E. Dundee Shop forced to move by fire will be rebuilt

The small machine shop forced from its location in East Dundee when a massive blaze destroyed Dundee Lumber could soon return to its Barrington Avenue locale.

Village trustees on Monday gave preliminary approval to rebuild JR Tech at 315 Barrington Ave., next door to where the more than 110-year-old lumberyard once stood.

The board also approved the rezoning of an existing building to make way for retail and residential uses.

Monday's decision was a relief to JR Tech owner and president Dan Scully.

"It was a surprise to me because they have been throwing up hurdles for a year," Scully said after the meeting.

Last March, a fire destroyed the closed-down lumberyard and severely damaged five other businesses.

Scully said he lost about 2,500 square feet of space in the blaze and will tear down another 3,500 square feet of space damaged in the fire.

"When the fire happened I lost a lot of square footage," said Scully, who has operated JR Tech from a space in Elgin since Christmas. "I couldn't reopen the business because I didn't have enough space."

JR Tech specializes in fabricating, welding, machining and prototype engineering.

The variation and rezoning, which still needs approval from the village's planning and zoning commission, will allow Scully to build a small machine shop at the back of the property.

The existing building at the front of the property will house retailers, including Cecilia's Hair Studio, with the addition of residential units above the building.

Not all trustees agreed with the changes.

"Basically there are differences between what is being proposed and what was suggested to the board in the comprehensive plan," said Trustee Jeff Lynam.

Lynam said the comprehensive plan called for retail and residential use, not manufacturing.

However, other trustees -- and residents who spoke in favor of rebuilding the machine shop -- said allowing the changes was the right decision.

"This is an existing business and he has the right to rebuild his business," Trustee James Carlini said.