Kildeer plan commission recommends Chick-fil-A approval

A proposed Chick-fil-A restaurant on Route 12 at Deer Park Boulevard has been recommended for approval by the Kildeer village plan commission subject to eight conditions.

Last month, the advisory group gave preliminary support for annexing and rezoning the property and other measures needed to advance the plan for the 136-seat restaurant, but asked for additional information.

After some tweaks in the conditions, the panel on Tuesday voted 5-0 to recommend approval to the full village board.

The 2-acre property, now owned by a subsidiary of Inland Bank and Trust, is the site of the former Muddy Paws animal shelter, where more than 30 dogs and other animals were found dead in late 2010. It is currently in Deer Park and would have to be disconnected and annexed to Kildeer, which is among the conditions for approval. The zoning would also need to be changed.

Commissioners on Tuesday learned the fire department, village engineer, and landscape consultant, with one minor change, had signed off on the plans. Other details, such as a sign plan, would be addressed during the building permit process.

The company agreed to improve screening for the roof top units and use a different type of material to distinguish the crosswalk from the parking lot for pedestrian safety.

“To me, it’s more of the pedestrian not paying attention,” said Michael Aretos, Kildeer plan commission chairman. “I just want it completely identifiable to them.”

The commission also said it favored a more contemporary look for the building rather than one that included two conical roof features.

“It looks kind of ridiculous,” Commissioner Jeff Schrank said.

Chick-fil-A would also need to finalize an easement agreement with the Shops at Kildeer for access to utilities and a traffic signal. In exchange for that, the shopping center would receive about a half acre of property that may be developed later.

During the first plan commission session in May, some residents questioned company President Dan Cathy’s opposition to same sex marriage and said the restaurant would bring undue attention to Kildeer. Company representatives were the only people in the audience Tuesday.

The village board is scheduled to make a preliminary finding on Tuesday, June 18, with a final decision to follow at a future meeting.