Planning Board approves one-year reinstatement to reopen Beazley’s convenience store at 377 N. Fairmont

The Kankakee City Planning Board voted to reinstate a legal nonconforming status enabling a convenience store at 377 North Fairmont Avenue for a one-year trial period, the board announced at its meeting.

Planning staff told the board that historical building records and action sheets show a storefront at the address dating back decades and that restoring the prior use is consistent with the structure’s long-standing pattern. Staff said the simplest route for the owners to resume operations is reinstatement of the legal nonconforming use rather than a planned-unit development or a full rezoning.

Applicant DeMarcus Bell and property owner Helen Bell described the site as a small neighborhood “mom‑and‑pop” store that served local children and families in earlier years. "It's always been that at that particular address," the applicant said, noting plans to stock basic grocery items and operate largely during daytime hours.

The board attached several conditions to the approval. Before commencing operations and final commercial occupancy, the applicant must satisfy all requirements of the Kankakee fire department and the city’s code enforcement office, which may include installing an alarm system that links commercial and residential spaces. The applicant also must obtain all required city permits, bring the storefront sidewalk into a level, safe condition (either prior to occupancy or within a city‑approved timeframe), and comply with the landscaping ordinance by installing a buffer (fence or dense hedge) where the commercial use abuts residential property. The board also noted compliance with the city sign ordinance and prohibited certain window‑channel or "chase" lighting in the residential neighborhood.

The board limited the reinstatement to one year, expiring March 17, 2027, and directed the applicant to return to the planning board at that time to request continuation. The motion to approve the reinstatement was made by a board member and seconded; the board recorded affirmative roll‑call responses and approved the motion.

The planning staff emphasized that the legal nonconforming status can be lost again if the business remains vacant or ceases operation for an extended time. Staff also reminded the applicant that mixed‑use arrangements can pose mortgage or lending complications and that converting the building to a permanent mixed‑use zoning solution (a PUD) remains an option if the business is successful.

The approval is limited to land‑use reinstatement; the applicant must still secure separate permits and inspections from the building, fire and health departments before opening. The board closed the public session and moved on to other business.

The planning board’s conditions set an explicit follow‑up timeline: the applicant must return for re‑evaluation before March 17, 2027.