Planning & Zoning Board

August 26, 2025 Wheaton Planning and Zoning Board I. Call To Order and Roll Call Vote Chair Aranas called the Tuesday, August 26, 2025, Wheaton Planning and Zoning Board meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in-person and via zoom. Upon roll call, the following were: Roll Call Vote Present: Nicole Aranas Ben Blume Chris Dabovich Bob Gudmundson Cecilia Horejs Mark Plunkett Philip Spittler (Via Zoom) Absent: None City Staff Present: Tracy Jones, Staff Planner II. Approval of Minutes - August 12, 2025 The minutes were approved as presented. III. Public Comment Chair Aranas made an announcement that the zoning request for College Church had been withdrawn by the applicant and thus, the scheduled public hearing on this matter had been cancelled. IV. Old Business ZA #25-15/ Text Amendment and Special Use Permit/ 923 E. Roosevelt Road/ Candle of Hope Foundation Chair Aranas reconvened the public hearing on Tuesday, August 26, 2025. She stated that following a presentation by the applicant and questions and comments from the Planning and Zoning Board, the August 12, 2025 public hearing was continued to give staff time to rework the definition of a Kat Lounge. Staff Planner Jones stated that the original definition of a Kat Lounge, proposed by the applicant, was “A nonprofit, community-based establishment that offers a calm, sensory-friendly environment where individuals can relax, study, or socialize in the presence of resident cats. The primary purpose of a Kat Lounge is to promote emotional wellness, provide therapeutic enrichment, and foster positive human-animal interactions. Unlike a Cat Adoption Agency, a Kat Lounge is not focused on rehoming animals; resident cats are long-term companions or personally owned by the operator. The space may include quiet lounge areas, study rooms, and workstations, and may serve prepackaged food and beverages. The facility must comply with all applicable health, safety, and animal care standards as required by local, county and state regulations.” Staff Planner Jones stated that based on feedback from the Planning and Zoning Board to make the original definition of a Kat Lounge more generic, staff drafted an alternate definition of a Domestic Animal Lounge, which is defined as “A place where people can interact with domestic animals with or without the purchase of food and/or beverages. The lounge can feature a variety of domestic animals, allowing visitors to socialize with them in a relaxed, café-like setting. Patrons often pay a fee, usually hourly, to spend time with the animals. The lounge must comply with all applicable health, safety, and animal care standards as required by local, county and state regulations.” Mr. Blume suggested minor wording changes to the definition of a Domestic Animal Lounge. He proposed that the definition reads as follows: “A not for profit establishment, which is not a Cat Adoption Agency or a Kennel, where people can interact with domestic animals with or without the purchase of food and/or beverages. The lounge can feature a variety of domestic animals, allowing visitors to socialize with them in a relaxed, café-like setting. Patrons often pay a fee, usually hourly, to spend time with the animals. The lounge must comply with all applicable health, safety, and animal care standards as required by local, county and state regulations.” The rest of the board concurred with this suggestion. Chair Aranas stated that the Board further continued the August 12, 2025 public hearing, to give the applicant time to provide additional paperwork regarding their non-profit status and financials. Felicia Oliver was sworn in. Ms. Oliver stated that she is the attorney that created the Kassar Family Foundation. She stated that in December 2024 they applied to the Internal Revenue Service for 501(c)(3) non-profit status for the Kassar Family Foundation/ Domestic Animal Lounge, but they haven’t heard back from them yet. Shaden Kassar was sworn in. Ms. Kassar stated that she is a trustor of the Kassar Family Foundation and the proposed owner/ operator of the domestic animal lounge. She provided her financials and assured the Board that the Kassar Family Foundation would fully fund the proposed domestic animal lounge. Mr. Dabovich moved and then Mr. Blume seconded the motion to close the public hearing. On a voice vote, all voted aye. Mr. Dabovich moved and then Mr. Gudmundson seconded the motion to recommend approval of the combined text amendment and special use permit request, subject to the following conditions: 1. The required license from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) shall be obtained for the operation of the Domestic Animal Lounge at 923 E. Roosvelt Road. 2. The bylaws and the most recent tax documents for the Kassar Family Foundation shall be submitted to staff.  Roll Call Vote Ayes: Nicole Aranas Ben Blume Chris Dabovich Bob Gudmundson Cecilia Horejs Mark Plunkett Philip Spittler (Via Zoom) Nays: None Absent: None Motion Passed Unanimously V. Miscellaneous There was none. VI. Adjournment Mr. Plunkett moved and then Mr. Gudmundson seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:04 p.m. On a voice vote, all voted aye. Respectfully submitted, Tracy L. Jones, AICP Staff Planner Approved by, Nicole Aranas Chair