Lake County Gazette

The Buffalo Grove Planning & Zoning Commission has unanimously recommended the approval of construction requests for an Aptakisic-Tripp Junior High Gym Addition. In addition, they have endorsed a building link project that includes classroom renovation.

According to documentation sent to Deputy Community Development Director Kelly Purvis by Wold Architects and Engineers of Palatine, Illinois, an 8,000-square-foot gym addition has been proposed at the Aptakisic-Tripp Junior High. The proposal also includes related site improvements.

Wold Architects and Engineers also outlined plans for the school district to construct a 1,600-square-foot addition linking the District No. 102 Office with an existing building. This connection will enable students to travel between buildings without going outside, facilitating the use of an interior science classroom renovation in the District Office building.

The Community Development staff report attached to the commission's agenda reveals that staff supported the gym exceeding the maximum permitted height of 35 feet for the R-E District. This is because the proposed gym requires a height of 40 feet to ensure safe clearance from the top of retractable bleachers to the bottom of the roof structure.

In addition, according to another Community Development staff report attached to the commission's agenda, the school district has proposed an exterior pedestrian bridge on the east side of the link addition.

Aptakisic Junior High School is situated on approximately 9.35 acres of land on Weiland Road's east side, just south of Abbot Court. This information comes from a Community Development staff report attached to the commission's agenda. The administrative offices are located on approximately 2.06 acres directly north of the school at Weiland Road and Abbot Court intersection.

Purvis informed Lake County Gazette via email that Buffalo Grove's Village Board will consider these requests from the school district at its meeting scheduled for January 16, 2024.