1993-04-14 - Plan Commission - Minutes FUBLIC HEARING
BUFFALO GROVE PLAN COMMISSION
April 14, 1993
463 St. Mary's Parkway,
Special Use for a Child Day Care Home
Acting Chairman Rhodes called the meeting to order at 7: 30
P.M. in Room 24, Buffalo Grove Alcott Center, 530 Bernard
Drive, Buffalo Grove, Illinois and read the Notice of Public
Hearing as published in the Buffalo Grove Daily Herald,
explained the format of the meeting and swore in persons who
were giving testimony at the hearing.
Commissioner present: Mr. Krug
Mr. Rhodes
Ms. Howard
Mr. Rosenston
Mr. Samuels
Commissioner absent: Chairman Silbernik
Mr. Goldspiel
Ms. Genell
Mr. Berman
Also present: Ms. Joanne Donovan
Mr. Charles Hendricks, Village Trustee
Mr. William Reid, Village Trustee
Mr. Thomas Dempsey, Village Attorney
Mr. Robert Pfeil, Village Planner
The following exhibits were presented by the petitioner at
the public hearing:
Exhibit A: Copy of child day care license from the Illinois
Department of Children and Family Services dated
March 15, 1993
Exhibit B: Plat of survey dated August 8, 1990
Ms. Joanne Donovan stated that she has received a license
\/ from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Service
(DCFS) , and she is now requesting approval of a Special Use
from the Village of Buffalo Grove so that she can begin
caring for children at her home. Ms. Donovan stated that she
has a college degree in elementary education and she has been
working for the past three years at a commercial day care
center.
Buffalo Grove Plan Comm-Public Hearing-April 14, 1993-Page 1
commercial centers. She addressed the Special Use criteria
and standards for child day care in the Zoning Ordinance,
stating that the children would have a safe play area in the
rear yard of her property which has a fence four feet in
height. She said that the children would be continuously
monitored in the outdoor play area, and no undue noise would
be produced. She stated that her day care home would be a
benefit to Village residents by providing a needed service
without producing any problems for the neighborhood.
Commissioner Krug inquired how many children would be cared
for, and what ages would be served.
Ms. Donovan stated that she has two children of her own, and
she can care for four additional children. She said that her
DCFS license stipulates that four of the children will be
under five years old, and she will not care for children less
than fifteen months. She said that she will not have
employees, but she has made arrangements for other people to
care for the children if necessary.
Commissioner Samuels asked if Ms. Donovan is knowledgeable of
the Village's zoning regulations concerning child day care
homes, and if she will follow all the regulations and meet
the applicable standards.
Ms. Donovan replied affirmatively.
Commissioner Samuels asked if parking is available on Ms.
Donovan's property for people bringing children to the home.
Ms. Donovan said that her driveway is large enough to provide
adequate parking for people driving to her property.
Commissioner Samuels inquired if the play area is in place
already.
Ms. Donovan said the play area is in place, but she has not
installed play equipment yet.
Commissioner Samuels inquired if the Village has inspected
the property.
Mr. Pfeil stated that the Village's Health Officer has
coordinated an inspection with the Deputy Fire Marshal
and Building and Zoning Department. The Health Officer
reported that the property meets applicable Village
regulations.
Commissioner Samuels inquired if the insp
ection included the
safety of electrical outlets.
!,
Buffalo Grove Plan Comm-Public Hearing-April 14, 1993-Page 2
Ms. Donovan said that both the Village and DCFS looked at
electrical outlets as part of their respective inspections.
Commissioner Samuels inquired if there are other day care
homes in Ms. Donovan's neighborhood.
Ms. Donovan stated that she is not aware of any other day
care homes in her neighborhood.
Commissioner Samuels asked if Ms. Donovan believes that her
day care home will not be detrimental to the public safety.
Mr. Donovan said her home will not be detrimental to public
safety.
Commissioner Rosenston asked if there would be any use of
amplified sound outdoors.
Ms. Donovan said that she would not use any sound amplifiers.
Commissioner Rosenston inquired if Ms. Donovan has received
any comments from any neighbors concerning her proposed day
care home.
Ms. Donovan said she has received no comments from neighbors.
Commissioner Rosenston inquired about the fence for the play
area.
Ms. Donovan said the fence if four feet high and encloses the
rear yard area used for the play area.
Commissioner Rhodes indicated that the fence does not look
very sturdy, and he would prefer a better fence.
Ms. Donovan said the children would never be left outside
alone, and she can adequately supervise six children in the
play area. She noted that she takes care of sixteen children
at the commercial day care center where she now works.
Commissioner Samuels asked if cooking for the children will
be done, and how the children will be supervised when Ms.
Donovan is preparing meals.
Ms. Donovan said she will be preparing cooked meals for the
children, and she can supervise the children while preparing
the meals because her kitchen is right next to the children's
indoor play area.
Commissioner Samuels inquired if there are stairs in the
home.
Buffalo Grove Plan Comm-Public Hearing April 14, 1993-Page 3
Ms. Donovan said her home is a one-floor ranch design with no
stairs.
