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Neighbors press board as Valley Lo Club gets preliminary approval for sports center
Summary
The Village Board gave first consideration to a proposed Valley Lo Club sports center and replacement clubhouse; neighbors raised concerns about building height, noise, light, bird strikes and stormwater. The Development Adjustments Commission recommended approval and the board approved preliminary appearance, with final engineering and appearance reviews to return to the commission.
At its Sept. 2 meeting the Glenview Village Board reviewed first consideration of a plan for a new clubhouse and sports center at 2200 Tanglewood Drive proposed by Valley Lo Club. Director Brady described a 5,400 square-foot replacement clubhouse (net roughly 4,400 square feet) with retail and administrative space, indoor golf simulators, a bar and kitchen and patios on the east and west sides. The plan requires regrading to drain to Valley Lo Lake and would remove eight trees that the applicant said would be replaced.
The Development Adjustments Commission recommended approval (5–0) but noted issues for final appearance review: lowering building height and cupola size, modifying window glazing to reduce bird strikes, additional buffering and landscaping, and precise stormwater management and trash-handling details. Director Brady and applicant representatives said final engineering, MWRD permitting and any required building permits will be resolved during later reviews.
Several nearby residents spoke during public comment. Patricia Walter and Jan/Anne Leahy said the proposed structure and associated patio activity would be closer than previous uses, cited concerns about noise (Walter reported expected restaurant/noise levels and distances of 400–900 feet to homes), lighting, wildlife and the cumulative effect of repeated plan amendments. William Seitz and others urged adherence to the commission’s recommendations and voiced frustration about procedural clarity.
Judy Higgins, Valley Lo Club general manager, said the club will consider reducing the cupola size, explore bird-friendly glazing and add landscaping; she emphasized compliance with stormwater rules and said the club has engaged neighbors at prior meetings. Trustees discussed hours of operation (applicant estimates patio activity will wind down as daylight ends and indoor use could run later in winter, to about 10 p.m.), net square footage, and whether to remand the matter. Several trustees said the commission will handle final appearance review and that the matter will return to the board for second consideration. The board approved the preliminary appearance (first consideration) by voice vote; final approvals will depend on commission review and permit fulfillment.
