Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPLAN COMMISSION - 10/04/1995 - EXEL WENDY REZONE ELK GROVE VILLAGE Plan Commission Minutes October 4, 1995 8:00 p.m. Present: F. Geinosky, Chairman P. Feichter, Secretary P. Ayers R. Guzzardi C. Henrici J. McAllister D. Paliganoff C. Prochno Absent: J. Meyers Staff: S. Niehaus, Administrative Assistant Petitioners: Leo Lenaghan, :Dearborn Construction Charles Lucchese, Dearborn Construction Chairman Geinosky called the meeting to order at 8:00 p.m. Item A: Exel-Wendy Rezoning Secretary Feichter swore in the petitioners. Lenaghan stated that he was seeking to rezone a parcel of land located on the north side of Devon Avenue between Nerge and I-290 from B-2 General Business District to B-3 Automotive oriented Business District for the purpose of constructing a retail shopping center with a drive-thru restaurant facility. The subject property is approximately 37,000 square feet in size and has direct access to Devon Avenue. The adjacent property to the west contains a car wash and the adjacent property to the east contains a motel. Both of the properties are zoned B-2 but received B-3 uses under the provisions of an annexation agreement which has since exp:.red. The site has been vacant since 1974. Lenaghan stated that his difficulty in developing the site is due to a sales agreement with Exe7. Inn which requires a full-service restaurant (3 meals/day) on the subject property. Lenaghan stated that after several attempts to market the property to a traditional, sit-down restaurant tenant, he has concluded that the site should be marketed to a drive-thru restaurant. Therefore, he is seeking B-3 zoning in order to have the ability to successfully market and develop the property. Lenaghan provided a conceptual site plan to the Plan Commission and stated that he envisions constructing a 7, 000 square foot retail shopping facility with a drivE.-thru restaurant on one end. The restaurant would be approximately 1, 100 square feet with the remaining stores being roughly 1,000 square feet in size. Lenaghan stated that Plan Commissi Minutes October 4, 1995 Page 2 he has built several similar retail centers in the northwest suburbs and believes that this one will be successful due to its size and location. Commissioner Prochno questioned if the petitioner had a tenant for the building. Lenaghan stated that no tenant had been secured due to the fact that the building could not be built until the restaurant tenant was secured according to his sales agreement with Exel Inn. Commissioner Henrici questioned what was located on the lot north of the property. Lenaghan stated that there was a commercial building that contained 3 or 4 tenants. Niehaus stated that the property was zoned B-2. Commissioner Henrici questioned if there would be any type of barrier between the proposed shopping center and the Exel Inn. Lenaghan stated that a small barrier wall/curb would be installed, however, customers could exit the property through the north side to Bonaventure Drive through the Exel Inn property. Commissioner eeichter questioned what other uses may be located on the site and expressed concern over the possibility of some B-3 uses which could be located on the property. Lenaghan acknowledged that B-3 uses such as drive-thru banks and auto-repair shops could be constructed, however, that was not his intentions. Lenaghan stated that his experience is strictly in the area of general retail and that he would most likely build a shopping center as he had already discussed. Commissioner McAllister questioned as to the size of the restaurant. Lenaghan stated that the actual size of the restaurant could range from 1,100 to 2,100 square feet. Commissioner Ayers expressed concern over not knowing who the restaurant tenant would be as well as the configuration of the conceptual site plan. Lenaghan stated that it has been very difficult to get an interested tenant without the B-3 zoning. Lenaghan also stated that the configuration of the shopping center was identical to the Dunkin Donuts Shopping Center on Nerge Road which has operated without any difficulties. Commissioner Ayers questioned how deliveries would be made to the facility if it had a drive-thru lane around the outside. Lenaghan stated that most deliveries would go in through the front door but they could go in the back door if necessary. Commissioner Paliganoff questioned the length of the sales agreement with Exel Inn. Lenaghan stated that it is a permanent agreement and that the requirement to build a restaurant on the site will not expire. Commissioner -Geinosky questioned if Exel Inn's customers would be able to walk to the proposed restaurant. Lenaghan stated that a sidewalk from Exel Inn to the shopping center would be installed. Plan Commission M'nutes October 4, 1995 Page 3 Chairman Geinosky questioned why the petitioner thought a retail center would succeed at this location where other centers in the area had not. Lenaghan stated that he felt the retail center would succeed because it was smaller, easier to rent, and was in a good location. In addition, Lenaghan felt that the other shopping center in the area was not successful due to its size, design, and the introduction of new competition to the market place. Chairman Geinosky opened up the public hearing to comments from the audience at 8:40 p.m. Jeff Ryan, manager of the Exel Inn stated that the Exel Inn Owners would like to see the site developed with a restaurant so that it could complement the motel. Ryan questioned the size of the barrier curb which would separate the two ;properties. Lenaghan stated that the curb would be approximately 2 feet in height. Tom Walter, 1000 Brantwood, stated that he was familiar with Mr. Lenaghan's project and felt t:llat he is a very competent developer, however, he expressed concern over the impact of traffic odor, and garbage from the drive-thru restaurant and questioned whether or not it was the highest and best use .for the property. _ Chairman Geinosky closed the public hearing at 8:50 p.m. Commissioner Henrici moved that the Plan Commission recommend approval of the rezoning of the subject property from B-2 General Business District to B-3 Automotive oriented Business District. Commissioner Guzzardi seconded the motion to allow for discussion. Commissioner Henrici stated that he felt the petitioners request was reasonable due to the poor location of the property, its consistency with adjacent property uses, and his inability to market the property with the current zoning over several years. Commissioner Ayers reiterated his concerns regarding the lack of knowledge of what restaurant would be located on the property as well as the configuration of the conceptual site plan. Niehaus stated that any site plans submitted would be subject to review by staff to ensure that it met all zoning requirements. Commissioner Paliganoff expressed his concern over the other uses which would be available to the petitioner if the property were rezoned including indoor places of amusement and auto repair shops. Lenaghan stated that he had no intention of operating either of those facilities. Upon further discussion, the Plan Commissioners voted (Geinosky, Feichter, Prochno, Henrici, McAllister, Ayers AYES, Paliganoff, Guzzardi NAYS, Meyers ABSENT) to recommend approval of rezoning the subject property from B-2 General Business District to B-3 Automotive Oriented Business District. Plan Commissi Minutes _ October 4, 195., Page 4 Commissioner Feichter moved and Commissioner Prochno seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting. Chairman Geinosky adjourned the meeting at 9:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Scott R. Niehaus Administrative Assistant SRN/el C: Chairman and Members of Plan Commission, President and Board of Trustees, Village Clerk, Village Manager, Assistant Village Manager, Administrative Assistant, Administrative Intern, Director Of Engineering/Community Development, Director of Public Works, Fire Chief, Deputy Fire Chief(2) , Assistant Fire Chief, Village Attorney, Chairman and Members of ZBA J