Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPLAN COMMISSION - 12/04/2023 - PC DOCKET # 23-11 1651 LIVELY SPECIAL USEElk Grove Village Plan Commission Minutes December 4, 2023 Present: J. Glass P. Rettberg S. Carlson K. Weiner F. Geinosky G. Schumm R. DeFrenza L. Bacigalupo Staff: C. Gabiga, Assistant Village Manager B. Kozor, Deputy Director of Community Development R. Raphael, Deputy Director of Community Development Petitioner: M. Lawrence, Owner of Lawrence Foods Inc. M. Kling, Representing Attorney Chairman Glass called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Item 1: November 13, 2023 Meeting Minutes Commissioner Weiner moved to approve the meeting minutes of November 13, 2023. Commissioner Carlson seconded the motion. Upon voting (Glass, Rettberg, Carlson, Weiner, Geinosky, Schumm, Morrill, DeFrenza, Bacigalupo, AYES), the motion carried unanimously. Item 2: PC Docket #23-11: Petition for Special Use for a portion of the building to be used as a Martial Arts Studio at 1651 Lively Boulevard Chairman Glass read the legal notice into the record and asked the Petitioner to explain their purpose before the Plan Commission. M. Kling explained that the Petitioner is requesting approval for a Special Use permit for a portion of the building that is located at 1651 Lively Boulevard in Elk Grove. The portion of the building that is being requested for the approval of a special use is to be used as a martial art studio. M. Kling explained that this use is permitted by the Village as a special use in the Village's I-2 District pursuant to the zoning code. The subject property currently consists of a 14,000 square 1 foot building with approximately 12,000 square feet of which is a warehouse for industrial use, then the remaining 2,000 square feet is office space, which is being proposed for conversion into a martial arts studio. M. Kling stated that there are two martial arts instructors that would teach classes at the subject property. The first being Mr. Cohen, who would conduct one class per week on Saturday or Sunday, depending on the availability of his students. The other is Mr. Era who would conduct three classes a week in the afternoons on Tuesdays, Thursdays and on Saturdays. Mr. Era will have five (5) to ten (10) students moving from his current Dojo in Oak Park. Instructors would have no more than eleven (11) students at one time. There are currently fourteen (14) parking spaces on the subject property, which is more than adequate to support the low density of the requested use. M. Kling stated that if the proposed special use is approved, it would not be detrimental to the health, safety, morals or general welfare of the surrounding businesses or the individuals working in the facility, as the proposed special use is very low density and the activities will be conducted during hours when other industrial uses in this area are not operating. Commissioner Rettberg asked whether the courses offered at the studio would be for adults or children. S. Cohen explained that courses are primarily for both young adults and adults. He also explained his competitive martial arts history and years of experience as a coach. S. Cohen stated that he will be coaching and training young martial arts athletes to prepare for the Olympic Games at this martial arts studio. Commissioner Rettberg asked whether there will be competitions held at the studio. The Petitioner explained that there will be no competitions held at this facility and that the studio will only be used for technical skill training. Commissioner Rettberg asked whether there will be any types of events or activities that will require use of more than the fourteen (14) parking spaces available. The Petitioner stated that this will not be the case and that many students will carpool together due to them coming from the same location. Commissioner Carlson asked whether the door on the warehouse that faces the west was an emergency exit door. The Petitioner explained that that is correct and that the access to the martial arts studio is off Lively Boulevard and that employees of Lawrence Foods will have a separate entrance to the warehouse space. 2 Commissioner Weiner asked if the area will be utilized for anything else when no classes are scheduled. The Petitioner stated that one of the coaches will use the martial art studio office space as he waits for the lessons to begin. Commissioner Weiner asked whether there will be changing areas and restrooms that are proposed to be retrofitted for the young adults. The Petitioner stated that is correct. Commissioner Geinosky asked who is going to own the 2,000 square feet that will make up the martial arts studio. A Lawrence stated that as the owner of Lawrence Foods, he will own the martial arts studio. He explained that he will not be leasing the building to either of the coaches aside from the necessary identification purposes. A Lawrence explained that he is passionate about this martial arts studio and wants to support both coaches. Chairman Glass suggested including a condition on the special use that should the martial arts studio no longer be in use by either of the coaches, that the special use will no longer be valid. The Petitioner requested that the Special Use be applied to the owner and its successors for this