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New Lenox board approves multiple development permits, site plans, sureties and equipment purchases
Summary
At its November meeting the New Lenox Village Board approved a slate of development approvals and municipal purchases — including special-use approval for a restaurant patio, site plans and sureties for Gas & Wash and Dutch Bros, and purchases of tasers and lawnmowers — and recorded unanimous roll-call votes on each item.
The New Lenox Village Board on Nov. 1 approved a series of development permits, site-plan waivers, public-improvement sureties and municipal purchases covering restaurants, a gas-station/convenience site, utility work and municipal equipment.
Board members voted unanimously to approve a special-use ordinance and preliminary/final plat for a new restaurant patio at the southwest corner of U.S. Route 30 and Prairie Road after staff and the petitioner described modest changes to signage and additional landscaping requirements. Attorney/planner Robin told the board staff recommended additional 6-foot evergreen plantings along the south property line to screen parking areas facing residences; petitioner representatives said permit resubmittal was underway and estimated breaking ground in December with a target opening in 2026.
The board also approved a package of actions for a proposed Gas & Wash development in the Spring Creek commercial subdivision: final plat approval to combine lots 6 and 7, an encroachment agreement that allows a drive aisle to remain within an existing utility easement subject to replacement obligations if utility work is required, and a site-plan approval plus a building-code waiver for a decorative stone base that does not meet the code's minimum thickness. Staff noted the plan includes a 12-pump canopy, a convenience store with two drive-thru lanes and a car-wash with vacuum stalls; the board recorded a roll-call approval of the final plat, encroachment resolution and the site-plan/waiver.
The board approved site-plan and surety actions for two restaurant projects: a Dutch Bros drive-thru at 550 W. Maple St. (site plan approved; public-improvement surety set at the figure presented in the packet) and a special-use patio noted above. Will, the village's public-works representative, presented surety amounts to secure public improvements and the board set those amounts by unanimous vote.
On procurement and equipment, the board approved purchase of six Axon conducted-energy devices (tasers) for the police department after the chief said existing devices are more than a decade old and no longer replaceable; the chief said the department received a grant to cover part of the purchase and planned to fund the balance through future budgets. The board also approved the immediate purchase of two lightly used floor-model lawnmowers to realize a reported savings versus buying new equipment.
Other contract approvals included: - a not-to-exceed $91,980 engineering design proposal for channel-stabilization work between Forest and Elm Streets (approved); - contracts and a bid-waiver related to utility relocations and retaining walls for the Crossroads Sports Complex and adjacent hotel site (approved after the board agreed to waive bidding for the retaining-wall work); - a contract for a vehicle exhibit for the Kidswork Children's Museum after a prior vendor became unavailable; and - a staff-authorized waiver allowing Nycore Gas to expand a gravel parking area with required perimeter landscaping.
Votes at a glance (motions and outcomes): - Consent agenda (surplus property, departmental purchases, raffle licenses): motion by Trusty Madson, second Trusty Scaliz; roll-call: 7 yes; outcome: approved. - Special-use ordinance and preliminary/final plat for patio (Route 30 & Prairie): motion carried by roll call; outcome: approved. - Setting of public-improvement surety for patio: motion carried by roll call; outcome: approved. - Gas & Wash final plat, encroachment agreement, site-plan and building-code waiver: motions carried by roll call; outcome: approved (final plat; encroachment; site plan/waiver). - Setting of public-improvement surety for Gas & Wash ($449,845 as presented): approved by roll call. - Dutch Bros site plan and surety ($336,625 as presented): approved by roll call. - County special-use (used-car/ light equipment sales): board moved not to file an objection to the county; approved by roll call. - Fence variance for 20004 Cardinal Drive: approved (ZBA recommended approval). - Purchase of six conducted-energy devices (tasers): approved by roll call. - Purchase of two floor-model lawnmowers (packet amount read at meeting): approved by roll call. - Channel-stabilization design contract (Christopher Burke Engineering, NTE $91,980): approved by roll call. - Utility relocations and retaining-wall contracts (Northern Builders) and bid-waiver for retaining walls: approved by roll call/voice vote where noted. - Kidswork museum exhibit contract: approved by roll call. - Waiver for gravel parking expansion at Nycore Gas (with landscaping conditions): approved by roll call.
Why it matters: The package of approvals advances several commercial projects that will affect traffic, stormwater management and public infrastructure; the surety amounts approved secure the village's ability to require completion of public improvements if developers do not finish required work.
What's next: Many items will return for ministerial steps (recording final plats, building permits and second reads where required). The board scheduled a public hearing on the 2025 tax levy for Dec. 10 (see related story).
