Palatine commission approves special use for 108‑child daycare despite safety concerns at Rand Road shopping center

The Palatine Planning and Zoning Commission voted 5–2 to recommend approval of a special‑use permit allowing Advanced Preschool to open a daycare at 1379 North Rand Road in the Park Place Shopping Center, forwarding the recommendation to village council for final action on Monday, Feb. 5.

Owner Kimberly Bianchini, sworn to testify, said the proposal grew from a three‑year partnership with Illinois Action for Children, the statewide "Birth Through 5" coalition and the Palatine Opportunity Center to address a local shortage of early‑childhood capacity. She said the proposed facility would occupy about 7,756 square feet, serve children birth through 5, and — if every classroom were at maximum enrollment — could reach a 108‑child capacity depending on classroom breakdowns. Bianchini told the commission the model emphasizes educational readiness, family supports, and operating practices consistent with state accreditation and DCFS licensing.

Commissioners probed several operational details: typical peak drop‑off hours (about 6:30–9 a.m. with 5–7 minute turnover), staff‑to‑child ratios and how outdoor play would be handled in a strip‑mall location. Bianchini said the indoor play area was designed for natural light (skylights and ventilation), that transportation would usually be by a small, individual bus seating about 10 (loaded one group at a time), and that the center uses staggered scheduling to avoid mass drop‑offs. She also said the landlord agreed to repaint a yellow crosswalk, provide a defined walkway from parking to the entry, and dedicate six marked parking spaces (including short‑term 15‑minute spots) to support drop‑off.

Staff reported the shopping center provides 1,124 parking spaces while tenants require 765, leaving an excess of 359 spaces. Staff recommended approval but required conditions: the special use must conform substantially to the submitted floor plan and business plan, any future operator change requires village council review, and the petitioner must provide a current DCFS license to the Department of Planning and Zoning prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy or temporary certificate of occupancy.

Public comment included a neighbor, Sarah Newman, who said she ultimately had "no problem with it" but flagged existing congestion near the center. During deliberation commissioners expressed mixed views: some voiced concern about cut‑through traffic and pedestrian safety at the strip‑mall site, while others cited the petitioner’s decades of experience operating similar centers and the operational safeguards presented. The roll call was 5‑yes, 2‑no (Eric Freedman and Tim Schubert), and the commission directed the item to the village council for final decision.

Next steps: the petitioner must obtain any required DCFS license and work with the landlord on crosswalk/striping and designated parking before occupancy, and the village council will consider the commission’s recommendation on Feb. 5.