Village Board Oks Rezoning for Currie Motors

Despite several opposing comments and a history of contention over the Currie Motors Ford expansion plan, the Frankfort Village Board at the regular Monday meeting voted 5-1 in favor of rezoning two lots on 95th Avenue from residential to commercial use.

The majority of the board favored the move to rezone property to accommodate the overall $2.5-plus million expansion. Anticipated sales tax revenue and the bump in property tax from the car dealership was the motivator. The renovation and expansion by Currie Motors was approved in August 2012. Complications for a plan that calls for the creation of a new vehicle storage lot along 95th Avenue bubbled to the top Plan Commission meetings in January and again in March.

Trustee Cynthia Corso-Heath cast the lone "no" vote, basing her decision on the issue of rezoning. "I am very bothered about rezoning from R-2 to B-2. These are zoned residential, and I just hate to start a precedent of rezoning."

Her comments against the plan stirred applause from a room crowded with residents who were opposed to a project they fear could have a negative impact the value of their homes.

Residents, including Keith Weyker, who lives next to the site of the proposed parking lot, had a list of potential "quality of life" life objections, .

Trustee Mike Stevens said the Plan Commission had recommended the approval of the development. In a lengthy prepared statement, he said the village would assure compliance by Currie Motors on U.S. Route 30 in regard to final engineering for off-site draining and limiting the height of parking lot light poles to 22 feet or less.

Other stipulations include the installation of shut-off timers set for 9 p.m. on all parking lot lights on the two additional lots.

After the meeting, Weyker said, "I'm not happy about it." However, he said he's "hopeful" that the village will be vigilant about the stipulations.

The board also addressed the open drains along 95th Avenue. The drains that fill during storms have not posed a risk, however, they have been identified as a problematic blight, said Village Administrator Jerry Ducay.

Ultimately, the village looks forward to reconstructing 94th Avenue, which then would ease traffic issues on 95th Avenue, said Ducay. While the village and Frankfort Township share responsibility for 94th Avenue, there is no money in the coffers for ripping up the existing pavement and re-engineering it in a way that reduces the slope of the hill. Temporary patching is about all that can be accomplished at the moment, he added.

Get news alerts and Facebook updates from these Lincoln-Way Patch sites:

• New Lenox newsletter and New Lenox Patch Facebook

• Frankfort newsletter and Frankfort Patch Facebook

• Mokena newsletter and Mokena Patch Facebook