Updates - July 2008

AVAILABLE POSITIONS

Entry Level Landscape Architect

Planning Resources Inc. (PRI) is a 15 person interdisciplinary design firm with an emphasis in Landscape Architecture, Urban/Regional Planning and Environmental Planning. Located in Wheaton, Illinois we serve clients throughout the State of Illinois and neighboring states in the areas of land planning, parks and recreation, sustainable design, streetscape/downtown redevelopment and municipal services.  Our landscape architects work with our ecologists on natural area restoration and planning, as well as our planners on comprehensive planning assignments.

We are looking for a creative, motivated individual with 0-3 years experience in landscape architecture and design.  An understanding and knowledge of local plant material and construction documentation is required.  Successful candidates should be enthusiastic and proficient with AutoCAD and have a strong graphics background.  Qualified individuals must be goal oriented, team players that are willing to promote the PRI mission statement and long term marketing plans.

We are an equal opportunity employer offering competitive salaries, excellent benefits and growth opportunities.  All resumes will be reviewed with the strictest of confidence.  Resumes and salary history can be submitted to the following:

e-mail:  kgraham@planres.com

mail:     Planning Resources Inc.

  Keven Graham, ASLA

  402 W. Liberty Dr.

  Wheaton, IL 60187

 

Saving Our Environment News

Planning Resources Inc. contributed to the MyEarthDream charity donations which helped raise a total of approximately $200,000. This charity is now providing the money to the Marine Stewardship Council and the Forest Stewardship Council.

Honda Racing F1 and its partners also donated money and together, the total fund is over $1.2 million so far. They have started making donations to a range of charities with environmental themes. Their new website will allow you to see that MyEarthDreams has evolved to earthdreams. Their mission is to harness the power of dreams by supporting and empowering inspirational projects that have a positive impact on the world around them. PRI was delighted to be a part of this exciting project.

 

AWARDS

2008-09 Design Achievement Award

Keven Graham will be recognized for his oustanding mid-career creative and professional achievements in the field of architecture, during Homecoming weekend at Iowa State University.  This award takes on special resonance this year due to the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the college.  Congratulations Keven! 

Chaddick Development Award

PRI and the Village of Montgomery have received an Honorable Mention in the Development Process Category for the 2007 Chaddick Development Awards.  The purpose of this competition is to recognize a suburban unit of government that is demonstrating excellence in sign control, design review, zoning, subdivision regulation, or the development approval process over a period of five years or more.  Well done, Juli.

ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS

The DuPage County Board approved the BMP Ordinance, and those changes will take effect August 1^st, 2008.  The County will be holding training sessions in late June/early July 2008.  The initial sessions will target regulators and planners, so that communities can effectively incorporate this aspect into their review processes.  The County has indicated that further details on the training sessions will be forthcoming.

 

           The DuPage County Tax Map format has changed.  They used to be 11 x 17 sized and black/white reproduction.  Within the next month, tax maps will be color .pdf files and based on sections.  An FTP site will allow direct access of GIS data, with real estate information to be updated weekly, so property ownership data will be current.

 

           DuPage County has a contract with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to update the county’s topography mapping.  New topography will be based off 2006 flight data.  The delivery date is scheduled for October 2008.

 

            DuPage County is in the midst of a Height Modernization Program for establishing elevation data.  Currently, the County uses the 1929 datum.  Changes in technology and loss of physical survey control points necessitates the shift to the NAVD (North American Vertical Datum) 88 datum.  The County anticipates this shift happening by January 2009.

 

            On the wetlands front, the Chicago District Corps of Engineers is proposing to re-issue General Permit 25 between the Corps and DuPage County.  This GP will allow the County to assume responsibility for the review of projects in DuPage County requiring federal authorization under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act.  Under the GP, the Corps must formally assign the County to review a project under the GP.  The County does not have authority to issue the Section 404 permit.  Unlike the old GP, the new GP will include State water quality (Section 401) certification, for projects that meet the terms and conditions.  This should reduce project delays for many projects in partial and non-waiver communities where a 401 certification was not part of the Section 404 permit.

 

Please be aware that the proposed GP 25 will not expedite getting Corps’ jurisdictional determination, but it will help reduce overlap of reviews for proposed projects.  However, word is that the County is also discussing the jurisdictional determination issue with the Corps.

