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Planning commission recommends large West Lincoln Square commercial center with multiple CUPs; neighbors press for drainage fixes
Summary
Commissioners recommended approval of the West Lincoln Square commercial project (≈245,000 sq ft across 15 buildings, anchor retailer, fuel stations, drive‑thrus, oil change and car wash) and multiple conditional use permits after staff and the developer presented design and entitlements; nearby residents raised drainage and flooding concerns tied to Oak Brook/Oak Brook drive timing, which staff and the applicant said they are addressing.
The Planning Commission gave favorable recommendations for the West Lincoln Square commercial project, a large new shopping center proposed on a 40‑acre site at the northeast corner of Highway 65 and Nelson Lane, and approved a series of resolutions and conditional use permits covering signage, drive‑thrus, fuel stations with extended hours, and automotive service facilities.
Thomas Cruikshank, associate planner, summarized the project and said staff prepared a CEQA addendum to the SUD‑B specific plan EIR and found no new or substantially more severe environmental impacts beyond those previously identified. The proposal envisions about 245,000 square feet of commercial area spread across 15 buildings, anchored by a roughly 181,000 square‑foot major retailer, two fuel stations, oil change and tire services, multiple drive‑thrus, a car wash, EV charging areas, and an internally illuminated 70‑foot pylon sign.
Developer Amar Sidhu described design work and said the team has received strong leasing interest, noting LOIs and a plan to submit construction drawings for the Oak Brook drive connection and roundabout imminently. Sidhu said he hopes to begin construction this year once drawings and entitlements are approved.
Nearby residents raised concerns during public comment about historical flooding and drainage adjacent to Nelson Lane and Oak Brook Drive and asked whether Oak Brook would be built concurrently with the project and if promised drainage fixes would be completed. Albert Scheiber (speaking for neighbors) said a resident’s house had flooded after Nelson Lane changes and asked that the city enforce prior LAFCO commitments. City engineering staff and the applicant’s team said they are coordinating on redirecting flows, working on an engineering solution tied to the Oak Brook design, and would follow up with the affected property owner after the hearing.
Commissioners asked about pedestrian and bicycle connections to adjacent neighborhoods and the project’s circulation plan; staff noted the specific plan and site layout provide detached sidewalks, bike trails, and required pedestrian connections to residential areas and bike parking at businesses. Design Review Board feedback and conditions were discussed; the DRB had recommended refinements and reserved review of the major anchor tenant architecture for later review.
Given the project’s scope, the commission took the staff’s recommended resolutions individually and approved the CEQA addendum, a zone text amendment, an amended tentative parcel map, the specific development plan/design review, and separate conditional use permits for alcohol sales, drive‑thrus, automotive uses and fuel stations with extended hours. Roll call votes on the series of resolutions recorded unanimous approvals on each item (6‑0).
Staff and the applicant said they will continue to coordinate with the resident who reported flooding and with county and city engineering to ensure Oak Brook and drainage measures are completed in coordination with project phasing and required off‑site improvements.
