Mission: To plan, design, and implement capital improvements and restoration programs to forest preserve sites as well as oversee the District’s land acquisition program to preserve and expand the forest preserve lands and facilities.
The Planning and Development Department of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County contains six distinct sections:
- Landscape Architecture
- Engineering & Construction
- Building Architect
- Real Estate & Licensing
- Information Technology including Geographic Information Systems
- Grant Development
As a whole the Planning and Development Department is responsible for many varied tasks:- Master Planning
- Site and Facility Design Policy
- In-House Preparation of Plans and Specifications for Construction Bid work
- Reviewing Plan and Specification Preparation by Consultants
- Construction Observation
- Grant Preparation and Administration
- Land Acquisition Studies
- Assist Land Manager in Reforestation, Meadow Control, Transition Management, and Restoration
- Review Outside Agency Plans Affecting the FPD
- Maintain Real Estate Records of the District
- Issue Licenses for Use of District Land by Outside Agencies and Oversee Same
- Investigate Complaints and Encroachments
- Apply for Grants and administer tracking and reimbursement activities
- Develop a GIS base to record the District’s assets and land management activities
- Technical Assistance to Other Departments
- Maintain a database of deferred maintenance and capital projects that are used to prioritize implementation and request additional funding
- Maintain Site Plans, Construction Documents, and Other Pertinent Documents
- Prepare and Oversee Construction and Development Budget
- Input to Housing and Environmental Committees and ADA Compliance
- Participate in a Variety of Interdepartmental and Inter-Agency Committees, Task Forces
- Represent the FPD on Governmental Task Forces, Civil Committees and Other Public Forums Regarding Land Planning and FPD Issues
