2007-02-21 - Plan Commission - Minutes Board or Commission: ❑ Plan Commission
Document Type: ❑A e
g nda 0 Minutes
Meeting ate: 02/21/2007
Type of Meeting:
PUBLIC HEARING
BUFFALO GROVE PLAN COMMISSION
February 21, 2007
Petition to the Village of Buffalo Grove for amendment of the Special
Use in the Residential Estate District to allow the air inflated dome
(Golf& Sports Center) to remain inflated year-round, and to use the
facility for various recreation and sports programs a maximum of
242 activity days per year with daily operating hours of 6:00 a.m. to
midnight during the operational season
Chairman Ottenheimer called the hearing to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Village Council Chambers,
Buffalo Grove Municipal Building, 50 Raupp Boulevard, Buffalo Grove, Illinois. Chairman
Ottenheimer read the Notice of Public Hearing as published in the Buffalo Grove Daily Herald,
explained the procedure to be followed for the public hearing, and swore in all persons who
wished to give testimony.
Commissioners present: Chairman Ottenheimer
Mr. Smith
Ms. Bocek
Ms. Kenski-Sroka
Mr. Khan
Mr. Teplinsky
Mr. Stark
Commissioners absent: Mr. Cohn
Mr. Podber
Also present: Mr. Michael Rylko, Executive Director, Buffalo Grove Park
District
Mr. Jeffrey Berman, Village Trustee
Ms. Martha Weiss, Commissioner, Buffalo Park District Board
Mr. William G. Raysa, Village Attorney
Mr. Robert Pfeil, Village Planner
The following exhibits were presented by the petitioner at the public hearing:
Exhibit 1: Memo to the Plan Commission from Mr. Robert Pfeil, dated February 16, 2007
Mr. Rylko stated the golf dome is rated number one out of 150 golf domes in the country by the
Golf Range Association of America. He stated they are requesting an extension of the Special
Use in the Residential Estate District to continue for year-round inflation of the golf dome. He
stated that while the golf dome has remained inflated throughout the year, it is the understanding
that the operation year continues to be 242 days as previously approved and that the Park District
has been allowed the flexibility in selecting specific dates to start and end the season. He noted
they have been operating basically from mid-September to mid-May. He stated they will
continue to notify the Fire Department on the exact start time and the end date of the operational
season as they have done in the past.
Mr. Rylko stated they are also requesting the daily schedule be expanded to allow them to
operate from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight. Village staff recommended the structure be removed
December 31, 2014 and the Park District is requesting that be revisited prior to that time and not
necessarily be removed. If the dome is in good shape at that time or just some minor repairs are
required, it may be prudent to keep it as the life expectancy is 15-20 years. He noted he would
recommend review the summer of 2014.
Mr. Rylko stated the Park District has not received any complaints regarding aesthetics, parking,
lighting, usage impact or traffic problems related to the golf dome center since the modified
ordinance was passed in June, 2002. Parking at this facility is excellent with 94 parking stalls in
the primary parking lot and 194 parking in the secondary parking lot. The dome is presently
devoted to golf 78 percent of the time during the prime indoor golf season in November to the
first week in April. The remainder of the operating season is sports programs and sports rentals.
Due to the high cost to take the dome down and reinstall it plus the wear and tear on the structure
itself, they would appreciate the Commission's consideration to allow them to operate as they
have during the last four years and keep the dome inflated.
Commissioner Teplinsky asked why only 242 days is requested for activity.
Mr. Rylko stated the Fire Department and building department noted in 2002 that as a temporary
structure it could remain inflated but could only be used 242 days.
Commissioner Teplinsky noted there is no reason the Park District could not come in before
December, 2014 to seek an amendment to the Special Use.
Commissioner Bocek asked if the fabric of the dome is inspected on any kind of regular basis for
structural integrity.
Mr. Rylko stated they have had a company out for repatching and it is inspected by staff. They
have also had the original installers come out this past summer to do some minor repairs inside
where the netting was torn.
Commissioner Khan asked what other activities the dome is used for.
Mr. Rylko stated they use it for soccer, baseball and lacrosse also.
Commissioner Khan asked if tennis courts could be put in if the number of days are increased.
Mr. Rylko stated they would just have to mark the astro turf for that although they have never
had any request for it.
Chairman Ottenheimer noted there is an issue in the heart of the summer when the dome would
be too hot to be used.
Mr. Rylko stated that is true.
Commissioner Teplinsky asked if inflating and deflating every year decreases the life
expectancy.
Mr. Rylko stated that is true.
Commissioner Smith asked for a review of the special uses or events requested.
Mr. Rylko that it was his impression from the staff memo that they preferred all sports related
events. Originally they would have registration there for special events and they would keep that
to 200 people but they have deferred to the Fire Chief s memo and will keep it for sports
activities only.
