Will County Gazette

Village of New Lenox Plan Commission met April 2.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

CALL TO ORDER

A regular meeting of the Village of New Lenox Plan Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chairman Mark Muehlnickel.

Mr. Muehlnickel led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.

ROLL CALL

Upon roll call, the following were present: Chairman Mark Muehlnickel, Commissioners, Matthew Blackburn, Rebecca Dalseth, Jason Raidbard, Robert Moss and Theresa Berkey.

The following was absent: Andrew Hawkins.

Chairman Muehlnickel announced there was a quorum present for this meeting.

Also in attendance were Senior Planner Jeff Smith, Planner Jenni Neubauer and Senior Administrative Secretary Lisa Martin.

REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF A REGULAR PLAN COMMISSION MEETING OF JANUARY 16, 2024

A motion was made by Mr. Moss and seconded by Ms. Berkey to approve the January 16, 2024 minutes as presented. Voice vote was taken. Motion carried.

Mr. Muehlnickel noted that Mr. Hawkins was present at 7:02 p.m. for the meeting.

REQUEST FOR SPECIAL USE FOR A NOT-FOR-PROFIT COMMERCIAL USE (Public Hearing)

Trinity Services

4.36-acre property located at 1101 South Gougar Road

Robert S. Taylor / Trinity Foundation Inc. - Petitioner

Chairman Muehlnickel asked if proof of notice had been received, and Staff replied affirmatively.

Mr. Muehlnickel commented that no one from the public was present for the public hearing.

Mr. Muehlnickel asked for a motion to open the public hearing. A motion was made by Mr. Raidbard and seconded by Mr. Blackburn to open the public hearing at 7:02 p.m. Voice vote was taken. Motion carried.

Mr. Bob Taylor, the representative for The Trinity Foundation and Trinity Services, advised that they purchased church at 1101 South Gougar Road and intended to turn it into an employee training site.

Mr. Jeff Smith advised that the property is located on the west of Gougar Road and south of Illinois Highway / Spencer Road and is approximately 4.36 acres in area.

He commented that it was zoned R-1 Single-Family when it was annexed into the Village in 1989 and was also granted a Special Use for a church. He stated that Trinity acquired the property because the membership of the church had declined over the years and that the facility was too large and was no longer needed.

Mr. Smith noted that Trinity would use the facility Monday thru Friday with the possibility of the church using the building on the weekends until they find a smaller facility.

He explained that the R-1 District requires a Special Use for a church and a not-for-profit commercial use. It was the opinion of Staff that the required criteria would be met for the not for-profit commercial use for Trinity Services. In particular,

1. It is a desirable use which would allow for training for the employees. Trinity does employ over 500 employees in Will County with 200 of those employees being in New Lenox.

2. There would be enough parking with the existing 60 parking spaces including a few handicapped parking stalls.

a. The average class size would be between 30 and 40 people. The altar and the pews would be removed and replaced by tables, chairs and a viewing screen with the accommodation of up to a maximum 100 people. This use would not generate a lot of traffic, so it would not have a negative impact on the surrounding properties, including the high school across the street.

b. There would not be any major alterations or renovations to the building on the interior or exterior. Should there be any renovations, it would require the proper permits from the Building Department, as well as inspections from the New Lenox Fire Protection District, or the Will County Health Department for the existing larger commercial kitchen.

c. There is an existing monument sign for the church that would be removed and replaced with a monument sign for Trinity Services that would comply with the Village’s Sign Code. This would require a permit from the Village’s Building Department.

3. The hours of operation would be Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. which would not cause any issues with the surrounding land uses. Overall, it is Staff’s opinion that this would be a compatible use with the surrounding land uses.

4. With the surrounding industrial uses, the Comprehensive Plan recommends Industrial for this property, but because it has been zoned R-1 with the church since 1989, it is Staff’s opinion that subject to getting the Special Use permit, a not-for-profit commercial use for Trinity Services would be an appropriate use for the property.

5. The petitioner would work with the Village’s Building Department, New Lenox Fire Protection District and Will County Health Department on any code, permit and inspection requirements related to any proposed improvements upon the approval of the Special Use.

Based on all of the criteria being met, Staff does recommend approval of the Special Use for the not-for-profit commercial use for Trinity Services to be located at 1101 South Gougar Road, subject to getting required permits and meeting all codes and inspections required by the Village Building Department, New Lenox Fire Protection District and Will County Health Department.

Staff requested Plan Commission comments and recommendation.

Ms. Dalseth wanted to know if the church would be using the building on the weekends on a temporary basis or a permanent basis.

Mr. Taylor said the use would be transitional.

Ms. Dalseth asked if the Special Use would be able to accommodate both uses at the same time for the same location.

Mr. Smith confirmed that as long as the church is in operation at the subject location, the existing Special Use would still be in effect.

Ms. Dalseth asked that if an addition were to be proposed, would they need to revise the Special Use.

Mr. Smith replied that a determination on whether an amendment to the Special Use Permit and / or a site plan review will be required for any proposed future addition or modifications will be made by the Village upon review of the specific proposal by Trinity Services.

Mr. Taylor wanted to emphasize that there is an agreement of use with the church which specifically limited the use to the weekends.

Mr. Muehlnickel requested a motion to close the public hearing. Motion was made by Ms. Dalseth and seconded by Mr. Raidbard to close the public hearing at 7:12 p.m.

Mr. Muehlnickel requested a motion recommending approval of the Special Use request to allow for a not-for-profit commercial use for Trinity Services in the R-1 Single Family Residence District for the property located at 1101 South Gougar Road, which is subject to the condition that the petitioner shall comply with all applicable Village Building Codes, as well as New Lenox Fire Protection District and Will County Health Department requirements and inspections. Additionally, the petitioner shall obtain any necessary permits from all entities mentioned above for any proposed improvements, modifications, or alterations to the subject building, as well as for the installation of the new monument sign.

Motion was made by Ms. Berkey and seconded by Mr. Moss.

Upon Roll Call, the vote was:

AYES: - Commissioners Hawkins, Moss, Dalseth, Blackburn, Raidbard, Berkey and Chairman Muehlnickel

NAYS: - None.

Motion carried.

OLD BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

There will be a meeting on April 16th.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the Plan Commission, a motion was made by Mr. Blackburn and seconded by Mr. Raidbard to adjourn. Voice vote was taken. Motion carried.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:13 p.m.

https://www.newlenox.net/files/documents/PlanningCommissionMinutes04-02-24101055041724AM1385.pdf