Franklin Park Zoning Board Recommends Approval for 10500 Grand Avenue Car Wash and Setback Variance

The Franklin Park Zoning Board of Appeals on June 3 voted unanimously to recommend approval of a conditional use and a corner‑side setback variance for a proposed express car wash at 10500 Grand Avenue.

Petitioners — attorney Peter Murphy; developer Mark Zeglen of VME Development; Evan Gerdes of Alright USA; and engineer Mitchell Harvey — told the board the project would operate as a conveyor-based express wash. Gerdes said the company’s conveyor wash cleans vehicles in about 90 seconds and described company history and community programs. Harvey told the board the on-site process, including stacking and vacuum use, would take roughly 10 minutes for a customer to move through; he said the operation would employ 12 people with three to four on shift at a time, provide 25 vacuum stalls and 26 stacking spaces to avoid blocking Grand Avenue.

The conditional-use approval (ZBA 26-05) was moved by Member Frank Grieashamer with conditions requiring compliance with Village landscaping and buffer requirements, all applicable local, county, state and federal environmental performance standards (including noise, water discharge and material disposal), and installation and maintenance of noise reduction walls and technology for vacuum and car wash equipment. "That this proposed use complies with all Village regulations at all times" was included in the motion language presented to the board. The motion passed on a roll-call vote of Corral-Yes; Bernacki-Yes; Boreson-Absent; Grieashamer-Yes; Mennella-Yes; Cwik-Yes; Santana-Yes.

Petitioners also sought a variance (ZBA 26-06) to reduce the corner‑side yard setback from 25 feet to 10 feet 8 inches. Harvey said the reduced setback was required because of the property's shape and physical constraints and that the revised site plan reduces conflict points and increases stacking capacity. The board approved the variance with conditions that the developer install enhanced landscaping beyond what the C‑3 district normally requires, add architectural details or murals on the corner‑side wall, and maintain noise‑reduction walls and technology; the variance passed on the same 6–0 roll-call (one absent).

During the hearings condominium resident Frank Housewerth raised concerns about traffic at the site and asked about a planned traffic signal. Senior Village Planner Rudy Repa read a staff response into the record, stating: "Access into the car wash facility will be controlled by a driveway at the northeast corner of the site, creating a three-way intersection with Prairie Street and Chestnut Avenue. This location ensures the maximum distance from the planned stoplight and intersection at Prairie Street & Grand Avenue (IDOT is currently awaiting letters of interest from developers before granting the Village permission to build the traffic light; the Village has all necessary funds to complete public roadway improvements once IDOT conditions are met). Overall, the Village Engineer and Zoning Staff have reviewed the site plan to ensure safe traffic circulation with minimal points of conflict. After review, the parking requirement is met."

Chairman Mark Cwik reminded petitioners that the Zoning Board is a recommending body and that final approvals rest with the Village Board of Trustees. The meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.

Next steps: the recommendations will be forwarded to the Village Board of Trustees for final action; no final decision was recorded at the Zoning Board meeting.