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1995-09-20 - Plan Commission - Minutes REGULAR MEETING BUFFALO GROVE PLAN COMMISSION September 20, 1995 Buffalo Grove Town Center,Proposed Kids's Choice Child Care Center with an outdoor playground `./ Amendment of the Planned Unit Development Ordinance—Workshop#2 Chairman Goldspiel 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 Goldspiel Mr. Krug Ms. Howard Mr. Samuels Mr. Lundine Mr. Ottenheimer Mr. Trilling Commissioners absent: Mr. Rosenston Mr. Berman Also present: Mr. Marc Schwartz, Marc Schwartz&Associates Mr. John Finnemore,Kinder Care Learning Centers Ms. Meg Ambrogi,Kinder Care Learning Centers Ms. Sheila Niehaus, Kinder Care Learning Centers Ms. Judy Murtaugh, Simon Property Group Mr. William Reid, Village Trustee Mr. Robert Pfeil, Village Planner APPROVAL OF MINUTES Moved by Commissioner Ottenheimer, seconded by Commissioner Howard to approve the minutes of the public hearings and regular meeting of September 6, 1995. Chairman Goldspiel stated a correction to the last paragraph on page 7 of the Scarsdale public hearing. He further noted a correction to paragraph 11 on page 5 of the Scarsdale public hearing. Commissioner Samuels noted a correction of the date necessary to the footer on the regular meeting. He further stated the motion noted on page 2 should show as passing by 6 to 2. Buffalo Grove Plan Comm-Regular Meeting-September 20, 1995-Page 1 Commissioner Krug stated he would like the addition of the words"...and petitioner agreed to put the fence in" added to paragraph 2 on page 5 of the regular meeting. All Commissioners were in favor of the motion as amended and the motion passed unanimously. COMMITTEE AND LIAISON REPORTS Commissioner Samuels attended the Village Board meeting on September 18, 1995 and stated the following items were discussed: 1. Approval of the annexation of the Wheeling Park District maintenance facility with agreement by Wheeling to have the building fitted with sprinklers and payment out of pocket for police and fire protection calls. In addition some accommodation will be made during Buffalo Grove Days for possible increased use of the golf course. They also agreed to some sort of discount for Buffalo Grove residents for the use of the Wheeling water park during Buffalo Grove Days 2. Referral of request by Okamoto for outdoor storage in the business park BUFFALO GROVE TOWN CENTER, PROPOSED KIDS'S CHOICE CHILD CARE CENTER WITH AN OUTDOOR PLAYGROUND - AMENDMENT OF THE PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT (P.U.D.) ORDINANCE--WORKSHOP #2 Mr. Marc Schwartz of Marc Schwartz& Associates introduced the development members and reviewed the issues discussed at the first workshop. Ms. Judy Murtaugh of Simon Property Group stated they have designed a revised site plan in response to the Commission's preferences. This plan shows the relocation of the dumpster pad which has been enlarged to 16 x 20 feet. A service area has been created which is all concrete so that it is easily maintained. Inside the dumpster area will be a floor drain and hose bib to facilitate easy cleanup. The enclosure will also have an 8'gate. Ms. Murtaugh stated the the dumpster area contains a shopping center dumpster, an 8 x 7 foot dumpster for Max's, a recycle container and a 4 x 6 grease container. By making the dumpster enclosure bigger, they have accommodated all of the requirements. The existing transformer will be located in the service area and will be protected from the dumpster enclosure by 6" concrete bollards. She further stated they will put a tentlike roof on the enclosure and have it match the building itself Some area for venting needs to be maintained, probably along the sides of the structure. Ms. Murtaugh stated they have allowed for a 3'landscape area between the playground fence and the sidewalk extension. This will allow for some sort of hedge row to be provided. They will also relocate some of the trees from the north side of the property to the landscape island that has Buffalo Grove Plan Comm-Regular Meeting-September 20, 1995-Page 2 been added. Commissioner Krug asked how the grease would be removed. Ms. Murtaugh stated the trucks come and attach a hose to the grease container and suck the grease out. In addition there is a steam cleaner on the truck which cleans out the grease container. Chairman Goldspiel noted one container will need to be moved to get to another. Ms. Murtaugh stated the enclosure has been designed in such a way that the most access uses are closest to the gate for more frequent pickups by the waste disposal company. Commissioner Krug asked if the gate will be closed and locked manually. Ms. Murtaugh stated yes. Chairman Goldspiel asked for comments on the change in ages of the children to be accommodated at the proposed