HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/14/2026 PZ-08-26 / 1326 W Central Road / ZMA from R-A Single-Family Residence District to C-R Conservation Recreation District1
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
CASE NO. PZ-08-26
PROPERTY ADDRESS:
PETITIONER:
PUBLICATION DATE:
Hearing Date: April 23, 2026
1326 W. Central Road
Mount Prospect Park District
April 8, 2026
REQUEST: Zoning Map Amendment from R-ASingle-Family
Residence District to C-R Conservation Recreation
District
MEMBERS PRESENT: Joseph Donnelly
William Beattie
Ewa Weir
Walter Szymczak
Richard Rogers
Michael Fricano
Fay Costa
MEMBERS ABSENT: Donald Olsen
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Ann Choi —Development Planner
Charles Hogan —Development Planner
INTERESTED PARTIES: Mount Prospect Park District, Petitioner (Jim Jarog and
Jeanette Foley)
Chairman Donnelly called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM. Vice Chairman Beattie made a
motion seconded by Commissioner Szymczak to approve the minutes from the Planning
and Zoning Commission meeting on March 26, 2026. The minutes were approved 6-0
(Commission Costa abstained).
Chairman Donnelly introduced Case PZ-08-26, 1326 West Central Road, a request for a
zoning map amendment from R-A Single Family Residence District to C-R Conservation
Recreation District. The Village Board will serve as the final authority for the request.
Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting — April 23, 2026 PZ-08-26
0)
Staff Presentation
Ms. Choi presented the proposed rezoning of the subject property and stated that the
property is zoned R-A Single -Family Residence District and is bordered byMelas Park
zoned C-R Conservation Recreation to the north, a visual arts studio through with the park
district zoned C-R to the west, single-family residential lots zoned R-A Single Family
Residential District to the east, and single-family residential lots zoned R-1 Single Family
Residential District to the south. Ms. Choi stated that the subject property was annexed
into the Village in 1958 and is one of the residential lots located on the north side of Central
Road, between the art studio and N. Kenilworth Avenue.
Ms. Choi explained that the subject property has remained vacant for many years and does
not currently have driveway access to Central Road. Ms. Choi pointed out that precedence
exists for the rezoning of adjacent property and in 1996, the Mount Prospect Park District
obtained approval to rezone two lots located west of the Subject Property from 1-1 Limited
IndustrialtoC-RConservation Recreation, along with a conditional use permit for a visual
arts center and variations for setbacks and lot coverage. Ms. Choi indicated that today, a
small portion of the building is utilized for an operating art studio, while the majority of the
structure is used by the Mount Prospect Park District for equipment and material storage.
Ms. Choi further stated that the art studio is anticipated to relocate to the Lions Park
Recreation Center within the next year.
Ms. Choi went on to state that the park district has entered into a purchase agreement with
the current property owner for the subject property, pending certain contingencies
including the approval of the requested zoning map amendment. Ms. Choi noted that at
this time, the park district has no plans to improve the property and currently intends to
preserve the lot as open space and allow for potential future opportunities. At such time
that improvements requiring zoning approval are proposed, Ms. Choi stated that the park
district will be required to work with the Village to ensure any proposed improvements will
comply with all Village Codes or seek the necessary approvals.
Ms. Choi explained that the Future Land Use Map in the Village's Comprehensive Plan
designates the subject property as single-family residential, and while the rezoning does
not align with the Future Land Use Map's Single -Family Residential designation, it supports
the Comprehensive Plan's broader goals to advance priorities like open space
preservation and recreational access. Ms. Choi further emphasized that the Plan also
encourages partnerships to expand parkland, including strategies for acquiring or leasing
Land for open space. Given its location next to Melas Park and other recreational uses, Ms.
Choi stated that the requested rezoning would help strengthen the overall open space
network and represents logical and well -supported land use decision, even though it
departs from the map designation.
Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting — April 23, 2026 PZ-08-26
Staff Recommendation
Ms. Choi stated that staff finds that the proposed zoning map amendment meets the
applicable standards contained in the Mount Prospect Zoning Ordinance and requests 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:
"Motion to approve:
1. A zoning map amendment from R-A Single Family Residence District to C-R
Conservation Recreation District at the Subject Property, also known as 1326W.
