Burr Ridge Firm's Request Granted, Despite Violations

BURR RIDGE, IL — A Burr Ridge dealership got the Village Board's approval this week for a request to keep more semi-truck cabs in its parking lot, despite violations of its previous permit.

In doing so, village trustees said M&T Truck Sales at Frontage Road and Madison Street has done a lot to improve its property in the last couple of years.

In 2020, the board approved a permit that allowed the company to store 14 trucks on its property at a time. And it could not keep any truck there for more than seven days.

The owner, Michael Criscione, and village officials agreed the business violated those conditions.

Last week, a majority of the Plan Commission called for increasing the number of trucks on the property to 20.

At Monday's Village Board meeting, Trustee Russell Smith went further, calling for an increase to 28.

"Why aren't we giving him the 28 spots if he has the space?" Smith asked. "There is plenty of room."

Smith said the reports about Criscione's work, including the landscaping, have been "fantastic."

"We have a good owner, someone who is taking care of the property," he said.

Said Trustee Guy Franzese, "There had been a tremendous improvement with the building. Multiple restaurants there have failed. Mr. Criscione has done a wonderful job cleaning the building, making it look presentable."

He said it was unfair to impose restrictions on M&T Truck Sales when two similar dealership operated under no such rules.

Trustee Al Paveza said the village has had no trouble with the business. And Trustee Joe Snyder said the appearance of the property is far better than before.

In response, Criscione said he was glad the trustees noticed, saying he is often watering the flowers.

While the Plan Commission wanted a temporary permit for the outdoor storage of trucks, the trustees preferred it be permanent.

At the board meeting, commission member Joe Petrich said members wanted a temporary permit to see if the business followed the conditions over the next year, noting the previous violations.

The property was designed to be a "white glove" office, where customers complete final paperwork and pick up trucks.

After its discussion, the Village Board voted unanimously to grant a permanent permit, allowing 28 trucks on the property.

In 2020, M&T agreed to pay $10,000 a year to the village in lieu of sales taxes. Sales are registered at an unincorporated Burr Ridge address, so the sales taxes do not go to the village.

Officials said the $10,000 is far more than what the village collected from the restaurants at the site in question.

In December, M&T made a $7,500 donation to the police department. The police accepted the money at first, but then notified the business it could not accept, without explaining why.

After Monday's meeting, Village Manager Evan Walter said the village declined the money because it wanted to avoid the appearance that the donation would influence the village's decision.