Is trucking center with space for 118 semis good for Wheeling?

JV Global Services, a logistics company in Wheeling, will continue its quest Thursday to convince the village that a trucking transportation center with space for 118 semitrailer trucks is a good idea.

The company wants to build a trucking transportation center off Wolf Road at Kerry Lane, just northwest of Chicago Executive Airport, to provide temporary parking between trips, minor maintenance and repairs, and office space for logistics businesses. The 8.5-acre property would include a 13,450-square-foot building.

The company says the new facility will help local businesses continue to grow and stay in the village.

So far, the company's plan has drawn opposition from the village staff - who say the development won't create many jobs or fit the type of use intended for that land - and residents of nearby homes worried the project will hurt property values.

The company is under contract to buy the land from three property owners, including Chicago Executive Airport, which owns about 4.5 acres of the area. The airport is selling the land for $650,000.

In May, village board members were split 3-3 on whether they would support the project when the developer returned with a formal application. But before they have a chance to take an official vote, the proposal must complete a plan commission hearing Thursday.

For the project to go forward, the village must take three steps:

• Create a new land use called a "transportation center," meaning a facility primarily used for providing outdoor storage for delivery vehicles.

• Change the zoning of the properties from single-family residential, light industrial and office space to a general industrial district.

• Approve a special-use site plan of the transportation center.

The plan commission meeting is 5:30 p.m. Thursday, at village hall, 2 Community Blvd.