Motorcycle dealership could be coming to downtown Libertyville

One of the next new retailers in downtown Libertyville could be a purveyor of high-end motorcycles.

Village trustees this week paved the way for an Indian brand dealership by informally agreeing to change the zoning code to allow for motorcycle dealers in the downtown commercial area. An official ordinance must be approved at a future meeting, but the 5-0 consensus was that an upscale dealership would be a good addition to the retail mix.

"We do feel that it's an appropriate use in the downtown," said Donald O'Shea, a Gurnee resident who petitioned the board for the change. "The retail space will be absolutely high-end and complement other downtown businesses."

The change would allow such dealerships as a special use in the commercial area. That overriding regulation must be in place before a specific proposal can be submitted and considered by village officials. In this case, the advance work is in anticipation of bringing an Indian Motorcycle dealership to the former Arden's furniture store, across from Cook Park at 416 N. Milwaukee Ave.

O'Shea is a business partner with village Trustee Todd Gaines, who recused himself from the proceedings. The pair say they are close to securing the rights for an Indian dealership. The closest ones to Libertyville are in South Elgin and Hobart, Indiana.

Vehicle sales are not considered compatible in the core commercial area and for decades an effort was made to locate auto dealerships south of the downtown, mainly along Milwaukee Avenue in what is known as the Mile of Cars. A separate zoning classification to govern the area was created in 1995 and motorcycle sales were listed as a permitted use.

Trustee Drew Cullum asked why that area wasn't being considered for the motorcycle dealership.

"Indian Motorcycle is looking for a much smaller footprint. Our size of 6,000 to 8,000 square feet is perfect for their requirements," according to O'Shea. "Those large spaces just don't fit the model and the profile."

Indian buyers earn more than the average and three-quarters pay cash, O'Shea said. "This is a fairly influential group of people," he added.

Among the conditions of approval are that all aspects of the business, including repairs and ancillary sales, would be conducted inside. Outdoor sales and storage would not be allowed.

Trustee Scott Adams said the brand has kind of a "cult image" and the business would complement others.

"From a retail aspect and a foot traffic aspect, I don't think we could ask for a better retailer," he said.

In response to trustee questions, village Attorney David Pardys said if the Indian dealership fell through once the zoning ordinance was changed, any other brand that met the requirements could apply for a special use to operate. The village could repeal the ordinance if the Indian deal fell through, Pardys said, but he cautioned against doing that if another dealership was interested. Another manufacturer could operate in that space if the Indian dealership went out of business, he added.

He also said only motorcycles could be sold at a given location and other vehicles, such as four-wheelers or snowmobiles, would require another zoning code change. Indian Motorcycle is a product of Polaris Industries Inc.

Mayor Terry Weppler said the dealership would need far fewer parking spaces than that of a 300-seat restaurant, which is the only other potential use that has surfaced for the Arden's space.