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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/26/2026 P&Z Minutes (PZ-27-25) / 1585 Dempster St / CU: Unique Use - Mental Health ClinicMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION CASE NO. PZ-27-25 Hearing Date: March 26, 2026 PROPERTY ADDRESS: 1585 Dempster Street 110 PETITIONER: Kenneth Young Center 1001 Ro h lwi ng Rd Elk Grove Village, IL 60007 PUBLICATION DATE: March 11, 2026 REQUEST: Conditional use approval for a unique use tooperate a mental health clinic at 1585 Dempster Street 110, and other relief from the Village of Mount Prospect Village Code as may be required for this project. MEMBERS PRESENT: Joseph Donnelly Wa lte r Szym cza k William Beattie Richard Rogers Donald Olsen Ewa Weir Michael Fricano MEMBERS ABSENT: Fay Costa STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Jason Shallcross — Director of Community & Economic Development Antonia Lalagos — Development Planner Ann Choi — Development Planner INTERESTED PARTIES: None Chairman Donnelly called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM. Commissioner Olsen made a motion seconded by Commissioner Szymczak to approve the minutes from the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting on February 26, 2026. The minutes were approved 5-0, with two Commissioners abstaining. Chairman Donnelly introduced case number PZ-27-25, 1585 Dempster Street 110, a request for a conditional use to operate a mental health clinic at the subject property. The Village Board's decision is final for this case. Ms. Lalagos introduced the Subject Property, also known as Myers Place, which was approved in 2011 as a Planned Unit Development (PUD) and was constructed in 2012. She stated that the ground floor consists of a 3,660 square foot commercial space and ancillary uses to support the Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting — March 26, 2026 PZ-27-25 apartments, while floors two through four contain 39 units of permanent supportive housing for persons living with disabilities. Ms. Lalagos reported that an interior remodel building permit was issued in 2014 to construct the Kenneth Young Center (KYC) offices at the Subject Property. KYC is the designated "Services Partner" for Myers Place, providing on -site support and coordination for the residents of the supportive living units. She provided an overview of The Drop -In Center, which occupies approximately one-third of the KYC space, and is open to KYC clients, Myers Place residents, clients referred by other agencies, and anyone from the community with a self -described mental health challenge. Drop -in hours vary by day, with the earliest opening at 10:OOAM and the latest closure at8:00PM. Ms. Lalagos explained that the KYC offices and Drop -In Center are considered "professional offices" and are a permitted use in the B-3 zoning district. Ms. Lalagos reported that KYC obtained an interior remodel building permit in 2024 to convert three of the offices into "The Living Room" concept. She explained that The Living Room is open 24/7 to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis and is intended as an alternative to an emergency department visit for psychiatric care. Ms. Lalagos stated that the program operates within an office setting, and the use was initially considered consistent with the professional office uses already established at the property. She indicated that upon further review of the operational characteristics of the program, Staff determined that The Living Room is most appropriately categorized as a "unique use," which is not specifically listed in the land use tables. Ms. Lalagos provided an overview of The Living Room program: it is a community -based mental health crisis intervention that provides a safe alternative to emergency rooms or psychiatric hospitalization. The program is funded through the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). There are 22 Living Rooms located throughout the state, each run by a community -based mental health agency. The Living Room at the Subject Property is operated according to "The Living Room Program Manual," authored by Kenneth Young Center, and revised February25, 2026. Ms. Lalagos shared that The Living Room use does not align with existing permitted and conditional uses in the land use tables, such as health services, hospitals, medical offices, or professional offices. She stated that The Living Room's 24/7 operation, nature of services, and higher potential for EMS or police intervention increases the intensity of the use beyond a traditional medical or professional office. As such, Staff recognizes this as a "unique use" that needs conditional use approval. Ms. Lalagos described how the Mount Prospect Police Department and the Human Services Department worked with KYC to address concerns about The Living Room operations and established a quarterly meeting between the Village departments and KYC management to maintain open communication about the program. She reported that the second year of operation has seen a reduction in service calls and more coordinated efforts among KYC, social services providers, EMS, and law enforcement to ensure that referrals are appropriate for The Living Room setting. Ms. Lalagos noted that Staff has not received public comment on the request. Ms. Lalagos concluded that staff finds that the proposed conditional use meets the applicable standards contained in the Mount Prospect Zoning Ordinance. She requested that the Planning and Zoning Commission make a motion to adopt staff's findings as the findings of the Planning and Zoning Commission and recommend approval of the following motion: Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting — March 26, 2026 PZ-27-25 "A conditional use permit to operate a mental health crisis intervention program known as "The Living Room," for the property located at 1585 Dempster Street 110, subject to the conditions listed in the staff report." The Village Board's decision is final for this case. Commissioner Beattie asked if the Petitioner is making any physical changes to the property. Mr. Shallcross stated that typically the Petitioner would obtain zoning approvals before getting a building permit. In this case, the use has already been operating for almost two years, and they are seeking approval for it now. He confirmed there are no physical changes proposed. Mr. Shallcross stated that due to the intensity of the use, Staff deemed it necessary to have the Petitioner go through the zoning process to fully establish their use. Chairman Donnelly swore in the petitioner, Lisa Hendrickson of Kenneth Young Center, 1001 Rohlwing Road, Elk Grove Village. Ms. Hendrickson explained that KYC has a mental health crisis center at the Subject Property. She stated that KYC has been at the building since 2011 when the building was first constructed. Ms. Hendrickson shared that they have expanded the use so that people can avoid emergency room usage. Commissioner Beattie asked if the minimum staffing of two people is sufficient to handle the intensity or possible danger of a crisis episode. Ms. Hendrickson stated that if someone is assessed as an immediate physical threat, then they call the police. But if staff just needs to de-escalate a crisis, they are absolutely able, as long as there is not a weapon involved. Commissioner Beattie asked if the Petitioner has already been following the proposed conditions and if they accept the proposed conditions. Mr. Shallcross confirmed yes, the Petitioner accepts the conditions, and further most of the conditions of approval are derived from written materials that the Petitioner provided to the Village. He stated that one of the conditions is that the Petitioner operate according to the Operating Manual that they assembled. He explained that Village Staff worked with KYC to address any concerns, and at this point Staff is comfortable with the use and recommends approval. Hearing no further comments or questions, Chairman Donnelly closed the hearing and asked for a motion to approve the conditions as noted in the staff report. Commissioner Beattie made a motion seconded by Commissioner Szymczak. UPON ROLL CALL AYES: Szymczak, Weir, Olsen, Beattie, Rogers, Fricano, Donnelly NAYS: None The Planning and Zoning Commission gave a positive recommendation (7-0) to the Village Board for the April 7, 2026 meeting. Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting — March 26, 2026 PZ-27-25 After hearing one more item of new business, Chairman Donnelly asked if there were any citizens to be heard. Hearing no further discussion, Commissioner Rogers made a motion seconded by Commissioner Szymczak and the meeting was adjourned at 7:56 PM. v Antonia Lalagos, Development Planner Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting — March 26, 2026 PZ-27-25