Homer Glen Approves 24-Hour Gas Station

HOMER GLEN, IL — The Homer Glen village board has approved a gas station at 15930 W. 159th St., at the northeast corner of 159th and South Gougar Road. The applicant for the gas station is Leonard McEnery, manager of Lenny's Gas N Wash.

The board approved a special use permit for an automobile service station, drive-thru establishment and outdoor storage of merchandise. The business will also be allowed to operate 24 hours a day.

According to board documents, the plan calls for an 8,000-square-foot gas station and convenience store. There will also be an automatic car wash.

The board has previously approved a similar plan for this gas station in 2017, but the special use permits lapsed when the applicant didn't move forward, board documents state.

At the village board meeting Oct. 23, several residents shared concerns about semi-trucks parking overnight or for several hours at a time at the gas station.

Resident Tim O'Mara said he went to a Gas N Wash in a nearby town and saw trucks parked overnight at the gas station, despite signs saying not to.

"There's no way for you to enforce this, unless you're going to put some rules in that will fine, not the truck driver, but the owner of the establishment," he said. "That's the only way you're going to make it stop."

Another resident Pat Howard said there doesn't need to be any more truck traffic on Gougar Road, and questioned who they should address for ordinance violations. The village did not have an answer at the meeting.

"You're ready to vote on something and approve it, and yet you don't have anything in place to address the ordinance issues," he said.

As a condition of the special use permit, no semi-trailer trucks can be parked long-term on the property. According to board documents, a 'No Long-Term Truck Parking' sign with a one-hour parking limit will be posted at the turnaround area at the gas station.

The board approved the gas station with a vote of 5-1, with trustee Sharon Sweas as the sole 'no' vote.