Plan commission reviews site plan to convert former Kmart site at 9548 Wicker Avenue into a Jewel Osco

The Town of St. John Plan Commission on March 5 reviewed a proposed site plan to repurpose the former Kmart at 9548 Wicker Avenue into a new Jewel Osco grocery store, roughly 70,000 square feet, with a pharmacy drive‑through and reconfigured parking.

Ashley Abernathy, planning staff, said the submission follows a conceptual presentation made the previous month and that full plans had been filed. She described the project as “the former Kmart building site that is going to be repurposed into a brand new Jewel Osco that is going to be approximately 70,000 square feet, more or less,” with removal of an old greenhouse area and the addition of a drive‑through pharmacy lane.

Brian Davis (petitioner/representative on the record) confirmed staff’s summary. Adam McAlpine, the Town’s review engineer, said he is coordinating with the project engineer and has begun review but had not issued written comments. McAlpine said there is a lighting plan to be submitted and that lights will be placed in every other parking island. He asked the applicant to provide calculations to verify the existing storm‑sewer system can handle current rain events; the applicant will tie into the existing on‑site storm system and the site does not include a new detention basin. McAlpine noted that “it becomes an 18 inches at the northern end of the site,” flagging localized ponding that the engineer wants evaluated.

Why it matters: Redevelopment of an existing retail site affects traffic patterns, stormwater infrastructure and lighting for neighboring properties. The engineer’s request for capacity calculations and the lack of on‑site detention mean the stormwater review is an outstanding technical issue before final approval.

Next steps: engineering review is ongoing; McAlpine said he has no written comments yet and staff will continue review before the item returns to the commission for a formal hearing and action.