Carol Stream approves zoning for spiritual center

A new spiritual center will move into Carol Stream, despite a few concerns from village trustees.

The Carol Stream village board on Monday approved zoning for the DuPage Center for Spiritual Living at 150 E. St. Charles Road.

The center is moving from Glen Ellyn, where it outgrew its 3,500-square-foot building at 1200 E. Roosevelt Road.

The Rev. Michael Speer, the center's assistant director, said the facility has been operating in the county for 32 years. It offers classes and workshops that promote "living a more motivated life," he said.

The center also will include a bookstore, with offerings from authors such as Deepak Chopra, and will play host to several events, including two Sunday services.

It was those two Sunday services that raised the attention of some village trustees.

Trustee Greg Schwarze said the two events on Sundays seem like church services, and zoning for a church wouldn't be allowed in the industrial area the church is moving to.

"We have certain zoning districts," he said. "Have we allowed things like this before?"

Speer said the 9 and 10:30 a.m. lectures are more like celebrations than a spiritual service.

"We don't refer to ourselves as a church," he added.

Bob Glees, Carol Stream's community development director, said he considered all the possible precedents that might be set if the village allowed the spiritual center to move into the St. Charles Road property.

He said the classes and book store fall under categories that would be allowed in the area.

Speer said the organization was also one of the few businesses to be receive an Earth Flag from DuPage County, which recognizes individuals and businesses that promote "green" living and do work to preserve the environment.

He said the center will continue those practices after it moves to Carol Stream.