Deerfield meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Deerfield boards weigh school rebuild, CAVA signage, and more

This week's Deerfield meetings centered on a proposed new Walden Elementary school building, a residential lease, and a pump purchase, though no final decisions were made. The Plan Commission continued its hearing on the school project, and the Board of Trustees will consider several resolutions at its next meeting.

Plan Commission continues Walden school hearing

The Deerfield Plan Commission held a continued public hearing on Aug. 13 for Deerfield Public Schools District 109's request for a special use amendment to build a new school building and other site improvements at Walden Elementary School (630 Essex Court). The hearing, first held July 9, was continued to allow the petitioner to respond to questions about swing site analysis, neighbor views, traffic, and safety. The commission also held a prefiling conference on a rezoning and subdivision at 875 Wilmot Road, and approved the July 23 minutes.

Key details from the hearing include cost estimates for commercial swing space alternatives: $15–20 million for renovations and $2.2–2.6 million in annual rent. Traffic plans call for staggered school bells by 45 minutes, proposed parking restrictions on Warwick Road, and a remote parking and shuttle plan. Deerfield Police and Fire Departments reported no concerns with emergency response plans. No vote was taken; the commission will consider a recommendation at a workshop on Aug. 25.

Trustees to consider lease, pump purchase, and tree removal

The Board of Trustees met Aug. 17 and will consider three resolutions: a residential lease for 333 Warwick Road, a resolution waiving competitive bidding to buy a submersible pump from Gasvoda Associates, Inc., and a resolution approving emergency tree removal. The treasurer's report shows $56.98 million in total cash and investments as of July 31, 2026. Minutes from the Aug. 3 meeting include a storm response report and a US Bank special use approval. No votes were taken at the Aug. 17 meeting; the agenda is pending.

Fine Arts Commission discusses public art and library centennial

The Fine Arts Commission met Aug. 19 to discuss an open house for the Public Art Program, art programs for the Library Centennial, and updates from the village, library, park district, and chamber of commerce. No formal decisions were listed on the agenda.

Coming up

• **Appearance Review Commission (Aug. 24):** CAVA is seeking approval for three 28-inch internally illuminated wall signs, two pylon panels, and a new landscape plan at 60 S. Waukegan Road (Deerbrook Mall). The commission will decide if the sign placement and three-color design meet mall criteria.
• **Volunteer Engagement Commission (Aug. 25):** The commission will review nine vacancies across six commissions and interview four volunteer applicants: Warren Kaplan, Faye Solomon, Louis Hanna, and Leslie Lidov.
• **Plan Commission (Aug. 25):** The commission will consider a recommendation on the Walden School special use and preliminary and final plat of subdivision, and approve the Aug. 13 minutes. A representative will be designated for the next Board of Trustees meeting.

Deerfield boards weigh US Bank permit, CAVA signage, cemetery updates

The Deerfield Board of Trustees considered a special use permit for a US Bank branch at 60 S. Waukegan Road during its Aug. 3 meeting, along with a presentation from the Lake County Tool Library. Minutes for this and other recent meetings have not yet been published, so no final decisions are recorded. The Appearance Review Commission and Cemetery Commission also met in the past two weeks to review signage, landscaping, and grounds maintenance.

Board of Trustees (Aug. 3)

The board discussed Ordinance 26-77-1, a special use permit for US Bank at 60 S. Waukegan Road (Deerbrook Shopping Center). The meeting also included a presentation by the Lake County Tool Library. No vote or action was reported in the agenda-only summary.

Appearance Review Commission (July 27)

The commission reviewed three internally illuminated wall signs for a CAVA restaurant at 60 S. Waukegan Road, evaluated a new landscape plan for the front and rear of the building, and considered whether the proposed three-color sign design meets the two-color maximum limit set by Deerbrook Mall Sign Criteria. It also took up a request for an exception to place the west wall sign 2’‑2” above the roof deck.

Cemetery Commission (July 28)

The commission inspected cemetery grounds, including the memorial pole, headstones, landscaping, and fence, and reviewed updates from a recent survey. The meeting also included a public comment period and approval of prior minutes.

All three meetings were agenda-only; minutes have not yet been published, so outcomes are pending.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed in the next 14 days.

Deerfield boards weigh Wilmot School rebuild, US Bank special use permit in busy July stretch

Six Deerfield advisory and governing bodies met or were scheduled to meet between July 20 and July 28, covering a proposed new elementary school, a bank special use permit, public art programs, climate goals, and cemetery upkeep. Minutes have not yet been published for any of the recent meetings, so the items below reflect what was listed on each agenda — not what was decided.

Plan Commission: New Wilmot Elementary School proposal

The Plan Commission held a prefiling conference July 23 on a proposal from School District 109 and the Deerfield Park District to build a new school at 795 Wilmot Road. The agenda listed an 86,534-square-foot, two-story school building and a new parking lot with 140 spaces.

