people will walk to?
3. It has been mentioned that the Village will do its best to "control traffic patterns through Sunset
Ridge Road and Voltz Road". The Village cannot honestly anticipate how traffic patterns will emerge
until Walmart is actually built.
4. At the meeting Monday night Walmart representatives stated that there would be a right turn only
out of the parking lot onto Skokie Blvd. Walgreens has this from their parking lot onto Shermer yet
people disobey it all the time and make a left turn. Hence, this "right turn only lane" does not
effectively control traffic.
5. Walmart said that they would dim the exterior lights between the hours of midnight and 6:00 am
while the store is closed. Many questionable happenings could take place on a dimly lit lot of that
size.
6. If store hours are 6:00 am to midnight and delivery trucks are allowed to arrive at 6:00 am,
wouldn't that violate Northbrook's existing noise ordinance? Weekdays the noise ordinance is from
7:00 am and, on the weekends, it's 9:00 am.
7. Regarding the increased crime due to the building of Walmart (per their testimony Monday night)how many more Northbrook police officers will have to be hired to handle the estimated extra 500
calls per day? Per the Village of Northbrook website, "the Department consists of 66 full time sworn
police officers". How could these 66 officers physically handle 500 extra calls per day? Who will pay
1
for these added employees? How much will it cost for the added officers to patrol this area? Who will
pay for this? How much will the crime itself cost our village.
8. At the meeting Monday night it was stated that Walmart will have an 18 foot setback from Skokie
Blvd. 18 feet? According to the Village of Northbrook's Development & Planning Services document
titled "Basic Zoning Information", the minimum setback for any structure in Northbrook is 25
feet. Why would Walmart be given such a lenient setback for a structure that is proposed to be
150,000+ square feet?
9. According to Reuters, same store sales at existing Walmart stores are down in the third quarter of
this year. "The world's largest retailer also cut its revenue and profit forecasts for its fiscal
year." Why on earth would we allow a big box store like Walmart to build a store 150,000+ square if
there is a decent chance that the store could close?
I sincerely hope that your commission listens me and the hundreds of Northbrook residents and small
business owners who have voiced their opposition to the building of Walmart.
Denise Handler
--------------------------------------------Denise P. Handler
---------------Sent from my iPhone
2
Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Scott Cawley <
1000skokie
Frum, Sandy; Karagianis, Jim; Buehler, A.C.; Scolaro, Michael; Heller, Todd; Ciesla,
Kathryn; Israel, Robert
RE: Wal-Mart vote YES
Importance:
High
To whom it may concern,
Don’t let the fact that nobody spoke in support of Wal-Mart coming to Northbrook lead you to believe that there are not
supporters.
Allow me to remind you of the “Elm Street” foot bridge that was installed as temporary while they reconstructed the
Walters Street bridge over the north branch. This led to a similar battle. All those that opposed—specifically one family
that had a child with physical disabilities— no longer lives in the house. All the naysayers were deafening. The same
situation is happening here.
Concerns over traffic safety, cyclists, kids riding to school (not quite sure which school as I doubt this is even true) are
outlandish. As a cyclist myself and seeing cyclists on the road, the etiquette by riders is deplorable—they do not own
the road. During the bridge debate, a resident on the east side of the river spoke of “interlopers”….these interlopers
were actually neighbors. He also claimed that a bike was stolen b/c someone was late to the train. Please.
This comment published in the Northbrook Patch came across as hypocritical to me:
In response to the site owner's plea to rezone the property to make it easier to sell, one
speaker argued it's not the village's responsibility to help sell a property the owner knew was
zoned for mixed use office developments and not retail space
Nor is it the villages responsibility (or the community) to railroad those companies that wish to invest here. Please read
my comments below—the Village Board can re-read them.
I recognize that this is a volatile topic. One which nobody will be happy with the decision that is made. Enter the word
“compromise”. In a compromise no one party gets everything they want, nor is everyone happy. This is not a black and
white issue—nor is it “yes or “no”.
From: Scott Cawley [
Sent: Friday, August 9, 2013 11:40 AM
To:
Subject: Wal-Mart vote YES
1. We screwed up by letting Costco go to Glenview. Now they get all of our sales tax dollars.
1
2. It’s a business and they are willing to come here. Personal opinion (like/dislike) should not factor into
if they are “approved’ to come here. We have laws that ensure the proper lighting, and that
ordinances are followed or adhered to .
3. Those who are loyal to business here will still go to those businesses-. Local businesses continue to
raise their prices. My latest experience is Sunset Foods charging $21.99 for a pie that the Elegant
Farmer says should be sold at no more than $14.99. I will not be held hostage by those business that
refuse to adapt.
4. Beggars can’t be choosers. Perhaps this will help fund “redevelopment” which continues to be stalled.
5. Walgreens moved, raised their prices. Now they get mostly “pass-through” traffic--not
Northbrookians.
6. What will Wal-Mart contribute to the community in the way of Parks, recreation, and corporate
stewardship? I am sure they are willing to donate and work with Northbrook.
7. Who is pounding down our door in this economy to invest here or on that property.
Simply put, if the land owner wants to sell and they want to build, let them.
Scott Cawley
Sent from Windows Mail
2
September 13, 2013
To: Village of Northbrook Plan Commission and Board of Trustees (
)
Regarding: Issue with Walmart/770 Gewalt Hamilton Traffic Analysis
I have had the opportunity to review the Walmart traffic assessment and the synthesis of Walmart/770 Traffic impact
conducted by Gewalt Hamilton Associates. I am specifically concerned with potential traffic on Voltz Rd. Issues here
include dangerous travel through 90 degree turns, delays in crossing onto Sunset Ridge Rd, and safety for pedestrian and
bicycle travel and crossing.
