Title/Name/Summary
La Grange Road Corridor Plan - Adoption
History
The Village is the recipient of a Regional Technical Assistance Program grant from the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) to complete a Plan for the La Grange Road Corridor between 131St Street and I-80. The Final Plan is now complete, and is presented to the Village Board for final action.
The purpose of the plan is to help improve the quality of life in Orland Park by reviewing the existing conditions along La Grange Road, identifying issues and challenges, and making recommendations to support Village objectives to reduce traffic congestion, provide for non-motorized transportation, improve public transportation, encourage transit oriented development, leverage public and private investment in a manner that strengthens the Village economy, and create a more attractive environment and sense of place. Thirty-two specific recommendations are included in the plan. The implementation of many of the recommendations is subject to IDOT approval.
A Steering Committee was created to oversee the plan through the development process. In addition to Village of Orland Park representatives, the Committee includes representatives from the RTA (Regional Transportation Authority), Metra, Pace, the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, and the Village of Tinley Park. Tinley Park also has significant frontage along this section of La Grange Road. Public input has been incorporated into the plan, including feedback from an August 2008 Public Open House that introduced the project. Additionally, a Citizens Advisory Group met to discuss issues and ideas.
This plan is particularly timely because the widening of La Grange Road is listed in the State of Illinois Capital Improvements Plan. Although the timing is uncertain, Phase I preliminary engineering for the road widening has been completed and Phase II final engineering (by McDonough Associates Inc.) is underway. It is noted that McDonough representatives are aware of the Lagrange Corridor Plan recommendations and have been supplied with a copy of the plan. The plan is intended to influence Phase II engineering design as well as future improvements, and to help La Grange Road become a more “Complete Street” that accommodates autos, pedestrians, and transit. Some of the elements in IDOT’s Phase I Preliminary Engineering Plan do not meet goals and objectives stated in the Corridor Plan, particularly in relation to the accommodation of pedestrians. Adoption of the Corridor Plan by the Village Board may strengthen the Village’s position in the negotiating with IDOT for changes to the Phase II Engineering Plans.
On December 14, 2009, The LaGrange Road Corridor Plan was presented to Plan Commission for review, and on February 22, 2010, The La Grange Road Corridor Plan was presented to the Development Services Committee for review. The LaGrange Road Corridor Plan is now before the Board with a request for adoption.
I move to adopt the La Grange Road Corridor Plan, prepared by T.Y. Lin International and dated April 2010, as a policy guide for the Village of Orland Park.
Recommended Action/Motion
I move to adopt the La Grange Road Corridor Plan, prepared by T.Y. Lin International and dated April 2010, as a policy guide for the Village of Orland Park with removal of 30 mph speed limit in section 5.1 of the policy booklet.