The Village of Deerfield Board of Trustees voted unanimously on May 12 to approve three routine land‑use and procurement items: a zoning variance for a home addition at 513 Radcliffe Circle, a Class A special use to allow an artist studio called Clay and Company at 816 Waukegan Road, and a resolution to purchase water meters and supplies.

The board accepted a Board of Zoning Appeals recommendation to allow an 18‑by‑14‑foot, single‑story rear addition at 513 Radcliffe Circle that will create a rear yard setback of about 17.6 feet in lieu of the 25 feet required by section 4.03(f) of the Deerfield zoning ordinance. Staff reported the BZA found the variation satisfied standards in Chapter 13 and voted 5‑0 to recommend approval; the trustees’ roll call on the recommendation was 5‑0 in favor.

Trustees also approved a Plan Commission recommendation to permit Clay and Company — a 2,050‑square‑foot pottery studio at 816 Waukegan Road. Petitioners Marcel Stenberg and Claire Willis told the board the studio plans to offer two‑hour adult pottery classes seven days a week, with a maximum of 20 students per class, occasional family workshops and kiln services for members. The board’s roll call on the Plan Commission report was unanimous.

Finally, staff requested the board authorize the purchase of water meters and related supplies from Midwest Meter Inc. on an as‑needed basis, not to exceed $252,000. Public Works staff said the village maintains about 7,000 meters (roughly 6,400 residential and 600 commercial), has historically used Badger meters (about 99% of existing meters) and budgets annually for meter replacement and testing. The resolution included a waiver of competitive bidding because of the near‑universal presence of the existing meter brand; trustees approved the purchase by unanimous roll call.

Why it matters: the zoning variance enables a modest residential addition consistent with the BZA finding of reasonable land use; Clay and Company expands local arts and retail offerings in an existing commercial building; and the water‑meter authorization funds routine utility operations and planned development needs, including meters for new construction.

Votes and formal actions:
- Zoning variance (513 Radcliffe Circle): BZA recommended approval 5‑0; Board roll call: Trustee Goldstone — Yes; Trustee Greenberg — Yes; Trustee Jacoby — Yes; Trustee Oppenheim — Yes; Trustee Benton — Yes. Outcome: approved; ordinance to be prepared for a future meeting.
- Plan Commission special use (Clay and Company, 816 Waukegan Road): Plan Commission recommended approval; Board roll call: Greenberg — Yes; Jacoby — Yes; Oppenheim — Yes; Benton — Yes; Goldstone — Yes. Outcome: approved.
- Purchase of water meters (Midwest Meter Inc.): Resolution to purchase on an as‑needed basis not to exceed $252,000; Board roll call: Jacoby — Yes; Oppenheim — Yes; Benton — Yes; Goldstone — Yes; Greenberg — Yes. Outcome: approved.

Speakers at the hearings included staff member Kent presenting the zoning report, petitioners Marcel Stenberg and Claire Willis for Clay and Company, and Public Works/finance staff presenting meter needs. Petitioners asked the village to notify them about any ribbon‑cutting or grand‑opening events.