facility. Ms. Sheila Niehaus of Kinder Care Learning Centers stated one of the reason for the changes in the age groups is that this is a very new concept in their business. In such a new venture, changes are often made in response to the needs and desires of the community. She stated they have found a need to add kindergarten and a limited number of pre-schoolers. She noted this would not be infant/toddler age groups but rather ages 3 through 5. This would be added to help parents have more convenience by not having them drop off children at two or three separate places. In addition, there would be hobby classes on Saturday. Busy working parents lack the time to take their children to some enrichment type of classes and this service would be a wonderful addition for these parents. Chairman Goldspiel noted that a statement was made at the last meeting to the effect that the lease of the premises limited use of the facility to children 6 years and older. Ms. Murtaugh stated the lease will be revised to fit the needs of the tenant. Chairman Goldspiel asked if there would be any changes to the outdoor facility necessitated by the change in age groups. Ms. Niehaus stated there will be no changes in the outdoor plan. She stated the planned playground will meet the requirements of DCFS qualifications for all the age groups they propose to serve. Ms. Niehaus stated children are very carefully supervised when on the playground. The same Buffalo Grove Plan Comm-Regular Meeting-September 20, 1995-Page 3 DCFS ratios that are required within the building are also required outside. The teachers are required to have organized activities prepared for the outside and there is ample equipment to maintain the childrens' interests. Chairman Goldspiel asked how many children are allowed on the playground at one time. Ms. Niehaus stated DCFS ratios require one adult with every twenty children. Commissioner Trilling asked if there would be restrictive times for children ages 3, 4 and 5 to be at the center. Ms. Niehaus stated the times are not restricted, however, the numbers would be restricted. She stated at present they are restricting that age group to 20 children. Commissioner Trilling asked if there would be any green space in the play area. Ms. Niehaus indicated that green areas are not planned for the play area. Commissioner Trilling noted concern with mixing 3, 4 and 5 year olds with older children. Ms. Niehaus stated it is not their intent to mix the younger children with the older children. It is their intention to provide a segregated space for the younger children where they would be cared for with their teachers. She noted their playground time would be separate from the older children as well. In fact, the older children are also segregated in terms of the grade they are in school and in terms of their age group. Commissioner Trilling asked if a separate room would then be provided for the younger children. Ms. Niehaus stated that was correct. She further stated the equipment would be different and there would be lower adult/child ratios of 1:10. Commissioner Trilling noted with the lack of grassed areas for the kids. He stated during the summer this seems particularly important. Ms. Niehaus stated she has operated several centers that do not have grassy areas and they have had a high level of satisfaction from parents in those facilities and found the children have enjoyable outside time. Part of the program also involves field trips, particularly in the summer. Children would be going to parks and other attractions in the community. Commissioner Trilling noted that parks such as Willow Stream are close to the center. However, it would be necessary to cross Buffalo Grove Road which would be a dangerous undertaking. Ms. Niehaus stated most field trips are taken by way of vans. Buffalo Grove Plan Comm-Regular Meeting-September 20, 1995-Page 4 Commissioner Trilling asked if the proposed facility will offer meal plans. Ms. Niehaus stated there will be a full service kitchen with food service personnel to prepare breakfast for all and a morning snack, lunch and afternoon snack for pre-school kids. Commissioner Trilling asked if kindergarten would be taught at the facility or if kids would be taken to the public school for classes. `./ Ms. Niehaus stated both services would be available. There is a certified teacher available to teach the kindergarten class. Commissioner Ottenheimer asked how many Kids Choice facilities exist today. Ms. Niehaus stated there are about 44 center nationwide. Commissioner Ottenheimer asked how many of those are in the same type of physical layout as is being proposed for Town Center. Mr. Finnemore of Kinder Care Learning Centers stated about 40 to 42 are located in similar situations. Commissioner Ottenheimer asked if there are more management