The proposal also includes rezoning two adjacent residential properties — 707 and 717 Wilmot Road — from R-1 Single Family Residential to P-1 Public Lands. A four-phase construction plan was listed, spanning from late winter 2027 to 2030. A traffic impact study by TYLin was on the agenda to assess pickup and drop-off operations.

A prefiling conference is a feedback step; no binding decision was scheduled.

Board of Trustees: US Bank special use and impact fees

The Board of Trustees was scheduled July 20 to consider a special use permit request for a US Bank financial institution at 60 S. Waukegan Road. Staff were also set to provide a report on an impact fee review. Minutes are not yet published.

The Board has a follow-up meeting scheduled for August 3 (see Coming Up).

Appearance Review Commission: CAVA signage and landscaping

On July 27, the Appearance Review Commission was set to review signage and landscaping for a CAVA restaurant at 60 S. Waukegan Road. The agenda included three internally illuminated wall signs, a new landscape plan for the front and rear of the restaurant, and a determination on whether CAVA's three-color sign proposal meets a two-color maximum limit under Deerbrook Mall Sign Criteria. CAVA also requested an exception to place the west wall sign 2'-2" above the roof deck.

Fine Arts Commission: Library centennial and artist programs

The Fine Arts Commission met July 22 to discuss a Public Art Program Open House, a Local Artist Spotlight Series recap, and art programs tied to the Library Centennial. Updates from the Library, Park District, and DBR Chamber were on the agenda.

Greenhouse Gas Ad Hoc Working Group: Climate goals and solar ribbon cutting

The working group met July 23 to discuss the 2030 and 2050 goals in the Climate Action Report and potential amendments. The agenda also included a recap of the Wastewater Reclamation Facility solar array ribbon cutting, a recap of the Recycle Rally, and discussion of a "Sustainability Sunday" social media effort and a "Green Line" feature in D-tales.

Cemetery Commission: Grounds inspection and survey update

The Cemetery Commission met July 28 to inspect the Memorial pole, headstones, landscaping, and fence, and to review a cemetery survey update. The agenda included a public comment period and approval of prior meeting minutes.

Coming up

• **Board of Trustees — Monday, Aug. 3:** The Board is scheduled to discuss Ordinance 26-77-1, a special use permit for US Bank at 60 S. Waukegan Road in the Deerbrook Shopping Center. The meeting also includes a presentation by the Lake County Tool Library.

Deerfield boards weigh Wilmot Road resurfacing, new Walden school building, and US Bank special use

Deerfield's village boards and commissions have a packed docket this month, with the Board of Trustees set to act on road resurfacing engineering, the Plan Commission reviewing a major school construction proposal, and a special use request for a financial institution coming up tonight. Because minutes have not yet been published for the recent meetings, this roundup reflects what was scheduled for consideration rather than confirmed outcomes.

Board of Trustees — July 6

The Board of Trustees had a consent agenda item for a residential lease at 333 Warwick Road and five new business items on its July 6 agenda. The new business included:

• A resolution authorizing a Master Traffic Signal Agreement with Lake County.
• An ordinance amending the Village Code regarding stop street intersections.
• A resolution approving Phase II engineering services for the Wilmot Road Resurfacing Project.
• A resolution approving Phase III engineering services for the 135 Pfingsten Development.
• A resolution approving Phase III engineering services for the 155 Pfingsten Development.

Minutes for this meeting have not yet been published, so vote tallies and final actions are not available.

Plan Commission — July 9

The Plan Commission scheduled a public hearing on a request from Deerfield Public Schools District 109 and the Deerfield Park District to amend a Special Use for a new school building and site improvements at Walden Elementary School, located at 630 Essex Court. The proposed building would total 88,303 square feet.

The commission was also set to consider approval of a preliminary and final plat of subdivision to reconfigure property between the two districts. The project involves a four-phase construction plan that includes temporarily co-locating Kipling School on the Walden campus during renovation. An off-site alternative was estimated at $10–$20+ million.

A traffic study by TYLin analyzing arrival and dismissal patterns and recommending mitigation measures was on the agenda, along with recommended construction management conditions addressing safety, traffic, and swing phase operations. Minutes have not yet been published.

Cemetery Commission — July 14

The Cemetery Commission held a workshop on July 14, beginning with a grounds inspection at 570 Waukegan Road covering the memorial pole, headstones, landscaping, and fence before convening at Village Hall. The session was primarily procedural and informational, including approval of November 5, 2025 meeting minutes, commissioner updates on cemetery operations, and a cemetery survey update from staff. No binding votes or financial actions were scheduled.

Community Relations Commission — July 14

The Community Relations Commission discussed a recap of Pride Day at the Farmers Market, brainstormed its annual planning schedule, and received updates from local governments.

Coming up

• **Board of Trustees — July 20 (today):** The Board will consider a special use permit request to allow a financial institution, US Bank, at 60 S. Waukegan Road. Staff will also provide a report regarding an impact fee review.

All recent meeting minutes are pending publication. Residents seeking confirmed outcomes should watch for posted minutes on the Village of Deerfield website.