Neighbors oppose gas station, strip mall plan in Lake in the Hills

A plan to build a gas station in Lake in the Hills is facing opposition from some neighbors.

But the developer’s attorney and village officials say the developer hasn’t decided whether to move ahead with the proposal at the northeast corner of Lakewood and Miller roads.

Osho Business Group has a contract to purchase the property at 2100 N. Lakewood Road. The developer plans to subdivide the land and build a gas station and a 7,200-square-foot convenience store on the southern lot and a 10,000-square-foot, multi-tenant retail site and stormwater management basin on the northern lot.

John Argoudelis, the attorney for the developer, says the project team is exploring ways to mitigate issues raised by neighbors, including lighting and pollution.

He said the developer hasn’t made a final decision on moving forward and is gauging whether the village board is supportive.

Argoudelis said the gas station is the anchor tenant of the property, and it is needed to make the economics of the development work.

As for the retail side, a breakfast place is the main potential tenant so far, Argoudelis said.

On Feb. 17, the Lake in the Hills Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously to recommend denial of the proposal.

The property is zoned residential but is outlined in the village’s comprehensive plan as being commercial, officials said.

Village President Ray Bogdanowski brought up the proposal during the Feb. 26 village board meeting even though it was not on the agenda.

Bogdanowski said the project is “pending” until developers decide they want to come to the board or withdraw.

“This doesn’t mean it’s over. It just means that ... we’re at the mercy” of them coming back and presenting to the board, Bogdanowski said, adding if the developer withdraws, they can come back, but the process would restart.

Bogdanowski said the village board takes the zoning recommendation seriously. He added that the board has never overridden that panel’s recommendation since he became village president.

While the village board didn’t review the proposal on Feb. 26, several residents spoke against it. They raised environmental and traffic concerns, among other things.

“All the residents have said they would boycott the businesses,” resident Debra Kluzek said.

She also broached potential environmental concerns related to the gas station.

Resident Henry Klich said he has seen and admired a lot of growth in the area since he moved there in the 1990s. But he hoped Lake in the Hills would not approve the proposed gas station.

“I don’t think (I have seen) a gas station go up and everybody saying, ‘Wow, that looks great there. That belongs there,’” Klich said.

Bogdanowski said the earliest the village board could take up the proposal is during its March 12 meeting.