Plan commission OKs concept plan for multi‑tenant drive‑through at 159th and Farrell with traffic conditions

The Plan and Zoning Commission approved a concept plan Dec. 11 for a multi‑tenant drive‑through development on a 1.6‑acre parcel at the southwest corner of 159th Street and Farrell Road.

City staff described the site as zoned C‑2 community commercial and noted the concept is advisory, providing a framework for later preliminary and final development plans. The proposal includes a roughly 3,000‑square‑foot tenant space and a 2,300‑square‑foot Dunkin' Donuts/Baskin Robbins with a shared access drive to neighboring Culver's. Staff emphasized the concept approval is valid for one year and listed conditions, the primary one being reconfiguration of the access to a right‑in/right‑out at the intersection with Ferrell/Beryl; staff cited traffic study work and ongoing discussions with IDOT and neighboring parcel owners, including Silver Cross Hospital ownership of adjacent lots.

Applicant Vik Patel of DL Holdings said his firm operates more than 150 stores in multiple states and owns the two Dunkin' locations in Lockport; he noted negotiations with franchisees about a potential additional tenant such as Jimmy John's. Commissioners raised questions about parking demand for potential high‑turnover drive‑through tenants and asked that the developer consider beautification for the prominent corner and further traffic mitigation measures.

The commission approved the concept plan with the staff‑recommended conditions; the approval provides the applicant assurances to pursue rezoning or preliminary plan submittal as needed, but construction will depend on future site and traffic engineering reviews.