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2009-06-03 - Plan Commission - Minutes Board or Commission: ❑ Plan Commission Document Type: 0 A e g nda 0 Minutes Meeting ate: 06/03/2009 Type of Meeting: ❑ Regular Meeting REGULAR MEETING BUFFALO GROVE PLAN COMMISSION June 3, 2009 Proposed Torah Academy at the Congregation Beth Am 225 McHenry Road—Amendment of a special use in the B-3 District—Workshop #1 Chairman Ottenheimer 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: Chairman Ottenheimer Mr. Smith Ms. Bocek Mr. Teplinsky Mr. Stark Mr. Cohn Ms. Myer Commissioners absent: Mr. Khan Mr. Weinstein Also present: Rabbi Steven Zehnwirth Ms. Beverly Sussman, Village Trustee Mr. Robert Pfeil, Village Planner APPROVAL OF MINUTES Moved by Commissioner Stark, seconded by Commissioner Bocek to approve the minutes of the public hearing of May 20, 2009. All Commissioner were in favor of the motion and the motion passed unanimously with Commissioners Smith, Teplinsky and Myer abstaining. Moved by Commissioner Stark, seconded by Commissioner Bocek to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of May 20, 2009. All Commissioners were in favor of the motion and the motion passed unanimously with Commissioners Smith, Teplinsky and Myer abstaining. COMMITTEE AND LIAISON REPORTS Commissioner Stark attended the Village Board meeting on May 18, 2009 and stated there were no referrals to the Plan Commission. He noted the OTB project was approved 4 to 2. PROPOSED TORAH ACADEMY AT THE CONGREGATION BETH AM, 225 MC HENRY ROAD—AMENDMENT OF A SPECIAL USE IN THE B-3 DISTRICT—WORKSHOP 91 Rabbi Zehnwirth stated they are trying to start a private elementary school which will provide both religious education and a general education as received in public school. He noted they are starting in the fall with just a few age groups, namely, 3, 4, 5 and 6 year olds. They will add on each year as the kids graduate each grade. Eventually they would like to become a full K through 8 elementary school. He noted he did not think it would last until then in the same location as they will probably outgrow that and hopefully will have their own place by that time. However, to start off it makes more sense to be in a rented place. Rabbi Zehnwirth stated they would like to start at Beth Am in the classrooms which are not being used during the day at all. All they have here is a Sunday school and an after school program later in the afternoon. He noted they will be open from 9:00 on. The school would not overlap with Beth Am's requirements and would not be a burden to anyone. Therefore it is a very good fit. Chairman Ottenheimer asked if the Torah Academy is in existence now or if it is a new startup. Rabbi Zehnwirth stated it is brand new and the first classes will be in September. Commissioner Stark asked how many children it will take to outgrow this location. Rabbi Zehnwirth noted there are many variables and most schools would like to be in its own building. That way the teachers can decorate as they want and never have to switch things out. Commissioner Stark asked how this is differentiated as a school rather than a day care center for the three year olds. Rabbi Zehnwirth noted the school is actually educating the children. Of course, at lower ages it is appropriate to do it more through play type of activities but it is a learning experience. He stated they are not just entertaining the kids. Commissioner Stark asked what the school hours would be. Rabbi Zehnwirth stated the core hours will be 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. They will have extra classes if people want to have some kind of music classes or extra language classes that will be held before or after. Commissioner Teplinsky asked if the Torah Academy would typically be open and closed the same days as Beth Am. Rabbi Zehnwirth stated Beth Am being a temple its busiest days are Saturday and Sunday when the school will not be in session at all. Commissioner Teplinsky noted the busiest times are usually for drop off and pick up for school. Rabbi Zehnwirth stated school is over at 3:30 p.m. but if people cannot pick up right then they will have a few other enrichment classes available. Commissioner Smith asked if much parking would be needed. Rabbi Zehnwirth stated no. Chairman Ottenheimer asked how much staff is anticipated the first year. Rabbi Zehnwirth stated probably less than 10 people. He noted they would like to have a teacher and an aide for each classroom. Chairman Ottenheimer noted that as classes are added more staff would be added and asked if parking would still not be a problem Rabbi Zehnwirth stated it would not present a parking problem. Commissioner Cohn asked if there is a playground or gym or some place for the kids to play as there is not a lot of green space around this property. Rabbi Zehnwirth stated there is a tremendous amount of indoor space. He noted the classrooms are shaped in a large U and there is a big central area. There is also a multi-purpose room which is an extension of the sanctuary and then there is a huge social hall. Most of the year when the weather is too cold outside anyway that will be the play area for the children. In nicer weather they can take them outside as there is some grass on the side. Mr. Pfeil asked if there might ever be buses used as older grades are added. Rabbi Zehnwirth stated he cannot really predict. Mr. Pfeil asked what area the Rabbi was referring to concerning the grassy area. Rabbi Zehnwirth stated the grassy area to the north would be the most simply for the kids. Mr. Phil Skillman, 109 Woodstone Drive, stated his only concern is the roads in and out and wondered if there would be any impediment or would the roads be closed off in any way. Chairman Ottenheimer asked if there is any anticipation of changing traffic patterns or closing off roads. Rabbi Zehnwirth stated he does not see why there would be and does not see a need for that. Chairman Ottenheimer asked once again what the projection was for a maximum number of students at this location. Rabbi Zehnwirth stated 150 is the largest extent he can see. Trustee Sussman asked if the total of 150 students is after many years of existence of the Torah Academy. Rabbi Zehnwirth stated he feels they will probably be gone long before they actually have an 8t' grade. Chairman Ottenheimer asked if there are students signed up now. Rabbi Zehnwirth stated they have about 7 or 8 now but a lot of people on the fence at the moment. Mr. Pfeil noted the roads through Woodstone and Winchester Estates are public streets so they could not be closed. He suggested that if there is any traffic situation now or in the future that residents in the area feel is attributable to a particular use, they should contact Village staff. The Village's Traffic Committee would monitor the situation and determine if any remedial actions are necessary. Moved by Commissioner Teplinsky, seconded by Commissioner Smith for a positive recommendation of the Torah Academy's request for a minor amendment to the special use at Congregation Beth Am for the purpose of establishing the Torah Academy at Congregation Beth Am. Chairman Ottenheimer called for a vote on the motion and the vote was as follows: AYES: Smith, Bocek, Teplinsky, Stark, Cohn, Myer, Ottenheimer NAYS: None ABSENT: Khan, Weinstein ABSTAIN: None The motion passed 7 to 0. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT—None FUTURE AGENDA SCHEDULE Mr. Pfeil stated the next meeting will be held on June 17, 2009. STAFF REPORT Mr. Pfeil noted that the Village is starting a revision of the Village Sign Code. The process has started on a staff basis, but soon there will be public and business input. The Village has sent letters to property managers of shopping centers and businesses asking for comment on the current sign regulations, and the comments will be summarized for the Plan Commission and Zoning Board. Both the Plan Commission and the ZBA will be participating in the review. A working committee will be set up including staff, commissioner and elected officials. He asked the Plan Commissioner members to think about whether they would be available to serve on the working committee. NEW BUSINESS—None ADJOURNMENT Moved by Commissioner Smith, seconded by Commissioner Bocek and carried unanimously to adjourn. Chairman Ottenheimer adjourned the meeting at 7:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Fay Rubin, Recording Secretary APPROVED BY: LESTER OTTENHEIMER, Chair