According to the Tadi Walmart SuperCenter Traffic Impact Study (July 2013) between 25-35% of the Walmart trip
distribution would be west (South) via Sunset Ridge Rd. (Page 14 table 3.4 and 3.5) This traffic volume translates to 75255 trips per hour depending on time/day of week. While truck traffic from Walmart would be discouraged from using
Sunset Ridge Rd, it is likely that some of the potential 130 trucks (Walmart plus service companies, express delivery and
customer trucks) may likely use this north-south corridor. At the same traffic distribution split – this would be 32-45
truck trips per day; approximately 3 per hour.
The Gewalt-Hamilton study for the village integrates the Walmart impact with other estimates to look at specific delays
and issues. This study appears to be disconnected from the above Tadi estimates, does not consider impact of truck
traffic on Sunset Ridge, and fails to consider changes to traffic on Voltz Rd. in a thoughtful manner.
My comments are focused on Sunset Ridge traffic in the vicinity of Voltz Rd. This is an intersection which was not
considered in the Gewalt analysis, or only tangentially so. The Baseline traffic pattern, from Gewalt, is shown in the
photo below.
Consider at the intersection of Voltz and Sunset Ridge Rds, the integrated Gewalt analysis shows an increase in
southbound traffic on Sunset Ridge of 27% which is at the low end of the Tadi (Walmart traffic) study alone. Further
there is zero increase in traffic turning onto Voltz Rd. indicating no consideration of cut-through traffic onto Voltz Rd.
The analysis shows zero increase in traffic on Voltz Rd in all scenarios. Yet commentary indicated that Voltz would bearthe-brunt of cut-through traffic. The summary of Gewalt information at this intersection is summarized in Table 1.
Figure 1: Gewalt Traffic Analysis - Sunset Ridge/Voltz Rd
900
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
21% Increase
53% Increase
No Change?
No Change?
Sunset Ridge
Southbound
Sunset Ridge
Northbound
Turns onto Voltz
from Sunset Ridge
North and
Sounthbound
Voltz Traffic East and
West
Baseline
641
271
172
116
Baseline + 770
675
289
172
116
Baseline+Walmart+770
775
416
172
116
Baseline
Baseline + 770
Baseline+Walmart+770
Summary conclusions by Gewalt with respect to delays @ Voltz & Sunset Ridge with additional traffic indicated no
change in delay. They recommend further study and coordination with CCHD. Given that the Voltz Rd /Sunset Ridge
intersection has no turn lanes and low visibility from all directions, with a 30-63% minimum increase in traffic (without
consideration to increases in cut-through or truck traffic previously mentioned here) it is not reasonable to conclude
that there would not be subsequent and potentially significant delays. Surely there must be a corresponding delay for
traffic turning northbound from Voltz rd. Without traffic lights or stop signs, crossing will be extremely difficult at peak
times and very dangerous for our school children.
The use of traffic projections is a key consideration of the community and neighborhood in making decisions about
development. I look forward to discussion of this issue and a more thoughtful analysis of traffic in East Northbrook.
Regards,
Peter J Gerritsen
Northbrook IL 60062
Raw Data: Gewalt Traffic Summary at Voltz/Sunset Ridge Rds
Direction of Traffic at
Voltz/Sunset Ridge
Voltz - Eastbound
Base
+770
+770+Walmart
Sunset Ridge Southbound
Base
+770
+770+Walmart
Sunset Ridge Northbound
Base
+770
+770+Walmart
Count
through
496
530 (+6.85%)
630 (+27%)
244
289 (+18.44%)
389 (+63%)
Count
Left Turn
(Northbound)
71
71 (0%)
71 (0%)
(Onto Voltz)
145
145 (+0%)
145 (+0%)
Count
Right Turn
45
45 (0%)
45 (0%)
(Onto Voltz)
27
27 (+0%)
27 (+0%)
Total
Traffic
116
116 (0%)
116 (0%)
641
675 (+5.3%)
775 (+20.9%)
271
316 (16.6%)
416 (53.5%)
Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
John H. Scully, CLU <
Friday, September 13, 2013 2:44 PM
1000skokie
WALMART
WE WELCOME WALMART! BUT NOT AT THE 1000 SKOKIE BLVD ADDRESS. PLSE TELL THEM
TO BUILD THEIR STORE IN ONE OF THE MANY RETAIL CENTERS AVAILABLE IN
NORTHBROOK. THANK YOU. JOHN H SCULLY
John H Scully, CLU
Northbrook, Illinois 60062
Bus: (847)
Fax: (847)
1
Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Michael Brierton <
Saturday, September 14, 2013 12:03 AM
1000skokie
Marianno's or Walmart
Dear Ms Frum, Mr Shoon, The 2013 Plan Commission and all of the Trustees of this nice Village
A quick observation for those in the decision seat in our village:
Why such overwhelming negative feelings, letter writing, public speaking out, facts and history
about how bad Walmart is as a company, store, management and in general bad for business
and people who have to work there, or want to work in a valued business and can’t because of
predatory practices of WM ——— and very little about Marianno’s and Pannera and 400 condos?
1. The people you do business with, honesty and trust
2. The location where you put a development
Please listen to your constituents. If its starting out this bad, whats next?
This issue doesn’t even seem close.
Not at 1000 Skokie, Not anywhere in Northbrook, Not closing at 10pm, not ever opening.
Thank you
Michael Brierton
1
Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Irwin Rosenberg <
Saturday, September 14, 2013 9:29 PM
1000skokie
Objections to Walmart
For distribution to all Village officials involved with the Walmart Application.
There are many objections to the building of a Walmart in our community. The most unbelievable was presented to the
Plan Commission by a member of the Walmart Team. It was hard to believe that they would ask that this project be
approved because Michael Krazny has been unable to sell this property for 10 years because of various objections and
the Village should ignore them so Mr Krazny could sell the land to Walmart.
