Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Zoning Car Wash topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents oppose consideration of automatic car wash in B‑1 zoning; board leaves door open for review
Summary
Following staff briefing, trustees expressed mixed views about allowing automatic car washes in the B‑1 district; many residents urged the board not to change B‑1, citing traffic, flooding, noise, groundwater and precedent concerns. The board did not adopt any code change tonight and left the decision to the developer whether to pursue a text amendment with the Plan & Zoning Commission.
The village board heard a staff briefing and multiple public comments about a developer’s interest in putting an automatic car wash in the B‑1 district on Waukegan Road. The board took no formal vote to change the code; instead trustees signaled mixed preferences and left it to the developer to decide whether to pursue a text amendment before the Plan & Zoning Commission.
Staff member Patrick (speaker 4) said an automatic car wash is not listed as a use in the B‑1 table and therefore would require a text amendment and subsequent special‑use or permitting steps. He described the board’s request as a ’temperature check’ to learn if the board would be willing to let the Plan & Zoning Commission consider such a use. Patrick outlined common developer approaches to mitigate noise and visual impacts, such as enclosing vacuums and installing door systems to reduce blower noise.
Several trustees said they were open to letting the Plan & Zoning Commission review the concept and to hearing mitigation proposals; others said they were not interested in allowing that use in B‑1. Trustee (speaker 10) said he was skeptical about adding another car wash where multiple facilities already exist nearby and emphasized listening to residents.
Multiple residents strongly opposed allowing a car wash in B‑1. Scott Samuelson (speaker 17) said he was worried about traffic stacking, proximity to a school and a church, and that the site floods; he urged the board to consider detention and stormwater controls. Tony Acuna Rotor (speaker 11) told the board a car wash would “completely negatively impact the livability of that area,” citing noise, idling emissions and possible spray or runoff affecting yards and children’s play areas. Lindsay Swift (speaker 5) added concerns about groundwater pollution and the board’s ability to enforce ongoing mitigation once a developer leaves.
Patrick told the audience there would be multiple opportunities for public input if the developer proceeds: discussion before the Plan & Zoning Commission for a text amendment, the board’s consideration of any code change, a Plan & Zoning special‑use review and at least one further board review if a special use is required. The board did not adopt any change to the B‑1 district tonight.
