Board gives nonbinding feedback on Guzman y Gomez drive‑through proposal at Hawthorne area site

Guzman y Gomez representatives on Tuesday presented a concept plan for a new fast‑casual Mexican restaurant with a drive‑through at Unit 354 (formerly Top Fitness) in the Hawthorne/Rivertree trade area. The village's staff memo identified three issues: a requested front‑setback reduction from 60 feet to 47 feet, potential emergency access concerns (which the fire protection district said did not require a bypass lane), and preliminary traffic queuing that the applicant's consultant addressed.

Jason Tremblay, head of U.S. development for Guzman y Gomez, described the brand's expansion — five U.S. locations so far and plans for more in Chicagoland — and said the company aims for a 2026 opening if approvals and construction proceed. Tremblay said the layout would need a 13‑foot variance on the front setback and that the drive‑through prototype typically targets 50% drive‑through customers; he projected annual sales in the range of $2.5 million to $3 million at mature stores.

Trustees and staff raised practical concerns about queuing and site layout. Multiple board members suggested moving the building south, reducing parking to create space for an escape/bailout lane, flipping the building orientation so the nicer façade faces Milwaukee Avenue, or requiring a two‑lane ordering configuration. Justin Opitz of Kimley‑Horn, who prepared the traffic memo, said an escape or bailout lane would provide extra flexibility and an additional layer of safety though many drive‑throughs operate without one.

The developer's civil‑engineering and traffic consultants indicated they could revise the plan to address parking, setback and queuing concerns and the applicant agreed to work with staff on reciprocal‑easement evidence for shared parking. Staff clarified the committee's feedback was nonbinding and intended to guide technical review and a future public hearing before the Planning & Zoning Commission; a final decision will return to the village board in ordinance form after that hearing.

No formal vote was required on the concept tonight; trustees expressed general support for continued review provided the site plan is adjusted to reduce queuing risks and satisfy setback/parking requirements during technical review.