Plan For Gas Station At Route 83/St. Charles Road Dropped

ELMHURST, IL – Plans for a gas station to be build at the corner of Route 83 and St. Charles Road in Elmhurst have fallen through. The city of Elmhurst announced Monday night that the developer who had plans for the property has informed them of plans to withdraw their request for a conditional use permit that would have allowed them to build the gas station and a drive-thru convenience store at the northwest corner of the intersection.

The plan, which already received a unanimous non-recommendation from the Zoning & Planning Commission, was next set to be heard by the city's Development, Planning & Zoning Committee. After a recommendation or non-recommendation from the committee, it could have gone to the full City Council for a vote.

A number of residents of a nearby subdivision were outspoken against the plan. They spoke of both environmental and traffic issues that could arise.

"This development will be detrimental, endanger public safety, and increase traffic congestion on public streets," Jennifer Veremis of the new "Keep Vibrant" group told Patch before the plan was withdrawn.

Veremis and others cited the proximity of the proposed gas station to neighborhoods, a water main, storm drainage and Salt Creek as reasons to oppose it. She also cited the "F" rated intersection of St. Charles Road and Route 83 where it was proposed, figuring that the gas station's presence would only heighten traffic issues in the area.