Council to consider lease for taxi operator at old lumberyard after committee review

The Economic Development, Planning and Zoning Committee reviewed a proposed lease for A List Taxi to use a fenced portion of the former North Chicago lumberyard for vehicle storage, with staff and the applicant agreeing to return a final contract to the full City Council at the next meeting.

The committee heard from Chrystelle Ayers, who identified herself as a North Chicago resident and business owner behind A List Taxi, who said the business would provide taxis, limousines, buses and medical/VA transportation and hoped to hire local residents. Ayers proposed a first-year rent she said she could manage (she described a $1,000 figure as a practical first-year rate) with a potential $1,500 monthly rate in year two; city staff’s draft lease as presented to the committee listed $1,500 per month.

City staff explained the parcel under consideration is the western portion of the former lumberyard, bounded by chain-link fencing and containing a three-sided metal shed. Taylor (city staff) told the committee the city acquired the land the previous summer and described the draft lease as a two-year agreement with a short notice provision intended to preserve flexibility while the city continues preliminary engineering and planning for Sheridan Road and Foss Park Avenue realignment. Committee members asked for written contract terms and benchmarks tying required aesthetic and security improvements to the lease.

Ayers said the company would seal-coat and clean the lot, add lighting and cameras for security, screen the fence and use a temporary trailer as an operations booth while the business is establishing itself. Council members and staff discussed city code limits on signage across fencing and agreed any logo/branding across a fence would need to meet sign ordinance requirements. Taylor said temporary trailers are permitted under the city code for short-term construction or operations use and could be considered as part of an interim occupancy plan.

Alderpersons raised two recurring concerns: (1) protecting long-term redevelopment options for Sheridan Road (committee members asked that the city retain the flexibility to realign roadways or redevelop the site), and (2) adding contractual “teeth” so the city can enforce required site improvements and remove a tenant quickly if they fail to meet benchmarks. Several aldermen voiced support for a reduced first-year rent to help a start-up establish operations and for a lease that requires specific improvement benchmarks. Taylor confirmed the draft before the committee included a 30-day termination clause and a separate 60‑day cure period for lease defaults; he said his prior conversations with the applicant had intended a single 60‑day notice period and asked for committee consensus to adjust the draft accordingly.

Committee members asked that staff prepare a revised lease reflecting the committee’s guidance, including: the agreed monthly rent to be presented for council consideration, a clear statement of required aesthetic and security improvements, and the notice/termination language. Alderman Coleman and others asked for a copy of the final draft before the full council vote so aldermen could review the contract terms in writing.

The committee did not take a final binding vote on sale or long-term disposition of the property. Members indicated a willingness to bring a lease option to the full council at the next meeting with the revisions requested. The applicant said she would continue to pursue available small-business and veteran-business grants that could support a future purchase of the site.