or supervisory problems in this type of situation as opposed to free standing facilities. Ms. Niehaus stated no. She noted they have security systems on the doors and a very orderly system for bringing the children to the facility and loading buses. Mr. Finnemore stated that of all the facilities built in strip malls by him, this facility is far superior for the playground area in protection than any of the others. The large courtyard area in front is a 1 superb amenity for this facility for bringing children to the facility. Commissioner Ottenheimer asked for the approximate distance between the trash enclosure and the playground. Ms. Murtaugh stated there is a 4'landscape island, a 5' sidewalk and the curb winds around. Commissioner Ottenheimer stated he is concerned with the proximity of the trash and dumpsters to the playground, especially in summer with increased bees and insects. Mr. Finnemore stated they have been concerned with that concept and that is why they have been very careful with how the trash enclosure is designed. The addition of the floor drain and hose bib will give them the ability to keep the area cleaner and hopefully keep the insect problem down. However, if it becomes a problem further efforts will need to be made. Buffalo Grove Plan Comm-Regular Meeting-September 20, 1995-Page 5 Commissioner Howard asked if the dumpsters will be covered. Ms. Murtaugh stated the dumpsters normally have lids. Commissioner Samuels asked if there is a price difference between use of a free standing facility such as the one on Busch Road and the proposed facility within a mall area. Ms. Niehaus stated the price has not yet been determined. Typically the prices are very similar in the marketplace now. Sometimes due to the extensive amount of specialized school age equipment, the price may be up to five or ten percent higher. Commissioner Krug asked if there will be screening around the vent area. Mr. Finnemore stated they may be able to screen the bottom and top of the dumpster area to keep airflow going. Commissioner Trilling noted bees will get in despite any kind of screening. Chairman Goldspiel stated this is a much improved design although the playground area is still very grim looking. He asked if there is enough space for the kids. Mr. Pfeil asked the developer to review DCFS playground requirements. Ms. Niehaus stated they are required to have 75 square feet per child for 25 percent of the enrolled children and this design exceeds those requirements. Mr. Pfeil stated the health officer has indicated concern with the size of the dumpster area as it exists now in relation to the number of tenants and volume that has to be served. The new additional information will be presented to the health officer for further comment. The nuisance factor of wasps and hornets are of concern to the health officer who also mentioned pest birds tend to cluster at these types of facilities. The building and zoning department was concerned with the emergency egress from the playground. They mentioned that two gates may be needed on this playground. The fencing around the meter banks will need to be more definitive than what is shown so far. A three foot clearance would apply and the site plan needs to be drawn more correctly. The Fire Department has noted that the distance between the bollards would be better at 4 inches on center than 6 inches on center. These details need to be worked on with the petitioner. Chairman Goldspiel noted the following items needed to be addressed at the public hearing: 1. Provide information regarding the 40 plus other Kinder Care Learning Centers as well as their success with 3, 4, and 5 year olds Buffalo Grove Plan Comm-Regular Meeting-September 20, 1995-Page 6 2. More information on the playground and efforts to mitigate the grimness Commissioner Krug asked if there will be any exterior lighting on the playground. Mr. Finnemore stated they are not planning any lights on the playground. Chairman Goldspiel noted it may be a good idea to provide some lighting as kids will be dropped off as early as 6:00 a.m. in dark winter months. Ms. Murtaugh noted the entire shopping center is on a photometric system and it may be possible to incorporate lights to run on that system. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT -None FUTURE AGENDA SCHEDULE Mr. Pfeil stated there will be meetings on October 11, 1995 and October 18, 1995. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS -None STAFF REPORT -None NEW BUSINESS -None ADJOURNMENT Moved by Commissioner Krug, seconded by Commissioner Trilling and carried unanimously to adjourn. Chairman Goldspiel adjourned the meeting at 8:45 p.m. Res ectfully submitted, ay Ru n, ecording Secretary PROVED BY: S PHEN SP , Chairman Buffalo Grove Plan Comm-Regular Meeting-September 20, 1995-Page 7