Commission backs multi‑million‑dollar redevelopment of Vernon Hills police campus, recommends variances

The Vernon Hills Planning & Zoning Commission on July 8 voted to recommend approval of a multi‑phase redevelopment of the police campus at 754 Lakeview Parkway, including site plan and architectural approvals, a special use for a governmental building and two variances: permitting parking within the required Lakeview Parkway buffer and reducing required parking from 242 spaces to 150.

Chief Pat Kries introduced the project and said the commission had authorized a comprehensive analysis of the campus to provide long‑term operational capability: ‘‘if we were to go somewhere else in the village without the cost of land and to develop this size site...it would be in excess of $56,000,000; this project's estimated to be somewhere in that mid $30,000,000 range,’’ he said. The design team from FGMA Architects (project manager Mike Elliott) presented concept images showing a new, identifiable civic entry, a community meeting/training room, expanded public parking (to about 38 public spaces), and an enclosed garage intended to store some police vehicles and equipment.

Commissioners and staff focused questions on landscape and frontage details, parking counts, fence and gate locations and public access to an existing trail and pedestrian bridge that currently crosses the campus. The plan calls for curving the property fence and working with the park district to relocate a path and bridge so the trail will remain usable for pedestrians outside the secured campus; temporary gravel pathing during construction was proposed for winter months.

Project schedule and operations were discussed: the team estimated a construction timeline of roughly 18 months (up to 24 months in poor construction seasons), with phased renovations so the department minimizes moves; the garage is intended to house about 28 vehicles and the entry/administrative space will concentrate public access. Chief Kries said the design includes expanded training and wellness space and a command center large enough to host mutual aid operations in emergencies.

The commission approved findings of fact and recommended approval of the variances and the special use/site/architectural plans with conditions requiring that outstanding technical review comments be addressed prior to permit issuance, that minor modifications remain generally consistent with approved plans, and that staff re‑evaluate landscaping along Lakeview Parkway and Philip Road path ownership and condition. Chair Pro Tem Heidner made the motion; Commissioner Navitt seconded. The motion carried unanimously and will be forwarded to the village board for final action.