North Aurora says ‘no’ to downtown used car business

North Aurora has again refused to let a used-car dealership open at 10 S. Lincolnway.

The village board Monday denied a request for a special use for Aurora Auto Connection LLC.

The business had asked in 2010 for a special use for a 10-car lot, and the board voted against it in September 2010. It came back with an expanded site this spring, and a request for a 27-car lot. The owners estimated selling about 20 cars a month, attaining $85,000 to $125,000 in gross revenue. The village would get 1 percent of that in sales tax.

The car dealership’s attorney argued the site has had automotive businesses in the past, and that the downtown area used to have automotive businesses. He also said his clients had been told by a village employee, before they bought the site, that the zoning allowed used-car sales. The owners also offered to sign a deal with the village wherein if a business the village feels is more appropriate wants to buy the site, Auto Connection would agree to sell, as long as the village guarantees Aurora Auto Connection could open at another site in the village.

But Trustee Vince Mancini said the village board could only vote on the findings made by the plan commission. “We haven’t heard anything about why the plan commission findings are incorrect,” he said.

The plan commission recommended denial. The village board’s community development committee tied 1-1 on whether to recommend the plan. Members were worried about traffic in, around and out of the site, plus the business doesn’t fit with what the village’s comprehensive land-use plan envisions for a revamped downtown. That plan calls for pedestrian-oriented commercial development.

Trustee Mark Guethle was the sole “yes” vote. “I want to see the lot used for something,” he said.

When Trustee Laura Curtis said the board had to look at “the big picture” for downtown North Aurora, Guethle responded, “Something is better on that lot than nothing.” Guethle is chairman of the community development committee.

The site has been vacant since 2000.