Floodplain regulation and Ravinia Festival’s use of public rights-of-way were the two principal policy discussions.
What was discussed
Staff and an engineering consultant recommended retiring the City-specific riverine floodplain maps while retaining FEMA, state and Lake County requirements. The presentation described overlapping models, additional affected parcels and administrative complexity; members questioned climate change, drainage and long-term protection. This was a recommendation for later formal action, not an adopted ordinance.
The Committee considered separating Ravinia Festival’s operational right-of-way license from its development agreement. Discussion covered maintenance, security, trail paving, bollards and public access. Members favored a defined term aligned with the development agreement rather than the proposed perpetual license.
Meeting outline
Minutes
ProceduralThe March 30 minutes were considered.
Watch from 5:07 ↗Floodplain study
ProposalThe consultant compared City and FEMA floodplain approaches and recommended retaining the outside regulatory framework without the additional City mapping.
Watch from 5:22 ↗Flooding and climate questions
DiscussionMembers examined rainfall, legal reliance, drainage maintenance and regional stormwater opportunities.
Watch from 22:01 ↗Ravinia license
ProposalStaff proposed separating public right-of-way operations from zoning and development terms.
Watch from 41:45 ↗Term, trail and access
DiscussionMembers discussed the license duration, lighting, trail improvements and seasonal access needs.
Watch from 67:49 ↗Closed session
ProceduralThe Committee moved toward a closed property session.
Watch from 73:40 ↗
What comes next
Staff would bring the floodplain recommendation to a future Council agenda with public communication.
Staff would draft the Ravinia license and development-agreement amendment and follow up on lighting options.