Since when is Northbrook going to help a business who made a bad investment? The zoning of this land is only 2 years
old.
I sat through many meetings of the Comprehensive Plan and in just 2 years an attempt to change the zoning on this
property has been put before the Village. Why is this being considered? If you do that you will open up Pandora's Box for
anything that any developer would be requesting. This would make the Comprehensive Plan worthless.
The Trustees had planned to having a meeting considering the traffic problem in East Northbrook. What happened to it?
With existing traffic, the assisted living project on Sunset Ridge, the Walmart application, the Maggianos application and
the Degeonos plan all should be discussed all at once before approving anything. In addition the traffic numbers
submitted by the Walmart, Maggiano's and village traffic consultants are conflicting and do not make sense. Has any
thought been given to the fact that Sunset Ridge and Skokie Blvd are 2 lane heavily traveled roads with no shoulders,
and no left turn lanes. Sunset Ridge has many private driveways and many side roads which will be very difficult to exit
from especially if the driver tries to make a 2 lane entry. Any driver trying to make a left turn off of Sunset Ridge and
Skokie could really create a back up.
There are many more reasons that the residents find objectation to, long hours, parking lot lights, concern about
increase in crime, reduced property values, loss of local business, articles about the cost to municipal programs to assist
Walmart employees who cannot survive on Walmarts salaries.
The last thing you might consider is are the major companies trying to tell the communities what they want and ignore
the existing rules and regulations of the communities they wish to build in? Walmart is ignoring Northbrooks
regulations by asking for variations by waving money around. How much are they spending on lawyers and consultants?
How much are they spending on advertisements. How soon will they be making up the rules. Another example is
McDonalds vs a town in Australia. McD is already threatening to sue if they do not get a permit. I have heard comments
that there is concern about Walmart suing if they do not get their store. Is it time to take a stand?
Irwin Rosenberg
1
Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
A. Levin <
Sunday, September 15, 2013 8:53 AM
1000skokie
FastCompany.com: The Wal-Mart You Don't Know
Sent by
More reasons walmart doesn't belong in Northbrook
The Wal-Mart You Don't Know
By Charles Fishman
The giant retailer's low prices often come with a high cost. Wal-Mart's relentless pressure can crush the
companies it does business with and force them to send jobs overseas. Are we shopping our way straight to the
unemployment line?
Or, copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://www.fastcompany.com/47593/wal-mart-you-dont-know
(c) Fast Company | 7 World Trade Center New York NY 10007
1
Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Berdine Walker <
Sunday, September 15, 2013 11:30 AM
1000skokie
Northfield residents say NO
I am Northfield resident and I am emailing you to voice my opposition to the proposed Walmart. I strongly disagree with
letting them join our community. Just say NO!
Berd Walker
1
Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Judith Kolb <
Sunday, September 15, 2013 3:16 PM
1000skokie
1000 skokie project
Village Trustees,
I am opposed to the opening of a Walmart at 1000 Skokie for the obvious reasons: a) increased traffic b) negative effect
on our local businesses c) added pollution to the environment d) and definitley some poor business practices, by the
company, in how they treat their emloyees.
Whatever Walmart has to offer I can get from our smaller local merchants, and feel good about supporting them.
Judy Kolb
1
Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Sue Fishbein <
Sunday, September 15, 2013 9:11 PM
1000skokie
Wal-Mart traffic congestion -- pedestrian, bike, bus
To Northbrook planning staff:
Walking and biking to the new Wal-Mart, if approved, should be encouraged to relieve traffic and congestion. However,
it is very dangerous and uncomfortable walking or biking across the Edens expressway at Dundee Rd. from the east
(Glencoe). This is due to: broken sidewalks, no crosswalks, pedestrians crossing fast-moving traffic at entrance and exits
from highway and ending of sidewalk in the middle of the street. I suggest that any plan to build a Wal-Mart include
either the city or Wal-Mart obligation to make walking and biking suitable from the east and that before approving the
Wal-Mart, planners try walking or riding a bike west across the highway at Dundee Rd.
In addition, a PACE shuttle bus from Glencoe town should be requested from PACE as well, which could link up with the
#213 PACE bus and Glencoe Metra station at Park Avenue and Green Bay Road. This would allow riders along the Metra
and Pace lines, in addition to Glencoe residents, to access Wal-Mart and other nearby Northbrook stores without an
automobile.
Thank you
Sue Ann Fishbein
Glencoe, IL 60022
1
Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Monday, September 16, 2013 9:42 AM
1000skokie
WMT
Thank you for your service to Northbrook. In an attempt to minimize duplication of the hundreds of previous emails
you’ve read, I’ll keep this brief.
Please avoid being swayed by intelligent, high powered, Walmart-hired attorneys.
Vote “No” to Walmart.
Thank you,
Brad & Sara Walker
Bradford M. Walker, CFP® | Senior Vice President |Wintrust Wealth Management |
, Northfield, IL 60093 | P:
| Toll Free:
| F:
pURL: http://bwalker.wintrustwealth.com
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1
Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Marita Decker <
1000skokie
NO Walmart!!!
Please, please, please do not allow a Walmart on Skokie and Sunset Ridge. We do not need that much retail to create
traffic hazards on our neighborhood streets. And, we don't need the retail. PLEASE SAY NO!!!!
1
Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Aleta Stein <aleta_
1000skokie
Vote NO on Walmart
To Whom It May Concern:
I have been a Northbrook resident for 29 years. I am opposed to Walmart building in our community for two
reasons:
My first reason is strictly practical. The additional traffic at Dundee and Skokie Highway will be a burden for
those of us who use the Dundee entrance and exit on the Edens regularly. I do understand that Walmart would
provide additional tax revenue to the village but I suspect that some and/or all of that revenue will be used for
additional road repairs due to increased traffic and the potential need (and expense) for police traffic.
