Split Burr Ridge Panel OKs 24-Hour Gas Station

BURR RIDGE, IL – A plan for a 24-hour gas station on Kingery Highway narrowly passed the Burr Ridge Plan Commission this week.

In May, the commission approved the same Thorntons gas station at 9115 Kingery Highway. But that proposal called for the station to be open from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Just after the May vote, the company's real estate manager said he was unaware of the restriction on hours.

Thorntons told Patch it wouldn't go through with the project without an around-the-clock operation.

After that, the neighboring Burr Ridge Senior Living retirement home objected. But it later withdrew its protest after Thorntons committed to planting landscaping as a buffer.

Even with a 24-hour schedule, Thorntons would be unable to sell alcohol after 10 p.m. or 11 p.m., depending on the day of the week. A Speedway gas station is nearby, outside the village limit.

Commission member Mike Stratis said his wife owns the neighboring McDonald's, according to meeting minutes. The restaurant did not object to the proposal, he said.

Stratis said Thorntons has high housekeeping standards, which is why he supported letting it be open around the clock.

Commission member Joe Petrich said he had spoken with residents from the retirement home and that they objected to the 24-hour request, the minutes stated.

He said it appeared the corporate office of the home's owner, Spectrum Retirement Communities, supported the project without getting feedback from its residents. Others noted the corporate office is in Colorado.

The commission voted 4-3 for the 24-hour request. Members Stratis, Jim Broline, Enza Parrella and Richard Morton voted for it. Petrich, Greg Trzupek and Barry Irwin were against.

The issue is set to go before the Village Board on Monday.