Big Idea 1: Build Upon Glencoe’s Character
All elements of the built environment (i.e., land use and open space, architecture, transportation, housing, and infrastructure) work together to provide a high quality of life and enjoyable places to live, work, shop, and play. Glencoe’s historic elements and natural resources are preserved, and new development is compatible with the community’s character and standards for design.
INSTRUCTIONS: Review the Draft Goals below and share your feedback via the form at the bottom of this page. For more context and detail on each of the goals, click the arrow next to each to read the Draft Objectives. Then click here to move on to the other Big Ideas!
GOAL: Protect and enhance Glencoe’s historic character, natural resources, and unique sense of place.
>> Objectives…
- Support the existing land use and development pattern that supports a small town feel and walkable community with a downtown core surrounded by residential, schools, parks, and other community uses.
- Maintain downtown as the civic center of public life.
- Evaluate the establishment of residential historic districts.
- Support the role of the Preservation Commission and its efforts to preserve both Certified and Honorary Landmarks.
- Assess the Zoning Code and consider ways that regulations can encourage rehabilitation and incentivize the preservation of existing historic structures.
- Encourage the creation of nodes where paths cross and where residents and visitors are encouraged to gather, informally and randomly, as part of daily life.
- Modify the Zoning Map as needed to ensure consistency with the updated Comprehensive Plan.
- Develop a long-term strategy for relocation of overhead utility lines.
GOAL: Preserve and support cherished community assets, destinations, and shared experiences (such as the lakefront, school campuses, library, parks, Green Bay Trail, Writers Theatre, the Glencoe Golf Club, Botanic Garden, etc.).
>> Objectives…
- Beautify gateway corridors and establish Scenic Corridor Preservation Program to preserve scenic views and vistas throughout the community.
- Support and coordinate with the Park District to implement recommendations from the Parks Master Plan that preserve and enhance Glencoe parks.
- Maintain close coordination and joint efforts between the Village and its community partners such as the: Chamber of Commerce, Chicago Botanic Garden, Family Service of Glencoe, Friends of the Green Bay Trail, Glencoe Community Garden, Glencoe Historical Society, Glencoe Junior High Project, Glencoe Park District, Glencoe Public Library, Glencoe Youth Services, Writers Theatre, local school districts, and the local faith communities.
- Coordinate with Writers Theatre and local artists to further activate Tudor Court and foster a creative hub in downtown.
- Implement improvements to the Glencoe Golf Club that reflect community desires for enhancing it as a public amenity while preserving it as an environmental benefit.
GOAL: Provide a variety of housing types to serve the full spectrum of life stages, lifestyles, and economic circumstances, and to accommodate multiple generations of Glencoe residents.
>> Objectives…
- Strengthen Downtown as a neighborhood, supporting an increased number of residents to live there and boost the vitality of downtown businesses and the community overall.
- Pursue policies that preserve the supply of moderately-sized homes in order to maintain a diversity of housing types.
- Explore zoning changes to allow for more housing types and structure sizes (i.e. duplexes, residential above commercial uses, or multiple units in what appears to be a single family home).
- Consider feasibility of permitting accessory dwelling units (ADUs) to expand housing options.
- Develop a Planned Development Ordinance.
- Educate residents and evaluate code standards to accommodate Universal Design in new and rehabilitated housing in support of aging in place and housing for people with disabilities.
- Revisit and implement the Adopted 2020 Affordable Housing Plan.
GOAL: Create a complete and connected transportation network where people feel safe walking, biking, and driving.
>> Objectives…
- Implement bike and pedestrian network recommendations from the Active Transportation Plan (Adopted 2018).
- Install bicycle parking in convenient locations.
- Extend bike routes into downtown and improve visible links to bike and pedestrian pathways.
- Reduce the demand for vehicle parking in business districts by developing a transportation network that makes walking, biking, and/or taking transit safe and attractive.
GOAL: Support an active and thriving central business district that serves community needs.
>> Objectives…
- Maintain the character and boundaries of downtown and enhance the walkability to all parts of the CBD.
- Encourage placemaking efforts that bring public art, streetscape enhancements, and community events to the downtown.
- Study the practical relocation of the Public Works Facility.
- Continue implementing and updating recommendations from the Downtown Plan (Adopted 2016) relating to the reuse or redevelopment of publicly owned property.
GOAL: Maintain and expand Glencoe’s accessible and community-oriented public facilities and spaces.
>> Objectives…
- In partnership with the Glencoe Public Library, develop a plan for an improved Wyman Green that accommodates additional family-friendly, multi-purpose space that can be programmed for events.
- Work with private alley owners in the downtown to assure public accessibility.
GOAL: Pursue policies that address the distinct needs and amplify the characteristics of Glencoe’s key subareas [to be addressed in more detail through subarea plans]:
>> Subareas…
- Downtown
- Green Bay Road Corridor & Hubbard Woods Plaza
- Highway Frontage District
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