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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPLAN COMMISSION - 01/25/2021 - PC Docket 21-1, 2300 Higgins,Baymont Inn & Suites, Special UseElk Grove Village Plan Commission Minutes January 25, 2021 Present: J. Glass S. Carlson F. Geinosky K. Weiner L. Bacigalupo J. Morrill P. Rettberg G. Schumm R. DeFrenza Absent: None Staff. J. Polony, Deputy Director of Community Development R. Raphael, Engineering Supervisor N. Radcliffe, Senior Management Analyst Petitioner(s): R. Chowdhury, Chowdhury Group LLC (Item 2) C. Gazso, GDI Architects (Item 2) Chairman Glass called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. Item 1: September 28, 2020 Meeting Minutes Commissioner Geinosky moved to approve the meeting minutes of January 25, 2021. Commissioner Morrill seconded the motion. Upon voting (Carlson, Geinosky, Weiner, Bacigalupo, Schumm, Morrill, Rettberg, Glass, DeFrenza AYES), the motion carried unanimously. Item 2: PC Docket # 21-1: Petition of Chowdhury Group LLC for a Special Use Permit in order to repurpose and operate a hotel in the I-2 Industrial District located at 2300 E. Higgins. Chairman Glass read the legal notice into the record and asked the Petitioner to explain their purpose before the Plan Commission. R. Chowdhury stated he is the owner/operator of Chowdhury Group LLC. The subject property is located in the I-2 Industrial Zoned District and next to a B-3 Business Zoned District. 1 R. Chowdhury stated that the Chowdhury Group wants to repurpose the office building into a Baymont Inn and Suites to operate a hotel. They would also enhance the landscaping to attract visitors, as this area is an important corner of Elk Grove Village. R. Chowdhury stated that the Village and local businesses would benefit from the hotel operation because of the tax revenue, capital investment, tourism, and jobs. R. Chowdhury stated the office building is currently vacant and blighted, and a hotel would raise the value of the property. Chairman Glass asked how many rooms are proposed in the plan. R. Chowdhury stated the initial proposal would be for 60-65 rooms. Chairman Glass asked if the office building would be reconstructed from the inside. C. Gazso, a representative from GDI Architects, stated that over fifty percent of the interior would be updated and brought up to code. Chairman Glass asked if the parking lot would be redone. C. Gazso stated they would assess the condition of the lot and bring up to code, if needed. Commissioner Rettberg asked how many parking stalls are proposed. C. Gazso stated they initially proposed 160 parking stalls, but Village staff recommended reducing the number. C. Gazso stated they are now proposing 65 parking stalls for guests, and 4 parking stalls for employees, for a total of 69 parking stalls. R. Chowdhury stated they would like to increase the number of parking stalls from the recommended 69. Commissioner Rettberg asked if the parking stalls would be sufficient for guests, contractors, and 25 employees. R. Chowdhury stated that the proposed 69 parking stalls would not be enough. Chairman Glass asked how many parking stalls they would need. R. Chowdhury stated they would need at least 85 parking stalls. C. Gazso stated there is more than enough room to fit the 85 parking stalls. Commissioner Rettberg asked if they know how many parking stalls are at the vacant office building now. R. Chowdhury stated he thinks there are at least 89 parking stalls, but it is hard to tell, as the parking lot is deteriorated. Commissioner Rettberg asked if there would be a bar or restaurant inside of the hotel. R. Chowdhury stated it is a simple hotel with a continental breakfast, which is essentially a grab -and - go breakfast. Commissioner Rettberg asked if there would be a concession stand to purchase snacks and alcohol. R. Chowdhury stated there would be a grab -and -go area, with no liquor included. Commissioner Carlson stated the redevelopment of the property would be beneficial for the Village because it is not in good condition. Commissioner Carlson asked if the Petitioner plans to incorporate Community Development's comments into their plans. R. Chowdhury stated they have and will. Commissioner Weiner asked if there would be a pool or spa in the proposed hotel. R. Chowdhury stated there would be no pool or spa. Commissioner Weiner asked if there would be on -site security. R. Chowdhury stated there would be