Eric L. Burk

The Plan Commission held a public hearing regarding a request for a Text Amendment to permit a Child Care Center as a Special Use in the C-1 Village Center District, and a Special Use Permit application for N. Family Club Child Care Center at 833 Deerfield Road. The petitioner presented details on the facility size, operating hours, child capacity (153 children), safety measures including an 8-foot fence around the rooftop play area, and site plan modifications. Several commissioners and members of the public raised extensive concerns regarding market oversaturation, potential negative impact on existing child care providers, staffing shortages in the early childhood education field, traffic congestion during peak drop-off/pickup times, and safety/noise concerns related to the nearby train tracks impacting the rooftop play area. Following deliberation where the Village Attorney clarified the separate considerations for the Text Amendment versus the Special Use Permit standards (excluding market competition from Special Use evaluation), the Commission voted separately on both requests. The motion to recommend approval of the Text Amendment failed, and a subsequent motion to recommend denial of the Text Amendment passed. Finally, the motion to recommend denial of the Special Use Permit for N. Family Club also passed. The Commission's recommendations will be forwarded to the Village Board of Trustees.

The agenda for the meeting includes a call to order, roll call, public comment, and discussions on several key initiatives. Transportation initiatives under review include bike route signage, no idling signage, and wayfinding signage. Waste initiatives involve discussing the compost utilization rate, a planned tour of Lakeshore Recycling Systems in March, and a tentative textile and electronics recycling event for June 6. Energy initiatives listed for discussion are the WRF Solar Array and the Green Energy Partnership Program (GEPP). The agenda also lists other items for discussion, specifically content related to the D-tales: Green Line.

The Appearance Review Commission held a workshop meeting to review pending applications. Key items included a request from Just Tires for enclosing an outdoor tire storage area with extended masonry walls and a new roof, and a request from Taco Bell for significant building improvements, exterior repainting, new signage, a digital menu board, and updates to the drive-thru area at 663 Lake Cook Road, which involves converting a portion of the existing space into a future tenant area. The Commission also received staff updates regarding upcoming applications, including a proposed daycare, a bank changing ownership, and signage updates for Guzman y Gomez.

The meeting included a presentation on the Administration Department's 2025 achievements and 2026 objectives, such as implementing new ADA regulations and transitioning forms online. Key approvals under the Consent Agenda included amending the Municipal Code to increase the number of Class F-1 liquor licenses for the Embassy Suites and designating delegates to the NIPSTA Board of Directors. New Business involved amending the Village Manager wage and salary plan for 2026 and adding the Human Resources/Risk Manager position. The Board also authorized purchase orders for biosolids removal services from Synagro Central LLC, authorized the purchase of biosolid polymer from Solenis LLC (waiving competitive bidding), approved an agreement with Strand Associates Inc. for SCADA system computer replacement engineering services, and authorized the purchase of replacement disinfected effluent water (DEW) pumps from Drydon Equipment Inc., also waiving competitive bidding. Finally, an agreement for employment search services for the Human Resources/Risk Manager position with MGT Impact Solutions was approved with a condition regarding the termination clause. General discussion included well wishes for the New Year and confirmation of the curbside tree collection schedule.

The agenda for the meeting focused on discussions concerning various sustainability initiatives. Key topics included waste management initiatives such as refuse collection, a tour of Lakeshore Recycling Systems, and plans for 2026 electronics and textile collection. Energy initiatives covered the WRF Solar Array, the Veregy at Go Green Deerfield Event, and the Green Energy Partnership Program (GEPP). Transportation initiatives involved discussion of bike route signage. Other items included updates on the Sustainability Commission and D-tales: Green Line.