Orland Park staff seeks direction to streamline restaurant approvals near residences

Village planning staff asked the Committee of the Whole for feedback on a proposed change to the land development code that would make restaurants in existing commercial buildings within 300 feet of residential parcels a permitted use rather than a special use, while keeping special‑use review for drive‑throughs and outdoor dining. Planner Steve (presentation lead) said the village has about 230 restaurants, roughly 30 (about one in eight) sit within 300 feet of residential areas under current mapping. Staff reviewed recent special‑use cases and found few instances where the special‑use hearings imposed conditions that meaningfully changed outcomes; as a result staff proposed allowing restaurants as permitted uses in those existing commercial locations so the business could proceed more quickly through permit review provided they meet building, health and parking requirements. Steve said stand‑alone new restaurants would still require site plan approval (for new construction) and that restaurants with drive‑throughs or outdoor dining would remain subject to special‑use review because those elements can create traffic, queuing or noise concerns. Trustees asked clarifying questions about how the 300‑foot distance would be measured (lot line, building face or storefront) and whether permitted status would reduce notification to nearby residents. Trustee comments emphasized the differences between converting an existing restaurant space and converting an office or other use into a restaurant (kitchen venting, deliveries, waste, hours of operation), and some trustees urged a courtesy notification to nearby residents even if a use becomes permitted. Steve said staff could pursue a hybrid approach: make restaurant uses permitted where they meet defined criteria, develop an administrative checklist of standard mitigation measures and require special use only where the business proposes drive‑throughs, outdoor dining or cannot meet the checklist; staff asked the board whether to proceed drafting code text and whether to clarify the 300‑foot measurement method. No formal action was taken; staff asked for policy direction and trustees provided feedback to (1) consider measuring from lot lines and (2) develop a courtesy notification procedure and a clear checklist of conditions for permitted restaurants so residents receive timely information and staff maintains regulatory oversight where needed.