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2010-12-15 - Plan Commission - Minutes Board or Commission: ❑ Plan Commission Document Type: 0 A e g nda 0 Minutes Meeting ate: 12/15/2010 Type of Meeting: ❑ Regular Meeting REGULAR MEETING BUFFALO GROVE PLAN COMMISSION December 15, 2010 Proposed child care facility at the Torah Academy (Congregation Beth Am building), 225 McHenry Road Review of amendment of Special use Vice Chairman Bocek called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Village Council Chambers, Buffalo Grove Municipal Building, 50 Raupp Boulevard, Buffalo Grove, Illinois. Commissioners present: Ms. Bocek Mr. Khan Mr. Teplinsky Mr. Stark Mr. Cohn Ms. Myer Mr. Weinstein Commissioners absent: Chairman Ottenheimer Also present: Rabbi Steven Zehnwirth, Torah Academy Ms. DeAnn Glover, Village Trustee Mr. Robert Pfeil, Village Planner APPROVAL OF MINUTES Moved by Commissioner Myer, seconded by Commissioner Stark to approve the regular meeting minutes of November 17, 2010. All Commissioners were in favor of the amended motion and the motion passed unanimously with Commissioners Khan and Teplinsky abstaining. COMMITTEE AND LIAISON REPORTS Commissioner Stark attended the Village Board meeting on December 6, 2010 and stated Commissioner Smith was appointed to fill the recent vacancy on the Village board. The ordinance approving the amendment for the planned unit development for Riverwalk concerning the sign for Prime Source Healthcare was passed unanimously. Also there was a Plan Commission referral for the Torah Academy special use for the daycare and extended play area. PROPOSED CHILD DAY CARE FACILITY AT THE TORAH ACADEMY (CONGREGATION BETH AM BUILDING), 225 MCHENRY ROAD — REVIEW OF REQUEST TO AMEND THE SPECIAL USE Rabbi Steven Zehnwirth stated the day school is presently K through 8f which is slowly building up. They started with 3, 4 and 5 year olds and a pre-school and kindergarten last year. They have added a combined first and second grade this year. Rabbi Zehnwirth noted that last year when seeking approval for the Torah Academy he had stated they were not seeking to open a daycare or babysitting service. The school is still the primary mission; however, parents with both school—aged and pre—school children have expressed interest in day care services. Parents have noted that it would be a benefit to minimize travel by having children of various ages at the same location. A day care facility will also provide a feeder for the school. Therefore, the Torah Academy believes it is advisable to initiate child care services. Torah has applied to DCFS for a license to operate a child day care facility. Rabbi Zehnwirth stated the classrooms in the building are abundant with about 20 or so classrooms and they are only occupying about 5 to 6 of these rooms. For the time being they would only need one more room for the child day care operation. Parking is quite abundant as well in the surrounding areas of the building. This is not a situation where there would be long term parking except for staff members and that is limited to one or two people per classroom and does not overlap temple usage. The Torah Academy and a child day care operation can be accommodated by the building and parking areas. The play area has the huge grassy area of which only a small amount is being used now and they could add on a small area to satisfy DCFS regulations of having a suitable play area for two year olds of 600 square feet in a different area than the older children. Commissioner Stark noted there is a drop off area at the back of the building which is covered and asked if drop off could also be at the front door. Rabbi Zehnwirth stated the temple prefers the front door be kept open for temple business and the Academy have its own entrance. He further noted the driveway swings right up to the back door and is very convenient for parents to drop off their children. The awning also makes it nice and dry. Commissioner Stark asked if Mr. Sheehan had yet been out to inspect. Mr. Pfeil commented that Mr. Sheehan and the Deputy Fire Marshall are aware of the proposed use and how it will fit in with the current school facility. Mr. Sheehan has commented about the fence for the play area, noting that is has to be of secure construction with self—closing and self— latching gates. Commissioner Stark asked about the fence around the play area. Rabbi Zehnwirth noted they have been told they need to upgrade the fence and stated they will work with Mr. Sheehan and try to satisfy the Village requirements. Commissioner Myer asked how many children are at the academy now and how many additional kids will be served by the day care facility. Rabbi Zehnwirth stated the initial class of two year olds would be 8 children maximum. If they were to add on in subsequent years with one year olds or younger it would require more staff so it would not increase more than double at most. Commissioner Myer asked about staffing for the day care operation and related parking demand. Rabbi Zehnwirth stated the additional staff it would only require another couple of parking spaces. Commissioner Myer asked if there would be any traffic congestion with the drop off and pick up times. Rabbi Zehnwirth