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Planning & Zoning Commission advances zoning change to allow The Learning Experience daycare at 9636 Forest Hills Road
Summary
The Machesney Park Planning & Zoning Commission voted unanimously to forward a zoning map amendment to reclassify 9636 Forest Hills Road from Industrial General to Commercial General so a 10,000-square-foot The Learning Experience child care center can be built; staff supported the change and the item goes to Planning & Economic Development on July 6.
The Machesney Park Planning & Zoning Commission voted unanimously on a motion to forward a zoning map amendment for 9636 Forest Hills Road to the Planning & Economic Development meeting on July 6 at 5:30 p.m., clearing the way for a national early-learning operator to build a 10,000-square-foot child care center there.
Planning staff recommended the change, telling commissioners the lot—located on the west side of Forest Hills Road across from Summerhawk Road and roughly 300 feet north of the commercial area on Route 173—is vacant and currently zoned Industrial General. "Staff supports development of this new child care center here in the village," said Gary, a planning staff member, noting an industrial use immediately across from an R4 residential neighborhood would likely be a poorer fit than a daycare.
Applicant Nathan Bryant, who was sworn in, said the site was purchased as part of a former call-center property and that the owners, Frank and Charlie Salamone, propose a build-to-suit for The Learning Experience (TLE), a national operator. "This is a new construction build to suit with TLE," Bryant said, adding the project team expects TLE to manage operations and that the facility will include an external play area that will be fenced as part of construction.
Commissioners questioned whether approving a single commercial lot surrounded by industrial zoning constituted spot zoning. One commissioner said the request "feels like spot zoning to me," while others agreed with staff that the proposed daycare provides a softer transition to the neighboring residential zoning. Commissioners also asked about site access, traffic and safety; staff and the applicant said the property has a recorded shared access easement from the adjacent parking area and noted an upcoming multi-year reconstruction project on Forest Hills that will add turn-lane improvements.
The commission endorsed the findings of fact and took a roll-call vote. Yes votes were recorded for Mr. Fluger, Mr. Hankins, Mr. Kleiner, Mr. Danny Levitch, Mr. Schultz and Gentry. The zoning change will proceed to the July 6 Planning & Economic Development meeting at 5:30 p.m. for further review.