My second objection is an ethical one: Walmart is a substandard employer. The average employee at Walmart
makes about half of what a Costco employee earns (comparing two big box stores). Walmart's policy of
keeping employees below full-time hours in order to avoid paying benefits is just one example of the worst in
corporate employment policy. I do not approve of Walmart's behavior and I hope the majority of my fellow
residents agree with me.
Please vote NO on Walmart's proposal to build in Northbrook.
Aleta Stein
1
Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Poupard, Tom
Schoon, David
FW: WalMart
Tom Poupard
DPS Director
From: Village
Sent: Monday, September 16, 2013 9:56 AM
To: Ford, Debbie
Cc: Poupard, Tom
Subject: FW: WalMart
From: Genevieve Schwartz [mailto:
Sent: Saturday, September 14, 2013 11:42 AM
To: Village
Subject: WalMart
Village Trustees: Has anyone suggested that WalMart move their site to Deerbrook Mall
on Waukegan Road? Most WalMart stores seem to be in malls, and sadly, Deerbrook is
beginning to look like Detroit. With it's plethora of empty stores, there should be sufficient
space. Two problems solved!
G. Schwartz
Northbroil.us
1
Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Attachments:
Frum, Sandy
Nahrstadt, Rich; Schoon, David
Fwd: Northbrook Patch Response?
WalmartAccessFactFlier2.pdf; ATT00001.htm
FYI
Sandy Frum, President
Begin forwarded message:
From: "Dean B. Chalmers" <
Date: September 16, 2013, 1:41:29 PM MDT
To: "'Frum, Sandy'" <
Subject: FW: Northbrook Patch Response?
I was at a very large and impressive social Northbrook gathering on Saturday...and while we didn't get
too testy, HEAT is in the air (as if you didn't know)..Although, I said that you were most certainly in
possession and while I offered to calm the folks... that this is a COMPLETE NO BRAINER... I will heed
the words of the crowd...and send you the attached.
Happy New Year if it applies....if not, hope you are well.
Dean
1
1. Main Access Roads to Walmart
• They will sell Liquor, hard and soft, until midnight, 365 days a year.
• It is customary for Semi Truck trailers to park
overnight in Walmart parking lots
• Facts represent that Illinois Walmarts average
60 crime/police calls per week.
• Average income of Walmart customer:
$42,000/yr
• There are 8 Walmarts within 12 miles
• Walmart net profit in 2012: $17 billion
• Walmart is not paying for any infrastructure
required by the village, including rejected
requests to bury high voltage power lines, or
recommended road and traffic light rebuilding.
ma
ra
nacc
a
T
r
n
Diesel emi- rucks,
Cargo Trucks:
2. Facts about Walmart
and Northbrook
Co se v tive (i
u te) esti
tes
(provided by traffic firm working for Village**)
Automobile
10,000 per day
Trips to and from:
3,650,000 per year
S
1. Voltz Road (from the South)
2. Shermer Road (from the South, West)
3. Dundee Road (from the North, West)
4. Sunset Ridge Road (from the South)
5. Midway (as cut through)
130 per day
47,450 per year
–Actual numbers to be minimally 25 percent higher.
–These are averages. During peak seasons of November
and December traffic volumes are easily tripled.
– Saturdays are double to triple average daily estimate.
– Delivery Trucks will deliver from 6am to at least
10pm. The Village has not presented or issued any
plans to monitor or police later night deliveries, or
restrict semi trucks from any Northbrook roads.
– All of the above numbers do not include Marianno’s
grocery Store and ‘770 Northshore’ (up to 441 housing
units, approx. 5 retail stores) NW corner of Dundee and
Skokie blvd. Numbers also do not include a ‘Dengeos’
250 seat restaurant, NE corner of Dundee and Skokie.
**After numerous surveys determined that all four
developments would not increase cut through traffic on
Midway. Additionally determined that by adding one right
turn lane on Dundee E bound at Skokie and improving light
synchronizing, intersection would be “acceptable”.
T
3. he “Walmart Million”
The financial mystery residents will never see.
1. The cost to cover additional 60 police calls/week
2. The cost of the infrastructure, storm water, road
building, traffic light replacements and 3 new intersections
3. None of the “Walmart Million” includes the lost
jobs/lost income/lost tax revenues of long time and
new Northbrook businesses, many owned locally who
spend their money locally.
4. The “Walmart Million” doesn’t include depreciated
real estate values, thus depreciated real estate taxes of
300 to 400 homes along the access routes to Walmart.
5. The environmental impact (and cost of any problems) of paving 15 acres solid, expecting a “gray water
holding tank” to be built underneath the 650 car parking lot, to hold storm and gray water from the warehouse, is still a mystery.
4. We will see the semi trucks, visitors for Walmarts
cheap goods, Noise from traffic and trucks 365 days
a year. Try selling your house within noise level of
a Walmart access route, but don’t try doing it on a
Saturday. Or simply the upgrade that Norhbrook gets
by having a Walmart. The 300 square foot sign backlit
24/7 - 365 on the Expressway alone welcomes potential new homeowners, and businesses, and visitors to
our downtown (as you know, developing)
• Walmart is “Worst Customer Service of any
Retailer” by the American Consumer Satisfaction
Index
USA Today, March 13, 2012
Among all retailers ASCI rated, none received
a worse score than Wal-Mart Stores (WMT) in
its department and discount store rating. When
graded for customer satisfaction as a supermarket,
Walmart’s ACSI score was not much better at 72.
