Residents to hear plan for new Grayslake gas station

Grayslake residents will get their first look at a plan to build a gas station at the southwest corner of Lake Street and Belvidere Road where Lake Street Motors used car lot now stands at an informational meeting Wednesday night.

Casey's General Store would have 14 fueling stations and a 4,540-square-foot convenience store that also would serve pizza and other foods. Casey's representatives intend to obtain a liquor license for the store, village documents show.

The gas station would generate more property tax revenue for the village, local schools, park, library and fire districts than the used car lot does, documents show.

Associate Village Manager Chris Sparkman said Casey's has not submitted a formal application to the village yet. Sparkman said village employees asked Casey's representatives to host the special meeting because special use permits would be required for the project to go through and because there are homes nearby.

John Belcher, who works in sales at Lake Street Motors, said he and about 40 other people plan to attend Wednesday's meeting to protest the project. He said the group includes other Lake Street Motors employees and nearby residents.

"It's everyone whose livelihood would be affected," Belcher said.

Lake Street Motors does not own the site at 302 S. Lake St., Belcher said.

There are more than 2,300 Casey's stores in 16 states. It is the fifth largest pizza chain in the country, according to village documents.

If the plan is submitted and approved by the village board, the Grayslake Casey's would become the seventh in Lake County.

The resident meeting will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at village hall, 10 Seymour Ave. Attendees must wear a face mask.