The Crystal Lake Advisory Board, of the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission, denied a special-use permit for a Community High School District 155 bleacher expansion. Photo by Gregory Harutunian

The Crystal Lake Advisory Board, of the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission, denied a special-use permit for a Community High School District 155 bleacher expansion at its athletic field, during the April 13 regular meeting.

The bleachers were added to the existing structures in 2013, sparking a legal battle between the district and nearby homeowners.

At issue is the expansion, which occurred without proper permitting or zoning variances, with top tiers of the east and west side bleachers requiring a variance for height restrictions currently in effect through the city’s zoning ordinances. Several options, including the re-situation of a press box away from residential back yards have been met with resistance.

“There are two tracks being taken, one is legal where the district has filed with the Illinois Supreme Court, following two appellate court decisions,” said Michelle Rentzch, the city’s Community Development Director. “One decision had the bleachers killed, and the other decision referred the matter back to the local level of city jurisdiction.

“I think it’s plain, and my participation in the zoning process, and I feel that it was a fair decision.”

The recommended denial of the special-use permit by advisory board members, followed a meeting that went to midnight before dispersing, as arguments were presented by school district representatives. The unanimous decision sets up another level for the action, with an airing before the full city council at its May 5 session.

“At that point, the seven-member board can either uphold the determination to deny the permit, send it back to the advisory board members for further review, or reverse the decision completely,” said Rentzch. “There were numerous considerations, and the board itself proffered options to mitigate the issue.

“The school district seemed to not be receptive, due to cost factors involved with those options. A recommendation to the full city council for denial was made.”

The initial seating capacity of the field’s bleachers was approximately 2,000. The $1.8 million renovation added smaller bleacher-style structures on the field’s east side with less of a width than the original seating, and the west side which included 12 more rows, and three times the original width.

Parking problems ensued as the city’s code ordinance mandated 1,318 vehicle spaces to accommodate the number of seats, according to the council packet. There are currently 719 parking spaces in their lot, with 14 temporary sites, and 102 bus parking slats for event usage overall.

The relocation of the press box, moving from the west side to the east side, would still exceed a 15-foot height as set by the city’s codes. The advantage would situate the box to abut the school’s tennis courts, rather than backing against nearby residences. Recommendations were also incurred involving landscape accoutrements such as a berm, or treeline, to curtail noise.

District officials have made some alterations to the site, including moving portable restrooms, restricting access when the field is not in use, and increasing security concerns. The crux still revolves around the construction of the bleachers without proper permits or city approval.

The May 5 city council session will address the recommendation for denial of the district’s special-use permit. District 155 also includes Crystal Lake Central High School, Cary-Grove High School, and Prairie Ridge High School, in addition to the south campus.

Attempts to contact District 155 officials for comment were not successful.