Commission recommends approval of township’s plan to retrofit 1275 Main St. for ADA access and community use

On Oct. 21 the Antioch Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval of PZB25-15, a text amendment and special-use request enabling Antioch Township to retrofit the property at 1275 Main St. for township offices, community programs and modest interior improvements.

Chris Shepherd, an Antioch Township trustee, said the township purchased the former church and is seeking ADA-compliance improvements, space for the assessor’s office, and space to support activities such as youth sports, senior services and meal distribution. "What we're trying to do is make the building ADA compliant, support community activities such as youth sports leagues, senior services...Meals on Wheels goes out of there," Shepherd said.

David Choi, principal architect for DFSAO Architects, told the commission the project’s site plan accounts for civic-use parking and currently provides 63 spaces, which he said satisfies the code’s parking calculation for the intended uses. Choi said the building footprint will not increase; some existing nonessential structures will be removed, and future phases could add locker rooms and a mezzanine viewing area while keeping the envelope largely the same.

Commissioners asked about lighting and landscaping. Choi said the current phase relocates existing emergency lighting and that any future parking-lot lighting would require submission of a photometrics plan for staff review; landscaping will be handled by a landscape architect and will focus on native plantings. A motion to recommend approval passed by roll call; the commission will forward its recommendation to the village board for final action.