Redevelopment high on list of Streamwood's new goals

Making plans for the redevelopment of older or blighted areas of Streamwood will be among the village board's top goals in 2009.

Board members met Thursday for the first of two workshops to outline and prioritize an agenda for next year.

Thursday's workshop looked at both internal staff objectives as well as land-use goals.

Building a redevelopment game plan and modifying the zoning code to reflect it were considered among the land-use goals that could realistically be done in 2009. Of lower priority were the goals of updating the village's marketing materials to better attract investment, assessing the need for more senior housing and planning for the annexation of nearby unincorporated properties.

In embarking upon a redevelopment plan, trustees realize the first question they'll have to answer is whether the village will take part financially or simply through setting guidelines.

"I don't believe we're in a financial position to even entertain an idea like that," Trustee William Harper said.

If the village were to play any financial role in redevelopment, Harper suggested the board look to the past example of a Target store coming to Streamwood. In that case, the village merely offered financial incentives to an interested developer, rather than getting involved in the process of buying and selling land.

"I don't think we should be talking to the extent of committing village dollars," Trustee William Carlson said. "Ordinances are fine."

Village President Billie Roth said much planning is already done, but needs to be reflected in the zoning code.

The board's second and final workshop is scheduled from 6 to 10 p.m. Sept. 8.