HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/22/2005 P&Z minutes 33-05
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
CASE NO. PZ-33-05 Hearing Date: September 22, 2005
PROPERTY ADDRESS: 900 Business Center Drive
PETITIONERlPROPERTY OWNER: International Gymnastics / Eugene Klein
PUBLICATION DATE: September 7,2005
PIN #: 03-35-104-007-0000
REQUEST: Conditional Use (Vocational Schoo1- Gymnastics School)
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Arlene Juracek
Joseph Donnelly
Leo F10ros
Mar1ys Haaland
Ronald Roberts
Richard Rogers
Keith Youngquist
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Jill Baty, Planning Intern
Judith Connolly, AICP, Senior Planner
Bill Cooney, AICP, Director, Community Development
Ellen Divita, Deputy Director, Community Development
INTERESTED PARTIES: Eugene Klein, Lori Catrintza, Alex Kotliar, Nata1ya Kuchinskaya
Chairperson Arlene Juracek called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Richard Rogers moved to approve the
minutes of the August 25, 2005 meeting and Ronald Roberts seconded the motion. The motion was approved 5-
0; Mar1ys Haaland and Chairperson Juracek abstained from the vote. At 7:33 pm, Chair Juracek introduced Case
No. PZ-33-05, a request for a Conditional Use permit to operate a gymnastics school in the II Limited Industrial
District. She said that the Village Board's decision was final for the request.
Judy Connolly, Senior Planner, summarized the case. She said that the Subject Property is located on the north
side of Business Center Drive, in the Kensington Business Center, and includes an office/former manufacturing
building with related improvements. The Subject Property is zoned II Limited Industrial and is bordered by the
II district on all sides.
The Petitioner proposes to modify a portion of the 43,000 sq. ft. building and operate a gymnastics school.
However, the Zoning Ordinance requires Conditional Use approval for a vocational school and a gymnastics
school is classified as a vocational school. As part of the Conditional Use application, the Petitioner submitted a
floor plan that indicates the general layout of the gymnastics school. It will include areas specified for floor
exercises, tumbling pits, and equipment. In addition, there will be three offices and a Parents Room. A four (4)
foot wood fence will separate the exercise areas and is intended to minimize conflicts with students practicing
from people walking through the gym. The Petitioner has provided a general description of the school's
programs, the staffs qualifications, and information on how the school will operate: there will be 3 teachers and a
maximum of 30 students at one time. The school will be open from 9am to 9pm Monday through Friday and 9am
to 3 pm Saturday. Most parents will drop the student off and pick them up later when their program is complete.
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Arlene Jurcek, Acting Chair
Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting September 22, 2005
PZ-33-05
Page 2
However, there is a room available if they opt to stay at the school and watch their child. Only classes and
practices will be held on-site; competitions or performance events will be held off-site.
The building includes one other tenant, Cingu1ar/AT&T Wireless Service Center. The 29,008 sq. ft. facility has
10 parking spaces allocated to them as part of their lease; the Petitioner would have 47 spaces allocated to them as
part of their lease. The leasing agent stated additional spaces could be made available to the Petitioner subject to
AT&T's approval. The table in the Staff Report summarizes the square footage for the types of use and
corresponding parking requirement. There are 12 'extra' parking spaces.
The building was constructed in 1981 and currently includes fire sprinklers. However, the fire alarm and
sprinkler systems will have to be modified because the proposed gymnastics school is a change in use from the
previous tenant and there are different code requirements for a gymnastics school. In addition, the Fire
Department requires the Petitioner to submit an egress study with their Building permit application. Also, the
Petitioner must clarify where the spectator viewing area will be if events will be held on-site. While these are
Building permit issues to be addressed as part of the permit process, these requirements are included as part of the
Staff Report in an effort to ensure the Petitioner is aware of the requirements and submits a complete Building
permit application.
Ms. Connolly summarized the standards for Conditional Uses. She said that other departments reviewed the
Petitioner's proposal and did not object to the use or find that it would have an adverse impact on the adjacent
tenants or properties. The proposed school, as described in the Petitioner's application, would have minimal
impact on the adjacent properties.
She said that it is important that the enrollment levels cannot increase to an amount that would exceed the
Village's parking requirement. Therefore, the Petitioner will be required to limit enrollment. Per the proposed
lease, there are 47 parking spaces allocated to the school. Based on the information submitted by the Petitioner, it
is reasonable to expect 1 teacher per 10 students; therefore the maximum enrollment cannot exceed 44 students
and 5 teachers.
