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Council approves St. Mary’s Coptic Orthodox Church gymnasium permit after debate over traffic, trees and legal limits
Summary
The Rolling Meadows City Council voted 6–0 to adopt Ordinance No. 26-01, granting a special-use permit for St. Mary’s Coptic Orthodox Church to build a gymnasium at 3839 W. Frontage Rd., after councilmembers and residents discussed traffic, a stormwater retention pond and protections for two specimen burr oak trees.
The Rolling Meadows City Council on Jan. 13 adopted Ordinance No. 26-01, granting a special-use permit to St. Mary’s Coptic Orthodox Church for a gymnasium at 3839 W. Frontage Rd. Mayor Sanoica called the vote following extended remarks from councilmembers and public comment; the ordinance passed on a 6–0 roll call.
Alderperson Budmats, who reviewed legal issues and neighborhood concerns, said the council must consider federal and state religious-land-use protections and that homeowner-association covenants are a private matter. “So, I will be voting yes on this measure,” Budmats said. Alderperson Koehler praised the engagement between the parties and thanked staff for mediation, saying, “You are quite impressive and your church must be extremely proud of all of you,” referencing youth who spoke in support.
Council discussion focused on four substantive issues identified during deliberations: (1) whether homeowner-association covenants barred the use (legal counsel advised covenants are private and not a basis for denial), (2) whether the church’s proposed daycare is a commercial use (staff and council referenced RLUIPA constraints), (3) placement of a stormwater retention pond and city code compliance, and (4) traffic and driveway access to Meadow Lane. Assistant City Manager and Community Development Director Glen Cole described staff-recommended amendments that would reroute a proposed storm sewer to protect two specimen burr oak trees and require that driveways between the church lot and Meadow Lane be closed or gated and locked except during worship services and city-approved special events.
The ordinance included the staff-recommended modifications and was read a second time before the vote. The passage followed public comment from multiple residents both in favor of and opposed to the project; councilmembers urged continued good-faith dialogue between the church and the Plum Grove Estates community. The council’s formal roll call recorded AYES: Budmats, O’Brien, Boucher, Reyez, Koehler, McHale; ABSENT: Vinezeano.
