Fox River Grove says yes to Pep Boys
A Pep Boys auto store and a paint and wallpaper store are among the likely new occupants of a new strip mall planned for Fox River Grove.
The village board Thursday night unanimously approved a special-use permit for Aetna Development's plans for a six-store strip mall on 1.8 acres at 910 Northwest Hwy, Village Administrator Art Osten Jr. said.
Board member also approved a special-use permit for a major auto repair shop for Pep Boys, a measure that was opposed by several local businesses.
The village's Zoning Board of Appeals voted 4-2 Jan. 12 to deny the auto repair permit request on the grounds that it would hurt business for the village's existing auto shops, Village President Robert Nunamaker said. But attorneys for Aetna and the village believed the decision wouldn't have stood up in court, he said.
“I understand what (zoning board members) were thinking, but you can't deny that because people in the village are providing the same service,” he said.
Jim Burke, owner of Car-X Auto Service in town, said he spoke in opposition to the Pep Boys auto store because of its potential effect on business for the village's six auto repair shops and four auto body shops.
Because the strip mall would be part of the village's Tax Increment Financing district, Burke said the village is also shortchanging itself on future tax revenues. In a TIF district, the assessed value of property within the district is frozen for a period of time as far as tax collections go, and taxes generated from increases in property value are diverted toward paying for improvements in the district.
The TIF district was created to entice builders to develop the land because of its poor soil, Nunamaker said. Any builder would have to take on extra costs, such as adding a special foundation and building underground water tanks, he explained. The TIF District was created in 1998 and has a life span of 23 years.
“It was the belief of the past property owners and the village when they created the TIF district that this parcel would never be developed without these incentives,” Nunamaker said.
The village is expected to vote on an ordinance to give final approval for the strip mall at its next meeting on Feb. 17, Osten said.