Ms. Connolly said that the proposed gymnastics school meets the Conditional Use standards listed in the Zoning
Ordinance subject to complying with specific conditions. She said that Staff recommends that the Planning &
Zoning Commission approve the following motion:
"To approve a Conditional Use permit for a gymnastics school at 900 Business Center Drive, Case No.
PZ-33-05 subject to the following conditions:
1) No more than 44 students and 5 teachers attend the facility at one time unless other parking
arrangements have been agreed upon with the property owner and approved by Village Staff;
2) The Petitioner submits an egress study as part of the Building permit application and modifies the
tenant space in accordance to all applicable building and fire codes for a new assembly occupancy."
Ms. Connolly concluded her presentation and stated that the case is Village Board final. The Commissioners did
not have any questions for Staff, so the Petitioner was asked to address the Commission.
Eugene Klein, 5440 N. Cumberland, Chicago, IL, was sworn in. He stated that he was the attorney for the
Petitioner, Nata1ya Kuchinskaya. Mr. Klein went into great detail about Ms. Kuchinskaya's credentials and
experience as a coach, an instructor, and former Olympian. He reviewed the classes that would be offered at the
International Gymnastics School and other programs that would be offered. He said that they reviewed the
conditions of approva11isted in the Staff Report and agreed to follow them. He asked whether the Commissioners
had any questions.
Arlene Jurcel<, Acting Chair
Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting September 22, 2005
PZ-33-05
Page 3
Leo Floros asked whether gymnastics is offered at the area high schools. Mr. Klein said he was not sure, but that
the programs offered at the International Gymnastics School would be supplemental to any competitive programs.
He said that Ms. Kuchinskaya's goal in opening the school is to teach children, but not necessarily for
competitions.
Ronald Roberts said that gymnastics is offered at Prospect High School, but the International Gymnastics School
is a great facility to have in Mount Prospect.
Chairperson Juracek asked whether the proposed fence intended to separate activities would pose a safety hazard
if someone ran into it or fell on it. Mr. Kotliar, a representative of the International Gymnastics School, was
sworn in. Through Mr. Klein's translation, it was learned that the fence would not be a tall fence and that it is
intended to keep parents out of the practice areas. He said there would be padding over and around the fence. He
compared it to a corral-type fence and described it as not a solid, sturdy fence, but more like a space delineator.
Ms. Juracek said that based on the Petitioner's experience in the field of gymnastics and knowledge of the sport,
she was satisfied that that the fence would not pose a safety hazard.
Keith Youngquist asked whether the school could be rented out for birthday parties or similar events. The
Petitioner said yes, but that the school was intended for the instruction of gymnastics. There was discussion if the
site could accommodate the parties and whether additional parking would be needed to comply with the Village's
zoning regulations. The Petitioner stated that they would comply with the Village's parking regulations if they
were to make the school available for non-school/teaching events.
Chairperson Juracek asked if anyone in the audience wanted to address the Commission. Since no one wanted to
address the Commission, she closed the public hearing at 7:55pm.
Richard Rogers said the gymnastics school would benefit the community and that Ms. Kuchinskaya's credentials
would help make it a success. He said he was glad to see this type of use in the Village.
Richard Rogers made a motion to approve a Conditional Use permit for a gymnastics school at 900 Business
Center Drive, Case No. PZ-33-05 subject to the following conditions:
1) No more than 44 students and 5 teachers attend the facility at one time unless other parking
arrangements have been agreed upon with the property owner and approved by Village Staff;
2) The Petitioner submits an egress study as part of the Building permit application and modifies the
tenant space in accordance to all applicable building and fire codes for a new assembly occupancy.
Joseph Donnelly seconded the motion.
UPON ROLL CALL:
AYES: Donnelly, F10ros, Haaland, Roberts, Rogers, Youngquist, and Juracek
NAYS: None
Motion was approved 7-0. The case will go to Village Board for their consideration
After hearing three more cases, Joseph Donnelly made a motion to adjourn at 9 pm, seconded by Ronald Roberts.
The motion was approved by a voice vote and the meeting was adjourned.
Judith M. Connolly, AICP, Senior Planner
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