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Plan commission recommends approval of Glenbard East additions, including minor height and open-space deviations
Summary
The Village of Lombard Plan Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of a petition by Glenbard School District 87 to add three small additions to Glenbard East High School, expand parking, and reconfigure vehicle circulation. The commission recommended the plan to the Village Board with four conditions.
The Village of Lombard Plan Commission voted unanimously July 28 to recommend approval of PC 25-11, a petition from Glenbard School District 87 to add three small building additions, expand parking and reconfigure circulation at Glenbard East High School, 1014 S. Main St.
The petition, presented by Jesslyn Kelly, project manager and architect with Wold Architects Engineers, would add a main office addition to create a distinct visitor entry, a cafeteria expansion and a new learning commons, plus site work to consolidate an above-ground detention basin underground and add parking. "We are looking at 3, modest sized additions to improve safety and security for the building," Kelly said during her presentation.
The additions triggered two zoning deviations: a requested building-height deviation to allow a cafeteria addition at 32 feet where 30 feet is permitted in the CRPD Conservation and Recreation District, and an open-space deviation reducing calculated open space on the plan development from roughly 50% to 48% to accommodate new parking areas. Kelly said the proposed height change "is to ensure that the addition fits with the existing building" and that the reduced open space would not affect playability of athletic fields. The petitioner also said the site plan accommodates on-site stacking for 25 buses and would add 63 parking spaces on the south lot as part of the base bid.
The Department of Community Development staff entered the interdepartmental (IDRC) report into the record and recommended approval. Staff noted the petitioner coordinated with the village and traffic consultant KLOA, which had recommended separate loading areas for buses and passenger vehicles and increased on-campus parking; KLOA reviewed the final plan and concluded it met many of its recommendations. Anna (Department of Community Development staff) told commissioners the petition was "consistent with the relevant standards in the village code" and recommended approval subject to conditions in the staff report.
Commissioner John Johnson moved that the Plan Commission accept the IDRC findings and recommend approval of PC 25-11 subject to four conditions; Commissioner Sweetser seconded. A roll-call vote recorded aye votes from Commissioner Johnson, Commissioner Sweetser, Commissioner Flanagan, Commissioner Springberg, Commissioner Versen and Chair Giuliano. The commission's recommendation will be forwarded to the Village Board for final action at its Aug. 21, 2025 meeting.
Discussion at the hearing focused on circulation, parking and construction phasing. Kelly said parent drop-off will be shifted to Main Street while the Wilson Avenue entrance will be reconfigured to allow buses to stack on-site, reducing car/bus interaction on Wilson. She described a construction phasing plan that would start in fall 2025 and aim to complete major components for the 2026–27 school year, with additional parking work contingent on future bids and funding. Staff and the petitioner also described stormwater work, noting the intent to consolidate an above-ground basin underground to free area for parking.
The Plan Commission's action is a recommendation only; final zoning and plan-development amendments will be decided by the Village Board at its Aug. 21, 2025 meeting.
