Riverwoods trustees halt fast-track annexation for proposed QuickTrip at 971 Milwaukee Avenue after residents press traffic, floodplain and environmental doubts

Riverwoods trustees paused a fast-track annexation process for a proposed QuickTrip gas station and 6,445-square-foot convenience store at 971 Milwaukee Avenue after a lengthy public hearing and board discussion that exposed disagreements over traffic modeling, floodplain risks and the project’s fit with the village’s sustainability goals.

Mayor Ford opened a continuation of the public hearing and Attorney Hoover (village counsel) and Director Whit summarized the annexation agreement process: the agreement would allow the village to annex and zone the site as B1 neighborhood business and to require a later special-use approval for a gas station if the final plan substantially conforms to the preliminary plan. Village engineers told the board that the development will require additional approvals, including an amendment to the watershed-development ordinance, a FEMA flood-map amendment, county utility connections and IDOT review of intersection improvements.

Traffic consultants and developer representatives said the project would include signal upgrades, new turn lanes, a single signalized access, sidewalks and pedestrian signals, and other mitigation to meet IDOT standards. KOA traffic engineer L Abuna said the driveway alignment and signal modifications are being coordinated with IDOT; the design will widen the driveway to include one inbound lane and two outbound lanes,…