Dist. 59 gets zonning for early learning center at Holmes Junior High

Mount Prospect trustees on Wednesday approved the zoning for a 55,000-square-foot building addition at Holmes Junior High to accommodate an early learning center despite objections from a couple of residents.

Elk Grove Township Elementary District 59 is building the 20-classroom learning center with an indoor play area, an outdoor play/courtyard and sensory gardens, adding parking and modifying existing drop-off areas along Lonnquist Boulevard at a cost of $14 million.

Officials requested rezoning of one of the five parcels on the property to conform to the zoning of the other four. And the district asked for a conditional use for a planned unit development to allow two principal buildings on a zoning lot. It also sought a variation to the parking lot setback requirement, from 30 feet to 10 feet, along Lonnquist Boulevard.

The center will serve children 3-5 years of age.

"This is a move by our board of education to really try to amplify what we are doing with early education and provide a better opportunity at younger ages," said

Superintendent Art Fessler.

The early childhood program is currently on five different sites within a wide geographical area that encompasses four different communities. "This would allow us to pool our resources, have one site and also create a structure that meets the needs of young learners," he said.

Two of the neighbors brought concerns to the board

Andrea Melnyk said that when the school board approved the project in July, she did not receive notice, despite being within 250 feet of the variance line. Neighboring property owners did get written notice of the zoning request. She also said residents were not given the opportunity to vote on the matter through referendum.

Fessler said the district consulted with lawyers and was informed that it was not necessary to take the question of an addition to a referendum. He also said the district is required to post its agenda, and it held several meetings and forums on the issue.

Another resident, Walter Jordt said he had concerns about additional traffic and was surprised by the lack of a traffic study.

"Lonnquist is a residential street, not Golf Road," he said.

The district includes portions of Elk Grove Village, Arlington Heights, Des Plaines and Mount Prospect. The center is targeted for an August 2015 opening.