ACTION REQUESTED:
Title
Communication from the City Manager and Community Development Director with a Request to Concur with the Recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission and Staff to Adopt an Ordinance Amending an Existing Special Use, Ordinance No. 15,959, as amended, in a Class R-3 and R-4 (Single-Family Residential) District, for a Public Park to Add a children's museum for the Property Located at 2218 N PROSPECT ROAD (PINs 14-34-183-002, 14-34-200-005, 14-34-332-015, & 14-34-401-001), Peoria, Illinois. PZ 14- 29. (District 3).
Body
BACKGROUND:
Petitioner: Kevin Beal of River City Construction, LLC for Peoria Park
District
Current use: Glen Oak Park and Zoo
Proposed use: Glen Oak Park and Zoo with the addition of a children's museum
Present zoning: R-3 and R-4 (Single-Family Residential) District.
Proposed zoning: No change
The property is
surrounded by: Mainly R-4 (Single-Family Residential) District to the west, north, and south, and I-2 (Railroad/Warehouse Industrial) District to the east.
Future land use
designation: Low Density Residential
Acreage: Approximately 152 acres
KEY ISSUES:
1) Building Setback
No new buildings are proposed. The children's museum is proposed to occupy the existing 13,289 square foot pavilion building. There are two proposed exterior changes to the building and site. The first change is a new accessible ramp located on the northeast corner of the building. The petitioner indicated that this ramp replaces an existing non-conforming ramp. Also, a portion of the exterior porch is being enclosed to create a "Sand Porch"
2) Parking & Access
Per the petitioner, 345 existing parking spaces, which include 11 disabled parking spaces, are provided on the site. No additional parking spaces are proposed as part of this approval. Per Appendix C, Article 8.1.6., if 345 parking spaces are provided, 8 disabled parking spaces are required and therefore the disabled parking exceeds the required number of spaces. These spaces, along with parking on the roadway network, currently provide adequate parking to serve the park, zoo, and proposed children's museum.
3) Landscaping, Lighting, and Screening
Landscaping
No additional landscaping is required.
Lighting: The petitioner indicated that no additional lighting is proposed.
Screening: Roof and ground mounted mechanical equipment is not visible from residential property or public right-of-way and is therefore not required to be screened; however, the petitioner is proposing to screen mechanical units associated with this project.
4) Signage
No signs are proposed as part of this amendment. If signs are proposed in the future, a separate application is required.
5) Compatibility
The proposed use of a children's museum within Glen Oak Park is compatible with the surrounding neighborhood.
REQUESTED WAIVERS (Resulting from Existing Conditions):
v No waivers are requested
ZONING COMMISSION ACTION:
The Planning & Zoning Commission found that the request met the Findings of Fact requirements and VOTED 5 TO 0, WITH 1 ABSTENTION, TO APPROVE.
PAST ACTIONS:
The following is a historical timeline of the subject property:
v In 2006, a Special Use for a public park to expand the zoo was approved which allowed for growth of the zoo from 7 acres to 21 aces. This special use also included a new entry building and parking lot containing 288 parking spaces. The expansion to the zoo was constructed; however the new entry building and parking lot were not built.
v In 2011, the Special Use was amended to relocate the zoo entrance building and parking lot.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: N/A
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS (at the Planning and Zoning Commission): None expressed
IMPACT IF APPROVED: The existing Special Use will be amended to add a children's museum.
IMPACT IF DENIED: The existing Special Use would not be amended to include a children's museum.
ALTERNATIVES: N/A
EEO CERTIFICATION NUMBER: N/A
WHICH OF THE GOALS IDENTIFIED IN THE COUNCIL'S 2014 - 2029 STRATEGIC PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION ADVANCE?
1. Grow Peoria: Businesses, Jobs, and Population
2. Attractive Neighborhoods with Character: Safe and Livable
WHICH CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S) FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION IMPLEMENT?
1. Grow employers and jobs.
2. Reinvest in neighborhoods.
DEPARTMENT: Community Development