Morton Grove holds first readings for Dempster Street TIF amid resident concerns over green space and school capacity

Morton Grove trustees held first readings of three ordinances to establish the Dempster Street redevelopment/TIF project area and heard a wave of public comment urging the village to preserve green space, protect school capacity and limit outsized homes.

Residents Janice Cha and Laura Frisch told the board they want the TIF plan to include “green space, school capacity, and housing size limits.” Cha said a meaningful central park should be part of redevelopment plans. Frisch warned that a TIF that allows “million or multimillion dollar homes” and higher commercial rents would change the neighborhood’s character and could squeeze out existing businesses.

Staff described the ordinances on first reading as ordinance 2602 (redevelopment plan and project area), ordinance 2603 (designation of the legal redevelopment area) and ordinance 2604 (adoption of tax increment allocation financing under the TIF Act). Village administration said consultants completed an eligibility survey, the Joint Review Board unanimously recommended the plan, and the plan and exhibits have been publicly available prior to tonight’s meeting. The administrator emphasized the village is not proposing high‑density apartments or subsidized low‑income housing for the existing village hall/police site and said any future redevelopment of that site would follow a separate public process.

On school capacity, staff presented enrollment data shared by School District 70 and School District 67. The presentation said District 70’s average enrollment over roughly 20 years is about 862 students, with historical lows near 765 and highs near 960; District 67’s average was shown near 621 with a high around 742 and a low near 537. Staff noted that under the TIF Act local school districts may certify additional students associated with housing projects and receive eligible tuition costs.

Staff also said the project scope includes recommendations for safety enhancements at the Dempster trail crossing near the Milwaukee North District line and that consultants (Teska and others) are exploring redevelopment approaches intended to retain neighborhood character and existing businesses.

Board members and staff repeatedly told the public that the three TIF ordinances were being considered together on first reading and will return for second reading and possible action at the Feb. 24, 2026 meeting; no final redevelopment decisions were taken tonight.

"We don't anticipate there being any movement on that process for approximately a year just because we're going to be working on the new village hall site," the village administrator said, noting public outreach and an eventual request for proposals would precede any site‑level decisions.

Votes at a glance

- Appointment: Randy Israel to Appearance Commission — motion made and approved by voice assent (Aye). (Appointment announced and concurred.) - Resolution 26‑08: extend Foster & Foster actuarial contract — passed by roll call (Trustees Mink, Phil, Travis, White: Aye) 4‑0. - Ordinance 2601: make Menard Avenue experimental traffic regulations permanent — passed by roll call 4‑0. - Resolution 26‑09: authorize online auction of unclaimed police property — passed by roll call 4‑0. - Warrants totaling $454,929.97 — approved by roll call 4‑0.

What’s next

The three Dempster Street TIF ordinances were read for the first time and county/state notices and the Joint Review Board recommendation were referenced; staff said the ordinances will be considered for second reading on Feb. 24, 2026 and that the village will host neighborhood outreach (scheduled Feb. 19 at Melzer Elementary) to gather further input before any site‑level redevelopment decisions or request for proposals are issued.