ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS VILLAGE OF PALATINE 200 EAST ...

Presiding: Jan Wood
Present: Ted McGinn
Jerry Luszczak
Cindy Roth-Wurster
Brian Christopher
Eric Friedman
Monica Pasillas
Absent: Robert Coleman
Tom Kaider
Staff: Christina Johnson
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
VILLAGE OF PALATINE
200 EAST WOOD STREET
October 23, 2012
I. ROLL CALL AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES
At 7:00 p.m., roll was taken and a quorum was declared. The minutes for the meeting of October 9,
2012, were approved as amended.
II. 12-77 755 S. Benton Street
This petition was continued to the next ZBA meeting, at the Petitioner’s request.
Voice vote: All Ayes
III. 12-65 1555 N. Rand Road
Special Use to permit packaged liquor sales pursuant to Planned Development Ordinance O-132-85 and
Sections 11.02 (d) (30) and 11.03 (d) (40) of the Palatine Zoning Ordinance.
Notice was published on September 24, 2012, and mailed to nearby property owners.
PETITIONER’S EXHIBITS:
1. Petition for special use
2. Real estate disclosure
3. Proof of ownership
4. Plat of survey
5. Site plan
6. Business plan
7. Floor plan
Ms. Johnson was sworn in. She stated that if anyone was present for the Ukrainian Church’s petition that
they had a last minute change in plan and the petition will be heard at a future meeting. She then gave the
background to the 1555 North Rand Road petition. The Subject Property is the existing Wal-Mart store at
the southeast corner of Rand and Dundee Roads. Wal-Mart is requesting a Special Use for liquor sales.
SITE ANALYSIS:
• The Subject Property is zoned P, Planned Development, and is located in the Park Place Fashion
Center shopping center. The proposed alcohol will be located within the existing store.
• Per Ordinance 0-221-02, the Planned Unit Development allows uses in the Cook County C-4 Zoning
District, including packaged liquor stores, as permitted uses. The PUD also states that permitted
uses in the Palatine B-1 and B-2 Zoning Districts are allowed. The Palatine Zoning Ordinance
requires a Special Use for all packaged liquor stores. Section 4.01 (b) states that when there are
conflicting regulations for a property, the stricter shall apply. Thus, in this case, a Special Use is

ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
OCTOBER 23, 2012
PAGE 2
required.
• Wal-Mart is proposing to sell wine and refrigerated beer.
• The beer and wine will occupy one aisle of the store (48 feet of refrigerated coolers and 48 feet of
shelving), with two additional endcaps of liquor and four “feature spots” throughout the store.
• Wal-mart is proposing for beer and wine sales to occur between 9am and midnight, seven days a
week. The store hours are 6am to midnight everyday. The hours of liquor sales will ultimately be
determined by the specific liquor license granted to the establishment.
• A liquor license request has been submitted to the Palatine Liquor Commission. Currently, the
Village’s Liquor Code does not have a category under which Wal-Mart would qualify for a liquor
license. The Village Council would have to create a new type of liquor license classification if they
decide to approve the Special Use.
DEPARTMENTAL REVIEWS:
Community Services No issues.
Engineering No issues.
Environmental Health N/A
Fire Prevention No issues.
Public Works N/A
Police Police commented that Wal-Mart has a high number of incidents for
retail theft and that adding liquor sales creates some concern. They
recommend Wal-Mart increase its security measures if the liquor
sales are approved.
STANDARDS FOR A SPECIAL USE:
Since this Petition is not for a use publicly operated or traditionally affected with the public
interest, those standards under Section 14.05 D (2) and (3) are applicable. Specifically, the
Petitioners must show that the Special Use, if granted, will be operated in a manner consistent
with the public health, safety, and welfare, and that the Special Use will not have a negative
impact on the value of surrounding properties. The Petition for a Special Use is attached, and
the Petitioners have attempted to address the required standards.
Ms. Wood asked for clarification about the creation of a new type of liquor license; this is necessary since
Wal-Mart is not a grocery store, so there needs to be a different category. Ms. Wood asked the number
of liquor licenses in the immediate area; don’t know. The members mentioned several, Whole Foods,
Osco, not Target. Ms. Wood asked what the hours are for other stores nearby who sell liquor; don’t
know. Ms. Roth Wurster asked staff to confirm that the hours of liquor sales are determined by the liquor
commission; yes. Ms. Wood asked if there was more detailed information from the Police Department;
119 calls between 9/1/11 and 9/14/14… “High retail theft location”. Ms. Roth-Wurster asked about the
feature spots throughout the store; differed to store manager.
Petitioners, Freida Crispin of Evanston, store manager and Harlan Powell, attorney for Wal-Mart, were
sworn in.

ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
OCTOBER 23, 2012
PAGE 3
Ms. Crispin reviewed the floor plan, indicating the highlighted area for the coolers for refrigerated beer
and shelves for wine. She also stated there would be 4 feature spots in the store, their locations
changing depending on the season. She reviewed the feature spots –
1. main entrance to store
2. pharmacy
3. endcap with wine, this location is all year around
4. seasonal location with holiday items, near the lawn/garden area
Ms. Crispin stated the Police are called for any theft of $25 minimum and was confident that the 119
number is accurate. Mr. Powell explained that Wal-Mart is proactive to any situation that could affect
their employees’ and customers’ health and safety. The majority of the situations are of potential theft.
This policy is a departure from other stores in Palatine.
Wal-Mart understands that a liquor license is a privilege and not a right. They have developed in-house
training which every associate who works at a station where alcohol is sold, must take. The training is a
4 hour on-line training and requires 100% grade on the training. Wal-Mart’s training is in addition to the
state required BASSET training. There are in-store cameras and monitors for particular areas, including
liquor sales. They routinely meet with law enforcement and tailor a plan to meet specific needs and
concerns of each community.
Ms. Crispin said that 5 employees, including a manager, are assigned to asset protection and that
number can be adjusted as needed. She also offered to use the hard-liquor caps on the wine bottles.
During the remodel of the store, surveillance cameras for this aisle were installed.
Ms. Roth-Wurster asked the locations of the store exits; front entrance where most egress is done;
emergency exits shown on floor plan, truck bays could be exits, lawn and garden exit which has a gated
patio fence. Ms. Crispin noted that the feature spots are currently covered by cameras. She stated that
25% of the store’s sales are in grocery, 6-7% in pharmacy and 8% in health and beauty. She said that
the refrigeration of the beer required that it be placed near produce and dairy/frozen.
Ms. Roth-Wurster asked about employee training; there are 18 registers and 4 self-checks; there are 2
self-checks usually open and are supervised by one or two cashiers. All the cashiers are trained and
cross trained. They repeat the training twice a year. Mr. Luszczak asked about IDs used at the self
check-out; there is a function that stops the purchase from going forward until an associate enters a
particular code and birth date of the purchaser. This procedure is done for each purchase of each liquor
item, not once for multiple liquor items. At the previous store she worked, this was also the procedure.
Also, the supervisor would stay at the self-check until the transition was completed.
Mr. Powell said they can program local ordinance requirements into the computers; i.e., hours for
Sunday sales, etc.
Ms. Crispin said that for cashiers under 21 years of age, the supervisor is required to override the
transaction and then stay at the register until the transaction is completed. They confirmed that Wal-Mart
requires ID for any age purchaser.
Mr. McGinn asked if there have been problems with selling tobacco to underage buyers; Mr. Powell said
not in the last six years; Ms. Crispin said not in the last 8 years. Ms. Crispin said registers are assigned,
and someone under 19 years is not put on the tobacco register.
Ms. Crispin said there is a third shift with one manager. They can use physical barriers like temporary

ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
OCTOBER 23, 2012
PAGE 4
fencing, for overnight or blocking off the area before noon or other hours.
Mr. Powell said the sale of liquor is not to drive new business. They are not trying to be a liquor depot.
They want the ability to sell liquor to offer one stop shopping as a convenience for their customers. Many
customers shop at 9 or 10pm, after work and after the kids are taken care of, and these later hours will
accommodate these customers. Ms. Crispin added that when there are noon football games, the Mount
Prospect store which she ran saw about 10 to 15% of liquor sales occur between 9 AM and noon on the
weekends.
Ms. Wood asked about asset protection staff; there are 3 fulltime employees, 1 manager that works 45 to
55 hours per week and 8 salaried. All of them are trained for asset protection on rotating schedules. If
required to have more asset protection, their schedules can be rearranged.
Ms. Wood asked about the number of retail thefts; there are 2 different ways to view it: asset protection
and stolen merchandise. The asset protection is more of a presence on the sales floor, to act as a
deterrent.
Ms. Crispin stated there are 8 Wal-Mart stores in the ‘market’. In this ‘market’ one store has a higher
number of retail theft incidents than the Palatine store.
Mr. Friedman asked the number of stores that sell beer and wine; Ms. Crispin said they all sell alcohol
except for Palatine. All the new stores, like Rolling Meadows, Mt. Prospect, Wheeling and Elk Grove sell
alcohol. The three top categories of stolen merchandise for Wal-Mart are: cosmetics, electronics
(movies/cds) and pharmacy items. Most (75 to 80%) of the liquor loss is ‘out the back door’, such as
being billed incorrectly, or inaccurate inventory, etc.
Mr. Friedman asked about the feature spot in the front door area, could that be a grab and run; in her
experience, with the customer service desk and AP office right there, no; there are 2 or 3 people on duty
plus a supervisor in that area.
Ms. Wood asked about security in the parking lot; Ms. Crispin said there are 8 to 10 rooftop cameras
which shoot into the parking lot and every inch is covered. There are some cameras on the light poles in
the lot. There is a camera at the front end and facial recognition on the door cameras. Every register
has a camera.
Mr. Luszczak asked who monitors the cameras; they are not monitored all the time, but can be used for
review as needed.
Ms. Wood asked if they would offer wine tastings; no, and there are none in the ‘market’. Mr. Powell said
that would not be a part of the business plan.
There were no audience comments.
Ms. Johnson stated that Staff surveyed 19 other Wal-Mart stores in the Chicagoland area, and all of
them sold liquor except for Palatine. Currently Palatine’s liquor code does not an appropriate liquor
license classification for Wal-Mart. Ultimately this is a policy decision for the Village Council/Liquor
Commission. Therefore Staff recommends action at the discretion of the Zoning Board of Appeals. If the
ZBA decides to recommend approval, Staff recommends the following conditions:
1. The Special Use shall substantially conform to the site plan attached hereto as Exhibit ‘A,’ and the
floor plan attached hereto as Exhibit ‘B,’ and the business plan attached hereto as Exhibit ‘C,’ except

ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
OCTOBER 23, 2012
PAGE 5
as such plans may be changed to conform to Village Codes and Ordinances.
2. The sale of liquor shall conform to the conditions of the specific liquor license granted to the
Petitioner.
Ms. Wood asked if condition 2 included security and monitoring; yes and hours of sales.
Ms. Roth-Wurster asked what would be required to create a new classification; the village attorney would
draft an amendment to the code or ordinances and the council would vote to approve the language and
amend the code; then the council would vote whether or not to allow a special use and then vote if there
would be a liquor license for this business.
There was nothing further. There were no audience comments. The public hearing was closed.
Deliberations:
Mr. Luszczak made a motion to approve with staff’s conditions; seconded by Mr. Friedman.
Mr. Friedman said the public health, safety and welfare for the shoppers and neighborhood are in good
hands. The management is experienced in the sales of wine and beer, and Wal-Mart’s standards will
accommodate Palatine requirements.
Mr. Luszczak said that Wal-Mart is taking this seriously and their plan is well thought out, there was no
evidence of negative impact with this petition.
Ms. Wood felt there would not be additional police department calls, as the wine/beer sales are not in the
top 3 categories for the asset management/theft. There would be no negative impact and there would
not be problems in the parking lot. She did state that the crime rate was definitely a concern but that this
petition has met the zoning standards.
Vote: All Ayes (7-0)

ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
OCTOBER 23, 2012
PAGE 6
IV. 12-82 627 S. Vermont St.
Special Use to permit an ambulance service pursuant to Section 12.01 (h) (2) of the Palatine Zoning
Ordinance.
Notice was published on October 8, 2012, and mailed to nearby property owners.
PETITIONER’S EXHIBITS:
1. Petition for special use
2. Real estate disclosure
3. Lease agreement
4. Plat of survey
5. Site plan
6. Business plan
Ms. Johnson gave the background to this request. The Subject Property is an existing multi-tenant building
in the Manufacturing Distinct. The Petitioner is seeking to rent one unit to operate a private ambulance
service, and is therefore seeking a Special Use.
Business Operations
• The business name is Rescue Eight Paramedic Service. Currently the Petitioner operates other
locations in Lake in the Hills and Arlington Heights.
• The Petitioner is proposing to operate the business 24 hours/7 days a week and will have
approximately 25 employees working several shifts. Shifts will not be longer than 13 hours and no
sleeping accommodations will be provided.
• Petitioner plans to house 10-12 vehicles at the Palatine location. All company vehicles, including
ambulances and vans, will be stored inside.
Floor Plan/Site Plan
• The tenant space is approximately 6,667 square feet, about 667 square feet in office space and
6,000 square feet of warehouse space.
• For this tenant space, approximately 8 parking spaces are required per the Zoning Code.
• There are 59 total spaces for the building. The entire building appears to be approximately 37,000
square feet in size. Assuming each tenant space has a similar ratio of office space to warehouse
space as the Petitioner’s tenant spaces, 46 parking spaces would be required.
• The Petitioner plans to install a triple basin floor drain since vehicles will be stored inside.
• Other tenants in the building are: a machine service, embroidery business, hardware floor business.
DEPARTMENTAL REVIEWS:
Community Services No issues.
Engineering No issues.
Environmental Health N/A
Fire Prevention The Subject Property is already protected by an automatic fire
sprinkler system.
Public Works N/A
Police N/A

ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
OCTOBER 23, 2012
PAGE 7
Ms. Roth-Wurster asked if there was a similar business on Vermont previous; yes, it is no longer there.
Patrick O’Brien of Crystal Lake, said they have been operating since 2002, they work with Northwest
Community and McHenry County Hospitals under their licenses. They follow IDOT’s regulations. Mr.
O’Brien has been in the industry since 1993. He added that 6 years ago there was another ambulance
business on Vermont Street that went out of business. For them, they are at the Arlington Park
Racecourse for morning training and for afternoon racing. They feel for this, Palatine is a good location.
They run 24/7 and work with area nursing homes, dialysis patients, hospital and urgent care centers.
They are in the private ambulance sector, they take critical care patients to their doctor appointments and
surgery, and they are required to follow the same paramedic requirement as public paramedics to. They
also transport patients from the hospital to extended care or to rehab facilities. They were previously in
Arlington Heights and they need more space.
Ms. Wood asked about their training; they follow the mandates by the State of Illinois, just like the
municipal or state requirements.
Mr. Christopher asked if the proposed location was ventilated; yes, the bay doors on the north and south
sides. There are fans to ventilate, too. There is also an existing alarm and sprinkler system.
Mr. Luszczak asked if any vehicle maintenance would occur on the site; no, they use VIP and Bus4 for
repairs. The employees of Rescue 8 do check the fluids on vehicles daily. They can wash the vehicles
safely on the loading dock, without worry of ice, and then park the vehicle inside.
Ms. Wood asked if they would be holding employee training on site; yes, continuing education, and
Northwest Community Hospital would hold the training on site in the office. Some training - such as
lifting and carrying procedures – would be done in the loading dock.
Mr. O’Brien said the only change he would consider is to add a shower to the restroom area, in case of
contamination.
Ms. Roth-Wurster asked if they would leave the site with sirens on; no. Most of their calls are Monday
through Friday 6 am to 11pm, with less on Saturday and only 2 vehicles running on Sunday.
Mr. O’Brien stated they would respond to emergency calls. They will not use lights and sirens, per the
State of Illinois regulations, sirens are only to request access through intersections. They would not
activate sirens until reaching Illinois Avenue and if there’s no traffic, would not use sirens. He added that
more than half of their fleet is vans for wheelchair patients.
There were no audience comments.
Ms. Johnson gave Staff’s recommendation, that the proposed ambulance service should not have a
negative effect on the area. The building is well-suited to this purpose, and the property does not abut
any residential areas. Therefore Staff recommends approval of the Special Use, subject to the following
condition:
1. The Special Use shall substantially conform to the site plan attached hereto as Exhibit ‘A,’ and the
business plan attached hereto as Exhibit ‘B,’ except as such plans may be changed to conform to Village
Codes and Ordinances.
Mr. Friedman asked Staff if the building will be used as-is, then how would the Village review the
adequacy of this use, namely the storage of the ten vehicles; Ms. Johnson explained that a business

ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
OCTOBER 23, 2012
PAGE 8
license is required is through the Fire Prevention Division, and through that process there will be annual
fire inspections. The Petitioner has already spoken with the Fire Marshal about this use.
There was nothing further. The public hearing was closed.
Mr. Luszczak made a motion to approve the petition, with Staff’s conditions, seconded by Ms. Roth-
Wurster. Ms. Wood addressed the standards, that this is use is surrounded by a manufacturing district,
so negative impact on the immediate area. Also, the petitioner has experience in the business, so there
were no public health, safety and welfare concerns. This would be a positive for Palatine, to have this
service nearby.
Ms. Roth-Wurster said there was a similar business in the area before and everything was okay; also,
the business owner is aware of the State regulations and the standards have been met.
Mr. Freidman said this would be an asset to the community. He stated a concern about storing 10 to 12
diesel vehicles indoors, saying he would be more comfortable with the use if there would be a review by
Staff. Ms. Roth-Wurster pointed out the departmental review process.
Vote: 5 Ayes, 2 Nays (Christopher, Friedman)
V. FINDINGS OF FACT
The Findings of Fact for tonight’s agenda items were approved.
VI. COMMUNICATIONS
The next ZBA meeting is November 13th in Meeting Room C.
Approvals: 19 N. Elmwood, and an approval of a restaurant at 51 W. Wilson.
Meeting adjourned at 8:10 PM