CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Pass the ordinance granting a major change to the Fox River Commons Resubdivision PUD for a land use deviation to allow a religious institution at 776 South Route 59 (Sri Veda Dharmashala) - PZC 22-1-088
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation, Engineering and Development
SUBMITTED BY: Kathleen Russell, AICP, Community Planner
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
The Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC) considered this matter on December 7, 2022, and voted to recommend approval of the request (approved 7-0). Staff concurs.
BACKGROUND:
The subject property is generally located in the southeast corner of the intersection of Route 59 and La Fox Avenue and is zoned B2- PUD (Community Shopping Center District - Planned Unit Development). The parcel is approximately 11.5 acres and is improved with a single 116,000 square foot commercial building and surface parking lot constructed more than 20 years ago as part of the Fox River Commons Shopping Center. It was occupied by Walmart from the time of construction until it was vacated due to expansion and relocation in 2014.
The Mall of India is a redevelopment project that opened in 2020 and transformed a vacant big box retail space into an indoor commercial mall that includes a grocery store, food court, retail establishments, dance studio, and daycare.
DISCUSSION:
Major Change to the PUD: Land Use Deviation
The Petitioner requests approval of a major change to the Fox River Commons Resubdivision PUD to grant approval of land use deviation to permit a religious institution at the Mall of India. This request requires a land use deviation because religious institutions are not a permitted use in the B2 zoning district. The Petitioner has described that the religious institution, Sri Veda Dharmashala, is founded by the Acharya, a guru or spiritual teacher. The vision of the Acharya, per the application, is to, "keep our future generations that are being brought up in the USA, appraised o...
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