HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/22/2010 P&Z minutes 09-10 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
CASE NO. PZ -09 -10 Hearing Date: July 22, 2010
PROPERTY ADDRESS: 550 Business Center Drive
PETITIONER: The Gymnastics Shop — Julian Basler
PUBLICATION DATE: July 7, 2010
PIN NUMBER: 03 -35- 103 - 007 -0000
REQUEST: Conditional Use approval for a Gymnastics School
MEMBERS PRESENT: Richard Rogers, Chair
Joseph Donnelly
Leo Floros
Theo Foggy
Ronald Roberts
Keith Youngquist
MEMBER ABSENT: William Beattie
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Consuelo Andrade, Development Review Planner
Brian Simmons, AICP, Deputy Director of Community Development
INTERESTED PARTY: Julian Basler
Chairman Richard Rogers called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m. Mr. Youngquist made a motion to approve the
minutes of the May 27, 2010 meeting; Mr. Donnelly seconded the motion. The minutes were approved 6 -0.
Chairman Rogers introduced Case PZ -09 -10 at 7:32 p.m.
Ms. Andrade said the Petitioner for PZ -09 -10 was seeking Conditional Use approval to operate a gymnastics
school at 550 Business Center Drive.
Ms. Andrade stated the Subject Property is zoned 11 Limited Industrial and includes a 34,228 square foot office
and warehouse building with related improvements.
Ms. Andrade said the Petitioner has operated a gymnastics school at the Subject Property for approximately three
years through an agreement with the River Trails Park District. The gymnastics school occupies 5,000 square feet
of the 34,228 square foot building. The Petitioner has recently renewed its lease and was seeking approval of a
Conditional Use to continue to operate a gymnastics school at the Subject Property. A gymnastics school is
considered a vocational school, which is a Conditional Use in the 11 District.
Ms. Andrade stated the floor plan, as submitted by the Petitioner, indicated the layout of the 5,000 square foot
space that the school occupies. The school consists of a tumbling floor area, tumbling tracks, trampolines, and a
cheering and seating area.
Ms. Andrade said the school offers gymnastics classes to various age groups. Class sizes vary from 12 -15
students at a time, with a maximum of 25 students at any given time. Only classes and practices are held on -site;
competitions or performance events are held off -site. The Petitioner and one other person own and manage the
gymnastics school. The school's summer hours of operation are from 9am to 9pm Monday through Thursday and
from 10 am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Richard Rogers, Chair PZ -09 -10
Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting July 22, 2010 Page 1 of 3
Ms. Andrade stated the 34,228 square foot building is currently occupied by the gymnastics school, River Trails
Park District, United Way, and Northwest Special Recreation. The River Trails Park District is the primary user
of the building for office, warehouse, and meeting space. They lease space in the building to the Clayground Art
Studio, United Way offices, and Northwest Special Recreation for warehousing. Ms. Andrade showed a table that
summarized the parking requirement for each use in the building. The current tenants, including the gymnastics
school, would require a total of sixty-six (66) parking spaces. The site currently provides seventy-one (71)
parking spaces, which exceeds the minimum required by five (5) parking spaces.
Ms. Andrade said the standards for Conditional Uses are listed in the Zoning Ordinance and include specific
findings that must be made in order to approve a Conditional Use. The following is a summary of these findings:
• The Conditional Use will not have a detrimental impact on the public health, safety, morals, comfort or
general welfare;
• The Conditional Use will not be injurious to the use, enjoyment, or value of other properties in the
vicinity or impede the orderly development of those properties;
• And adequate provision for utilities, drainage, and design of access and egress to minimize congestion on
Village streets are provided.
