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Plan Commission approves special-use permit for Popcones popcorn and ice cream shop at El Camino center
Summary
The Orland Park Plan Commission on July 15 approved a special-use permit allowing Popcones to open a 600-square-foot popcorn and ice cream carryout shop in the El Camino Commercial Center, finding parking and trash capacity adequate and subject to standard building permits.
The Orland Park Plan Commission on July 15 approved a special-use permit for Popcones, a proposed gourmet popcorn and ice cream carryout shop, to occupy a 600-square-foot vacant tenant space in the El Camino Commercial Center.
The permit was approved after staff recommended the commission accept findings of fact in the staff report dated July 10, 2025. The public hearing (case numbers cited during the meeting included 2025-0512 and 2025-0523) drew no members of the public to speak and the commission voted unanimously to approve the staff-recommended action.
Staff told the commission the center is in the Village’s Business General zoning district within the Olive Grove Planning District of the comprehensive plan and that this restaurant use is consistent with the plan’s intent for a walkable, mixed-use district. The petitioner proposes only interior work; no exterior changes were proposed. The space would include a sales counter, ice-cream display/freezer and a slushie machine in front, with popcorn prep and utilities in a rear room. No seating or indoor cafe is proposed; the petitioner confirmed the business would be carryout only.
The staff presentation said the entire El Camino center totals about 23,000 square feet across three parcels and currently provides 141 parking spaces. The proposed Popcones location requires six parking spaces; staff calculated the center’s tenants would require about 59 spaces total, leaving a surplus of approximately 82 spaces. Staff also reported three dumpster enclosures serve the western parcel and said there is sufficient capacity for restaurant waste.
Commissioners asked procedural and operational questions during the public hearing. Commissioner Nugent asked whether indoor or outdoor dining was part of the proposal; the petitioner and staff confirmed the current request was carryout only and that any future outdoor seating would require a separate appearance review and additional approvals. Commissioner Zatar asked why restaurant uses routinely come before the commission; staff explained that, under the village code, restaurants located within 300 feet of a residential parcel trigger a special-use review.
Motion to approve the staff-recommended action was made by Commissioner Schuessler and seconded by Commissioner Zamparelli; the vote was unanimous. The approval was subject to the condition that the petitioner meet all applicable building-code requirements and obtain required permits.
The petitioner in attendance said he had coordinated documents through his wife and had come to observe the proceedings; staff indicated they would call him back to the microphone if commissioners had follow-up questions.
The commission did not attach special or atypical conditions beyond standard permitting and code compliance. Staff noted the village has previously granted special-use permits for restaurants in the same center, including Kismet Restaurant, Isabella Polish Deli and Sweets (an ice-cream and cake shop).
