Commission recommends Larkin High School stadium upgrades despite neighbor parking concerns; vote 5-1

The Elgin Planning and Zoning Commission on Sept. 8 voted 5-1 to recommend city council approve a plan development and master-signage amendment for stadium improvements at Larkin High School, 1475 Larkin Avenue.

City planning staff described a project that would convert the existing athletic field into a formal stadium with synthetic turf, an upgraded track, new bleacher seating totaling 2,250 capacity, a 7,627-square-foot concessions and locker-room building, a 1,500-square-foot covered pavilion, two ticket booths, a scoreboard placed east of the stadium (peak height about 20 feet with a 189-square-foot sign panel but no electronic message center) and new fencing and landscaping. Staff said existing on-site parking is about 540 spaces; the current code requirement with the stadium's capacity would be 430 spaces, so the campus would continue to meet the ordinance's numeric parking requirement.

Jolene Linneman, representing School District U-46, said, "Larkin is the only high school that does not have a formal stadium. So they share with Elgin." She described student enthusiasm for a home stadium and said district transportation is preparing shuttle plans using other district parking lots for rare, very high-attendance events.

Traffic consultant Kyle Sant told the commission he observed typical school-day parking occupancy around 65% before dismissal and about 20% after dismissal. He said the district's estimate for a typical busy varsity game is about 1,000 attendees; using an assumed vehicle occupancy of 2.5 people per car, that scenario would generate roughly 300—20 parking spaces and fit within on-site capacity. A full-capacity event (2,250 attendees) would create an approximate demand near 900 parking spaces; the district proposes to use nearby school parking (Elgin High, Kimball Middle School, Highland Elementary and Creekside Elementary) and shuttle service for those rare occasions.

Commissioners raised concerns about neighborhood parking and circulation. Commissioner Jones described prior experience in the area and warned that students and attendees sometimes park on adjacent residential streets and block driveways. Commissioner Olsen and others asked whether the city can use traffic/parking controls and emphasized enforcement and event staffing; staff noted the city's parking and traffic committee can study targeted measures and that school officials said police and school staff assist with game-day circulation (an athletic director noted eight police officers often staff Larkin events).

Departures requested include permission for accessory buildings and ticket booths in the street yard south of the main building, exceptions for taller fences than usually allowed in street yards and an additional sign (the scoreboard) beyond the two signs allowed under the school's existing master signage plan. Staff recommended approval subject to the packet's conditions. The commission voted 5-1 (Commissioner Jones opposed) to forward a recommendation to city council.

If council approves, the project will proceed to permitting and construction; staff specified that fencing, lighting, landscaping species and exact traffic-control measures will be refined through permit review and coordination with police and public works.