location, as he anticipates this to be a multi -generational business and sport his family will participate in. Commissioner Geinosky asked whether the martial arts studio will be a separate business entity and whether the collected taxes, permits, and licensing fees be submitted together with the martial arts studio and Lawrence Foods or separate. The Petitioner advised that he believes they would be handled separately and that he will rely on counsel to assist in deciding what structure is necessary. Commissioner Geinosky asked what happens to the 2,000 square feet of the martial arts studio if for some reason the owner decides to move their facility to another location. The Petitioner advised that he will probably continue to keep the building as a gym to help support athletes. Commissioner Geinosky stated that this martial arts studio would be a personal accommodation and be a completely different business and asked whether the Village has any issues with that. 3 B. Kozor stated that the Petitioner will receive a Special Use for the 2,000 square feet determined to be used as the martial arts studio and if the property sells to a different owner, the special use would not apply to anyone but M. Lawrence or his successors at this subject property. Commissioner Geinosky asked what signage will be installed at the property to distinguish the martial arts studio and the business. The Petitioner shared that there are two pieces of signage that will be installed. There will be a martial arts sign on Lively Boulevard and in the Lunt Avenue side, the Petitioner intends to install a Lawemce Foods sign near the entrance. The Petitioner also advised that the martial arts studio will have its own address, 1651 Lively Boulevard. Commissioner Geinosky asked if someone driving to the building for the first time will know where to go if they are looking for the martial arts studio. The Petitioner confirmed that is correct. Commissioner Geinosky commented on the restoration and improvements pertaining to landscaping. The Petitioner explained that the initial landscape plan provided for Village review was denied due to the lack of landscaping and color. The Petitioner's landscaper revised the plans that were approved by Village Staff and about 60% has been installed now and the rest will be installed after the winter. Commissioner Geinosky confirmed the Community Development Department had no comments and assumed that staff approved of the landscaping changes. R. Raphael stated that is correct. Commissioner Geinosky stated that for the record he wanted to clarify that the Petitioner mentioned the section in the Zoning Ordinance that handles special uses is Chapter 7 Article E, Section 4 when it is in fact Section 3 that references training facilities. Commissioner Bacigalupo mentioned that based on the description provided, the studio will not be open to the public and there will be a predetermined number of athletes training for the Olympics. The Petitioner stated that is correct. Commissioner Bacigalupo commented that his concerns have all been addressed and that he is very familiar with the area and works close to the location. Commissioner Bacigalupo stated that he welcomes the changes and wishes the Petitioner the best of luck. 4 Commissioner DeFrezna stated that those were her questions as well. Commissioner Schumm asked what the hours of operation are. The Petitioner stated that hours will not be set in stone, as they will be determined when classes are conducted. The classes will take place on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday and/or Sunday. The Petitioner also stated that after having conversations between the two coaches, classes will most likely be from 8 a.m. — 11 a.m. on the weekends and evening weekday classes will take place between 5:30 — 7:30 p.m. Commissioner Schumm asked how young the youngest trainees are. The Petitioner stated that both judo and karate will be offered at the studio and that teenagers participate in judo and karate allows for younger teenagers. Commissioner Schumm asked whether Mr. Cohen knows J. Colgan, an Elk Grove Village resident who was a very well-known Judo expert. Mr. Cohen stated that he knew J. Colgan very well. Chairman Glass stated he did not have any questions. Chairman Glass shared a story about his younger brother participating in a fencing class and making it to the junior national Olympics. RECOMMENDATION Commissioner Geinosky moved to recommend approval of the Special Use Permit for a portion of the building to be used as a Martial Arts Studio at 1651 Lively Boulevard in the I-2 District, with the following condition: • That there be granted a Special Use Permit to 1651 Lively LLC/Lawrence Foods Inc. to permit the operation of a martial arts studio at 1651 Lively Boulevard. The Special Use Permit expires at the time that 1651 Lively LLC/Lawrence Foods Inc. is no longer located at the subject location. Commissioner Weiner seconded the motion. Upon voting (Rettberg, Geinosky, Glass, Weiner, Schumm, Carlson, DeFrenza, Bacigalupo, AYES), the motion passed 8-0. Item 3: Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:32 p.m. 5 Respectfully submitted, Caroline Gabiga Assistant Village Manager C: Chairman and Members of the Plan Commission, Mayor and Board of Trustees, Village Clerk.