Jimmy John's With Drive-Thru Coming to Plainfield Plaza

A Jimmy John's sandwich shop with a drive-thru is slated for the Plainfield Plaza, 15420 S. Route 59.

Plainfield trustees on Monday voted unanimously to direct the village attorney to write an ordinance granting a special use permit for a drive-thru facility in the plaza, currently home to businesses including Jeric's Skateboard Shop. The business owner, Leo Solarte, is proposing a drive-thru for the south side of the building, along with facade improvements.

"I think it's a great addition to this plaza," trustee Margie Bonuchi said. "I think it needs some life over there and some revitalization."

A Plan Commission report on the project notes that Solarte has agreed to work with village staff on planned parking lot improvements including front and rear lot resurfacing and striping.

While trustees were all in favor of bringing the restaurant and drive-thru to Route 59, several balked at a village engineer's recommendation to turn the parking lot's easternmost access point on Fort Beggs Drive into a right-in, right out only. Currently, it's a full access point, and the change would force drivers to turn right down Fort Beggs Drive and go around the block to get back to Route 59.

"We have to use common sense when doing these projects," Mayor Mike Collins said.

The board voted to draft an ordinance granting special use for the drive-thru Monday, but agreed to revisit the parking lot right-in, right-out issue at a later date.

"I would vote no on right-in, right-out," trustee Garrett Peck said, while trustee Bill Lamb called it a "no-go."

Image via Patch file