Lakemoor residents asked to help in shaping the village's big picture

Lakemoor residents can help shape the future of the village during a public workshop Thursday.

A "visioning" session from 7 to 9 p.m. at the public works facility, 333 Wegner Road, is the second public meeting in an ongoing process to update Lakemoor's comprehensive plan that guides future development and decision making. Sign-in begins at 6:30 p.m.

In January, several dozen residents and village officials helped define some key issues during an introductory meeting directed by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning.

Through a federal grant, the planning agency for northeastern Illinois is providing guidance and technical assistance valued at $100,000 to Lakemoor at no cost. It is part of a regional thrust by the agency to help local communities.

Data has been compiled and feedback from participants Thursday will start to influence the direction of the plan that will help determine how Lakemoor will look in 2025.

Essentially, participants will be shown several policies in areas such as housing, land use or economic development, for example, and will be asked what they don't want to see happen in Lakemoor, according to Jason Navota, senior planner for CMAP.

The session will include a mapping exercise in which participants can literally draw on maps set at three stations to show where housing or a town center should be located, for example.

"It should give us enough of a consensus direction where we can begin filling in the details," Navota said. He stressed that while CMAP is providing technical expertise, the final product will be the community's plan.

Village Trustee Matt Dabrowski, a member of the steering committee of officials and staff overseeing the process, said participants will be given keypads to rank policies in various areas such as land use and open space.

"We want to hear from the residents what their thoughts are for the community and what their views are for the community," Dabrowski said.

Key points will include: whether the public wants some type of town center; where the village hall should be; how areas on Route 120, a main thoroughfare in the community of about 5,800, should be developed; and, how the road network and sanitary sewers can be expanded and improved.

"This plan will prepare for future growth. It'll help us make wise decisions in our land use," Dabrowski said.