HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 05/07/2009 - Planning and Zoning CommissionCity of McHenry
Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting
May 7, 2009
Chairman Howell called the May 7, 2009 regularly scheduled meeting of the City of McHenry
Planning and Zoning Commission to order at 7:30 p.m. In Attendance were the following:
Buhrman, Ekstrom, Howell, Morck, Nadeau, Schepler, Thacker. Absent: None. Also in
attendance were: Attorney Jennifer Gibson, Deputy City Administrator Martin, Deputy Clerk
Kunzer.
Public Hearing: A Child’s Place
File No. Z-741
Lot 4 Adams Commercial Park
Conditional Use Permit
Chairman Howell called the Public Hearing to order at 7:31 p.m. regarding File No. Z-741, an
application for conditional use permit to allow a child day care facility and outside storage to be
used as a children’s play area as requested by Brian Maze for Lot 4 of Adams Commercial Park.
Chairman Howell stated notice of the Public Hearing was published in the Northwest Herald on
April 18, 2009. Notices were mailed to all abutting property owners of record via certified
mailing. The subject property was posted as required by ordinance. The Certificate of
Publication, certified mailing receipts, and affidavit of posting are all on file in the City Clerk’s
Office.
In attendance representing the applicant were Brian Maze, proprietor of A Child’s Place, and
Travis Wiersma of Platford Group, contractors of the site. Both were sworn in by Chairman
Howell.
Mr. Maze stated A Child’s Place is currently located at 2214 West Route 120. The child care
center has been located at this site since 2005. The Child care center currently has 5,700 square
feet and the business has outgrown its present location. Students currently fill five classrooms.
The indoor play space is being utilized as a sixth classroom. The school is filled to more than
capacity allows. There is a before and after school program. There is no more room to grow. The
lease on the current site expires on 12/31/09, so they have decided to move to a new site, a
building to be constructed according to their needs in Adams Commercial Center.
Mr. Maze stated the new building will have 8,000 square feet and will include seven classrooms
plus a new pre-school classroom and before/after school classroom. Additionally, a 7.150
outdoor playground is proposed.
Deputy City Administrator Martin provided the Staff Report regarding this matter. He noted the
character of the area is service-related. The proposed site is adjacent to the Commercial Park.
Safety concerns have been addressed as a bus drop off/pick up lane has been designated on the
site plan. Staff has reviewed the request and recommends approval as presented.
Chairman Howell invited questions and comments from the Commission.
Planning and Zoning Commission
May 7, 2009
Page 2
Responding to an inquiry, Mr. Maze stated the drop off/pick up lane would be used by buses
only. Parents must come inside to sign their child(ren) in and out. Concern was expressed
regarding pedestrian crossing the drop off lane. It was noted the drop off/pick up lane will be
one-way traffic only.
Question was raised as to the current capacity of the center. Mr. Maze responded current
capacity is 101 students (at any one time). With the new facility capacity will grow to 133.
Further inquiry was made as to the possibility of retaining the present facility and adding a
second facility as well. Mr. Maze noted that would require two licenses, two directors and staff.
It is their intention to vacate the present facility before the 12/31/09 lease expires. They hope to
have November occupancy in the new facility. Mr. Maze stated the anticipated construction
timetable of the new facility is 5 months.
Some discussion occurred regarding the need for sidewalks on the site. Deputy City
Administrator Martin noted sidewalks are required in a commercial district. If the applicant does
not install sidewalks, he would be required to make a contribution to the City’s Sidewalk Fund.
Responding to an inquiry, Mr. Maze stated the building should be large enough. He noted this is
a business which has a large turnaround. The center fills up, then parents lose their jobs, and
there are openings once again. Mr. Maze did acknowledge they have plenty of room to grow.
In answer to a question about the lot size, Mr. Wiersma stated the lot is oversized for the
building; however, the entire lot is being utilized for outside play are, drop-off lane, parking, etc.
He noted there might be enough space to add two additional classrooms in the future, but there is
no intention of doing so at this time.
Question was raised if there would be a canopy over the entrance. Mr. Wiersma indicated a
portico which is shown over the entrance. It extends approximately 8’ over the entrance. Mr.
Wiersma noted the building will be a residential-style structure.
Responding to a question regarding facility buses, Mr. Maze noted the 15-passenger vans used
for field trips, and the Center’s mini-buses, will be parked in regular parking spaces. They will
not require oversized parking spaces. In response to another inquiry, Mr. Maze noted the site will
be landscaped as required by ordinance. The dumpster enclosure will match the building exterior
and be unobtrusive.
Responding to questions regarding the proposed signage, Mr. Maze stated a monument sign
would be posted on the corner of Adams Drive and Barney Court and a wall sign will be
mounted on front of the building.
Chairman Howell noted there were no public comments or questions regarding this matter.
Motion by Nadeau, seconded by Schepler, to recommend to the McHenry City Council, that with
regard to File No. Z-741, a request for conditional use permit to allow a child day care facility
and conditional use permit for outside storage to be used as a children’s play area on the
premises located on Lot 4 of Adams Commercial Park, in accordance with the site plan provided
Planning and Zoning Commission
May 7, 2009
Page 3
by Pearson, Brown and Associates, be granted; subject to the condition that the conditional use
permit shall expire and become null and void if the business (A Child’s Place) closes (defined by
not being operational, i.e. serving customers) for a period of six continuous months; and that
Table 31, the Approval Criteria for Conditional Use Permits, pages 357-358 of the Zoning
Ordinance, has been met.
Voting Aye: Buhrman, Ekstrom, Howell, Morck, Nadeau, Schepler, Thacker.
Voting Nay: None.
Not Voting: None.
Abstaining: None.
Absent: None.
Motion carried 7-0.
Chairman Howell closed the public hearing at 7:58 p.m.
Other Business
Chairman Howell welcomed new Planning and Zoning Commissioner Paul Morck
Deputy City Administrator Martin stated the next meeting of the Commission will be June 4,
2009.
Adjournment
Motion by Schepler, seconded by Ekstrom, to adjourn the meeting at 7:59 p.m.
Voting Aye: Buhrman, Ekstrom, Howell, Morck, Nadeau, Schepler, Thacker.
Voting Nay: None.
Not Voting: None.
Abstaining: None.
Absent: None.
Motion carried 7-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:59 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_______________________________
Kathleen M. Kunzer, Deputy Clerk
City of McHenry