HIGHWOOD CITY COUNCIL’S 4.15.25 MEETING IN A NUTSHELL
Finance
The City Council voted to approve the payment of various bills totaling $362k.
Development
The city purchased 420, 424, and 430 Sheridan Rd. to revitalize the area through redevelopment. The blighted buildings on these properties were subsequently demolished, and the sites are currently used for public parking. Last year, the city requested redevelopment proposals and received submissions from Continuum Capital and Zeller & Harlem Irving Companies. The project area includes the three city-owned parcels and two adjacent privately-owned parcels (412 and 416 Sheridan Rd.) that are currently used for business parking (map of the project area here). Zoning in the project area allows development between one and six stories, with retail and/or service uses permitted on the ground floor and residential and/or office uses on the upper floors. The City Council voted to authorize city staff to negotiate a redevelopment agreement with Zeller & Harlem Irving Companies. While subject to change during the course of negotiations, Zeller & Harlem Irving Companies proposed a six-story mixed-use building with a retail space on the ground floor and 89 residential apartments on the upper floors.
I supported the city’s acquisition of the properties to revitalize an important blighted area, and to that end, also supported the request for redevelopment proposals. Both development groups submitted thoughtful proposals, but the Zeller & Harlem Irving Companies group’s extensive experience was the key differentiator that ultimately made them my preferred option. However, I am still not convinced that the proposed building scale is the only — or best — viable option, and accordingly voted against authorizing negotiation of the redevelopment agreement.
Infrastructure
The city pumps, treats, and supplies surface water from Lake Michigan. The water is drawn through a 16-inch intake pipe located one-half mile from the shoreline at a depth of 25-feet below the lake’s surface. Various contaminants, including microbial, inorganic, pesticides, herbicides, organic chemicals, radioactive elements, turbidity, sodium, lead, and copper, are monitored to ensure water safety. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandates community water suppliers to publish a Consumer Confidence Report, also known as an annual drinking water quality report, that informs residents about their local drinking water quality. The city’s 2025 report — which covers the period of January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024 — confirms that the city’s drinking water met all EPA and state water health standards, with no water quality violations recorded. The city is, however, continuing to develop and implement plans to comply with new laws and regulations aimed at establishing a safe level of lead throughout water systems (e.g., testing for lead at the tap, replacing lead and galvanized service lines, new water treatment for lead and copper control).
This spring, the city will be resurfacing Washington Ave (from Western Ave. to Sheridan Rd.). The project also includes sanitary and storm sewer improvements, curb and gutter replacement, and ADA-compliant curb ramp improvements. The Illinois Department of Transportation facilitated the construction bidding process and awarded the contract to Peter Baker & Son. The estimated project cost is $500k, with $100k funded from the federal Surface Transportation Program and $400k from city funds. The city has contracted with Christopher B. Burke Engineering to provide project oversight services. Construction is expected to begin on April 21st and be complete within 60 days (construction notice here). The City Council voted to adopt a new resolution to correct a clerical error in a previously adopted resolution — an administrative step required to authorize the city’s funding and receive federal funding for the project.
The city, along with more than 60 other government agencies (e.g., Deerfield, Highland Park, Lake County, Lake Forest, Libertyville, Lincolnshire), participated in a bid process facilitated by the Lake County Division of Transportation to purchase deicing salt for the 2025–26 winter season. The City Council voted to accept a bid from Morton Salt for up to 1k tons of salt at $88.32 per ton, which represents a 5% increase from the 2024-25 price.
Licensing
In accordance with state law, the Mayor serves as the city’s local liquor control commissioner, with powers including granting, suspending, and revoking liquor licenses. On April 2, the Mayor convened a hearing for alleged violations of the city’s liquor code at Teddy O’Brian’s (e.g., serving alcohol to minors, failing to report criminal and liquor code violations, failing to assist police investigations). Last week, the Mayor ordered that Teddy O’Brian’s liquor license be revoked. The liquor license holder subsequently appealed the revocation order to the Illinois Liquor Control Commission, which allows the business to continue operating pending its decision.
The owners of The Merchant (122 North Ave.) applied for a Class E liquor license and passed the required background checks. This license permits the sale of packaged beer, wine, and spirits for consumption off premises. The City Council voted to amend the city code to increase the number of available Class E licenses by one so that the Mayor can grant the requested license.
Parks & Public Spaces
The Everts Park expansion project at 340 Green Bay Rd. (final renderings here and here) is underway. The contractor has excavated, removed contaminated soil (site was previously used as gas station and auto repair shop), made underground storm sewer connections, graded for a walking path, and cast a concrete mural wall. The project is on schedule to be completed in June.
Public Comment
Residents expressed opposition to the proposed rezoning of a 4-acre property on Westover Rd. for use as a symphony center and asked the city to require the property owner to submit a business plan.
Resident and Chamber of Commerce President, George Zamarron, expressed his and the Chamber’s gratitude for the civic contributions of outgoing Aldermen Falberg, Hospodarsky, and Levi.
A resident inquired about the laws related to the sale of cocktails to-go.
Recycling
In 2017, the city became one of the first municipalities in the state to offer curbside organics recycling (i.e., composting). The goal of this service is to divert food waste from landfills, where it accounts for about 20% of the state’s waste—the largest single waste stream in the state. Residents can place food scraps and food-soiled paper or cardboard directly in their organics carts (i.e., the smallest of the three issued carts) or use BPI compostable liners or paper bags (additional guidelines here). The organics carts are collected curbside weekly, alongside trash and recycling carts. The city is offering free in-home compost bins at City Hall (17 Highwood Ave.) on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.
Other
The City Council voted to approve meeting minutes from April 2, 2025.
The Chamber of Commerce’s 1-Year Anniversary & Ribbon Cutting event for Art Lab will be held on April 17th from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm at Art Lab (421 Sheridan Rd.); additional information here.
The Chamber of Commerce’s Ladies Night Out: Run for the Roses event will be held on May 1st from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at various locations in downtown Highwood (starting point is City Hall at 17 Highwood Ave.); additional information here.
The Chamber of Commerce’s Junk in the Trunk event will be held on May 11th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm in the Metra station parking lot (317 Green Bay Rd.); additional information here.
The Chamber of Commerce’s Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting event for Electric Collective Hair Lab and Tattoo Art Collective will be held on May 17th from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Electric Collective Hair Lab (20 Highwood Ave.) and Tattoo Art Collective (43 Highwood Ave.); additional information here.
Meeting Records