Caucus platform to be reviewed Thursday

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Updated: November 28, 2011 9:59AM

The Winnetka Caucus Council will meet to review and approve the proposed 2011 caucus platform and village trustee candidates at 7 p.m. Thursday.

Based on the results of this year’s community survey, the caucus will recommend the village focus its resources on a stormwater improvement plan and stop considering whether to expand its affordable housing plan.

Council officials reported the results on the affordable housing issue were “unambiguous.”

“By a 67 percent to 27 percent margin, survey respondents were against expanding Winnetka’s Affordable Housing Plan to set aside affordable housing units and provide tools to bridge the affordability gap for qualifying households,” the caucus stated in a summary of its planks.

Of the approximate 910 people who said they did not want the village’s current plan expanded, 85 percent selected, “It is not appropriate for village government to be involved in determining who can live here and what prices can be charged for housing in Winnetka,” as their reason. People could choose more than one reason, so 79 percent also selected, “The village has higher priorities than affordable housing.”

Among those who favored expanding the village affordable housing plan as “an overall concept,” 69 percent thought Winnetka needs more affordable housing for seniors specifically.

Compared with the 723 respondents who said the village has higher priorities, 176 people agreed with the statement that affordable housing is “an important issue and should be a high priority for the village.”

Even when the questions were directed specifically to people who favored expanding the housing plan, no more than 25 percent of those backed any one tool to support the plan. An inclusionary zoning requirement that 15 percent of units in new multi-family developments should be set aside for people who would meet the village’s affordable housing criteria, was favored by only 191 people, or 25 percent, of those who answered the question.

Twenty-one percent, or 163 people, think a housing trust fund of private donations and resources should be established. And 23 percent, or 182 people, said the village should adopt the eligibility standards the village Plan Commission proposed to determine who would qualify for affordable housing in Winnetka.

On the flooding issue, residents were divided on how the village should pay for stormwater improvements. Fifty-eight percent, or 689 people, said special service areas should be set up so the people who benefit the most from the improvements would pay a greater share of the cost.

Forty-five percent of those who answered the question, or 530 people, think the village should establish a stormwater utility fee that could charge an average of about $250 to each property in the village, if the cost was divided evenly.

Twenty-two percent, or 259 residents, said a combination of a storm water utility fee and higher property taxes should be used to pay for infrastructure improvements. And 19 percent, or 227 residents, said the village should increase property taxes to pay for stormwater improvements.

Caucus officials evaluated those responses and recommended, “The Village Council should use available cash reserves and then proceed with the creation of a stormwater utility fund.” The caucus also advises the council to “consider the implementation of special service areas as a means of additional funding for stormwater improvements.”

The Caucus Council will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday in the little theater of Washburne School, at 515 Hibbard Room.

At 7:45 p.m. Nov. 8, again in the little theater of Washburne School, residents are invited to meet the 2012 candidates the caucus nominated for village trustee: Jack Buck, Patrick Corrigan and Stuart McCrary.