This was by far the worst in that category. This is
hardly new territory for the company. Walmart has
been the lowest-rated department or discount store
in the nation every year between 2007 through
2012. Worse, it has been the lowest-rated supermarket every year since 2005.
• 2008: Paid $640 Million to settle more than 60
lawsuits related to pay violations
• Multiple hefty fines have followed
• May 2012 US Dept of Labor recovered $4.83 million in back wages and damages on behalf of 4,500
Walmart workers for not paying overtime.
• 80% of Walmart employees are part time and recieve no benefits. This causes many of its employees to go on public assistance.
ee what your neighbors are saying to the illage:
V
S
V
T
he mystery “Walmart Million” equals 1.3 percent
of the illage Annual Budget.
The cost of adding 1.3% of income to our budget
equals over 4,500,000 automobiles in town and over
40,000 trucks per year. If traffic were the only problem. Northbrook is the 12th most financially stable
municipality in Illinois. Why take the risk of Walmart?
(None of the towns above Northbrook have Walmarts)
4. More Facts about Walmart
http://northbrookil.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_Meeting.
aspx?ID=1215
http://northbrookil.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_Meeting.
aspx?ID=1219
•At a national average wage of $ 8.81/hr = $18,324
annual income. As Walmart profits $17 billion in
2012
• Wisconsin Medicaid Program estimates that a single 300-person Walmart Supercenter costs taxpayers $904,542 Per Year in public assistance, meaning
taxpayers fund a safety net for Walmart employees
in food stamps, medical care, both emergency and
required.
T
V
T
5. he illage rustees and Plan Commission needs
to hear from ALL of its taxpayers and homeowners.
(Nothing will happen if you do nothing)
T
T
V
We are not against development- but believe in development as stated in the illages Long erm
Plan, developed over 3 years in a collaborative process to “enhance the living experience for
Northbrook residents”. his plan does not allow any Big Box along this corridor - much less a
Walmart, currently the worst retailer in the nation for corporate citzenship and community collaboration. We understand the need to use empty space in the village and pursue tax revenue.
Wal Mart is possibly the worst way to do this.
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
How you can help:
Attend Public Hearings
Email today or call your Village Trustees at
Sign the petition: http://youpower.democracyforamerica.com/petitions/northbrook-say-no-to-wal-mart
Write letters to the editors of local papers: Dayna Fields: [email protected]
Sign up for email alerts from the Northbrook East Homeowners Association by emailing
Donate to the legal fund by calling
(224)
or emailing
distribute flyers, by dropping in mailboxes or at any public place in
Northbrook, available by emailing
Public Hearing
Monday - Sept. 23, GBN Auditorium - 7 pm
2300 Shermer Road, Northbrook, IL
It’s time to Show up and Speak up!
We CAN stop Walmart, but only if the Village
Trustees hear our voices.
Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Sheila Levin <
1000skokie
WALMART
I AM WRITING THIS E'MAIL TO ENCOURAGE THE BOARD TO VOTE AGAINST THE PROPOSED
WALMART AT 1000 SKOKIE BLVD. I HAVE ATTENDED ALL OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
MEETINGS, PEOPLE HAVE HAD VERY COMPELLING ARGUMENTS ON WHY NOT TO VOTE IN
FAVOR OF THIS PROJECT. IN MY OPINION THE MOST COMPELLING REASON IS ALL OF THE
VARIANCES WALMART IS ASKING FOR. THIS LAND IS NOT ZONED FOR A BIG BOX
DEVELOPMENT NO MATTER WHAT THE BIG BOX WOULD BE.
1
Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
george oconnell <
1000skokie
WalMart Opinion
dear northbrook village trustees
I moved to northbrook in 1957. I have lived here for the last 56 years. I love our village the way it is,I
strongly oppose having a WALMART in our village.
thank you for your consideration of my opinion.
George b.O'Connell
1
Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
1000skokie
walmart
Dear Village Trustees,
I recognize the property at 1000 Skokie Blvd has the potential for development. However, I urge you to please be certain
that all aspects of proper development is studied and adhered to in all reviews. The traffic in that area is already very
heavy where just getting out of side streets is challenging during peak times. Traffic lights will need to be part of the study
requiring them on Sunset Ridge and Midway for example. Flooding is a big problem in the area as well requiring the
Village to spend funds trying to address storms that do not even meet 50 year rain events. As you are aware, its not just
this property that is being developed within the immediate area near 1000 Skokie, collectively impacting the area in many
ways.
Walmart does not fit into Northbrooks culture and will degrade local businesses as well as our environment. I urge you to
consider use patterns that are fitting, insure infrastructure is addressed in detail for storm water and traffic and enough
green space is designed into the overall plan for the area in ensure proper function.
Thank you
Dan Dinelli
Northbrook Resident
1
Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Robert Francois <
1000skokie
Walmart
I would like to address the trustees regarding the proposed Walmart store.
I feel this would be a terrible addition in Northbrook.
Ask yourselves what does Northbrook represent??
Does it represent cheap/slave/child labor violations? Minimum wages? hiring gang members and criminals?
An issue I am extremely concerned about is the crime Walmarts attract.
No one is talking about this.
Do you have any idea how many police calls for service a Walmart will bring? Are you prepared to hire another full time
officer, possibly 2?
Are you aware of the type of people Walmart hires or the crime just the employees generate?
I am aware of a gang member/employee allowed to live in his trailer in the parking lot of a Walmart just a few miles form
here.
There is a reason all those hideous videos are made about Walmarts. Have you ever seen one for another store?
We have a Walmart 1.1 miles from our town on Lake Cook road. There is no need for another.
I implore you to contact the police departments for the 12 other Walmarts close to find out for yourself.
I have heard other North Shore towns have started calling Northbrook "the ghetto of the north shore".
It is embarrassing that Walmart was even brought to the table for Northbrook.