stated he has not seen any congestion so far. Parents seem to do whatever is convenient for them and seems to be staggered naturally. That part of the neighborhood is quiet by itself and there is a nice long wrap around driveway around the building. Commissioner Teplinsky asked if upgrading the fence would include raising the height of the fence from 4 to 5 feet or greater if the Village deems it appropriate. Rabbi Zehnwirth stated the Village requires the same 48 inches as DCFS which is already there and materials would be upgraded and if 5 feet is necessary it would be done. Commissioner Teplinsky stated he had felt at the initial meeting about year ago that there would be a need for expanding and adding a daycare. He noted putting a daycare facility in a place like Beth Am where the alternative might be someone coming here for a residential daycare facility is a great idea and he is in favor of granting this request. Commissioner Weinstein asked if the hours of operation would change at all by expanding and getting a different license. Rabbi Zenith stated that it is possible that the start and end times would be a bit earlier and later than the current schedule. The currently the school hours are 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and the day care facility may need to start at 7:30 a.m. and go to 6:00 p.m. The earliest start time that would be considered is 7:00 a.m. Commissioner Weinstein asked if there is any overlap of kids coming for Hebrew school. Rabbi Zehnwirth stated there is some small overlap as they have Hebrew school two nights per week. The Tuesday and Wednesday nights they have are different groups from 4-6:00 pm so there is some overlap there. However, many classrooms are vacant. Commissioner Weinstein asked if the drop off in the rear of the building is also used by parents and students coming to the classes conducted by Beth Am in the afternoon and evening. Rabbi Zehnwirth said he thinks both the front and rear entrances are being used by people coming to the Beth Am facility. Some parents use the back but they use a different main double door in the back. Commissioner Weinstein asked about the status of licensing with the DCFS. Rabbi Zehnwirth said it has already been over a year since the licensing process was initiated. He thinks they are at the very end of the process and expect to secure a license in the near future. Commissioner Weinstein asked about the food service. Rabbi Zehnwirth stated they use a caterer and use totally disposable dishes and cutlery, as required by DCFS. Everything is delivered hot and served very quickly. Commissioner Cohn asked where the door is for kids to go out to the play area. Rabbi Zehnwirth pointed out the door on the north side of the building facing the play area. They have florescent"people" that are set up by the teachers and the kids are then crossed across the parking area by the teachers. Mr. Pfeil noted that notice of the Plan Commission review was sent to adjacent property owners in the residential subdivisions to the north and east of the Beth Am property. He indicated that no calls or correspondence has been received from adjacent residents concerning the proposed child care facility. Trustee Glover said she has some concerns about whether the 4—foot fence is high enough to provide adequate safety for the children. Moved by Commissioner Weinstein, seconded by Commissioner Stark to recommend approval to the Village Board for the request to amend the special use by the Torah Academy to add a child day care facility subject to: 1. Obtaining DCFS licensing, and 2. Installation of fencing for the play area with self closing and self latching gates in accordance with Village policy. Commissioner Cohn made a motion to amend the motion to stipulate that the minimum height of four feet for the fence is subject to review by Village staff, and a height of more than four feet may be required if staff determines it is necessary. All Commissioners were in favor of the amended motion. The motion as amended to recommend approval of the special use amendment for the child day care facility passed unanimously by a vote of 7 "ayes" and no "nays." CHAIRMAN'S REPORT—None FUTURE AGENDA SCHEDULE Mr. Pfeil indicated that regular meeting scheduled for January 5, 2011 would be canceled. He noted that the Village's Bicycle Path Ad Hoc committee will meet at 6:00 p.m. on January 5. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS -None STAFF REPORT Mr. Pfeil commented that the Village in conjunction with the consulting engineer conducted a public information meeting on December 15 concerning improvements being planned for Lake Cook Road and Weiland Road. The extension of Weiland Road to Prairie Road has been planned for about 20 years by the Village and Lake County Division of Transportation. The current planning is intended to prepare the project for funding opportunities, but there is no construction schedule. NEW BUSINESS—None ADJOURNMENT Moved by Commissioner Teplinsky, seconded by Commissioner Stark and carried unanimously to adjourn. Vice Chairman Bocek adjourned the meeting at 8:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Fay Rubin, Recording Secretary APPROVED BY: DENISE BOCEK, Vice Chair