DeKalb planners agree to continue hearing on proposed 114-acre travel center

The DeKalb Planning and Zoning Commission on Monday agreed to continue a public hearing on a proposed annexation and rezoning for a roughly 114-acre site at the southeast corner of Peace Road and Fairview Drive. The applicant asked for more time to assemble background materials and renderings.

Jerry Krasinski, representing Chicago West Business Center, asked the Commission for a continuance, saying holiday-related delays prevented the team from presenting a complete packet. City staff told commissioners they supported the request and had prepared a short memo recommending a continuation on Jan. 20, 2026, at 6 p.m. in the Yasunas Meeting Room at the DeKalb Public Library.

Commissioner O'Flaherty moved to continue the public hearing to that date and location; the motion was seconded and passed by roll call. The petition seeks annexation and a zoning map amendment to change the property from SFR-1 (single-family residential) to PD-1 (planned development/industrial) to accommodate an industrial and commercial business park anchored by a travel center that would include a gas station and convenience store.

The continuation gives the applicant additional time to provide full background materials, images and any other documentation staff and commissioners will review at the next meeting. No public testimony on the substance of the petition was taken at Monday's meeting beyond the applicant's request for more time.

The Commission made no substantive decision on the merits of the annexation or rezoning; the matter will be revisited at the Jan. 20 meeting with supplemental materials expected from the applicant.