Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Vernon Hills remands Nest daycare special‑use to Planning & Zoning after traffic concerns
Summary
After resident testimony and trustee concerns about left-turn safety at Sullivan/Route 45, the committee of the whole voted to remand The Nest’s special‑use application for 401 Sullivan Drive to Planning & Zoning for a reconvened public hearing focused on traffic and the petitioner's traffic study.
The Committee of the Whole on Feb. 4 voted to remand The Nest’s special‑use application for 401 W. Sullivan back to the Planning & Zoning Commission for a reconvened public hearing focused on traffic safety after residents raised neighborhood cut‑through and left‑turn concerns.
Director Jennings summarized the project and noted the Planning & Zoning Commission had previously recommended approval. Petitioner Michael Freiberger of New Look presented market data and a Buxton Scout analysis that staff said indicated unmet childcare demand in the 10‑minute drive area; he said the proposed center would provide up to 209 seats but estimated an operating average closer to 73% (~152 children) based on comparable locations.
Traffic engineer Steve Corcoran of Ericsson Engineering Associates told the committee he conducted rush‑hour counts and a gap study, and estimated the proposal would add roughly 30–35 additional left‑turns at peak hour. Corcoran said the field observations and gap analysis found sufficient opportunity for left turns and that striping left/right turn lanes could mitigate backups. Residents, including Teresa Calabrese, Natalie Hilberg and Monica Lundin, said the intersection is already difficult during rush hours, warned of neighborhood cut‑through traffic, and said the study did not reflect lived experience.
Counsel outlined three options — accept P&Z’s recommendation, deny the request, or remand to Planning & Zoning for additional public testimony on the traffic evidence because the traffic engineer had not testified at the original public hearing. Trustees voiced repeated safety concerns about left turns on Route 45 and the board voted to remand the application to Planning & Zoning for a reconvened hearing so the public can hear and respond to the traffic testimony. The motion carried by roll call.
Staff said a new notice will be published and the item will be posted on the village website when the reconvened hearing is scheduled.