We can find a better fit for that site. This is not a money decision, it's a "future of our town" decision.
Please make the right choice.
Thank you for your time,
Robert Francois
1
Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
janet m alberts <
1000skokie
Proposed Walmart
I have been a Northbrook resident since 1964 and wanted to let you know that I am VERY MUCH in favor of
the proposed WALMART. I think it would be a great addition to our community offering tax revenue as well
as jobs on land that has been vacant for many years.
I do have one concern that I feel should be addressed and that is providing parking spaces that accommodate
the large SUVs otherwise referred to as "Mommy Soccer Vans" that seem to be very popular in Northbrook.
My car has been hit twice while parked in the past two years!
There is also a concern among people I've spoken with that semi-trucks would use the parking area for rest
stops.
I watched the August meeting of the Planning Commission and was very impressed by the sincerity of the
Walmart representatives. It is a fine company and would do everything to solve any issues that would be
raised by Northbrook citizens.
Sincerely,
Janet M. Alberts
1
Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Edelston, Jay F <
1000skokie
RE: No Walmart
We all know the negatives that accompany a Walmart entry to the community.
What benefit does a Walmart offer this area? How does a Walmart add value to the community?
Isn’t there ample convenient shopping already in the area?
Jay F. Edelston
FINANCIAL PLANNING SPECIALIST
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT
MORGAN STANLEY WEALTH MANAGMENT
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Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Gruemmer, Brooks <
1000skokie
Unfortunately I have a conflict and will not be able to attend the Public Hearing. However, it I did want to submit my
view that Northbrook should NOT approve the proposal to build the Walmart on Skokie Blvd. I believe the detriments
of the land being developed in this manner far exceed any advantages of having a Walmart built at that location.
Brooks B. Gruemmer
McDermott Will & Emery LLP
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Phone:
Fax:
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Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Poupard, Tom
1000skokie
FW: Proposed Property development
From:
[mailto:
Sent: Wednesday, September 18, 2013 2:50 PM
To: Village
Subject: Proposed Property developement
TO; President Frum, Village Trustees and Village Management
With respect to the proposed development of property to accommodate a Walmart, I stand opposed as
a long time resident of the Village of Northbrook. I take this position based on the number of locally owned
and operated businesses in our community that rely almost solely on the residential population of our
community for their livelihood. Big Box stores have their place regionally but for a community of our size and
demographics I feel that a resident of our community can easily travel to neighboring towns if they so choose
to shop at that type of store. To my knowledge, historically stores of the Walmart type and size have had a
major impact on the community family businesses; those too small to compete with pricing and volume like
Walmart. I have noted that the majority of small community retail businesses are not only owned by our
residents but staffed by our residents as well. These are also the same businesses that have, through taxation,
helped build our Village financially and play a major role in our value system. I am in favor of protecting the
interests of our local businesses by voicing in opposition of bringing Walmart to our community. Thank you
for entertaining my opinion.
Mike O'Connell
Northbrook, Il
1
Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Wetter, Katy <
1000skokie
Say NO to Walmart
Northbrook residents do not want Walmart, especially those of us who are going to have to live near their mega store.
There are several concerns that the residents of East Northbrook are worried about (decreased home values,
environmental concerns, bad business practices, must I go on!). I am most worried about the increased traffic on
Midway. As a teacher in the neighborhood, I already need to remind my students to be careful when riding their bikes
on Midway. Frustrated drivers speed through our quiet neighborhood whenever the train slows them down. I will not
let my own children ride their bikes on Midway due to the quick moving traffic.
Adding Walmart (along with the other new developments) will only make the traffic worse. This is an accident waiting
to happen. Young families choose Northbrook because it has a low crime rate, cute family owned restaurants and
businesses, and safe streets. Is adding Walmart worth losing what makes Northbrook special?
Your frustrated resident,
Katy Wetter
18/9/2013
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Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Irwin Rosenberg <
1000skokie
Walmart Objection
Walmart is spending a lot of money to win approval of their plan. Let us not let money win over common sense.
They are asking the Village to change a lot of their rules.
Change the Zoning.
Variations on parking stall size.
Variation on set back.
Variation on sign size.
Ignoring noise regulations.
Parking lot lights on all night
Seasonal sales on parking lot.
Activity on parking lot when store is closed:
Lot cleaning
Parked vehicles and trucks with engines running.
Traffic estimates are confusing and incorrect. Walmart is seeking customers from the suburbs North, South , East and
West of Northbrook but do not expect any increase in traffic from these areas.Extensive construction has been proposed
for the 2 2 lane roads that service the proposed site but nobody has offered to pay for it.
More information has surfaced about the cost to the government agencies governing Walmart locations. This is because
of Walmart's poor pay scale, the number of hours employees work and lack of benefits require the employees to get
public assistance. Figures show that each Walmart costs the municipalities they are in over a million dollars a year. That
does not include the increased cost of public services such as Police and Fire and road maintainace.
How many local businesses will suffer from a Walmart store? How many tenets will move from the office buildings? How
much will property values fall? How much sales tax revenue will be lost? How much money will Walmart spend to get
what they want?
This not about a single store. This about preventing our way of life and style from being taken away from us by a deep
pocket big business who could care less about our rules and want to replace it with theirs.
Irwin Rosenberg
Susan: Don't you wish you had a big staff with lots of paid employees to do the work? My son said it once before. "We
are David against Goliath". We better win or they could control our community in subtle ways. Like the next election.
