Winnetka Futures 2040 is being considered by Village Council!
On Monday, April 3, the Village Council is scheduled to consider introduction of an ordinance that would adopt the proposed Winnetka Futures 2040 Plan, the Comprehensive Plan for the Village of Winnetka. The meeting will be start at 7:00 p.m. and be held in the Village Hall Council Chambers.
On Tuesday, March 14, the Village Council and Plan Commission held a joint meeting at which the Commission, staff, and The Lakota Group presented to the Council the proposed Comprehensive Plan. Council members had positive comments on the Plan and only requested a few changes to the document, the most significant one being to include a goal and initiatives regarding the development along the lakefront.
The most current version of the proposed Comprehensive Plan will be available on the project website no later than the end of the day on Friday, March 31. Community members are invited to attend the Monday, April 3 meeting. Should the Village Council approve introduction of the ordinance adopting the Plan, at a future Council meeting the Council will consider adopting the ordinance.
The draft plan is a culmination of the community’s work. Through a series of interviews, focus groups, and open houses with community members, as well as a number of public meetings before the Plan Commission and the Village Council, community members have participated in the development of the vision statements, goals, and initiatives found in the draft Comprehensive Plan.
We continue to look forward to hearing your thoughts on Winnetka’s vision for its future.
The Winnetka Futures 2040 Plan will explore how Winnetka can better understand and address changing times, such as a radically changed retail environment; transportation mobility innovations; an aging population; evolving housing preferences; changing work and commuting habits; and an increased focus on environmental issues and sustainability. As a plural, “Winnetka Futures” communicates the many alternative possibilities available to Winnetka by the year 2040 and will inform high-level conversations about the future of the Village. How can we envision a future that meets the goals and aspirations of Winnetkans, regardless of their stage of life? That is what The Winnetka Futures 2040 Plan seeks to discover.
A comprehensive plan is a long-term vision for the community that serves as an official policy statement to guide the community’s future. By its nature, it is focused on physical development and is an all-inclusive, long-term approach to addressing future changes in a community. The Winnetka Futures 2040 Plan will build on the proud traditions of Winnetka while boldly looking ahead to a vibrant future. This plan will be the official roadmap for Village decisions over the next 20 years on issues including land use, economic development, natural resources, transportation, housing, and sustainability.
The Lakota Group, a land-use planning firm with both a national practice and strong roots in the community, has been selected to help lead the process, along with its team of sub-consultants including SB Friedman (market analysis & implementation strategies), Sam Schwartz (transportation & mobility), Strand Associates (infrastructure & implementation strategies) and Duncan Associates (zoning & development regulations).
