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Planning Board recommends conditional-use permit for downtown food-processing kitchen at 322 Station Street
Summary
The City of Kankakee Planning Board recommended approval of a conditional-use permit for a commercial food-processing kitchen to serve the adjacent grocery at 322 Station Street, with conditions including one accessible parking stall and required health, fire and city permits.
The City of Kankakee Planning Board on June 17 recommended that the City Council approve a conditional-use permit to allow a commercial food-processing kitchen at 322 Station Street.
The recommendation matters because the permit will allow on-site preparation for the adjacent grocery and must clear city, health and fire inspections before opening, affecting downtown operations and parking accommodations.
Carmen Martinez, the applicant, told the board the space will be used as an industrial kitchen to prepare food for the grocery next door and that current and planned operations are limited to food preparation, not immediate on-site dining. "At the moment just preparing food for the grocery store that's next door at 322 Station Street. We operate from 8 to 8. Employees will be about 6, as well as 10," Martinez said. Martinez said standard kitchen equipment—stoves, fryers and air conditioning—will be used.
Pro Tem Chairwoman Deb Terrell read required conditions into the record and reminded the applicants of city requirements. "You will have to comply with all the requirements of the health department and the fire department, city code," Terrell said during the hearing. The board discussed site details including parking and refuse. Staff and commissioners noted the site lacked an accessible parking stall; the applicants agreed to designate one accessible parking space. They also confirmed plans for an additional refuse receptacle and a separate grease receptacle.
The planning board attached several conditions to its recommendation: that the applicants obtain all necessary city permits and business licensing prior to operation; comply with building, fire, planning, zoning, engineering and health-department regulations; provide one accessible parking stall to meet ADA requirements; provide refuse collection per code; and prohibit outdoor storage unless separately approved. Those conditions were read into the record before the motion.
The motion recommending approval (case PB2025-6-1) was made by Steve Case and seconded by Jose Arturo Barajas; the roll-call vote was unanimous and the case was recommended to the City Council. The board noted the council hearing will occur at the first July meeting; staff said they would confirm the exact date.
Next steps: the applicants must submit building and trade permits, obtain a City of Kankakee business license, and pass any required inspections before commencing operations. The Planning Board’s recommendation will be forwarded to City Council for final action.
