Nick's Gyros Wants To Open On Jefferson Street

JOLIET, IL - On Jan. 16, the Joliet City Council approved plans for a drive-thru window at 1358 W. Jefferson St. to open a proposed fast-food restaurant called Nick's Gyros. But at Monday's 5:30 p.m. pre-council meeting, Joliet's politicians will consider rescinding their decision. When the Nick's Gyros redevelopment went before the city's zoning board on other matters related to a zoning variance, the project hit a snag. Several people who live in the area, near Midland Avenue, voiced disapproval. They argued the Nick's Gyros will create significant safety and traffic hazards near their neighborhood. Joliet's zoning board, an advisory panel to the city council, was sympathetic to the residents' concerns.

The empty building across the street from Larsen's Corner used to be Bob and Sis' Catering. "Nick Spinos, owner of Nick's Gyros, is proposing to demolish the existing buildings and construct a new building for a modern fast-food restaurant that includes a drive-thru," Joliet City Manager David Hales wrote in a memo for the city council.

Hales' memo also informs the council that the property at 1358 West Jefferson is zoned general business, so a fast-food restaurant fits within the city's zoned regulations.

However, the city's engineering division is requiring a one-way traffic plan for the parking lot of the proposed Nick's Gyros and two access drives on Jefferson Street and Midland Avenue would need to be blocked off, Hales wrote.

It remains uncertain whether Joliet will approve the Nick's Gyros restaurant.

When the Nick's Gyros redevelopment went before Joliet's zoning board on Jan. 18, Hales noted, the boarc voted to delay the project until a traffic study was completed. According to Hales, Nick's Gyros is hiring a traffic engineer and will provide the results of the study at the zoning board meeting at 2 p.m. Feb. 15.

According to Hales, Nick's Gyros operates an existing restaurant of similar size in Chicago Heights. "There are no parking problems with the Chicago Heights site as per the petitioner," Hales wrote the council.

The key issues before the city's zoning board deal with parking, landscaping and major street setback.

"In the event the City Council wants to wait until final action is taken by the Zoning Board of Appeals, a motion to rescind ... and table the application for a drive thru permit for a Nick's Gyros Restaurant at 1358 W. Jefferson Street can be made," Hales wrote.

Images via John Ferak, Joliet Patch Editor