West Chicago planning commission recommends approval of two subdivisions, a special-use permit and a rezoning

The West Chicago Planning Commission at its meeting recommended approval of four land-use items and will forward each to the development committee for final consideration.

Staff summarized PC 2601, a proposed minor subdivision for McGrath Automotive Group on behalf of property owner McKids at Large LLC at 1200 Howard Drive. John, planning staff, said the 2.04-acre parcel would be divided into two lots: Lot 1 contains an existing 18,343-square-foot industrial building and Lot 2 is a wooded parcel intended for a future 17,280-square-foot industrial building. Staff recommended approval contingent on recording a 15-foot drainage and utility easement for the existing city storm sewer and a 20-foot-wide water-main easement centered over the proposed main. The commission approved the recommendation and voted 4–0 to forward the plat with those conditions.

PC 2602, a resubdivision requested by Pritzker Realty Group, would divide a 45.2-acre unimproved parcel at the southeast corner of Fabien Parkway and the Horman Parkway right-of-way into two lots (about 21 and 16 acres). John said the plan includes three stormwater outlets to serve future development and contemplated two warehouse buildings totaling roughly 677,000 square feet between them. Staff recommended several easements be placed on the plat before recording, including a 20-foot water-main easement and stormwater management easements over truck-dock areas; the commission voted 4–0 to recommend approval subject to those conditions.

During the public hearing on PC 2603, the petitioner’s witness, who identified herself as the owner’s wife, said the family moved the business to West Chicago and that the owner is a mechanic who currently repairs company vehicles. John described staff’s recommended conditions for a special-use permit at 1827 Blackhawk Drive: (1) no off-site storage unrelated to the business; (2) vehicles being serviced may remain on the property for no more than five days after repair (citing section 7.9(f) of the zoning code); (3) all truck repairs must occur within the existing building, with no outdoor repairs; and (4) only passenger vehicles belonging to employees or visitors may be parked or stored on the property. Commissioners asked clarifying questions about the definition of off-site storage and the five-day limit; John explained off-site storage refers to items unrelated to the business and that the five-day clock applies after repairs are complete. The commission voted 4–0 to recommend the special-use permit with those four conditions.

For PC 2604, CRG Acquisition LLC asked to rezone a vacant 17.59-acre parcel on the west side of Fabian Parkway from ORI (office/research/industrial) to Manufacturing. Ben Weinstein, representing CRG, said the company develops industrial properties across the Chicagoland area and offered to answer commissioners’ questions. John told commissioners the requested zoning is consistent with the city’s comprehensive plan and noted that because a zoning map amendment is a rezoning action, staff cannot place conditions on approval; any future uses would follow the permitting process for the Manufacturing district. Commissioners also discussed the airport zoning district and noted separate processes apply for properties owned by the DuPage Airport Authority. The commission voted 4–0 to recommend the rezoning and forward it to the development committee.

Commissioners also received staff updates: the city administrator recruitment is ongoing with an open-house planned for Jan. 30 for finalists; and a newly formed downtown revitalization commission will meet regularly and accept input, with planning staff serving in an advisory capacity. The meeting adjourned after a unanimous voice vote.

What’s next: Each recommendation will be considered by the development committee at its next scheduled meeting; staff said applicants will receive notice with date and time.