NORTHBROOK — Noggin Builders, a Northbrook enrichment center for children from 2 to 12 focusing on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), hopes to grow into a new facility.
The Village Board of Trustees moved the proposal along when it sent plans for Noggin Builders to move to a new facility at 3000 Dundee Road to the Plan Commission for review during its regularly scheduled meeting Feb. 9 at Village Hall.
Noggin Builders offers hands on STEM experiences for children, according to owner and founder Amy Torf. “It’s considered enrichment,” Torf said. “It’s something extra children do.”
Currently located nearby at 3073 Dundee in the White Plains Shopping Center, Noggin Builders’ growth has prompted it to seek a larger 3,700-square-foot space, according to David Schoon, Northbrook’s assistant director of development and planning services.
Though the property’s zoning includes educational use, Schoon said there were concerns whether current parking is sufficient during the time the children would be picked up and dropped off. Trustee Todd Heller agreed and wants the Plan Commission to take a closer look.
“I can’t conceive of how they’re going to have drop off and pick up in this area with the limited space available,” Heller said. “This is a great business. They do great things. I just have significant concerns about that.”
Though the building could hold 70 children at one time, Torf said the actual number of students there at one time will be closer to 22, creating a variety of times the kids will arrive and leave.
“We always stagger all of our drop off and pick up time,” Torf said. “Even for a class of 22 children we have a 15-minute staggered window of when they get dropped off and picked up.”
Trustee Kathryn Ciesla suggested a written plan for handling arrival and departure as the village has done for other forms of childcare or enrichment facilities. She suggested it to Torf during the meeting.
“We require the applicant to submit a written plan of how the pick up and drop off will work, which would include a staff person to walk the children in and out or a parent would be required to park the vehicle and walk inside the building,” Ciesla said.
Torf said such a proposal is already in her submission materials. Trustee Michael Scolaro asked Torf if she would be willing to agree in writing to restrictions on pick up and drop off arrangements.
“Absolutely,” Torn said. “The safety of the children being dropped off is our primary concern as well.”