HomeMy WebLinkAboutPLAN COMMISSION - 07/17/2023 - PC DOCKET 23-6, SPECIAL USE AUTO REPAIR SHOP I-1Elk Grove Village
Plan Commission Minutes
July 17, 2023
Present: J. Glass
P. Rettberg
S. Carlson
K. Weiner
F. Geinosky
G. Schumm
J. Morrill
Absent: R. DeFrenza
L. Bacigalupo
Staff: C. Gabiga, Assistant Village Manager
B. Kozor, Deputy Director of Community Development
R. Raphael, Deputy Director of Community Development
Petitioner: J. Flores, Owner of 3J Auto Body
P. Kolpak, Attorney
Chairman Glass called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
Item 1: June 5, 2023 Meeting Minutes
Commissioner Carlson moved to approve the meeting minutes of June 5, 2023. Commissioner
Schumm seconded the motion. Upon voting (Glass, Rettberg, Carlson, Weiner, Geinosky,
Schumm, Morrill, AYES), the motion carried unanimously.
Item 2: PC Docket #23-6: Petition for Special Use Permit for the operation of an
automobile repair shop in an I-1 Industrial Zoning District
Chairman Glass read the legal notice into the record and asked the Petitioner to explain their
purpose before the Plan Commission.
J. Flores stated that he has been in business for 30 years. He stated that he plans to move into Elk
Grove because the companies he does work for, Avis and Budget, are moving into Elk Grove.
He stated that moving into Elk Grove will make it easier for him to repair and deliver cars to
those clients. J. Flores explained that approximately eighty percent of his work is for Avis and
Budget.
J. Flores stated that he has five employees and that the hours of operation are from 8 a.m. to 5
p.m., Monday through Friday. He stated that he sometimes goes to work on Saturdays to do
paperwork and that no repair work is done on the weekends.
J. Flores stated that outside customers make up approximately twenty percent of his work and are
by referral and appointment only.
J. Flores explained that he maintains a continuing education, getting regular training on updates
to automobile repair technology and safety standards.
P. Kolpak stated that the Petitioner met with Village staff approximately two months prior and
provided him with several comments and requests. J. Flores confirmed that he implemented all
Village requests. J. Flores stated that the only outstanding request is installing fire sprinklers in
his building, but he has agreed to complete the request.
P. Kolpak stated that the Police Department submitted a letter stating that the property has
sufficient parking for the business. He stated that the Fire Department and Public Works
Department also submitted letters stating that the business should not pose a danger to the health
and safety of employees of other businesses in the area.
P. Kolpak stated that the property in question is not conducive to expansion. He stated that if 3J
Auto Body were to expand, the Petitioner would need to acquire another property in Elk Grove.
Chairman Glass asked where the Petitioner currently conducts business. J. Flores stated he
currently does business in unincorporated Arlington Heights near the intersection of Oakton
Street and Busse Road. J. Flores stated that he has been at that location for five years and that his
lease is ending in November 2023.
Commissioner Morrill asked where customers park their car when bringing it in for repair. J.
Flores stated that when repairing cars for Avis or Budget, his employees go collect the car and
bring it to the parking lot behind the 3J Auto Body building. J. Flores stated that there is
dedicated parking in the parking lot for outside customers when the come for an estimate or to
set up an appointment. J. Flores stated that his employees will move outside customers' cars
brought in for repair to the back of the building as well.
Commissioner Morrill asked if customers would be instructed to not park in the street. J. Flores
stated that if customers did park in the street, it would only be for approximately five minutes as
they signed paperwork before an employee moved the car to the back for repair.
Commissioner Schumm asked if the Petitioner had removed the dock and repaired the parking
lot and parking lot aprons as requested by Village staff. J. Flores confirmed that they were
removed and repaired.
Commissioner Schumm asked if the remaining requests from Village staff were fulfilled,
including reconstructing the drive aisle and ADA parking stall. J. Flores confirmed that all
requests from Village staff were completed.
