Orland Park plan commission approves public works expansion, 43‑foot salt shed

The Orland Park Plan Commission on June 3 approved the Public Works Optimization Project at 15655 Ravinia Avenue, clearing zoning, lot consolidation and plan approvals needed for a north garage addition and a new salt and brine storage building.

The permits approved include a rezoning of one parcel from OS (Open Space) to Core Mixed Use, a plat of consolidation of four parcels into one, a special‑use permit for a planned development with two code modifications (building‑material and parking‑island requirements), and approval of the site plan and building elevations with conditions that the work be in substantial conformance with the submitted plans.

The project proposer, Joel Vanessen, Orland Park public works director, described a site program that would replace several small buildings, add a roughly 62,000‑square‑foot addition to the north garage and construct a new roughly 19,293‑square‑foot salt shed set behind the main building. "We are trying to reduce our salt usage. It's a EPA rule, that we have to follow for the village and to use more brine," Vanessen said, explaining the brine facility and the choice of materials for salt storage.

Planning staff told commissioners the salt shed will be about 43 feet tall, require certain nonmasonry materials to avoid corrosion, and—because the shed counts as a second principal structure—trigger the special‑use permit for a planned development. Planning staff recommended approval subject to the conditions in the staff report; the commission adopted that recommendation in a unanimous roll‑call vote.

Commission discussion focused on visibility from nearby residential areas, wetlands and stormwater conveyance, materials and longevity of the structure, and future consolidation of Public Works functions now spread across multiple village properties. Planning staff and the petitioner said the salt storage area will be largely screened from the public right of way by existing fencing and landscaping and by the site layout. The petitioner said treated, corrosion‑resistant materials and concrete push walls will be used to contain salt and protect structural elements.

Valdez Architecture and Engineering representative Steve Enick testified about materials and construction methods and said, "The exterior walls are precast concrete panels," describing paint and color treatments for the panels used on the addition.

Commissioners asked about operational changes: Vanessen said vehicle storage and many operations now located at other village buildings (including old Village Hall) will be consolidated at the Ravinia site, with about 10% spare capacity allowed for future growth. Commissioners also discussed the site's stormwater flow into an existing municipal basin and noted adjacent wetlands that constrain nearby development.

On project cost and funding, the petitioner said motor fuel tax funds will be used for the salt shed and estimated roughly $11 million for the remaining portions of the project, with a total approximate project cost of $16.5 million plus about $1 million contingency for unforeseen site conditions referenced during construction.

The commission approved the staff motion to accept findings of fact, rezoning, plat of consolidation, special‑use permit with the requested modifications, the site plan and the building elevations. The petitioner and design team may proceed to the follow‑up permit stages and must meet the staff conditions attached to the approvals.

A ribbon cutting for the replacement range building on site was noted as forthcoming.