Ms. Andrade stated other Village 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 gymnastics school is
currently in operation at the Subject Property and has not had negative impacts on the adjacent properties. A
business license would be required for the gymnastics school at the Subject Property. Additionally, the Fire
Department required the Petitioner to submit an egress study for review
Ms. Andrade said the proposed gymnastics school met the Conditional Use standards contained in Section
14.203.F.8 of the Zoning Ordinance subject to complying with conditions of approval. Based on these findings,
Staff recommended that the Planning & Zoning Commission approve the motion listed in the Staff Report.
Chairman Rogers asked if this case was the same gymnastics school that has been previously approved by the
Planning and Zoning Commission. Ms. Andrade stated that the Petitioner for this case is different. The other
gymnastics school received zoning approval to locate in the property immediately to the south of the subject
property.
Mr. Youngquist asked Staff why the school has been operating for three years and just now applied for the
Conditional Use. Ms. Andrade said Staff was not aware the gymnastics school occupied the building until
recently; that is when Staff notified the Petitioner the need for a Conditional Use.
Chairman Rogers asked if the gymnastics school is part of the Park District or if it's a separate entity. Ms.
Andrade stated that the school is a separate entity, but they have an agreement with the Park District (who is the
property owner). Mr. Roberts clarified that the Park District being discussed is the River Trails Park District
(RTPD).
Mr. Floros asked if there was a relationship between the Petitioner and the other gymnastics school on Business
Center Drive. Ms. Andrade said there was no relationship; the two schools are separate entities.
Chairman Rogers swore in Julian Basler, 2701 Park Street, Rolling Meadows, Illinois. Mr. Basler stated that he is
a gymnastics coach at Prospect High School. Three years ago, the high school was doing roof construction and
there was no place for his gymnasts to work out. Mr. Basler said he did contact the other gymnastics school on
Business Center Drive about renting out space, but he stated that they were asking too much for rent. It was less
expensive to rent out space with equipment.
Richard Rogers, Chair PZ -09 -10
Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting July 22, 2010 Page 2 of 3
Mr. Basler stated that the business has grown over the three years. He said he primarily focuses on tumbling for
cheerleaders rather than gymnastics. Chairman Rogers asked if Mr. Basler knew he needed a Conditional Use
permit to operate his school in the zoning district. Mr. Basler said that he was not aware.
Mr. Roberts asked what Mr. Basler's relationship was with the River Trails Park District. Mr. Basler stated that
the RTPD had the space available and there was an agreement to share the space and common areas. He also runs
birthday parties for the RTPD.
Chairman Rogers asked if the children change at the facility. Mr. Basler stated that they do not; they arrive in
their tumbling clothes. Chairman Rogers asked if there were adequate restroom facilities on site. Mr. Basler said
there were. Chairman Rogers confirmed with Mr. Basler that there would not be more than 25 students at one-
time for instruction.
Mr. Youngquist asked about the business plan that was included with the Petitioner's packet. He said there were
numbers stating 100 students were in the program with aspirations down the line of 200 -400 students. Mr.
Youngquist asked if this would have an impact on the parking situation. Mr. Basler stated that there is a lot of
dead time in the gym. He said the school could grow to allow additional classes on the weekend. Mr. Basler
stated a lot of students carpool.
Chairman Rogers called for additional questions or comments; hearing none, the public hearing was closed at
7:44 p.m.
Mr. Floros made a motion, seconded by Mr. Foggy to approve a Conditional Use permit for a gymnastics school
at 550 Business Center Drive, Case No. PZ -09 -10 subject to the conditions listed in the staff report:
1) The Petitioner submits an egress plan in accordance to all applicable building and fire codes;
2) The Petitioner obtains a business a license.
UPON ROLL CALL: AYES: Donnelly, Floros, Foggy, Roberts, Youngquist, Rogers
NAYS: None
Motion was approved 6 -0.
The Village Board's decision is final for this case.
Mr. Donnelly made a motion, seconded by Mr. Roberts to adjourn at 7:46 p.m. The motion was approved by a
voice vote and the meeting was adjourned.
Richard Rogers, Chair PZ -09 -10
Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting July 22, 2010 Page 3 of 3