Orland Park trustees considered ordinances to authorize eminent-domain acquisition of two vacant properties — described on the agenda as 9441 150th Ninth Street (the former KFC) and 9401 150th Ninth Street (the former BP gas station). The board debated the measures and ultimately tabled both items for further review.

Village Manager George (village manager) told the board that eminent domain is one method the village may use to acquire property and that, if acquired, “both properties” would likely be torn down as part of a larger development. Sal Esmer, who identified himself as a tenant at the former KFC site, told the board he holds an 18‑year lease and said he had learned only that day that the village was considering acquisition. “So I got a call today from somebody here in the building… I’m just trying to figure out what’s going on,” Esmer said.

Resident John Nugent, who said he had served on the planning commission, urged the board not to act as a developer and questioned why the village required the parcels, noting past debate about whether an easement behind the properties was needed. Nugent said he was “opposed to it unless you guys can show us good reason.”

Trustees expressed divided views. Some members said the parcels have been vacant and not adequately maintained; others said eminent domain is a blunt tool and asked whether the village had pursued voluntary purchase first. After discussion, a motion to table the ordinance for the former KFC was approved 4–3. A separate motion to table consideration of the former BP parcel also carried, and the board did not take up the substantive acquisition votes that evening.

The board did not adopt an ordinance at this meeting on either parcel. Village staff said the village attorney will contact tenants and property owners with further information; details about any prior offers, appraisals, environmental remediation (including underground storage tanks) and acquisition timetable were not specified at the meeting.

Public-comment speakers also raised procedural and historic-preservation concerns; one commenter noted that condemnation extinguishes deed restrictions, a point the board did not act on that night.

The board left the matter open for follow-up and additional information. Trustees requested additional detail about the village’s willingness to purchase voluntarily, environmental status of underground tanks, the status of existing leases and potential compensation for tenants and landlords.