Planning and Zoning Commission backs DeKalb Park District pool, approves 8-foot fence variance

The DeKalb City Planning and Zoning Commission voted to recommend that the City Council approve a special-use permit for a new public swimming pool at 1403 Sycamore Road and separately approved a variance to allow an eight-foot black-coated chain-link fence around the pool facility.

The vote advances a project the DeKalb Park District and architect Larson and Derby Group have been developing since 2019 to replace the longtime Hopkins Pool with a smaller, modern facility that the district expects to open after state health reviews are complete. The park district and its architect told the commission they are awaiting required Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) permits before major construction can proceed.

Steve Nelson, CEO of Larson and Derby Group, described the pool as a zero-depth entry facility that slopes to about 5 1/2 feet and includes six 25-meter lanes, four slides (two into a plunge pool and two deck slides), and a splash pad for toddlers and non‑swimmers. Nelson said demolition of the old Hopkins Pool and associated structures has already taken place and that the proposed mechanical building will be roughly 20 feet by 38 feet. He said pool usage is expected to average about 750 to 1,000 users per day when busy.

Dan (staff) told the commission that the site is zoned single-family residential but that a pool has occupied the footprint since the 1930s, making the existing use legal nonconforming. He said the park district pursued a special-use permit to regularize that status. The staff report recommended the commission find the special‑use standards are met and noted one written comment of support from Mason Properties, the owner of a shopping center across Sycamore Road.

Commission discussion covered building footprint, locker-room access, parking and programming. Nelson said the new locker rooms will be renovated and accessed only from the pool area; concessions will be reachable from the park without entering the pool area. The plan also includes additional parking on the north side of the site to serve the pool and other park activities.

On procedure and timing, Nelson said IDPH’s first review takes a minimum of three months, the second review typically four to six weeks and a third review two to three weeks; the project team had submitted responses to IDPH comments and hoped to begin significant construction by mid to late summer so the pool could open by Memorial Day or early June 2026 if reviews and supply conditions allow.

The commission took two formal actions. Commissioner Becker moved to forward findings of fact and recommend City Council approval of the special‑use permit per the submitted site plan and exhibits; Wright seconded. The roll call vote recorded Becker, O'Flaherty, Grama, Wright and McMahon as voting yes and the motion passed. Commissioner O'Flaherty then moved to approve a variance from Articles 7.06.2 and 7.06.5 of the Unified Development Ordinance to allow an eight‑foot black‑coated chain‑link fence as shown on the site plan; Pena Graham seconded. The roll call vote was unanimous in favor and the variance motion passed.

The commission record and staff report note the fence height matches the previous fence on the site and was presented as a security and safety measure to control after‑hours access and reduce vandalism and the risk of unauthorized entry. The staff report described the pool proposal as having essentially the same footprint as the former facility and as meeting the standards for a special use.

The next step is a City Council decision on the special‑use permit; construction remains contingent on final IDPH approvals and the park district’s construction schedule.