New Lenox Tables Vote For Lenny's Gas Station

NEW LENOX, IL — At its Monday meeting, the New Lenox Village Board tabled the proposal for the annexation and rezoning for a gas station until its next meeting. Several trustees had voiced their opposition to the project, but had not yet taken a vote when the petitioner asked if the vote could be tabled, so they could come back with their traffic consultant.

According to board documents, the property is located at the southeast corner of Route 30 and Walona Avenue and will be developed by Lenny's Gas N Wash.

At the meeting, residents expressed concerns of drainage, traffic, access to the station, trucks and noise from the gas station.

"The slice of land along Walona Avenue is very much in our neighborhood, making it a C-3 general business is a slap in the face, and it's pulling out the rug," nearby resident Katie Chambers said.

Board documents state the portion of the property already in the Village of New Lenox is zoned as C-1 neighborhood convenience shopping district, but if the rezoning were approved, it would be rezoned to C-3 general business district.

The concept plans call for a gas station, convenience store, car wash, drive-up food window and sale of packaged alcoholic beverages, board documents state.

"I have to look at how it's going to fit in the entire village, how it's going to impact everybody, everything," Trustee David Smith said. "And I don't think it fits."

"I see traffic problems," Trustee Douglas Finnegan said. "Not only on Route 30, but with the residents trying to come exit, especially if they want to turn west on Route 30. I think it's a nightmare waiting to happen."

Trustee Annette Bowden said she was "vehemently opposed to the development," but appreciated that the developers were willing to work with the village.

After the trustees' comments, the petitioner asked that the vote be tabled until the next meeting on Feb. 8.