Commission hears early review of Orphans of the Storm expansion and update on Federal Life demolition

Village staff told the Plan Commission it has begun an initial review of an expansion proposal from Orphans of the Storm, the long-standing animal-welfare organization on Riverwoods Road, and that the application will return to the commission for further review.

Staff said Orphans of the Storm is proposing a large expansion — described in the meeting as roughly a tripling of the facility — and that the property has historically held a special-use designation that predates the village. Because the historical special-use authorization lacks modern standards, staff said the village has engaged Tesco Associates to review the submitted drawings and to recommend how the commission should evaluate setbacks, parking, noise mitigation and other criteria for a substantially larger facility.

Neighbors previously raised noise concerns when animals are outdoors; staff said Orphans previously built berms along Riverwoods Road to reduce noise and that the current expansion plan may require removal of at least part of that berm. Commissioners asked whether the plan could be redesigned to retain the berm; staff said that question will be part of the design review and that Tesco’s critique will identify opportunities for noise mitigation and other design changes.

Staff estimated the matter will require additional rounds of review and possible revisions and noted that Orphans may need to complete fundraising before construction begins. The village advised that it will try to encourage design changes before the plan returns to the commission.

Separately, staff updated the commission on the Federal Life building site. The village has awarded a demolition contract, and staff said demolition preparations — including a construction fence around the site and erosion/silt-control measures — are expected to begin in the near term (staff estimated roughly 60 days). The village engineer is preparing plans to expand on-site detention and add a second detention pond; staff said those design drawings are being finalized for county review and that site work could begin in summer with the goal of completing pond work by fall.

Staff noted part of the Federal Life parcel has been sold to the fire district for a potential new fire station; the district may pursue a referendum before advancing project messaging and final design, staff said. The village cautioned that the site will appear as an active construction/demolition zone while work proceeds and urged nearby residents to observe posted safety fencing.

No formal actions were taken on the Orphans application or the demolition update during the meeting; staff said both items will return for future hearings and plan reviews.