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