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Zoning board recommends approval for Christian Church of Villa Park to run weekly drive‑thru food pantry at St. Charles site
Summary
The Villa Park Zoning Board of Appeals voted 6–1 to recommend approval of a special use allowing the Christian Church of Villa Park to operate a religious assembly and drive‑thru food pantry at 501–525 St. Charles Road; staff noted a traffic analysis estimating vehicle stacking between about 21 and 49 cars for pickup operations.
Doris Carter, stewardship council chairperson for the Christian Church of Villa Park, told the Zoning Board of Appeals that the congregation wants to relocate to a storefront space at 501–525 St. Charles Road to expand ministries and continue its food‑pantry operations in Villa Park and surrounding communities.
"The Christian Church of Villa Park has been in this community for 70 years," Carter said, and she described the pantry as serving residents for more than three decades. She told the board the pantry currently operates once a week and that the congregation has about 25 members. Carter said the church sold its former large building because maintenance costs were too high and that leasing a smaller storefront would let the congregation direct resources toward ministry.
Planning staff (Miss House) summarized the request as a special use under section 6.1.1 of the village use table to permit religious assembly and a drive‑thru food‑pantry pickup in the MX3 district. Staff said the petitioner submitted floor plans, a plat, and a traffic‑impact analysis; according to the staff presentation, the traffic analysis estimates the food‑pantry pickup "approximately holds 21 vehicles stacking ... to 49." Staff also noted the site plan shows pickup access from Monterey with vehicles exiting to the west of the lot and that deliveries occur roughly five times per week.
Commissioners asked operational questions about schedule and capacity. Carter said the pantry pickup is weekly on Wednesdays from about 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.; she and other petitioners said they would manage flow on higher‑demand days and that the site includes multiple drive aisles and parking areas to allow stacking if needed. Commissioners reported an existing six‑foot wood screen fence along the south side of the lot and confirmed the parcel is under common ownership with adjacent parking and outlot areas.
Members also discussed how the proposed use fits the comprehensive plan. Staff noted the parcel is identified as a catalyst site envisioned for future mixed‑use redevelopment, but commissioners who supported the request said a leased, short‑to‑medium‑term storefront use would not preclude later redevelopment by the property owner.
After discussion, a motion to recommend approval of ZBA25‑12 for special use to permit religious assembly and drive‑in/drive‑thru pantry uses in the multi‑tenant building was made and seconded. Staff called roll: Commissioner Acriman, yes; Mr. Flaskcamp, yes; Commissioner Clampet, yes; Mr. Gonzalez, no; Commissioner Jarrett, yes; Mr. Kane, yes; Chairman Epstein, yes. The recommendation passed 6–1 and will be forwarded to the Village Board for final action.
The petitioner told the board the lease they seek is a minimum five‑year term. The board did not receive public testimony opposing the request during the hearing.
The Zoning Board closed the item and reported it will transmit its recommendation to the Village Board, which will consider final approval.
