New Lenox Approves Casey's Gas Station Annexation, Rezoning

NEW LENOX, IL — After over four hours of public comment from nearby residents opposing a proposed Casey's gas station, the New Lenox Village Board approved the property's annexation and rezoning at its April 12 board meeting.

For months, nearby residents in Lincolnwood Hills in New Lenox Township have opposed the project, even staging a protest for the development last month.

The development is located at the northeast corner of Route 30 and West Circle Drive. The property is owned by Bluestone Single Tenant Properties, and was purchased in February 2020. It was previously the site of Smith Brothers Garden Center.

Residents have cited concerns of underground storage tank leaks, the topography of the site, traffic, safety, runoff, gasoline spills, and the impact on several residents' shallow private wells.

One such concern included 2014 research from Johns Hopkins, titled "Small spills at gas stations could cause significant public health risks over time." The research concerns seepage of gasoline through concrete pads at gas stations when smaller gas spills or drips happen.

Mike MacKinnon, a representative from Bluestone, said there was no in-the-field follow-up based on the study.

MacKinnon said Casey's has redeveloped several existing gas station sites, and there was "no contamination whatsoever underneath the fueling canopy." The company submitted evidence of three different Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessments to support their position, which was evidence that the board had previously asked for.

"Based on the industry experience of Casey's, it is not practical that this theory is applicable in real-life," MacKinnon said.

Residents had also questioned whether Casey's could use the site as a general store only model, with no accompanying fueling stations. MacKinnon said that due to the costs of redeveloping the site, the store requires profits from fuel sales to be feasible, and Casey's would not proceed with development without such sales.

Tom Weigel, Will County Board member for the New Lenox area, also spoke against the project during the public comment portion of the meeting.

"I really don't think you need additional gas stations in New Lenox," he said. "You're just going to take away business from the existing gas stations, you're not going to generate any more income for the village."

"We moved out here for a certain standard of life, and we feel that the Casey's proposal as is is neither in keeping with what the village has as its plan nor what we as the residents would like to see," nearby resident Andrew Krzak said.

After hearing concerns from neighbors at previous meetings, some changes were made to the plans for the development including relocating underground storage tanks, a stormwater detention basin with two water quality structures, and adding a 6-foot fence to the rear of the property.

"One thing we have to assess up here is how willing petitioners are to listen to our residents and work with them," Trustee Jasen Howard said before the vote.

"It seems like [Casey's is] trying to go above and beyond," he said.

The board unanimously approved the annexation and rezoning for the development, subject to attorney review and future village well monitoring requirements.

"We will always make sure that the petitioner continues to be a good neighbor and works with you," Mayor Tim Baldermann said, addressing the residents at the meeting.

Final plans and design will still have to be approved by the village board.

• Casey's Gas Station Discussed At New Lenox Public Hearing