Council committee approves daycare special use with safety and DCFS review conditions

The Police Policy & Code Services Committee considered a petition to operate a daycare in the English Valley Shopping Center and approved the special-use request subject to state and municipal reviews.

Staff said the site plan shows an outdoor play area on the north side of the tenant space that must be reviewed by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and that proposed conditions tie village occupancy to DCFS approval. Staff told the committee that fencing and landscaping were proposed and that DCFS would review internal operations and play‑area specifics. “DCFS will have to review the internal operations for the both the daycare operation and also the specific guidelines and requirements for the outdoor play area,” staff said.

Council members asked whether the fence would be solid or open and whether physical protection from vehicle intrusion would be required. The petitioner, Jenna Antozia, said she planned iron fencing or a solid fence and would meet with DCFS and village staff to finalize protective measures: “We are considering doing the iron fence ... so it's also closed off ... people driving on Dundee Road won't see the children playing.” Committee members also discussed bus drop‑off patterns and available parking; staff said the center is over‑parked and the layout should accommodate drop‑off traffic with planned door positions. The committee approved the petition and put it on the consent agenda.