ZBA recommends denial of day care special use at 2812-2814 Central

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On June 16, the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) recommended by a vote of 4-0 that the City Council deny the application of Little Green Tree House for a special use permit to operate a day care and pre-school center at 2812-2814 Central Street.  Two of the standards that the ZBA said  had not been satisfied were the availability of adequate parking for staff, employees, and guests and a showing that the center would not contribute to traffic congestion in that block of Central Street.

Building co-owner Kevin Gazley of Terraco, Inc., applied for the special use permit on behalf of the prospective daycare tenant.  The application stated that approximately 130 children between ages 6 months and 5 years are expected to be dropped off at the center every weekday between the hours of 7-9am, and picked up between 4-6pm.  Gazley asked that five parallel parking spaces on Central Street in front of the building be designated as a 15-minute “Loading Zone” for that purpose, plus the delivery of daily meals for all the children and diaper service for those in need of it.  Neighbors suggested that the small number of parking spaces on Central Street would not be adequate for that purpose, without having other vehicles double-parking in front for drop-off or pick-up and creating traffic congestion.  With Fire Station No. 5 located two doors west of the proposed center, board members expressed concern for the risk of traffic congestion.

Gazley’s application also stated that “up to 90%” of the employees of the center are expected to commute to work by using public transportation.  After Little Green Tree House representatives disclosed that none of the anticipated 24 employees has been hired yet, Gazley was unable to give a basis for his estimate, but said that salaries will be modest and CTA and Metra services are available.  Plans for the center call for a total of eight parking spaces, plus one handicapped space, in the rear of the building for employees and visitors of the center.  Neighbors and Ald. Mark Tendam (6th) told the board that employees of other businesses already are parking during the day on residential streets adjoining Central Street.  Little Green Tree House offered no plan for its employees’ off-street parking, but offered to explore availability.  

The special use application now goes to the City Council’s Planning & Development Committee (P&D) with the ZBA recommendation that it be denied.  ZBA chairman Matt Rodgers said that the applicant can present its proposal to P&D “as is,” or it may work with City staff and the neighbors in an effort to remedy the shortcomings cited in the ZBA vote. The next meeting of P&D is scheduled for July 13.