Over 1,000 Sign Petition Against New Lenox Gas Station

NEW LENOX, IL — More than 1,000 people have signed a petition against a proposed gas station scheduled for a public hearing by the village's plan commission on Tuesday. The plan commission originally planned to discuss the development at a Jan. 5 meeting, but it was continued until Tuesday's meeting because the number of residents exceeded the room capacity.

The public hearing concerns a request for approval of annexation and rezoning to C-3 (general business district) from Casey's Retail Company. The property is 2.2 acres and is located at the northeast corner of US Route 30 and West Circle Drive at 2601 E. Lincoln Highway, according to commission documents.

The property was formerly Smith Brothers Landscaping, and is adjacent to the Hickory Creek Animal Hospital, as well as a residential neighborhood.

Veterinarian Walter Krzak, who owns the animal hospital, has multiple concerns with the proposal.

"I feel it's a detriment to our business to have this nearby, which creates multiple types of pollution," Krzak told Patch. He also cited concerns of infrastructure, underground storage tanks, and traffic.

Krzak said vehicles already block the driveway of the animal hospital because of the nearby traffic light. The entrance to the gas station would cause further congestion, he said, adding that this would have a "huge impact" on his business.

"We have 10 emergencies per week at the clinic," Krzak said. "1 to 2 minutes can matter."

The change.org petition signed by 1,212 people as of Tuesday afternoon cites similar concerns, and states that it is not against "the commercial use of this property," but is specifically against a gas station.

The petition also poses several questions including: "Why are two new gas stations needed within the 3-mile stretch when there are five others already there? What studies show the local economy can sustain two gas stations and not leave the area with an eyesore and unsupervised storage tanks if one folds?"

According to Google Maps, there are several gas stations within a 10-minute drive of the property, including Shell at 471 Nelson Road; Exxon at 121 E. Laraway Road, Mobil at 1101 W. Laraway Road, Speedway at 800 W. Maple St. and Murphy USA at 431 E. Lincoln Highway.

At Tuesday's meeting, Assistant Village Administrator and Community Development Director Robin Ellis said people will be spaced apart in the council chambers, the hallway outside, in the rotunda and in the community room on the first floor. There will also be audio and TV monitors so everyone present can hear and watch the discussion. A numbering system will be utilized for those who wish to speak.