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Home » Fitness » Proposed 24-hour Life Time Fitness creates concern in Lake Zurich – Chicago Tribune

Lake Zurich residents and trustees recently shared concerns about a proposed Life Time Fitness at the former Hackney's restaurant property, raising questions about the business' around-the-clock operation and the noise that may come with it.

During an initial 82-minute review of the proposal at the village board meeting Aug. 21, Aaron Koehler, a representative of the Life Time Fitness chain, said the company is wanting to invest more than $45 million to build a "country club"-style fitness center on 10.7 acres on the northeast corner of Route 12 and Old Rand Road.

But the proposed 24-hour operation of the health club created concern with some trustees and residents, who questioned whether the business would bring in added noise, traffic and require extra lighting at a property where residences are nearby.

Moving forward, Life Time has identified at least three issues it plans to address, including late-night operating hours, traffic and green space, Koehler said.

Trustee Jonathan Sprawka urged fellow village officials and residents to carefully examine the redevelopment options of the massive former Hackney's site, calling it "one of the last large parcels in the village" that currently is zoned for business and residential use.

"I would really like to see this not be a 24-hour facility here," Sprawka said, noting traffic concerns and how a watershed related to the business would affect the village's namesake lake nearby. "I don't think that's the highest and best use to have around the clock."

After commending more than a dozen residents who attended the meeting to voice concerns and an estimated 50 others who met with Life Time representatives during a meeting hosted by the company earlier this month, Sprawka said some residents support the proposed Life Time Fitness while others haven't recognized that the property is zoned for both business and residential use near a busy U.S. highway.

"So, there is no perfect solution in any development, whether it's Life Time Fitness or another user that is going to go on this property," he said.

Trustee Greg Weider, who said he was impressed when visiting Life Time's Vernon Hills location, urged the business to consider building a "buffer" between its proposed 600-space parking lot and the homes located nearby.

Weider also urged the company to address many of the concerns raised during the meeting Aug. 21, including 24-hour operations at the facility, traffic and the availability of green space near the building.

"I think the fitness offering the business opportunity could very well be an asset to Lake Zurich, but there are a number of concerns that would need to be addressed as this process moves forward," he said.

Janis Gannon, a resident of Old Rand Road, reminded trustees that the proposed parcel is about the size of eight football fields and asked them to reject Life Time's request to rezone the residential portion of the property.

"The view, noise and traffic will be unbearable. It is simply wrong and goes against everything that I thought Lake Zurich stands for," she said. "The zoning is in place to protect from this catastrophe. Just because a corporate giant comes along with big money, we can't toss our morals out and accept it as our fate."

Jody Kien, who said she has been a Lake Zurich resident since 1979, said the proposal could bring life to the downtown area, but she suggested the village board ask the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to review the plan first for potential flooding issues.

The country-club style of the proposed Life Time Fitness would mirror other locations operated by the business, Koehler said. Over 25 years, Life Time facilities have evolved to include spas, outdoor pools, restaurants, bistros and other amenities typically not found in health and fitness centers, he said.

All total, Life Time operates 127 facilities in the U.S. and Canada, and has never closed a location, he said.

"Today, it feels like a country club without a golf course or a high-end resort," Koehler said. "The finishes portray a country club without the golf course feel."

Phil Rockrohr is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.

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Proposed 24-hour Life Time Fitness creates concern in Lake Zurich - Chicago Tribune

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Home » Fitness » Proposed 24-hour Life Time Fitness creates concern in Lake Zurich – Chicago Tribune