Another Used Car Dealership For Joliet? City Leaders Don't Think So

JOLIET, IL — Abraham Garcia, who wants to open a used auto dealership at the corner of North Broadway and Hutchins Streets, faces an uphill battle as the Joliet City Council will vote whether to reject a special use permit for the property.

The City Council's last meeting of the year takes place on Tuesday. The meetings always begin at 6:30 p.m. in the second floor Council Chambers at City Hall.

Decades ago, the property at 1101 North Broadway was known in Joliet as Martinson Tire Service. According to city of Joliet reports, Garcia now wants to sell used cars that have been repaired on-site or elsewhere. His used car dealership would carry 19 to 20 vehicles and also have space for customer parking and employee parking in the back of the property.

"Public Works Department and Planning Division do not support any of these site plan options," city memos show. "Staff maintains that the property is too small for the number of vehicles proposed, given that the property was designed to function as a circa 1930s filling station."

Garcia's proposal to open the used car dealership was delayed from discussion during the October meeting of Joliet's zoning board. Joliet's City Council will make the final decision on Garcia's request. The zoning board is a recommending panel.

In 2021, Joliet granted Garcia a variation of use to allow light truck/ tractor cab tire repair and maintenance at 1101 N. Broadway. "Since 2021, the property has been used for vehicle repair, which was previously approved under the Variation of Use that was issued in 1983," city of Joliet reports show.