Truck parking on United Airlines property opposed by Mt. Prospect
Mount Prospect is raising its voice against a proposed truck parking lot on United Airlines property in unincorporated Elk Grove Township. If approved by Cook County, it would offer 180 spaces for trucks, tractors, trailers and other on-road vehicles.
The property, located at the southeast corner of Dempster Street and Linneman Road, has been used as a parking lot for employees. The parking lot is being leased from United Airlines by the potential parking lot operator.
The village board Tuesday passed a resolution objecting to the proposal for 1200 Dempster St. The resolution will be sent to the Cook County Zoning Board of Appeals.
Mount Prospect staff attended a Nov. 4 zoning board hearing on a request for a special use permit. Among staff concerns, as outlined by Community Development Director William Cooney, are the increase in truck traffic and the air and noise pollution created by idling trucks, both of which they say would be a nuisance for neighbors.
"We just don't feel it's the best use of this location," Cooney said of the property, which is bounded to the north and east by the village.
"The way this is set up, this could also be housing basically for overnight parking for people who are traveling, let's say, across country," said Trustee Richard Rogers. "They could actually sit in their truck and sleep there overnight, and if they do, they probably will keep that truck running, in order to maintain the heat inside the truck. … This could become a real hazard for the person in the truck, because of carbon monoxide."
"It seems very short-sighted" of United to allow truck parking on the property, Trustee Paul Hoefert said.
Cooney and the trustees talked about the possibilities for an industrial use instead, citing demand. Cooney noted that the nearby OPUS and Alter developments are full and Mayor Arlene Juracek said the Elgin-O'Hare Expressway expansion has displaced businesses, leading the tollway authority to contact the village to facilitate moves.
"There is demand for property here in Mount Prospect," she said.