           

NPDES INFORMATION

MS4 - What's new

The end of the first five-year NPDES Phase II permit cycle officially ended in 2007. During the transition period, the Illinois Enviromental Protection Agency (IEPA) outlines the following "to do" list for all Illinois MS4's (municipal separate storm sewer systems):

• By February 28, 2008 - All 2003 Notice of Intent (NOI) activities should be complete.
• By June 1, 2008 - The final report the 2003-2008 NPDES Phase II permit should be submitted to the IEPA.

Should you need help with any of the above activities please give us a call and we'll be happy to provide you with assistance.  You can also visit the IEPA website at http://www.epa.state.il.us/water/permits/storm-water/ms4.html for blank NOI and Annual Report forms. 

  

NPDES STORM WATER PROGRAM SUMMARY   Phase I:   Began:  1990   Application:  Large and medium MS4s and 11 industrial categories, including construction sites disturbing ≥ 5 acres of land.   Phase II:   Began:  2003   Application:  Additional MS4s and construction sites disturbing ≥ 1 but ‹ 5 acres of land.  This phase requires small MS4s in urbanized areas to obtain NPDES permits and implements six minimum control measures.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE NEWS 

June 25, 2008 – Groundbreaking event marking construction of Premiere Estates Park – City of Country Club Hills, Illinois.

June 18, 2008 - a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony was held at the new Crystal Springs Park in New Lenox, Illinois.  Crystal Springs Park is a new park facility designed by Planning Resources that consists of a creative play area for children 2-5 and 5-12, a gazebo, picnic shelter, tournament play bocci ball and baggo courts, pathways, wetland overlook area, interpretive signage, parking lot and extensive landscaping.  Crystal Springs Park was the recipient of a 2007 OSLAD grant award through the Illinois Dept of Natural Resources 

June 7, 2008 - The New Birch Park in Franklin Park Illinois officially opened to the public.  Birch Park is a redeveloped site that Planning Resources was instrumental in  transforming from an open space and baseball field to a multifunctional park with features for the entire family to enjoy.  Birch Park now includes a non-traditional playground, Skate Park and in-line skate pad, pathways, basketball court, soccer/baseball field area, two batting cages, a shelter and ornamental landscaping.  Birch Park was also funded in part by a grant from the Illinois Dept of Natural Resources.    In attendance at the ribbon-cutting ceremony was State Senator Don Harmon and Representative Angelo “Skip” Saviano who have been strong supporters of land conservation in Illinois. 

 

April 21, 2008 – a groundbreaking event was held to mark the official start of construction of a stormwater retention basin and natural area designed by Planning Resources Inc. and Benes Engineering.  The organically designed retention facility with outcroppings and native plant ledges will enable the Village to more effectively manage storm water while offering diverse recreation amenities such as walking paths, overlooks, fishing stations, shelter/pavilion area, enhanced wetlands and interpretive signage for all age groups.  The facility was recently awarded a grant from the Illinois Dept of Natural Resources to assist in the development of enhanced recreation amenities.

 

CPSI

In 1997, the Consumer Product Safety Commission published the Handbook for Public Playground Safety to provide voluntary playground safety guidelines for child care facilities, institutions, parks, schools, resorts and other public use sites where children ages 2 months to 12 years play in an outdoor play space.  The document has been widely used as an industry standard on playground safety, an in some states, has been incorporated into childcare licensing standards.

We recommend a copy of these standards for every Park and Recreation Agency.  It's an invaluable tool for keeping outdoor spaces in compliance.  Playground safety is our main objective at PRI.  With these ever changing regulations concerning playground safety PRI can assist you by performing safety audits, inspections and maintenance programs to help ensure the safety of the children using your equipment.  Our safety inspectors are certified with the Natural Playground Safety Institute and the National Park and Recreation Association.  Please give us a call if you have any questions.

GRANTS RECEIVED

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has announced that the following work will receive development/renovation funds through the OSLAD program:

• Longfellow Park  $400,000

Park District of Oak Park  

• Garfield Park  $400,000

Village of Lisle  

• Hibernia Park  $331,600

New Lenox Community Park District       

• Birch Park  $217,000

Park District of Franklin Park   

• Environmental Protection Agency - 319 Grant 

  
  Metra Commuter Lot Drainage - Centennial Park - Orland Park         

Tinley Park Train Station named Illinois 'Great Place'

The Illinois Chapter of the American Institute of Architects has selected Tinley Park's Oak Park Ave. train station to be on its list of "150 Great Places in Illinois".