Village Toughens, Passes Fresh Thyme Permit

Before the Deerfield Village Board of Trustees unanimously approved a special use permit allowing Fresh Thyme Farmers Market to operate at Cadwell Corners, it made requirements of the ordinance and supplemental agreement tougher Tuesday at their regularly scheduled meeting.

Taking the unprecedented step of setting forth restrictions on delivery times, hours of operation and more in a supplemental side agreement accompanying the ordinance to allay neighbors’ concerns of a potential nuisance in the area, the Trustees added more teeth to the agreement before final passage.

Now both Village officials and people who live nearby will have the right to review video footage of the delivery area to be certain no goods arrive at the store before 8 a.m. or after 8 p.m. Neighbors were worried about noise at off hours.

“The Village has the absolute right to go in and review video as does the homeowners association for proof of violation,” Village Attorney Peter Colbentz said.

The video review was not the only change. Trustee Robert Nadler asked that three meetings be required a year for the first two years of the agreement between Fresh Thyme, the owners of the shopping center, the Village and the neighbors.

Four area residents spoke at the meeting as well. One was completely in favor of the ordinance while the others were still worried about the impact of the new store on their property. A group of area residents have been criticizing the proposal since it was first made.

“The biggest issue I’m having is my privacy is gone,” Michael Berliant said. “I can see right into my house in a sedan three feet off the ground. We had a lot of dead buckthorn but it served a purpose.” Old landscaping was removed and 15 new trees were planted a few weeks ago.

After the Board’s Oct. 21 meeting when neighbors voiced objections to the lack of privacy afforded by the new trees, Village Manager Kent Street took a look at the situation and negotiated an agreement for additional trees. Berliant and other area property owners were still concerned.

Budget Gets No Public Comment

After passing the Fresh Thyme ordinance, the Board held a public hearing on the Village’s 2014 budget of $41,303,248. Projected revenue next year is $39,380,160 and Finance Director Erik Burk told Patch before the meeting the balance would come from reserves.

No member of the public spoke. The Board will vote on the budget at its Nov. 18 meeting. There will also be a public hearing on a proposed property tax increase that night.

Patch will have a more detailed story on both issues later this week.

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