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Planning commission recommends amended special use to allow Tesla vehicle staging at 800 W. Washington
Summary
The Planning Commission voted 5-0 to recommend approval of an amendment to a special use permit for Frame Industries at 800 West Washington to expand outside storage to include Tesla vehicles, with staff conditions including screening and a certificate of occupancy requirement.
The West Chicago Planning Commission recommended approval of an amendment to a special use permit for Frame Industries at 800 West Washington that would allow outside storage of Tesla vehicles, the commission voted Sept. 3, 2025.
Staff told the commission the property is principally used as a warehouse for Frame Industries and that Tesla had begun staging vehicles on the site before a special use application was filed. Staff recommended adding screening along the west fence line and a condition that Tesla’s certificate of occupancy for its office space be filed within five days of approval.
Dale Hammersmith, the property owner, said Tesla uses the fenced, gated yard to stage and coordinate vehicle movements and that the operation is enclosed on site. “We negotiated with Tesla,” Hammersmith said, describing a team that shuttles vehicles from a nearby rail unloading area into the secured yard. He said movements largely occur during daylight hours and that the company installed a privacy fence along the Washington frontage and other sides of the yard.
The commission read correspondence from Rob Elliott of Elliott Construction expressing objection to outside storage visible from Washington Street; the letter stated the business owners “strongly object to allowing outside storage along the west side” but did not provide specific operational examples. Hammersmith responded that the privacy fencing now prevents visibility from Washington and described the site circulation he says avoids use of Washington Street for unloading or staging.
Commissioners discussed staff’s recommended screening condition and whether to retain it in the conditions even though the owner said screening had already been installed. The commission voted to recommend approval with the staff-drafted findings and conditions; roll call was five yes, zero no. The item will go to the development committee on Sept. 8, 2025.
The commission’s action was a recommendation; final approval will be determined by the next review body per the city’s review process.