security. Commissioner Weiner asked if there would be parking for trucks available. R. Chowdhury stated there would only be stalls for car parking, but there may be a designated spot for bus parking for events. Commissioner Weiner asked if there would be any type of food operations for meetings. R. Chowdhury stated there would be a meeting area, but no food would be prepared or served. Commissioner Weiner asked if there would be day rates offered. R. Chowdhury stated they offer a flat nightly rate, but would reassess if needed. Commissioner Weiner asked if they would assist in addressing homelessness, if needed. J. Polony stated Village staff would have to look at that as a special request, since it would change the concept of the hotel operations. Commissioner Geinosky asked if the fencing along the back of the subject property from east to the west would be replaced. C. Gazso stated the fencing would be replaced with a vinyl fence. Commissioner Geinosky stated there is another hotel nearby and asked if the prices would be competitive. R. Chowdhury stated his marketing team would analyze the area to adjust their price, if needed. R. Chowdhury stated the Baymont Inn targets business travelers. Commissioner Geinosky asked if there would be a bus offered for shuttling. R. Chowdhury stated at this time they do not plan to offer a shuttle bus. Commissioner Bacigalupo asked why Village staff had an issue with the parking stalls. J. Polony stated Village staff believed 123 parking stalls was excessive and Village staff have previously seen issues in Elk Grove Village with excess parking stalls being rented out for truck parking. 3 J. Polony stated the number for the 69 parking stalls came from the Village code which requires one parking stall for every room and one parking stall for every employee on the largest shift. Commissioner Bacigalupo asked if the Petitioner could increase the proposed landscaping. R. Chowdhury stated they would do so. Commissioner Morrill asked if the Petitioner runs any other franchises they run. R. Chowdhury stated they do operate a few others. Commissioner Morrill asked how many employees would be on each shift. R. Chowdhury stated there would always be more than two employees per shift, for safety reasons. Commissioner Schumm asked who the members are for ownership. R. Chowdhury stated the three owners listed are all family members. Commissioner Geinosky stated he does not want to see semi -trucks parking there. R. Chowdhury stated there is no truck parking allowed. Chairman Glass asked if there would be additional landscaping in the open space and near required storm water management facilities and noted this property symbolizes a gateway entrance for the Village. C. Gazso stated they would look into adding more landscaping in the mentioned areas. Chairman Glass requested that the Petitioner provide a revised landscaping plan with additional landscaping to the Plan Commission for approval prior to receiving a certificate of occupancy. R. Chowdhury stated that is not a problem. N. Radcliffe requested that the Plan Commission determine the number of parking stalls they would like to include in the recommendation. Chairman Glass stated 89 parking stalls is what the Petitioner requested earlier in this hearing. R. Chowdhury stated that would work for them if the Commissioners allow. RECOMMENDATION Commissioner Morrill moved to recommend approval of the Special Use Permit in order to operate a hotel in the I-2 Industrial District located at 2300 E. Higgins with the following conditions: The Petitioner shall provide a revised landscaping plan with additional landscaping to the Plan Commission for approval prior to receiving a certificate of occupancy. The Petitioner shall provide a revised site plan to Community Development, which shows no more than 89 parking stalls, prior to receiving building permits. 4 Commissioner Carlson seconded the motion. Upon voting (Carlson, Geinosky, Glass, Bacigalupo, Morrill, Weiner, Rettberg, DeFrenza, Schumm AYES) the motion carries unanimously. Item 3: Adjournment Commissioner Schumm moved to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Weiner seconded the motion. Upon voting (Carlson, Geinosky, Weiner, Bacigalupo, Glass, Morrill, Schumm, Rettberg AYES), the motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Nick Radcliffe, Senior Management Analyst C: Chairman and Members of the Plan Commission, Mayor and Board of Trustees, Village Clerk