Commissioner Krug asked if the shed in the rear yard is
locked.
Ms. Donovan said the shed is locked, so children won't be
able to get in to it.
There being no further comments or questions from anyone
present, Acting Chairman Rhodes closed the public hearing at
7:50 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Aekol- 6, ii4/=?'
Robert E. Pfeil, VVillage Planner
APP OVED BY:
DU Y DES, Acting Chairman
Buffalo Grove Plan Comm-Public Hearing-April 14, 1993-Page 4
SPECIAL MEETING
BUFFALO GROVE PLAN COMMISSION
April 14, 1993
463 St. Mary's Parkway
Special Use for a Child Day Care Home
Acting Chairman Rhodes called the meeting to order at 7:50
P.M. in Room 24, Buffalo Grove Park District Alcott Center,
530 Bernard Drive, Buffalo Grove, Illinois.
Commissioners present: Mr. Krug
Mr. Rhodes
Ms. Howard
Mr. Rosenston
Mr. Samuels
Commissioners absent: Chairman Silbernik
Mr. Goldspiel
Ms. Genell
Mr. Berman
Also present: Ms. Joanne Donovan
Mr. Charles Hendricks, Village Trustee
Mr. William Reid, Village Trustee
Mr. Thomas Dempsey, Village Attorney
Mr. Robert Pfeil, Village Planner
APPROVAL OF MINUTES - None
COMMITTEE AND LIAISON REPORTS
Commissioner Rosenston reported the following items from the
Village Board meeting of April 12, 1993 :
1. The Board discussed the expenditures of Village funds and
staff time regarding Melvin Simon's request to
re-structure the bond issue for the Town Center Tax
Increment Financing District.
2 . The Board approved the 1993 Village Zoning Map.
3 . The Board approved proclamations for Cancer Control Month,
Girl Scout Leaders' Day, Days of Remembrance of the
Victims of the Holocaust and Building Safety Week.
4. The Board heard comments from parents and students
concerning traffic speed on Golfview Terrace near Kilmer
Buffalo Grove Plan Comm-Special Meeting-April 14, 1993-Page 1
School. The Board indicated that they would approve an
ordinance reducing the speed limit to 25 miles per hour,
and in front of the school, the speed limit will be 20
miles per hour at all times.
5. Residents of the Meadows Subdivision at Prairie and Port
Clinton Road raised concerns about the planning and design
of improvements to Buffalo Grove Road. The Board heard
comments, and informed the residents that the Indian Creek
Subdivision would have a public hearing concerning the
annexation agreement of May 3, 1993, and concerns about
future Buffalo Grove Road improvements could be made at
that time.
SPECIAL USE FOR A CHILD DAY CARE HOME AT 463 ST. MARY'S
PARKWAY
Moved by Commissioner Rosenston, seconded by Commissioner
Howard, to recommend approval of a Special Use for a child
day care home at the property, zoned in the R-6A District.
Commissioner Samuels noted that Ms. Donovan has followed the
Village's procedural regulations by obtaining the DCFS
license and requesting a Special Use from the Village before
actually beginning her day care home.
Commissioner Rosenston said that the record should show that
the Commission determined that Ms. Donovan has addressed the
Special Use standards for a day care home.
Acting Chairman Rhodes called for a vote on the motion and
the vote was as follows:
AYES: Krug, Rhodes, Howard, Rosenston, Samuels
NAYES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Silbernik, Goldspiel, Genell, Berman
The motion passed 5 to 0.
ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS CONCERNING CHILD DAY CARE HOMES
IN RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS
The Commission decided to continue this item to the April 21,
1993 meeting.
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT - None
Buffalo Grove Plan Comm-Special Meeting-April 14, 1993-Page 2
FUTURE AGENDA SCHEDULE
Mr. Pfeil noted that the April 21, 1993 meeting will include
a public hearing for the Speedway Service Station on
Milwaukee Avenue and a workshop concerning Zoning Ordinance
amendments for child day care homes in residential districts.
PUBLIC COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS - None
STAFF REPORT - None
NEW BUSINESS
Commissioner Krug inquired if municipalities will be required
to begin using the metric system for areas such as
engineering.
Mr. Pfeil said he would ask the Village Engineer if such
requirement is mandated by the Federal or State governments.
Commissioner Rosenston said the Village should look at its
requirements concerning fences for play areas at day care
homes. It may be necessary to identify minimum standards for
the type of fence to ensure that the fencing will adequately
protect children.
Commissioner Samuels asked if day care home operators are
required to obtain insurance.
Trustee Hendricks said he doesn't think the Village can
require this, but day care providers probably obtain
insurance to protect against personal liability.
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Commissioner Rosenston, seconded by Commissioner
Howard, and carried unanimously to adjourn. Acting Chairman
Rhodes adjourned the meeting at 8:05 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
/C4tAY- ,PC1(
Robert E. Pfeil, V llage Planner
APP V D BY•
DU Y RI%ODES, Acting Chairman
Buffalo Grove Plan Comm-Special Meeting-April 14, 1993-Page 3