City Approves Petco's Expansion Plans

Finally, there’ll be more room for the hamster races!

The Crystal Lake City Council on Tuesday approved expansion plans for Petco Animal Supplies, 230 W. Virginia St.  The pet chain store intends to take over part of Hancock Fabrics. The council also approved Petco’s request for a special use permit to construct a dog-grooming area within the existing store.

Petco will add about 2,690 square feet of floor space from the neighboring fabric store, according to city documents.

As part of the plans, Petco asked for a larger wall sign, increasing it to 181 square feet by adding a logo and additional “Grooming” wording. The sign is nearly double that outlined in the city code.

Councilwoman Carolyn Schoefield question Petco representatives as to why they needed such a large sign. Homer Collins, real estate director for Petco, said fellow corporate executive encouraged him to move the Crystal Lake Petco location.

“They wanted to move this store, and just have the Algonquin store,” Collins said. “I fought to keep it, and said we needed to stay in Crystal Lake. Petco is going to spend something over $500,000 on this store. The reason for the (large) signage is to tell people something’s really changed.”

The company also sought changes to the rear façade of the store and plans to remove the double doors at the store’s receiving area. The door will be replaced with an overhead door with a metal canopy and new speed lift, according to their documents.

Council members approved the sign along with the rest of the expansion and renovation plans.

Incidentally, Petco’s next hamster races will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 23, at the Crystal Lake store. Bring your hamster and hamster ball.