Village Board Roundup: Approval Opens Door for Car Dealership's Expansion

The Village Board approved two new ordinances as part of its unanimous consent agenda at Tuesday's meeting. Here are the details:

The request: Approval for , 9423 W. Lincoln Hwy., to consolidate multiple lots so they comply with zoning ordinances. 

What it means: Consolidating the lots opens the door for the car dealership to expand its growing service department, allowing Currie Motors to build a 6,930-square-foot addition to its existing facility. This would be the first phase of improvements to the dealership, followed by possible expansion of its showroom and other renovations. The plans for the consolidation and addition were presented at the the Feb. 24 Plan Commission meeting, and the commission recommended the proposal unanimously.

Any comments by the board or public? No.

How did it pass? Unanimously. (Trustees Kevin Egan, Richard Trevarthan and Doug Walker were absent from Tuesday's meeting.)

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The request: Approval of an ordinance that would require public utility companies to reimburse the village and Will and Cook counties when government support services are needed for assistance.

What it means: The ordinance would allow Frankfort to recoup expenses from public utility companies when village and county agencies, such as the police department, are needed to help in emergency situations involving those utilities. Trustee Kevin Egan gave the example of police officers and firefighters being called out to handle a problem at an area railroad crossing. In cases like that, the ordinance, which was recommended by the Land Use and Policy Committee, would require the utility to compensate the village's expenses. 

Any comments by the board or public? No.

How did it pass? Unanimously.