Will County Gazette

Village of Channahon Planning & Zoning Commission met Oct. 11.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

1. Call to Order

Meeting called to order at 6:00 p.m.

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Roll Call

Commissioners Blackburn, Pershey, Madding, Larson, Warren and Chairman Ciarlette present. Commissioner Gray absent.

Larry Blackburn and Nicole Larson were introduced as new members of the Zoning Commission.

4. Approval of Minutes – September 13, 2021

Motion to approve the minutes of September 13, 2021 meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission made by Commissioner Madding. Seconded by Commissioner Warren. Commissioners Blackburn and Larson abstained. All Ayes by Commissioners voting, Motion Carried.

5. Public Hearing – Continued from August 9, 2021 Application for an Amendment to the Special Use Permit for a Planned Unit Development (PUD) with regard to increasing the height of the high-rise sign from 60’ to 100’ and size from 204’ to 312’: 24144 W. Eames Street filed by Thorntons Inc.

Motion to open the public hearing made by Commissioner Blackburn. Seconded by Commissioner Madding. All Ayes, Motion Carried.

Karen James presented the staff report.

Tom Burney, Thornton’s attorney, discussed the history of the site and why they want to have a high-rise sign. They made a presentation of what the sign will look like at 60 feet vs 100 feet.

Billy Johnsen, Thornton’s Regional Manager of Operations, is in charge of 11 locations and he explained the Channahon location is down thousands of diesel gallons over the last year. He believes Love’s Travel Stop has impacted their sales.

Ciarlette asked to view the slides again showing the difference between the 60-foot vs 100-foot sign.

Johnsen stated that construction and traffic block the blue signs on the side of the highway. With the 100-foot high-rise sign no matter what lane vehicles are in they will be able to see Thornton’s sign.

Ciarlette said she uses the blue signs when traveling. She asked what makes him believe the customers use the high-rise sign over the blue signs.

Johnsen said yes after speaking with customers they use the high-rise signs. Over the road truckers are 60% of their customers and they use the high-rise signs.

Warren asked can they quantify the revenue based on 60-foot vs 100-foot sign. Burney does not have that data, just an opinion.

Ciarlette asked if maybe Love’s gets more business because they have more food.

Johnsen said they sell a lot of food at their facility. Drivers base route on how they are treated and Thorntons has better guest services. He stated the over the road truckers are catered to at Thorntons and they come back because of this.

Warren questioned if the decrease in diesel sales could be from less drivers and not the signage.

Johnsen said 10 of 11 Thorntons are up in sales vs Channahon. They feel Channahon is losing sales because truckers are missing seeing Thorntons but able to see Love’s because of their 100-foot sign.

Ciarlette pointed out Thorntons has not put up any sign so maybe it would have helped with sales to have a sign up even if it was only 60-foot high.

Mike Krasucki, Thornton’s Sr Real Estate Manager, said probably due to staff over turn the sign was not installed. They know a sign would be a boost, but a 100-foot would be a bigger boost.

Burney said they should have asked for the 100-foot sign in 2012. They are asking the village to reconsider and allow the 100-foot sign.

Petrick said Speedway also opened in that time frame, so not exactly fair to attribute all to Love’s. Johnsen said Love’s looks busy, but Speedway has empty islands.

Durkin asked if Thorntons has the types of fleet accounts like Speedway and Love’s or do they go after independent drivers?

Johnsen said Pilot does not have showers. He feels drivers pick where they go by how they are treated and Thorntons makes sure their drivers are treated well.

Burney understands this is a tough sell to request but they are asking for a do over on their original request.

Dave Silverman, Village Attorney, asked if there was any public comment from anyone calling in to the meeting or in the boardroom.

There was no public comment.

Motion to close the public hearing made by Commissioner Pershey. Seconded by Commissioner Blackburn. All Ayes, Motion Carried.

6. Review and Recommendation – Amendment to the Special Use Permit for a Planned Unit Development (PUD) regarding the height and size of the high-rise sign: 24144 W. Eames Street filed by Thorntons, Inc.

Motion to deny the height and size of the high-rise sign for Thorntons made by Commissioner Warren. Seconded by Commissioner Madding. All Ayes, Motion Carried.

7. Public Comment

None

8. Other Business

None

Adjournment

Motion to adjourn made by Commissioner Madding. Seconded by Commissioner Larson. All Ayes, Motion Carried. 7:03 p.m.

https://www.channahon.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_10112021-370