Title
Ajyal Learning Center - 15545 71st Court - Installation of new fence
History
QUICKFACTS
Project:
Ajyal Learning Center - 15545 S. 71st Court - Existing Fence
Legistar ID: 2026-0548
Project ID: PPA-26-0037
Petitioner:
William Faber, Property Owner / Landlord
Applicant
Nawal Rahman, Director
Ajyal Learning Center
Purpose:
The petitioner is requesting after-the-fact Appearance Review approval for approximately 240 linear feet of fencing that has already been installed on the property in association with Ajyal Learning Center, which occupies Suite 100 of the existing multi-tenant building.
Requested Action: Appearance Review
Project Attributes:
Address: 15545 S. 71st Court, Orland Park, IL 60462
P.I.N.: 28-18-309-010-0000
Parcel Size: 0.66 acres
Building Size: 7,620 square feet
Tenant Space: 2,400 square feet, Suite 100
Comprehensive Plan Planning District: 159th & Harlem
Comprehensive Land Use Designation: Commercial & Manufacturing
Existing Zoning: MFG - Manufacturing District
Existing Land Use: Multi-tenant nonresidential building / learning center
Surrounding Land Use:
North: 71st Court and industrial/commercial development
South: Industrial/commercial development
East: Industrial/commercial development
West: Industrial/commercial development
BACKGROUND
The petitioner submitted an Appearance Review application for Ajyal Learning Center identifying the proposed work as accessory structures and screening or fencing. The application states that approximately 240 linear feet of fencing has been installed on the property. Ajyal Learning Center occupies approximately 2,400 square feet in Suite 100 of the existing 7,620-square-foot multi-tenant building.
The fence was installed before completion of the Appearance Review and fence-permit processes. The request is therefore being reviewed as an after-the-fact Appearance Review. Approval of the Appearance Review does not eliminate the requirement to obtain any necessary fence permit, inspection, Engineering approval, or other applicable Village authorization.
The submitted Plat of Survey depicts the approximately 0.66-acre parcel, the existing building, paved parking and circulation areas, and property dimensions. However, the survey does not depict the installed fence, fence gates, or the distance between the fence and property lines, pavement, easements, building exits, or other site features.
The application also does not identify the fence height, material, color, opacity, post and footing configuration, or gate locations. Publicly available aerial and property imagery was reviewed for general site context, but the available imagery does not clearly establish the complete fence alignment or all construction details. Verification through an annotated survey, current photographs, permit review, and a Village inspection is therefore necessary.
DETAILED PLANNING DISCUSSION
Per Section 5-106 of the Land Development Code, the Appearance Review process is intended to maintain and enhance the appearance of existing development through administrative review of minor site and exterior improvements, while confirming compliance with applicable Code requirements and maintaining harmony with surrounding community character. The existing fence is subject to Appearance Review because it constitutes an addition or modification to fencing on a nonresidential property.
According to the submitted application, the work consists of approximately 240 linear feet of fencing associated with Ajyal Learning Center. The fence has already been installed. This review is limited to the appearance, design, location, and Code compliance of the fence and associated gates. It does not approve or modify the underlying business use, occupancy, enrollment, outdoor operations, parking requirements, signage, or other site entitlements.
Section 6-310 of the Land Development Code establishes the applicable fence standards. Fencing within a nonresidential district may not exceed eight feet in height and must comply with the applicable material, design, location, and openness requirements. Dangerous, temporary, or otherwise prohibited perimeter-fence materials are not permitted.
The finished side of the fence must face adjoining properties and public streets. The fence must be maintained in a structurally sound, upright, clean, and visually consistent condition. Any damaged, leaning, mismatched, or incomplete portions of the existing installation must be repaired or corrected as part of the permit and inspection process.
The fence, posts, footings, and gates must be located entirely on the subject property. The fence may not encroach into the public right-of-way, a neighboring property, or an easement without appropriate authorization. It may not obstruct a required parking space, drive aisle, accessible route, building exit, emergency-access area, utility facility, or required sight-distance area.
Gates must be configured so they do not swing into or obstruct 71st Court, a pedestrian route, required building access, parking or vehicle circulation, or fire and emergency access. Because the fence is associated with a learning center, all gates, latches, posts, and related components should be maintained without sharp projections, damaged components, or other readily apparent safety hazards. Final safety compliance remains subject to review by the applicable Building, Fire, and licensing authorities.
Section 6-310 also requires fencing to be installed so it does not impede natural or engineered drainage. If the installed fence is solid, the required separation between the bottom of the fence and finished grade must be maintained unless an alternative is approved by Engineering. Fence posts, footings, landscaping, and any grade changes must not interfere with drainage facilities or overland-flow routes.
The submitted survey does not provide enough information to verify the fence location or determine whether the installation complies with all applicable requirements. Before final approval, the petitioner should provide an annotated survey or as-built plan showing the complete fence alignment, height, material, gate locations, and distances from property lines and relevant site features. Current photographs and product information should also be provided.
In staff’s opinion, an appropriately designed and located fence can be compatible with the existing nonresidential property and surrounding industrial and commercial development. Subject to documentation of the existing installation, completion of the required permit and inspection process, and correction of any noncompliant conditions, the fence can satisfy the intent of the Appearance Review process.
Recommended Action/Motion
The Appearance Review for Ajyal Learning Center, case number [insert], received [insert receipt date], is recommended for after-the-fact administrative approval, subject to the following conditions:
1. An after-the-fact fence permit and all other required Village approvals must be obtained. The fence shall be subject to final inspection by the Village.
2. Before final permit approval, the petitioner shall submit an annotated Plat of Survey or as-built site plan showing the complete fence alignment, approximate linear footage, height, material, color and finish, opacity, posts, gates, property-line offsets, and relationship to parking, drive aisles, accessible routes, building exits, utilities, easements, drainage features, and emergency-access areas.
3. Current photographs of all fence runs and gates shall be submitted. Manufacturer or product information shall also be provided when available. If product information is unavailable, the submitted as-built documentation shall include sufficient field-verified dimensions and material descriptions to determine compliance.
4. The fence shall remain in substantial conformance with the approved Appearance Review and permit documents. Any material change to the fence height, location, material, color, gate configuration, or overall design shall require additional staff review.
5. The fence shall comply with Section 6-310 of the Land Development Code, including the applicable eight-foot maximum height, material and design standards, drainage requirements, finished-side orientation, and maintenance requirements.
6. The fence, posts, footings, and gates shall be located entirely on the subject property and shall not obstruct the public right-of-way, an easement, required parking or circulation, an accessible route, a building exit, emergency access, utilities, drainage, or required sight distance.
7. Any portion of the fence determined to encroach into a prohibited area or otherwise violate an applicable Code or permit requirement shall be relocated, modified, or removed before final approval.
8. Any lawn, landscaping, pavement, drainage feature, or other site improvement damaged by fence installation or corrective work shall be restored to an appropriate condition.
9. Signs, banners, fabric, mesh, screening inserts, lighting, or other attachments to the fence are not approved as part of this Appearance Review unless specifically depicted in the final approved documents and separately determined to comply with applicable Village regulations.
10. The petitioner shall meet all applicable Building Code, Fire Code, Engineering, accessibility, and Land Development Code requirements.