1
Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
John Susman <
1000skokie
Wal-Mart Documentary
To the Members of the Plan Commission,
As a Northbrook Resident, I urge all members before making their recommendation to view the award-winning and
acclaimed documentary "Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price."
http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/wal-mart-the-high-cost-of-low-price/
Thank you,
John D. Susman
1
Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Attachments:
gang zhao <
1000skokie
No Wal-mart
Walmart.docx
To whom it may concern:
My name is Gang Zhao. I have lived on Rosewood Ct, Northbrook for 13 years. I have two daughters, who are
9 and 7 years old. Both of them go the Meadowbrook School. We love Northbrook, because, as one of the
north shore communities, Northbrook provides us with high quality of living and education environment. But
if we allow big box retail, such as Walmart, to be in our back yard, it will destroy our dream home and safe
environment.
I want to focus on two topics from my point of view:
1) Traffic.
My daughters take a school bus to Meadowbrook School. The Bus route is M. There are 40 students onthe
bus every day. The bus begins its route from Voltz ct, then left turn onto Sunset ridge road. After it picks up
our kids at rosewood ct, the bus will take a left turn to go back to Sunset ridge rd. We all know the traffic is
already bad on Sunset ridge rd. Our bus is often the last to arrive at school. Just last week, my daughter
mentioned that the bell rang as they were walking into school. During winter, their bus was late for school
frequently. Sometimes, they were so late that they missed the Pledge of Allegiance! The reason is traffic.
Now almost every day, I see a big truck going through Sunset ridge road. Also every day, at around 5:00 PM,
at the intersection of road 43 and Voltz, we see UPS truck make a left turn from Voltz to 43. One time I saw 5
UPS trucks waiting to make a left turn.
That is the true traffic situation around my home now. If you build a big box in my back yard, there will be
thousands more cars in this area per day. You can imagine, my daughters’ bus will need to wait longer time to
make left turns, 40 students on the bus will be late for school every day. The entire route is already taking
more than 40 minutes. Now imagine little kids sitting daily on the bus for 1 hour! I do not want that to
happen, I think you do not want to see that happen in Northbrook neither.
2) Safety and property value.
Since we do not have a park for kids to play in our neighborhood, our kids on rosewood ct usually play and
ride bicycles in our cul de sac. We have a nice neighborhood, I have felt very safe for the last 13 years that
I’ve lived there. I feel safe enough to let the kids be kids and play here. But if you put a big box in our back
yard, I will feel very unsafe for my kids. I do not want strangers in my back yard, walking in my neighborhood,
especially at night.
I have friends whose houses are close to Walmart. My friends told me their home values have been
decreased significantly. It will most certainly affect the Northbrook property values negatively.
1
Northbrook is a nice north shore community. Why do other north shore communities not have a Wal-Mart?
Because they know Wal-Mart does not belong in the North shore. We people here in Northbrook, should take
care of each other. Not like the Walmart representative said, only a few houses are close to them, other
houses are not too close, so you do not need to worry. That is a shame. The truth is, everyone in Northbrook
will be affected, in one way or another. Traffic, safety, property value… We have the right to say, No to WalMart! Wal-Mart is not welcome in my back yard! Wal-Mart is not welcome in Northbrook! Wal-Mart is not
welcome in North shore communities!
Thanks.
Gang Zhao
2
Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Abramson, Bradley <
1000skokie
Proposed Wal-mart
Dear Village Board,
Briefly, I believe that the current traffic patterns CANNOT support the proposed Wal-mart at Dundee and Skokie.
Furthermore, my understanding is that the streets CANNOT be adequately adjusted to support the increase in traffic and
may in fact create a very dangerous pattern.
However, I would support a Wal-mart at the South end of Deerbrook Mall in the previous location of Wonder. I believe for
that would make much better sense from a safety standpoint. Furthermore, my understanding is that we would still reap
the financial gains of the store being in our village.
Thank you for your consideration,
Dr. Brad L. Abramson, D.O.
1
Two Discussion Points:
1. Traffic on Neighborhood Roads
2. Property Values
1. Traffic
• "If the traffic increases create too much congestion,
neighborhoods such as along Midway Road and Voltz Road
could bear the brunt of motorists taking alternate routes to
avoid delays along the more major roads.“
Source: Gewalt Hamilton Associates traffic study for
Northbrook Village dated August 14, 2013
Voltz Road – Primary Access Route to
Walmart for Northbrook shoppers
Voltz Road
Source: TADI Traffic Impact Study, Aug 14, 2013
Voltz Road is not a major street, but it is already
used by trucks and cars as a cut-through
Voltz Road
UPS already
uses Voltz Rd
as a cutthrough (40 –
50 trucks per
day)
Additional
Sunday
traffic 6am
to midnight
on Voltz Rd
could be
significant
Source: Village of Northbrook Comprehensive Plan Designated Truck Routes
2. Property Values
• Walmart believes there will be no effect on property values
since Northbrook Highlands and Skokie Highlands property
values are low and they adjoin high voltage power lines
(average sale price of $269,000 and $247,000,
respectively)…
• …but the average sale price on Voltz Road is $1,029,700
Source: Integra Realty Resources (Walmart's real estate
consultant) dated August 14, 2013
Property values
on Voltz Road are 3 to 4 times as high
as property values in Northbrook East/Skokie Highlands
Average Sale
Price
$269,000
Average
Sale Price
$1,029,700
Voltz Road
Average
Sale Price
$247,000
Source: Integra Realty Resources (Walmart's real estate consultant) dated August 14, 2013
Average Sale Price 2009 – 2013 sourced from MLS Listing Service
Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
David Stone <
1000skokie
Josh Shapiro;
Comments In support of the Proposed Wal-mart Store Development for the Village of
Northbrook Plan Commission and Board of Trustees
September 19, 2013
To Village of Northbrook Board of Trustees and Village Plan Commission:
I am writing to you today to express my strong support for proposed development of the Northbrook Walmart Store at 1000
Skokie Blvd. Many supportive voices that you have been hearing are sharing how the store will bring in incremental and
beneficial tax dollars for the Village. While, I believe that to be true and an excellent reason to support the store, I would like
to present another perspective in support how a Walmart store is beneficial to the Village of Northbrook. For the past 19
years, my Northbrook based company, It's Academic, has engaged with Walmart as a vendor. We do not refer to our business
with Walmart as a simple vendor/customer relationship, but rather a partnership. Over the 19 years in which we have been in
partnership with Walmart, they have not only purchased many millions of dollars worth our goods, but have shown how they
support and encourage their vendors to engage in social and ethical businesses practices that enhance the communities and
neighborhoods in which we conduct our business initiatives. It is through witness of those Walmart business practices, that I
feel engaging with Walmart Stores and their development of a store in Northbrook, will only lead to a positive impact on our
Northbrook community.