There being no further comments or questions from anyone else present, Chairman Ottenheimer
closed the public hearing at 7:52 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Fay Rubin, Recording Secretary
APPROVED BY:
LESTER OTTENHEIMER, Chair
Board or Commission: ❑ Plan Commission
Document Type: ❑A e
g nda 0 Minutes
Meeting ate: 02/21/2007
Type of Meeting:
PUBLIC HEARING
BUFFALO GROVE PLAN COMMISSION
February 21, 2007
Consideration of amendments to the Buffalo Grove Zoning Ordinance,
Title 17 of the Municipal Code, concerning the procedures for re-authorizing
Special uses for child day care homes
Chairman Ottenheimer called the hearing to order at 7:53 p.m. in the Village Council Chambers,
Buffalo Grove Municipal Building, 50 Raupp Boulevard, Buffalo Grove, Illinois. Chairman
Ottenheimer read the Notice of Public Hearing as published in the Buffalo Grove Daily Herald,
explained the procedure to be followed for the public hearing, and swore in all persons who
wished to give testimony.
Commissioners present: Chairman Ottenheimer
Mr. Smith
Ms. Bocek
Ms. Kenski-Sroka
Mr. Khan
Mr. Teplinsky
Mr. Stark
Commissioners absent: Mr. Cohn
Mr. Podber
Also present: Mr. Brian Sheehan, Village Health Officer
Mr. Jeffrey Berman, Village Trustee
Mr. William G. Raysa, Village Attorney
Mr. Robert Pfeil, Village Planner
Chairman Ottenheimer suspended the hearing at 7:55.
Chairman Ottenheimer reconvened the hearing at 8:00 p.m.
The following exhibits were presented by the petitioner at the public hearing:
Exhibit 1: Memo to the Plan Commission from Robert Pfeil dated February 16, 2007
Mr. Robert Pfeil stated the current zoning regulations concerning the re-authorization of
previously approved child day homes requires a public hearing by the Plan Commission, and the
Village Board and staff had explored possibilities for changing that procedure to allow some
administrative review with recommendation to the Village Board. That review would ascertain if
a public hearing by the Commission would be warranted or perhaps the re-authorization for a
day care home had been performing adequately with no serious issues and could be approved by
the Village Board pursuant to staff recommendation.
Mr. Pfeil noted that at the previous workshop, the Commission indicated that they wanted to
learn more about the current procedures for inspection and monitoring. The Commission
requested details about the administrative review process for considering re-authorization
requests and to understand the circumstances that would send a petitioner to the Plan
Commission for a hearing. He noted that Mr. Sheehan, Village Health Officer, currently
administers a very rigorous process for inspections and compliance. There are at least two
unannounced inspections by the Village Health Department staff every year. The Fire
Department is also brought in for a third inspection, again unannounced.
Mr. Pfeil said that if there are complaints by neighbors or other issues that are brought to the
Village's attention, Mr. Sheehan attends to them promptly. The history is that the Village does
not receive many complaints about day care homes. When complaints are made, it often pertains
to parking on the street creating congestion for neighborhood residents, blocking driveway
access for neighboring properties, or questions about the number of children being served at a
home. Overall, Village staff believes that a good monitoring process is in place now, and this
process would be the basis of the administrative review process for re-authorization requests.
Mr. Pfeil noted that Village staff currently tracks the performance of the eight day care homes
operating with special use approvals. There is an annual business license inspection, so there is a
good body of information available for review by staff. Staff would not make the final decision
about re-authorization; this would be done by the Village Board. In some cases the Plan
Commission would conduct a public hearing prior to final action by the Village Board. Village
staff believes that violations of the number of children, complaints regarding child
endangerment, and a pattern of violations and citations are items that would lead to a
recommendation that the Plan Commission conduct a hearing.
Mr. Pfeil commented that the Village's intent is to implement a review process that does not
over-regulate day care providers who are performing adequately with little or no complaints, and
does not require the Plan Commission to conduct hearings when there are no substantive issues
to address.
Commissioner Teplinsky asked if multiple offenses of any of the issues listed should perhaps be
a cause to have a hearing before the Plan Commission.
Mr. Pfeil stated yes. He noted parking is one of the biggest issues. If staff determines that a
provider needs repeated warnings, the review process would probably result in the determination
that the petitioner should appear before the Plan Commission for a public hearing. To a large
extent, the staff s overall assessment of a particular provider, including the pattern of
performance, will determine whether a public hearing is necessary.
Commissioner Teplinsky asked about the need and number of other facilities that may come up
around other existing providers and how that will be dealt with.
Mr. Pfeil replied that is a difficult scenario for a provider who was in place first, and then has to
apply for re-authorization after other day care homes have been subsequently approved in the
same geographic area. He noted that subsequent petitions would be carefully evaluated to ensure
that day care homes do not become concentrated in specific neighborhoods. He said that so far
there has not been geographic concentration to any great extent. He noted that it is possible for
day care homes to be fairly close to each other in terms of distance, but not create issues
regarding concentration if they are on separate streets that do not share traffic patterns.
Commissioner Kenski-Sroka asked how we would enforce a case where a home day care license
has not been extended.
Mr. Pfeil stated the Village Board would need to revoke the special use, and the Village would
send written notice to DCFS and request that the DCFS license not be renewed.
Commissioner Kenski-Sroka asked how many unlicensed day care facilities we have operating
in the Village.
