The Orland Park Planning Commission voted 6–1 on Jan. 6, 2026 to approve a special-use permit, site plan and related entitlements for an Amazon retail plan development at the southwest corner of 159th Street and LaGrange Road.

The commission’s action follows a multi-hour hearing in which the petitioner and consultants described a purpose-built retail operation — described repeatedly by the applicant as "not a warehouse use" — that pairs a grocery-style front-of-house with a larger back-of-house area to support online ordering and curbside pickup. Attorney Katie Jinky Dale, representing the applicant, told the commission: "This is not a warehouse use," and described the proposed building as a purpose-built retail experience with integrated pickup zones and a design to separate delivery and customer flows.

Why it mattered: the project will occupy about 35 acres at a highly visible village intersection and requires several special-use approvals, a modification to permit parking between the building and the street, and public-right-of-way dedications for the Ravinia Avenue extension. Petitioner materials and staff presentations differed slightly on square footage and parking figures in places; staff’s packet cited a 228,660-square-foot building and an 844-space parking lot (petitioner earlier referenced roughly 225,000 square feet). Petitioner representatives said the development would create "over 500" permanent jobs and more than 200 construction jobs; exact tax and revenue projections were not specified in the hearing materials.

What the commission approved: staff recommended approval of a planned development special-use permit (with a modification to the land development code), a special use for a commercial retail establishment over 50,000 square feet, a special use to develop within 50 feet of a non-tributary wetland, and approval of the site, landscape and elevation materials subject to staff conditions. Staff also recommended a cash-in-lieu payment for tree replacement of $100,000 and completion of specific landscape comments prior to Board of Trustees review.

Traffic, truck access and infrastructure: the project’s traffic engineer (Rory Fansler) summarized a traffic-impact study that had been submitted to and reviewed by village staff and IDOT (Illinois Department of Transportation). The plan calls for multiple access points with right-in/right-out restrictions at some driveways, a dedicated right-turn pocket and acceleration/deceleration lanes, and truck access limited to a western driveway that connects to Ravinia Avenue. The traffic consultant estimated "generally 10 trucks or less per day" for store resupply, and engineering staff said the seven loading docks proposed would be at grade (not depressed wells).

Village engineering and staff said the project will require coordination with IDOT and Cook County on several off-site improvements and that the village will pursue construction of the Ravinia Avenue extension (staff said the 2026 budget includes funds for roadway work and noted some right-of-way acquisition and eminent-domain steps remain). Director of engineering described a multi-year regional traffic program (lane extensions, median closures, and signal work) that the village expects to phase over time.

Public comment: more than a dozen residents spoke or submitted written comments. Concerns raised repeatedly included traffic and congestion at 159th and LaGrange, potential long-term land-use precedent from a very large single-tenant building, truck noise and routing, impacts on nearby businesses and neighborhood quality of life, and a desire for additional neighborhood outreach. A pre-filed letter from Andrew Grigg, read into the record, urged the board to "reject or substantially reconsider the proposed Amazon retail development in its current form," citing conservation and transportation concerns. Supporters speaking at the hearing and some commissioners highlighted potential tax revenue and job creation. One resident who spoke in favor said the site currently generates minimal taxes and estimated the new development could substantially increase the village’s tax base.

Limits and conditions: staff made clear that the core mixed-use zoning district does not allow principal warehouse/fulfillment use and that any change in use would require a new zoning action. The staff report and the motion carried by the commission tie approvals to the submitted site plan, building elevations and specific conditions of approval (landscape adjustments, tree mitigation payments, and other standard conditions).

Commission vote and next steps: Commissioner Schuessler made the motion to approve the staff recommended action; Commissioner Shalaby seconded. The roll call vote was Zatar Aye; Schuessler Aye; Parisi/Chair Aye; Paul Aye; Sanchez Nay; Fenton Aye; Shalaby Aye. The commission’s approval moves the case to the Committee of the Whole and then to the Board of Trustees (staff noted the Board was scheduled to consider the matter in its next cycle, Jan. 19, 2026).