Gurnee approves vehicle recycler

After whiffing on its first attempt to gain Gurnee village board approval for a vehicle recycling operation, Auto Parts City hit a home run on its second swing.

Gurnee trustees late Monday voted 6-0 to allow the company to build on nearly 16 acres at 3535 Washington St. The facility will be near Route 41 and border a manufactured home complex in neighboring Park City.

Village board members first rejected the proposal with a 3-3 vote in April. Company representatives made slight revisions before returning to the board this week.

Many residents of the Park City trailer homes spoke against the proposal, in part, citing concerns about noise and safety. About 30 opponents attended Monday night's village board meeting.

However, Auto Parts City real estate consultant Mitchell Miller and other proponents pointed out how vehicle recycling is common in Europe. They contend such operations substantially reduce energy and material requirements and cut greenhouse gas emissions from the manufacturing of new materials.

Some Auto Parts City opponents said values of the mobile homes would drop with a vehicle recycling facility nearby.

Miller argued trailer homes are considered personal property and are depreciating assets. He said his position was supported by a consultant for an owner of the land used for the Park City mobile home complex.