Fox Lake officials don't want church downtown

Fox Lake village officials are hopeful an old preschool can be the new home for an upstart church that is not allowed to operate in the downtown business district.

The vacant Glen Pre-School on Forest Drive is being pitched to leaders of the Edge Church as a replacement for the storefront at 42 E. Grand Ave. The contemporary Christian church was forced to close in February because it was in violation of local building ordinances, village officials said.

"It seems to me the perfect fit for them would be the old preschool," Mayor Ed Bender said. "It's close to downtown, but not in violation of our business district laws."

Pastor Kim McCormick, director of the Edge Church, would not comment about the building issue or the potential of purchasing or moving into the preschool.

"My only comment is that I want to build unity in the community," she said.

Village officials said they do not know how long the Edge Church was operating at the 42 E. Grand Ave. location.

Building commissioner Frank Urbina said church officials were warned in January they could not operate at 42 Grand Ave. because that building has been designated for commercial uses in the business district.

The business district runs along Grand Avenue between York and Pistakee Lake roads, Urbina said, and only businesses classified as commercial are allowed to open on the first floor of any of those buildings.

He said a church is not classified as commercial, and under village law is required to operate in neighborhoods, similar to parks and schools.

Also, he said, a church is not allowed to operate within 100 feet of an establishment that sells alcohol. There are three businesses with liquor licenses within 100 feet of 42 Grand Ave. location.

"But, board members offered to help them find a new location that was suitable to their needs," Urbina said. "And, the old preschool is definitely an excellent location for their future church."

Urbina said he inspected the property, which has been shuttered for more than seven years, and was satisfied with its current condition.

"There is a little mold that needs to be cleaned up, but other than that, the building is in excellent shape," he said. "The church would need to contact the building owner at this point to get the ball moving."