Kiddie Academy, swim school would provide ‘healthy and engaging’ environment for kids in Vernon Hills
Plans for a Kiddie Academy Child Care Center and swim school in separate buildings in Vernon Hills have advanced.
The village board this week gave an informal thumbs-up to the project to be built on an open 3.7-acre parcel at 300 N. Fairway Drive. Official approval is pending at a future meeting.
Kiddie Academy is a national franchise. Vic Gulati, developer/day care operator for the Vernon Hills plan, also operates franchises in Arlington Heights and Mount Prospect. He said he is working with national tenants for the swim school.
“This unique combination of special uses aims to provide comprehensive child development and aquatic education, promoting a safe, healthy and engaging environment for our community’s children,” according to a summary of the proposal.
The aim is to support “holistic child development” by offering educational and recreational opportunities in proximity, according to the proposal.
An analysis of other area facilities provided to the village shows there are 3,051 children up to 4 years old within 3 miles of the site. Fourteen schools in Vernon Hills, Libertyville, Lincolnshire, Mundelein, Long Grove and Buffalo Grove, including those not open, are projected to provide care for 1,840 children.
Given the current need and capacity, that leaves an unmet demand for 1,211 students, according to information presented to the village. The proposed Kiddie Academy in Vernon Hills could accommodate 145 children.
Vernon Hills ranked high in the company’s systemwide statistics for viability, according to Chris Commarota, Kiddie Academy’s vice president of construction.
Proposed improvements would occupy 2.33 acres of the site and include a shared 71-space parking lot, underground utilities and stormwater management to serve both. Wetlands on the south and west sides of the property would be preserved.
The plan by VHVG Invest LLC was introduced to the board in February and reviewed by staff in advance of a public hearing before the advisory planning and zoning commission July 10.
Requests for a setback variation, special uses to operate a day care and swim school at the location and site, landscape and architectural appearance were recommended for approval with conditions that have or will be met, according to Andrew Jennings, community development director.
Among them are limiting the swim school capacity to 60 students at a time to ensure the site can accommodate both uses and increasing the use of stone on that building.
The village board reviewed the planning and zoning commission recommendations Tuesday and an official vote will be taken at a future meeting.