Central Road (PIN: 03-33-415-014-0000), subject to the following condition:
a. The zoning map amendment granted herein shall be expressly conditioned
upon the transfer of title of the Subject Property to the Petitioner. If such
transfer of title does not occur, the approval shall not take effect and shall be
deemed null and void."
The Village Board's decision is final.
Commission Questions for Staff
Vice Chairman Beattie asked whether there were any other feasible uses or development
options for the subject property given its limited size, and whether the parcel could
reasonably be utilized for any purpose other than single-family residential. Ms. Choi stated
that, if the request were not approved, the property would revert back to its R-A zoning and
would return to the market. However, due to the narrow configuration of the parcel, it
would likely need to be consolidated with the properties to the west for future
development. Ms. Choi noted that she was uncertain of any plans that the Mount Prospect
Park District had more redevelopment.
Commissioner Weir asked whether there were opportunities to keep the property on the
tax roll by combining it with the adjacent property and considering it as a potential
redevelopment site. Ms. Choi responded that, if the rezoning request were not approved,
the property would return to the market and could be redeveloped as a single-family
residential lot. Commissioner Weir further asked whether the site could be intensified, and
Ms. Choi explained that additional intensity would not be permitted under the current R-A
Single -Family Residential zoning designation.
Hearing no further questions for staff, Chairman Donnelly swore in the following speakers:
• James Jarog and Jeanette Foley, Mount Prospect Park District, 1000 W. Central
Road, Mount Prospect IL
Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting — April 23, 2026 PZ-08-26
Commission Questions for the Petitioner
Chairman Donnelly asked the Petitioner whether there were any plans for the subject
property. Mr. Jarog responded that the park district does not currently have any specific
plans for the property. Mr. Jarog explained that the property had been on and off the market
for approximately 15 to 20 years, and the park district had been approached about
purchasing it in the past; however, the asking price at that time was too high. Mr. Jarog
stated that the parties were able to reach a mutually agreeable price with this purchase,
which presented a good opportunity for potential future use, but in the interim, the
property would be maintained as open space.
Chairman Donnelly asked whether the property would eventually be combined with the
park. Mr. Jarog responded that he anticipates a plat of consolidation would likely occur to
combine the subject property with the art studio parcel. However, Mr. Jarog noted that the
park district has not yet determined the future of the art studio property once the studio
relocates to the Lions Park Recreation Center upon its opening next year, so the long-term
plan remains to be determined.
Vice Chairman Beattie suggested that the park district likely had some general ideas for
the future use of the property, even if nothing had been discussed in great specificity. Mr.
Jarog responded that additional parking could be a possibility if the parcel were to be
redeveloped in the future but reiterated that there are currently no specific plans for the
site. Mr. Jarog stated that the Park District Board pursued the purchase primarily to
preserve the property as open space and to keep future options available, particularly in
relation to the art studio site. Chairman Donnelly added that the park district likely did not
have many very opportunities to purchase land. Mr. Jarog added that he did not anticipate
a large recreation center being developed on the property and stated that the immediate
plans are to preserve the land as open space.
Commissioner Weir noted the discussion regarding parking and asked whether there was
currently a need for additional parking. Mr. Jarog responded that there is no need for
additional parking for the existing art studio program. Mr. Jarog also noted that one of the
challenges for the seller is that the property does not currently have a curb cut, and
introducing one so close to the existing crosswalk could create a safety concern.
Commissioner Weir asked whether the property could be combined with the park district
parcel and later sold on the market. Mr. Jarog responded that the park district would not
intend to sell the property in that manner. Commissioner Weir then asked about the
purchase price, and Ms. Foley stated that the agreed purchase price was $131 1000.
Motion and Vote
Hearing no further comments or questions, Chairman Donnelly closed the hearing and
asked fora motion. Commissioner Rogers made motion seconded by Commissioner
Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting — April 23, 2026 PZ-08-26
Szymczak to approve the zoning map amendment subject to the condition outlined in the
staff report.
UPON ROLL CALL AYES: Szymczak, Weir, Beattie, Rogers, Fricano, Costa, Donnelly
NAYS: None
The Planning and Zoning Commission gave a positive recommendation (7-0) for the next
Village Board meeting to be held on May 5, 2026.
After hearing one additional item of New Business, Chairman Donnelly made a motion,
seconded by Vice Chairman Beattie, and the meeting was adjourned at 7:39 PM.
J/00
Ann Choi, Development Planner
Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting — April 23, 2026 PZ-08-26