Commission backs proposed Radical Wrestling and Boxing gym at 633 E. Chicago St.; neighbor voices parking, noise concerns

The Elgin Planning and Zoning Commission voted Aug. 4, 2025, to recommend that City Council approve petition 21-25, a conditional-use request to establish a wrestling and boxing gym at 633 East Chicago Street.

City planner Ford Demir told the commission the single-story commercial building is about 2,400 square feet with a 16-space parking lot and two full-access driveways, one on East Chicago Street and one on Preston Avenue. Under the zoning formula of one parking space per four students, the site could support up to 60 students; the applicant agreed to limit sessions to no more than 25 students to avoid on-street parking overflow. Staff recommended approval of the request subject to conditions in the staff packet.

Applicant Gerardo Pina, who said he is a teacher at Larkin High School and an assistant varsity wrestling coach, described the gym as a club under the business name Radical Wrestling and Boxing. Pina said participants…