Joliet Chick-fil-A? Emails Shed Light On Plainfield Rd Project

JOLIET, IL — Back on Jan. 18, the city of Joliet's planning office received an email from a senior project manager for land development at HR Green in McHenry, IL. The subject line in the email was "Chick-fil-A."

Now, 10 months later, people around the Joliet, Plainfield and Shorewood area are wondering whether Chick-fil-A still intends to open a restaurant at 2705 Plainfield Road near the Louis Joliet Mall.

On Sept. 6, a vice president with HR Green Inc. responded to an inquiry from city of Joliet economic development Derek Conley by sending the following email:

"Derek, You bet it is and we are planning on making a submittal next week for the Drive Thru permit, subdivision and signage variance. I’ll be sending an updated site plan to (city planner) Jim (Torri) today which is still a two building concept but slightly different than the one I presented at the pre-app meeting back in Jan-Feb. Do you want me to copy you on that email?"

In late October, Joliet Patch filed a Freedom of Information Act request to Joliet City Hall seeking access to all emails and correspondence surrounding the high-profile commercial redevelopment.

The city responded to Joliet Patch's FOIA by furnishing 153 pages of correspondence related to the Chick-fil-A project. Make no mistake: the Joliet Plainfield Road Chick-fil-A project is very much moving forward; the emails obtained by Patch reflect.

Barring the unforeseen, the restaurant is probably on target to open in 2020.

The Chick-fil-A project may still come up for discussion at a planning commission or Joliet City Council meeting before the end of 2019. However, the current agenda for the Nov. 21 plan commission meeting does not include discussion of the Plainfield Road Chick-fil-A project.

The following excerpts from some of those emails can hopefully provide a better understanding of the key issues the developers have encountered:

(Joliet Patch article continues below this image.)

Jan. 18, 2019

Email to city of Joliet planning department from Joe Vavrina, senior project manager land development HR Green Inc.

"It was great speaking with you a moment ago regarding the proposed redevelopment of the old Lone Star Steakhouse restaurant. As discussed Chick-fil-A is looking at razing the building and building a new 5,000 SF quick service restaurant with drive-thru facility. They are also looking creating a separate pad for a future 3,600 SF retail building. To help you get a clear picture of what they are proposing please find attached a concept plan including building elevations for the CFA as well as layout/pictures of the canopies over the order points and pickup window."

Feb. 14

Email to city of Joliet planning department

"I am with HR Green, Inc. in McHenry, IL. I am assisting our client, Chick-fil-A, with some due diligence inquiries regarding the City of Joliet Planning, zoning, and signage. Chick-fil-A is interested in placing a new restaurant within the City of Joliet at 2705 Plainfield Road. I have attached the preliminary site concept plan for your convenience. I have reviewed both the City of Joliet Codes of Ordinances and Zoning Ordinances. I have located major of my inquiries; however, there were a few inquiries that I could not locate or would like verified. Any and all assistance with these inquiries is greatly appreciated."

April

Joliet Patch and WJOL AM-1340 both report that Chick-fil-A wants to open a restaurant in Joliet at the former Lone Star Steakhouse that was shuttered by the national chain in 2017. The Joliet Patch article, published April 8, drew 21,000 Facebook Likes.

June 3

Email from Derek Conley, city economic development specialist, to two city officials.

"Joe Vavrina, the Senior Project Manager at HR Green would like to discuss project timeline for the
Chick-fil-a on Plainfield Rd. (Former Lone Star). Apparently, this project has had some obstacles and that's why they haven't formally submitted anything. I'd like to assist them anyway we can."

Response email from city planning director Michael Schwarz to Conley.

"I spoke with Joe on Friday and walked him through the City's subdivision process/timeline. I believe that I answered his questions. Is this meeting still necessary? There are no obstacles on our end. He stated that there is a desire to create a new lot for future development adjacent to the proposed Chick-fil-A creating two lots in place of the one lot where Lonestar was located. I advised that the City's subdivision process takes about 8 weeks (Plan Commission and City Council approval are required). I also advised that they could expedite the Chick-fil-A project by applying for the building permit now on the one existing lot and then subdividing later to create the new vacant lot. He indicated that he was going to suggest that to his client."

July 1

Email from Conley, city economic development office, to four other city officials.

"Hello team, Just FYI, the proposed Chick-A-Fila (sic) on Plainfield has run into some difficulties however are confident they’ll be submitting drawings in 4-6 weeks."

July 24

Email to city of Joliet planning department from Clayton Signs in Lake City, Georgia:

"Chick-fil-A s planning a new store to be located at 2705 Plainfield Road ... I have attached the preliminary signage plans I have prepared. I researched the sign ordinance and tried to apply them to this site but I want to be sure my understanding is correct so that I can advise (the company) what they can expect for signage at this store should they proceed with this project. Can you take a look and let me know if these plans work and could we permit a signage package like this when they do the project in the future?"

July 26

Email from city planners to Clayton Signs in Georgia:

"I have reviewed the proposed sign package. You will need to request variations to allow wall signs that do not face a public right-of-way (Signs B,D,E). I have included the web link to the Variance application, The next filing deadline is Friday August 14th. Filing by this date will place the petition on the September 19, 2019 Zoning Board of Appeals agenda."

Sept. 6

Email from city planner Jim Torri to the senior project manager with HR Green:

"I am not noticing any glaring problems for Planning/Zoning review other than the front 10' landscape area that we typically ask for on infill developments. I do think that our Public Works Department may have a problem with the drivethru though not having an escape lane(s). I copied Russ Lubash, Scott Gapsevish and Jim Trizna in from Engineering to review and comment on your proposal also. The combined parking lots will be acceptable to meet required totals of parking as long as easements are recorded for this. Also, when subdivided, each lot would be allowed a monument sign per our code. Let me know if you have any other questions."

Oct. 21

Email sent to city planning officials by HR Green:

"Apologize for the delay in getting this to you, but please find attached a PDF of the proposed Chick-fil-A site plan. I have also listed the contact information for the Chick-fil-A representative below for the drive-in facility permit. Please let me know if you need any other information to have this scheduled for the next City Council meeting."

Oct. 25

Email exchange between city of Joliet planners.

"Should we hold off on processing this Drive Thru Permit? I have this on the November 5 (city) council agenda."

Response: "I don’t think those other issues would affect the drive-thru plans, so IMO it is okay to proceed."

Editor's note: TheJoliet City Council meeting agenda for Tuesday, Nov. 5, does not include any proposals or reviews concerning the Chick-fil-A at Plainfield Road.