Board approves engineering contract for Waukegan/East Lake intersection after restaurant owner raises access concerns

The Glenview Board of Trustees on Oct. 21 approved a contract with Civiltech Engineering Inc. for phase‑3 engineering services for the Waukegan Road and East Lake Avenue intersection improvements project not to exceed $851,102 (including a $50,000 contingency).

Staff said the project adds right‑turn lanes on each leg, extends left‑turn lanes to increase capacity, replaces the traffic signal and updates timing, narrows some traffic lanes to widen sidewalks, and will add street lighting. Staff also said certain access points will be modified as part of right‑of‑way acquisition and that some driveways will be closed or converted to right‑in/right‑out with barrier curb to improve safety and capacity.

James Hebson, representing Hackney’s at 1514 E. Lake Ave., told the board losing one driveway could “severely impact our business” and described two options his business is pursuing: (1) obtaining an easement or parcel from ComEd to use an adjacent parcel for access/parking or (2) using an 18‑foot strip of private property it already owns to reconfigure access, which would affect neighbors. Hebson said he is assembling documentation for ComEd and working with consultants and encouraged village assistance in navigating ComEd’s process.

Trustees and staff discussed on‑site coordination and agreed the village would continue to work with businesses, ComEd and the consultant to seek reasonable access solutions. Trustee Cooper and others acknowledged the project’s safety benefits but urged staff to help mitigate business impacts.

Trustee Dorn moved approval of item 9B2 with Trustee DeBoni seconding; the board recorded roll‑call affirmative votes and the motion carried.

No appeal or amendment to the contract terms was recorded at the meeting; trustees instructed staff to continue coordination with adjacent property owners and utilities as right‑of‑way acquisition proceeds.