Recent Council Action

Western Avenue Improvements -- The Council awarded the project contract to ALamp Concrete Contractors, Inc. on March 16, 2009. Phase III construction is tentatively scheduled to begin on April 6. The timeline calls for improvements between Laurel and Westminster to be completed in 2009, and between Westminster and Vine to be completed in 2010. The inspection of this project will be conducted with in-house staff.

In order to minimize traffic congestion on Oakwood (between Westminster and Woodland), for the duration of this project it will be designated as one-way traffic northbound. Project updates can be viewed on the "Construction Updates" page.

New Adjudication Process -- After extensive study and a recommendation by City staff, the City Council approved an ordinance in 2008 that created an administrative hearing system for the enforcement of certain City ordinances and regulations. The new program benefits residents by providing an effective and efficient alternative to having Code violations prosecuted in the Lake County Circuit Court.

Hearings are held at City Hall to expedite resolutions, reduce litigation expenses, and allow the Circuit Court to focus on more serious offenses. This is also more convenient for residents who wish to contest a ticket or citation.

Cases filed on adjudication are punishable by fines and a variety of other penalties (excluding jail time), and the hearing is a civil proceeding, not criminal. An Administrative Hearing Officer hears the cases – an experienced attorney who participates in State-mandated training to be professional, fair, and courteous. Cases that may be heard are:

Police issued tickets                                 Unlicensed businesses
Fire code violations                                    Building violations
Parking tickets                                          Zoning violations
Taxi vehicle violations                                Compliance tickets

Affordable Housing Update -- Over the past few years, the City Council passed a series of innovative housing policies to encourage the development of affordably priced housing in Lake Forest. Following adoption of a comprehensive housing strategy plan in 2005, the City Council passed the Inclusionary Housing Ordinance that: 1) required 15% of housing units in new multi-family residential developments be affordable to a range of household income levels, 2) established a Housing Trust Board and Fund, and 3) created a Demolition Tax with half of the tax revenue allocated to the Housing Trust Fund.

The Housing Trust Board leads the City’s affordable housing initiatives and aims to provide a range of housing opportunities for seniors and others who live and work within the community. A multifaceted approach is planned, with affordable units created as part of private development projects and others created through opportunities that are initiated by the Housing Trust Board (such as the acquisition of existing units scattered throughout Lake Forest in order to keep them permanently affordable, or building new units on vacant or redeveloped land).

Recently, the Housing Trust Board has focused on identifying and prioritizing sites that may be appropriate for development with affordably priced housing. These sites include both city-owned parcels and non-city-owned land where opportunities for public-private partnerships with local institutions may exist. The board is also actively seeking additional funding sources to offset the cost of affordable housing development and to leverage existing Trust Fund dollars. These sources include federal tax credits, state grants and private grants that can be used for design and construction costs, acquisition costs, or costs associated with providing energy efficient “green” components in new developments.

Additional information on affordable housing can be viewed on the Affordable Housing section of this web site.

Laurel Avenue Redevelopment -- Relocation of the City’s Municipal Services Facility from the current Laurel and Western Avenues site to the new facility on Field Drive (north of Rt. 60) is on schedule to occur during July/August, 2009. In preparation for the vacation of the existing site, the Mayor Michael Rummel appointed an ad hoc committee chaired by Third Ward Alderman Tom Morsch which includes individuals representing the community-at large and members of the City Council, Plan Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals and Building Review Board.

A creative, innovative approach to the redevelopment project is being followed so that the Central Business District and surrounding residential areas will be enhanced while adding lasting value to the entire community. A recommendation on a selected short list of potential developers for the site is expected to be presented to the City Council early in 2009.