The Waukegan Planning and Zoning Commission on Jan. 8 voted to approve a conditional use permit for a proposed vocational school at 814 and 824 Glen Flora Avenue.

City staff described the planned Waukegan Technical Trade School as a hands‑on, small‑cohort program offering instruction in plumbing, electrical and mechanical trades. Staff said the school expects up to about 30 students with two staff on site, and recommended conditions that would limit hours to 5–8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m.–5 p.m. on weekends, cap occupancy at 32 and require a written parking agreement before the operation may begin.

Applicant Sean Devoke, a plumbing inspector who said he helped develop the program, told the commission the model stresses practical training over bookwork and that an existing HVAC program has run for years. "We're trying to be more hands on rather than book work," Devoke said. He said the HVAC course runs about 10 months on weekends and that evening plumbing and electrical classes would likely run about five months, two nights per week.

Devoke and business partner Anthony Rivera said they have approached a nearby church for overflow parking and shared a tentative arrangement; staff noted the Saint Anastasia’s lot is about 475 feet from the site and that the condition requires a binding parking plan acceptable to the city before operation begins. Commissioners pressed the applicants on timing and the weekend-hour mismatch with the church agreement; Devoke said the church had given tacit approval and that a lease is in process and would include restriping and resurfacing of the shared lot.

On certification and scope, Devoke said HVAC students receive EPA refrigerant certification; plumbing and electrical offerings would initially be informational or entry‑level because state licensure requires a specified number of credited hours. "There's nothing against the state law that says you can't offer an informational program," he said, adding future goals include creating state‑approved credited courses and apprenticeship pathways.

A former student, Jorge Sanchez, spoke in support of the proposal, saying weekend scheduling allowed him to complete training while working and later start a business. "It was a great experience," Sanchez said, describing the program as a practical option for residents and young people.

The commission noted a single written objection from a nearby resident raising parking concerns. After discussing the staff conditions and the applicants’ plans to limit occupancy and secure off‑site parking, a commissioner moved to approve the conditional use permit. The motion passed by roll call.

Next steps: the commission’s action is a recommendation; the item will move to city council for final consideration. The applicants were told to be available for a Feb. 2 meeting with community development staff to coordinate next steps.