Plan commission recommends special use and code change for Orphans of the Storm expansion, sets conditions on stormwater, noise and operations

Riverwoods — The Riverwoods Plan Commission on Aug. 8 recommended that the Village Board adopt a text amendment to define “animal shelter” as a special use in the R‑1 district and recommended granting a special use to Orphans of the Storm for a revised expansion plan, subject to conditions on stormwater controls, woodland mitigation, signage and noise monitoring.

The commission’s recommendation requires the project to comply with all applicable village ordinances (including the watershed development rules) and NPDES/stormwater requirements, to grant a 15‑foot easement along the county right‑of‑way for future water main work and potential bike‑path construction (with the village responsible for any relocation of the existing berm and retaining wall), and asks the Village Board to consider a numeric limit on animals as part of the final ordinance. The commission also requested a ground sign at the west parking‑lot entrance and explicit provisions for how the village will address future noise complaints.

Why it matters: Orphans of the Storm is a long‑standing animal welfare organization adjacent to residences on Riverwoods Road. The expansion would reconfigure outdoor dog yards, add building area and change drainage and site disturbance patterns. Neighbors raised concerns about runoff, noise, signage and refuse location; staff and outside engineers flagged tight margins on impervious‑area and disturbance thresholds that could trigger required stormwater detention if field changes increase pavement or compacted surfaces.

Applicant changes and staff concerns The applicant presented revised drawings showing multiple changes from the prior submission: a photometrics plan, a single synthetic turf product (referred to in the record as “canine grass”), reconfiguration and reduction of some exterior dog yards, a smaller rain‑garden footprint…