Naperville recently hired Houseal Lavigne Associates as a consultant to remake its comprehensive master plan. The firm held a workshop for Naperville City Council and members of other city boards and commissions.
New Councilmembers
It was a good chance to find out what issues are on the minds of Naperville’s newest councilmembers: Theresa Sullivan and Patrick Kelly.
“One hundred percent renewable energy,” said Sullivan. “And actually getting to 100% renewable energy in Naperville isn’t as tough or as expensive as people might think it is. I do hope that’s something that in the next four years that we’re actually going to see. I don’t think that’s just wishful thinking, I think that’s something we can do.”
Every participant had the chance to offer an idea that the plan should address. The three most pressing issues turned out to be public transportation, including 5th Avenue Station; services for special needs; and affordable housing.
“Probably the most common issue that came up tonight was affordable housing which I think is really important and something I think we need to focus on. But it also ties into other issues as well like commercial development and redevelopment of stretches like Ogden Avenue and looking at ways we can have mixed use developments and not just silo affordable housing and silo retail developments but try to intertwine those together so that we’ve got successful development overall.”
Providing Input
The workshop ended with each member saying something they think makes Naperville great that shouldn’t be overlooked.
If you were unable to attend the public meetings, you can still participate online at the city’s website or by picking up a D.I.Y. kit at the Naperville Municipal Center to host your own input-gathering session.
The comprehensive master plan is expected to be complete by the end of the year.
Naperville News 17’s Casey Krajewski reports.