The current Beth Am facility and the Torah Academy school are allowed as special uses. The Park District requests amendment of the special use to accommodate the performing arts center.

The property is comprised of two parcels with a total area of 5.4 acres. The Beth Am building and parking areas west, north and south of the building are on Lot 2 (3.6 acres) of the Seigle�s Resubdivision zoned B-3. The undeveloped parcel north of the building is Lot 3 (1.8 acres) zoned B-2. Both parcels are included in the special use approved for the Beth Am facility. The undeveloped parcel was planned for an office building in the planned unit development approved for the Seigle home improvement center in 1988.

The Plan Commission conducted a public hearing on September 5, 2012 and voted 8 to 0 to recommend approval of the request to amend the Planned Unit Development and special use to allow the performing arts center. The recommendation includes a stipulation that parking will be evaluated after the facility has been in operation for one year to determine if modifications are needed, such as providing additional paved parking on the vacant parcel (Lot 3).

Parking for the facility is addressed in the attached narrative dated August 28, 2012 by Dan Schimmel, Executive Director of the Park District, and the attached letter dated August 27, 2012 from Ted Haug of Legat Architects. The parking analysis indicates that 131 parking spaces are currently available, and the projected parking demand for the performance theater facility is 160 to 200 spaces. The Village parking standard for a theater is one space per 2.5 seats, so 200 spaces would be required for a 500-seat facility. Mr. Haug�s analysis of other uses including the dance and arts studios, classrooms and office area indicate a parking demand of approximately 65 spaces.

Mr. Schimmel discusses the management of parking demand including use of the grass area on the parcel north of the building. Mr. Schimmel notes that First American Bank has indicated that it will allow the Park District to use the bank property on Friday, Saturday and Sunday during times when the bank is not operating. The available bank parking is approximately 42 spaces. Mr. Schimmel indicated at the Plan Commission hearing that the Park District will also try to reach agreements for the use of parking at other adjacent properties such as the Town Center shopping center. Mr. Schimmel also notes that parking at other Park District properties will be used as necessary, with shuttle service to the performing arts center.

The draft Plan Commission minutes, draft ordinance and exhibits are attached.