Glen Ellyn names downtown panel

A new downtown advisory committee became official Monday night and 15 residents have been selected to be part of the team.

Glen Ellyn Planning and Development Director Staci Hulseberg said the creation of the committee is one of the first steps in the public participation element of the downtown strategic planning process being performed by Riverside-based Town Builder Studios.

Town Builder Studios was chosen last month by a divided village board to conduct the study. Town Builder Studios consultants will highlight areas the village needs to focus on, including historic preservation, parking, retail and economics.

Everyone who expressed interest in the committee was put on a list under different categories. Village President Vicky Hase made the final selections, Hulseberg said.

The committee members are: Glen Ellyn Chamber of Commerce board member Scott Hamer, Economic Development Corporation President Jim Meyers, Downtown Glen Ellyn Alliance board member Jessica Peckny, Go Downtown! board member Beth Howley, plan commission member Linda Dykstra, architectural review committee member Ian Dickie, Glen Ellyn Historical Society board member Dan Anderson, Citizens for Glen Ellyn Preservation's Tim Loftus, former village Trustee Pat Melady, Alikat owner Sandy Moore, Shannon's Irish Pub owner Jennifer Shannon, Country Insurance owner Rob Kelley, Glen Ellyn Elementary District 41 Superintendent Ann Riebock and residents Rinda Allison and Jean Kaczmareck.

"We want to make sure we have representatives from all of the groups in town and all members who have a stake in the downtown," Hulseberg said.

Committee members will have four meetings, with the first one being in April. The group will review the process, evaluate what's going to happen at the two future town hall meetings, review and offer suggestions on portions of the plan and make recommendations to the village board on whether or not to adopt the plan.

The committee would meet through the fall and would automatically dissolve as soon as they've fulfilled their purpose.

For other residents hoping to be involved in the strategic plan process, there will be two town hall meetings open to the public along with online surveys.

More than 150 residents, groups and individuals also will be interviewed.

"We're trying to give everyone an opportunity to be involved," Hulseberg said.