Burr Ridge trustees approve Finkbeiner Equipment special use, set one-year compliance review

The Village of Burr Ridge Board of Trustees on Jan. 26 approved a special-use request for Finkbeiner Equipment Company to operate multiple buildings and an outdoor display area at the 320 North Frontage Road property, subject to a one-year compliance review.

The board moved from a temporary recommendation by the planning commission to an approval that preserves the village’s authority to revoke the permit if the company does not complete promised improvements. Planning commission member Diana McCollum said the temporary recommendation reflected repeated neighborhood complaints and was intended to ensure the petitioner follows through on site improvements.

Ed Van Pook, who identified himself as president of ThinkBinder and spoke for the petitioner, said the company has been in the community since the mid-1960s and described planned work including driveway paving, ditch and drainage improvements, installation of a 6-foot fence on the south and east sides, power washing, painting of the upper façade and other maintenance. “We’re committed to making improvements to the adjacent property to make sure it’s more pleasing to the neighborhood,” Van Pook said.

Trustees amended a motion to approve the special use so the village will review compliance in one year; if the improvements are not made, the board retains authority to revisit or revoke the approval. A trustee who made the motion told colleagues that, because the petitioner has been a long-term community partner, granting approval with a one-year compliance review strikes a balance between certainty for the business and accountability to neighbors.

The motion passed by roll call, 6-0. The board and planning staff said they will monitor the listed improvements through the permitting and enforcement process and will revisit the permit if required.

The board will receive follow-up information on compliance at or before the one-year review date.