Mr. Sheehan stated when the Village becomes aware of an unlicensed home, they are addressed
promptly. He noted that several of the current day care homes in the Village began as unlicensed
operations that were brought into compliance with Village and DCFS requirements. He noted
that the Village's zoning regulations do not impact the DCFS review process when a license is
being considered. DCFS will sometimes issue licenses allowing more than eight children at a
home. The Village's position is that the Village's zoning standards supercede DCFS licensing, in
terms of the number of children that are allowed at a home. He notifies DCFS staff whenever
there are issues concerning complaints or enforcement of Village standards. Likewise, if DCFS
revokes a license, the Village would revoke the special use authorization. Up to three children
can be cared for in a home without licensing by either the Village or DCFS.
There being no further comments or questions from anyone else present, Chairman Ottenheimer
closed the public hearing at 8:11 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Fay Rubin, Recording Secretary
APPROVED BY:
LESTER OTTENHEIMER, Chair
Board or Commission: ❑ Plan Commission
Document Type: 0 A e
g nda 0 Minutes
Meeting ate: 02/21/2007
Type of Meeting: ❑ Regular Meeting
REGULAR MEETING
BUFFALO GROVE PLAN COMMISSION
February 21, 2007
Village Zoning Ordinance, Title 17 of the Municipal Code, consideration
Of amendments concerning the re-authorization of special uses
For child day care homes
Buffalo Grove Park District, 801 McHenry Road—Amendment of
Special use for the Golf& Sports Center Dome in the
Residential Estate District
Chairman Ottenheimer called the meeting to order at 7:55 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
Ms. Kenski-Sroka
Mr. Khan
Mr. Teplinsky
Mr. Stark
Commissioners absent: Mr. Cohn
Mr. Podber
Also Present: Mr. Mike Rylko, Executive Director, Buffalo Grove Park District
Mr. Jeffrey Berman, Village Trustee
Ms. Martha Weiss, Commissioner, Buffalo Park District Board
Mr. William Raysa, Village Attorney
Mr. Brian Sheehan, Village Health Officer
Mr. Robert Pfeil, Village Planner
APPROVAL OF MINUTES—None
COMMITTEE AND LIAISON REPORTS
Commissioner Bocek stated she attended the Board meeting on February 5, 2007 where two
items were referred to the Plan Commission. One was the petition for rezoning from a
Residential Estate District to an R-3 District at 2801 Prairie Road and 16468 W. Brockman
Avenue. The other referral was a proposed dance studio at 1350 Abbott Court that would be a
Special Use for a recreational facility in the Industrial District. There is potentially a parking
issue concerning drop-offs and pick-ups and peak parking demand. The site has a total of 18
parking spaces.
Commissioner Smith stated he attended the Board meeting on February 20, 2007 where the
Prestige Leasing development was reviewed concerning an amendment of the Special Use to
allow modifications of the exterior building appearance. The curved roof has been removed, but
the Village Board directed the developer to prepare a revised elevation adding a curved element.
Consideration of the ordinance was deferred.
BUFFALO GROVE PARK DISTRICT, 801 MC HENRY ROAD — AMENDMENT OF
SPECIAL USE FOR THE GOLF & SPORTS CENTER DOME IN THE RESIDENTIAL
ESTATE DISTRICT
Moved by Commissioner Teplinsky, seconded by Commissioner Smith to recommend approval
to the Village Board of a petition for amendment of the Special Use in the Residential Estate
District to allow the air-inflated dome (Golf& Sports Center) to remain inflated year-round, to
be removed on December 31, 2014 and to use the facility for various recreation and sports
programs a maximum of 242 activity days per year, with daily operating hours of 6:00 a.m. to
midnight during the operational season.
Mr. Rylko requested that the date for removal of the dome be changed to June 1, 2015 because
December is in the middle of the season.
Commissioner Teplinsky stated he will amend his motion to have the removal date June 1, 2015.
Commissioner Kenski-Sroka seconded the motion.
Chairman Ottenheimer called for a voice vote on the motion and all Commissioners were in
favor of the motion.
The motion passed 7 to 0.
Chairman Ottenheimer reopened the meeting at 8:12 p.m.
VILLAGE ZONING ORDINANCE, TITLE 17 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE,
CONSIDERATION OF AMENDMENTS CONCERNING THE RE-AUTHORIZATION OF
SPECIAL USES FOR CHILD DAY CARE HOMES
Moved by Commissioner Teplinsky, seconded by Commissioner Smith to recommend approval
to the Village Board of the amendments to the Buffalo Grove Zoning Ordinance, Title 17 of the
Municipal Code concerning the procedures for re-authorizing special uses for child day care
homes.
Chairman Ottenheimer called for a voice vote on the motion and the motion passed unanimously
7to0.
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT—None
FUTURE AGENDA SCHEDULE
Mr. Pfeil stated the next scheduled meeting will be March 7, 2007.
STAFF REPORT—None
NEW BUSINESS—None
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Commissioner Teplinsky, seconded by Commissioner Bocek and carried unanimously
to adjourn. Chairman Ottenheimer adjourned the meeting at 8:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Fay Rubin, Recording Secretary
APPROVED BY:
LESTER OTTENHEIMER, Chair