Deerfield trustees accept planning commission recommendation to allow jewelry repair shop at 687 Waukegan Road

The Village of Deerfield Board of Trustees on Sept. 2 accepted the Planning Commission—s recommendation to allow a class A special use for a jewelry repair and sales store at 687 Waukegan Road, clearing the path for a formal ordinance at the board—s next meeting. The board—s vote followed a July 24 public hearing by the Planning Commission.

The change would allow an 830-square-foot business offering jewelry sales and repair services — including watch battery changes, ring sizing, prong repair and stone replacement — to operate Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The petitioner said the business would be staffed by up to three employees and that no interior or exterior building changes are proposed.

Planning staff told trustees the Planning Commission voted 4-0 to recommend approval. Dan Nakahara, staff representing the Planning Commission, was present for questions. The petitioner, identified in the record as Sam, told trustees he has operated a repair business in Northbrook Court for nearly 10 years and that many of his customers travel from surrounding areas.

Trustees moved and seconded approval of the Planning Commission—s recommendation during the meeting. Trustees Greenberg, Appenheim, Benton, Berg and Goldstone voted in favor. Mayor Shapiro said the board had accepted the commission—s recommendation and noted that a formal ordinance would be on the board agenda two weeks later for final action.

At the July 24 hearing, planners characterized the amendment as a text change to the C-1 Village Center commercial zoning district to allow jewelry repair as a class A special use and recommended approval of the individual special-use application for the Waukegan Road location. The application materials state that many routine repairs take two hours or less.

Sam summarized his experience to the board: "I am the repair guy," and thanked trustees for their support. Mayor Shapiro told Sam, "what happened tonight, Sam, was we accepted the plan commission's recommendation." The board will consider the implementing ordinance at its next meeting, currently scheduled two weeks after Sept. 2.

Because the board accepted the Planning Commission—s recommendation rather than enacting an ordinance on Sept. 2, the formal zoning change will take effect only if and when the board adopts the forthcoming ordinance.

Details recorded in the meeting: location 687 Waukegan Road; proposed footprint 830 square feet; hours Monday—Saturday 10 a.m.—6 p.m.; up to three employees; no exterior or interior building changes proposed; Planning Commission recommendation vote 4-0; next formal ordinance to be considered at the board—s next meeting two weeks after Sept. 2.