Lake Zurich approves new space for auto service business

Continued growth has been cited as a reason an automotive service business is moving from unincorporated Lake County to a Lake Zurich business park near Route 22.

As part of a package of other items, the Lake Zurich village board Monday night approved a special-use permit so Hawthorn Woods Auto Service can operate in an industrial park at 511 Telser Road, north of Route 22.

Officials said the auto repair shop is not an automatically allowed business in the industrial area, which is why the special permit was necessary. The permit came with a condition that vehicles in for service at the facility cannot be parked on Telser Road beyond the current two-hour limit.

Hawthorn Woods Auto Service has been in business about four years at 25789 Hillview Court in unincorporated Lake County, near Midlothian Road in Ela Township. Continued growth and the need for a more modern facility are driving the move south to Lake Zurich.

After Monday's vote, co-owner Jon Vogel of Ingleside said the shop handles about 200 repairs per month. He said Hawthorn Woods Auto Service will about double its space in Lake Zurich.

"Our business base is local," Vogel said. "We do a lot in this area, pickups and deliveries (to customers). We do a lot of fleet work and work for businesses.

Vogel said the business already is moving into the Telser Road building and will open this month.

Lake Zurich planning and zoning commission members held a public hearing on the proposal last month and recommended the village board approve the special-use permit so Hawthorn Woods Auto Service can move into the Telser Road building.

Trustee Jeffrey Halen inquired whether there are any environmental concerns about the auto shop being in the industrial park. Sam Hubbard, acting manager of building and zoning, said the Telser Road space already has the necessary receptacles for oil and other substances because it once was home to an auto service business.

"We're confident it won't be an issue," said Hubbard, whose office at Lake Zurich's community services building on Telser Road borders where Hawthorn Woods Auto Repair will do business.