Planning commission approves Yeshiva Beth Yehuda addition and gym with conditions

The Oak Park Planning Commission approved a special land use and site plan for an addition and gym at Yeshiva Beth Yehuda School at 14400 West 10 Mile Road after a staff presentation and a brief applicant overview.

Planning staff told the commission the proposal meets the zoning ordinance requirements "with conditions" but that "the special land use and site plan approval are contingent upon receiving variances from the zoning board of appeals for the North and west setback setbacks and off street parking spaces." The staff report also notes the site‑plan approval being extended and financing in progress.

Amy Ackman of PEA Group, the project's designer, said the school has operated for more than a decade and that the proposed gym is sized for daytime high‑school recreation. "The school's been open for over 10 years," Ackman said. She told the commission the gym "will be used during the school day for recreation" and that there are "no anticipated athletic competitions" and thus no planned evening use.

When asked about access, Ackman said the addition is sited to the rear and "it will not" block the neighboring ingress, and that drop‑off will remain. Contractor Jacob Monchando said the team is finalizing documents and preparing to bid: "we're finalizing documents right now to go out to bid... hopefully you're gonna start end of summer, early fall to get this under construction," and he estimated construction "depending on weather, say, 6 to 8 months, but probably closer to 6."

The chair opened a public hearing and, seeing no public comment, closed it. The commission then moved and seconded the staff recommendation and approved the special land use and site plan by roll call; the motion carried.

Next steps include securing the variances from the Zoning Board of Appeals and satisfying the staff conditions listed in the planning report before permits are issued.