Deerfield trustees approve Starland move

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Updated: March 11, 2012 8:21AM

Starland students soon will become the newest kids on the 400 block of Pine Street in Deerfield.

The for-profit enrichment center for children received approval from the Deerfield Village Board on Monday to move into the former Cadwell School, pending a letter by owner Adam More describing the accessibility improvements he will make to accommodate the mobility challenged.

The board requested the letter after Trustee Barbara Struthers, who uses a wheelchair, raised accessibility questions.

“When I went over there yesterday, I had a devil of a time getting through a bathroom door,” Struthers said. “Some accommodations have to be made.”

More promised he would make whatever changes would be required to the building at 445 Pine St., but he didn’t know what they might be.

“I’m very respectful of the needs of the handicapped. I’ll go along with what you think is best, but I haven’t had time to research what I need to do,” More said.

Both Village Attorney Peter Coblentz and Village Manager Kent Street warned More not to be so quick to commit when he doesn’t know what changes might be required by law and how much they might cost.

“This is a multi-million dollar building. There could be a million dollar requirement,” Street said.

Coblentz suggested that More talk to his architect before making any promises that he might not be able to keep.

“There are creative ways that an architect can use to comply with the law that don’t have to be costly,” he added.

With the addition of the letter, the board unanimously approved a special use for the enrichment center, allowing it to takeover the site.

Starland is at an 8,500 square-foot space, with seven rooms, at The Shops of Deerfield Square, 710 Robert York Ave. The creativity center is moving to a 25,000 square-foot building, with 13 rooms and 6.7 acres of land surrounding the building.

The creativity center teaches academics, art, dance, drama and music, as well as other subjects.

The project has faced some opposition previously. In January, neighbor Brian Condon said he collected the signatures of 150 neighbors who oppose the move. Several spoke against the proposal, while others offered support.