Lake Bluff board directs staff to prepare findings approving fire‑suppression exemptions, requires alarm in cart barn

The Village of Lake Bluff Architectural Board of Review on Sept. 2 voted to direct staff to prepare findings of fact approving proposed exemptions from local sprinkler requirements for multiple park district buildings, and added a condition that a fire alarm be installed in the cart barn by April. The direction passed on a voice vote with all members present voting “aye.”

The board’s action instructs staff to draft formal findings that would allow the park district to defer full sprinkler installation for the beach house, the cart barn, and a chemical storage building, while preserving the requirement that the clubhouse be brought into compliance off‑season. The board’s vote did not itself adopt final building permits; it authorized staff to prepare the written findings described in the recommendation packet.

The matter was presented to the board by village staff, who described cost and logistics as the primary concerns for the beach house and cart barn. Mr. Crook, a village staff member, told the board that bringing a 4‑inch water service to the beach house from Sunrise Avenue could cost “upwards of $200,000” and that similar service work for the cart barn could be “$50,000 to $75,000,” based on an estimate from US Fire Protection included in the meeting materials. He said most of the affected buildings are unoccupied for long periods and are used mainly for storage or seasonal operations.

Board members discussed exemptions the panel has approved in the past and noted that, aside from the clubhouse, the buildings could meet state building code standards but not locally adopted Lake Bluff amendments. A member said the proposed exemptions appear consistent with exemptions approved previously. Another member asked that the cart barn be fitted with an alarm system as a condition of approval; the board added that requirement and set a target date of April for that alarm. The board also accepted the park district’s position that the clubhouse will need full sprinkler work and agreed to allow that project to occur in the golf off‑season.

Seth, a village staff speaker who reviewed the packet reports, told the board he had no additional recommendations beyond the written findings and reiterated that costs are significant and that most of the buildings are not regularly occupied.

On a voice vote, the board recorded ayes from Member Cottrell, Member Dahlman, Member Deacon and Chair Hunter; the motion passed. The board directed staff to prepare the formal findings of fact reflecting the exemptions as presented, with the specific condition that a fire alarm system be installed in the cart barn by April.

The board did not adopt final building permits during the meeting; staff will prepare the findings and any subsequent permit paperwork. The village packet and the staff recommendation contain the technical estimates and the US Fire Protection cost emails referenced during the discussion; those documents will be the administrative record for the action.