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'Oasis on 20' planned in Elgin

Long-standing plans to open a BP gas station on the southwest corner of Route 20 and Nesler Road in Elgin are expected to move forward soon.

The plan proposes annexation of 4.3 acres at 3191 Route 20, and zoning for a gas station along with a 6,253-square-foot building with three commercial tenants. The plan got the thumbs-up from the planning and zoning commission and is expected to be up for discussion by the city council Nov. 4.

The building would include a convenience store associated with the gas station, a drive-through restaurant, possibly a Dunkin' Donuts, and another space, possibly for a pizza delivery or carryout restaurant, said Ron Ambrose of Ambrose Design Group in Crystal Lake.

The developers of "Oasis on 20" are the Lazar brothers, who own and operate a BP station at Starks Corner in Pingree Grove and another BP station in Rockford, Ambrose said. Joe Lazar did not respond to requests for comment.

If approved, construction would start in March or April and would last about 3½ months, Ambrose said.

The process started with a plan submitted in June 2014, followed by a second plan in January and the current one in July, Ambrose said. "The city keeps throwing new curveballs at us," he said. "We had to redesign the site three times." Annexations can be complex, and this was the first time Ambrose and the developers worked with Elgin's requirements, senior planner Sarosh Saher said. "They kind of educated themselves along the way," he said. "In our opinion, that is what has taken this long to get to this stage."

Mayor David Kaptain said he met with the Lazar brothers about six months ago. "There's no place to even get a gallon of milk (in the area)," he said. "It think it's a good plan. It offers a convenience store for the people that live out there."

The BP will have regular fueling in front and diesel fueling islands for trucks in the back, but will not be an overnight rest stop for truck drivers, Ambrose said. Kaptain said the location, classified as a truck stop, would be eligible to have video gambling under state law. Ambrose said the design concept doesn't include that.

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