Commissioner Rettberg asked what other businesses are in the immediate vicinity. J. Flores
stated that the surrounding businesses are primarily machine and manufacturing shops.
Commissioner Rettberg asked the Petitioner to confirm that eighty percent of their work is for
the rental car industry. J. Flores confirmed that is true.
Commissioner Rettberg asked if anyone from the public can come to 3J Auto Body and have
their car repaired. J. Flores stated that the remaining twenty percent of his business comes from
customers that know him personally or people who were referred to him by one of his regular
customers. J. Flores stated that this repair work is by appointment only.
Commissioner Rettberg asked if the Petitioner will install the sprinkler system as requested by
the Village. J. Flores confirmed that he will have the sprinkler system installed.
Commissioner Geinosky asked if the Petitioner will be closing his current Arlington Heights
facility. J. Flores confirmed that he will be closing his current facility in Arlington Heights upon
relocation to Elk Grove.
Commissioner Geinosky asked what the building at 670 Lunt Avenue was previously used for. J.
Flores stated that the building was previously used as a warehouse for heating and cooling
equipment.
Commissioner Geinosky asked if the Petitioner had to complete renovations to prepare the
building for an automotive repair use. J. Flores stated that he only needed to install a spray booth
and one vehicle lift. J. Flores stated that he spent $125,000 in repairing the parking lot. He stated
that it he would likely spend $300,000 in total to comply with all requirements from the Village.
Commissioner Geinosky asked if there will be more than one vehicle lift. J. Flores stated that
there would only be one vehicle lift and a frame machine.
Commissioner Geinosky asked the Petitioner to confirm that the building will have three interior
spaces. J. Flores confirmed that is true.
Commissioner Geinosky asked the Petitioner if business operating hours would only be until
5:00 p.m. on Monday through Friday. J. Flores confirmed that is true.
Commissioner Geinosky asked how vehicle pickups from the car rental companies would be
carried out during the evening if the business will close at 5:00 p.m. J. Flores stated that all cars
from car rental companies are picked up in the morning hours. J. Flores stated that after repairing
these cars, they are typically delivered at or before 3:00 p.m.
Commissioner Geinosky asked if the Petitioner still needs to install fencing. J. Flores stated that
he plans on installing fencing. J. Flores stated he would like to install a chain link fence with a
cover instead of a wood or vinyl fence as required by the Village because a wood or vinyl fence
is more highly flammable than a chain link fence. He stated that he has not put up a fence yet
because he is waiting to see if a chain link fence would be approved.
B. Kozor stated that the Village is typically looking for resilience in the materials selected for
screening and fencing. He stated that the Village has a list of recommended screening types and
is looking for fencing with a vinyl type insert because it is more resilient.
Commissioner Geinosky asked if the Petitioner will have any additional impact on parking on
their neighbors or would require a parking agreement or easement with the neighboring parcel
for employee and customer parking. J. Flores stated that it will not be necessary. P. Kolpak read
the letter submitted by the Police Department which states that there is more than enough
parking for the building.
Chairman Glass opened the public hearing to allow for questions and comments from the
audience and staff.
B. Kozor stated that the Village received a call from the owner of the property at 1601 Tonne
Road who had concerns that the parking lot had been in disrepair and was retaining water, but
now that it had been repaired, the stormwater may flood into unwanted areas. B. Kozor stated
that the Village is working with the business owners in the area to ensure that stormwater
management in the area works properly.
RECOMMENDATION
Commissioner Weiner moved to recommend approval of the following:
• Petition for a Special Use Permit for the operation of an automobile repair shop in an I-1
Industrial Zoning District
Commissioner Schumm seconded the motion. Upon voting, (Glass, Rettberg, Carlson, Weiner,
Geinosky, Schumm, Morrill, AYES), the motion carried unanimously.
Item 3 : Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:44 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Caroline Gabiga
Assistant Village Manager
C: Chairman and Members of the Plan Commission, Mayor and Board of Trustees, Village
Clerk.