It's Academic is an S-corporation in which its partnership is comprised of people who were raised in Northbrook. In fact, three
of the partners including myself are graduates of Glenbrook North High School. Two partners selected Northbrook as their
place of primary residence. We chose to operate our business in Northbrook as we have always felt that Northbrook is our
community and enjoy working in Northbrook each and every day. It's Academic employs 35 people. The employees of It's
Academic frequent the merchants of Northbrook daily. We dine out, purchase our groceries, our office supplies, fuel for our
cars, etc from Northbrook merchants. Our employees essentially operate their daily lives in and around Northbrook as they
commute to and from Northbrook on a daily basis. I believe that our small company has had a positive effect on the Village of
Northbrook in that way and expect that the employees of the proposed Walmart Store will have that same, yet larger, positive
impact on the Village. Our vendor partnership with Walmart over the years has allowed our Northbrook based operation and
many others headquartered here to thrive and grow in Northbrook. As Walmart grows, companies like ours, grow, As we
grow, we would have need to employ more people and expand our Northbrook operations. These Northbrook based business
count on Walmart's growth for our own livelihoods.
Additionally, some of the people that will work construction on the proposed development and the people that Walmart will
employ to operate the proposed store will come from Northbrook and the surrounding communities. These people will
conduct their daily lives in Northbrook and frequent the other Northbrook merchants as we do. There are many reasons that a
Wal-mart store in Northbrook is extremely beneficial for the community. We appreciate your considering our comments as a
strong vote of support for the development of this Walmart store in Northbrook. Please feel free to contact me for any
additional comments you may be seeking in this matter.
Respectfully,
David Stone - Vice President
It’s Academic
1
Ph:
Fax:
2
Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
1000skokie
Village of Northbrook Public Hearing, Speaker Registration
Submission information
----------------------------------------Submitter DB ID : 2265
Submitter's language : Default language
IP address : 12.234.176.34
Time to take the survey : 13 min. , 46 sec.
Submission recorded on : 9/19/2013 4:19:55 PM
Survey answers
----------------------------------------* Name:
Brendan
* Address:
Address 2:
* City, State, Zip Code:
Northbrook il 60062
* Email Address:
* Are you representing a group?:
No
[x]
I do not plan on speaking at the public hearing, but please make my comments below part of the record:
Hello,
1
I have lived in Norhtbrook all my life. I have friends that own busniesses that will surely feel a deep finacial impact as a
result of Walmart being in close proximity. If funds are needed from Walmart revenues , perhaps a re-evaluation of the
village spending habits needs to be taken. Its hard to believe with all the "seatbelt" check points and property tax are
not enough to sustain Northbrooks village needs. Personally, the "WONDER" store that closed in a depressed
Deerbrook mall would be a perfect location. Plenty of room and parking now that Best Buy, Balleys, Sportmart, and
practiaclly every other busniess closed. The village/municipality wants the revenue, I see that. But the village does not
have the residents interests at heart and should reconsider. - Traffic around Dundee and skokie blvd would also be a
nightmare.
Brendan
2
Schoon, David
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Friday, September 20, 2013 8:19 AM
1000skokie
Stop WalMart
I want to offer my vote for the WalMart project. I vote NO to WalMart.
Aside from the popular topics of how it will damage the value of homes (I'm a real estate agent for
over 20 years),
or how it will create a traffic nightmare for the residents of east NB (already you can see vehicles
taking Lee or
Voltz to avoid any Dundee Rd traffic), or how it will bring jobs and money to Northbrook (the numbers
don't support any real property tax savings or real surplus to NB, as those funds are spent already on
infrastructure and development issues).
My complaint arises from the many cyclist that use Skokie Rd and Sunset Ridge Rd to commute,
exercise or travel
north and south to the Botanic Gardens, the Forest Preserve Bike Trail. I currently sit on the Board of
Directors for the
Northbrook Cycle Committee and as a competitive cyclist that rides those roads often, I can tell you
that the roads are
not safe enough due to speed limits and the amount of current traffic. Adding a WalMart will only take
those numbers to
a staggering amount. It would eliminate those roads as bicycle friendly avenues of travel.
This is a "bell" that you can not "unring" when traffic becomes a nightmare, when residents sell their
homes to move to more desirable communities, when accidents with pedestrians become
commonplace. The majority of minimum wage labor force will be coming form elsewhere, not
Northbrook. The option of driving 5 miles west to the Wheeling WalMart is a nice option. Not every
suburb needs a Big Box store. Especially one that treats its employees so poorly, treats its vendors
like slaves, and dictates the law to whomever it wishes.
I hope the trustees listen and hear the cries of the residents. The residents wants whats best for the
community. And if you want to see empty store fronts in your business district and a decline of
support for the Village Trustees & President, take heed to the opinions that fill the rooms at these
meetings.
=========================
Aram Bayzaee
cell
1

4 - 1000 Skokie - 9-9-13 to 9-20-13 Public Comments

Transcription

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