Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Commercial Vehicle Parking Study Committee Meets and Dissolves in One Night

Monday night, the Commercial Vehicle Parking Study Committee met to discuss the commercial vehicle parking in residential areas. It was an interesting experience and one that I am proud to have participated in positively.

The public meeting had no attendees besides other trustees; However, I want to acknowledge the citizens who contacted me with their opinions about the subject before the meeting. I was very impressed to have received two emails and one call regarding this issue. I am certain that forums such as this blog encouraged this interaction. Thanks to you who wrote and I hope it serves as motivation to others to get involved, let me know what you're thinking on topics we tackle as well as anything that's on your mind.

I believe we came to a conclusion that best serves our community at large.

Essentially, we are amending our zoning code to allow commercial vehicles with D plates that are no taller than 9 feet to be parked in residential areas (driveways). Additionally, we are limiting the type of trailers that can be parked in residential areas to TA plates (3000 lb capacity) with TB and TC plates on a call-in basis limited to approximately 5 days per year. Further details and exact language will be available at our first January Committee of the Whole meeting on January 12.

The discussion was healthy and civil. It was tough to work through a few compromises, but I am proud of every member of the committee and honored to have worked alongside them.

One thing I realized during this experience is the importance of thinking for the greater good. We live in an era that is so very consumed with individual rights. I've heard it said that the late 60s kicked off the "Me" generation - if that is the case then I don't even know how to describe where we are today.

It is imperative to listen to all point of views and look at how what we do affects the entire community. Then, we are charged with moving forward toward solutions that serve the greater community best.

Are we going to satisfy everyone, every time?

Not a chance.

So the Commercial Vehicle Parking Study Committee accomplished what it set out to accomplish - discuss and bring closure an on-going parking issue in the village.

2 comments:

  1. Did you vote to increase the sales tax in LITH?

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  2. Whitmore2 - Indeed I did. Did you read that it was the Home Rule Sales Tax? Thought I'd let you know that there is a distinction of which sales tax we increased.

    The Home Rule Sales Tax is essentially applicable on eating out and hard goods - not groceries or prescription drugs. There were two factors that came into play for me casting the vote I cast:

    1. Costco and Lowes are among the largest contributors to this tax - one thing you should know is that 70% of the Costco membership live outside Lake in the Hills so our citizens are not dramatically impacted by the increase.

    2. Services. I absolutely love the services we have in Lake in the Hills - the plowing, the upkeep, fast response time of law enforcement - you name a service we have here and I love it and want to be able to deliver those services adequately in 2010 and beyond.

    The fact of the matter is this - our budget is very, very fragile due to pre-2005 levels of revenue we are anticipating next year yet our population and demand for services continues to grow.

    Like everyone else - I don't want to pay more taxes but I realize that we have to raise the money somewhere. What we voted on brings us to the same tax rate as the other communities servicing the Randall Road Corridor. Additionally - it does not dramatically hit our citizens, otherwise I could not have supported it. It is not a tax increase on essentials - it is an increase on the extras -more often than not.

    Whitmore2 - thanks for your question and please let me know if you'd like to know more. You can also email me at dbarreto@lith.org.

    Further - I am open to hearing ideas to raise revenue here in Lake in the Hills. The budget meetings were open to the public and we had no attendees back in November. If there are ideas out there that can help us - I am open to hearing them - STAT!

    Again - to Whitmore2 and everyone reading - this is your community and I am only a steward on your behalf. Let me know how I can better serve you!

    Happy Holidays.

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