advertisement

DuPage gas station plan runs into roadblock

Concerns about air pollution, traffic and the size of the project could put the brakes on a company’s plans to build a gas station, convenience store and car wash near Glen Ellyn.

The DuPage County Board’s development committee on Tuesday recommended the full board reject Buchanan Energy’s application for a conditional-use permit to build a Mobil station and Bucky’s convenience store at the northeast corner of Route 53 and Butterfield Road.

“My concern for the project, and why I would be opposed to it, is that the critical mass at that intersection seems not to justify the variance being sought for this development,” board member Gary Grasso said.

Grasso and three other board members on the six-person development panel agreed to make the negative recommendation. Only two members — Sam Tornatore and Grant Eckhoff — supported granting the permit.

The full county board is scheduled to make a final decision next week.

Tuesday’s committee meeting drew a large number of opponents who claim the gas station and convenience store would attract so many cars and trucks that toxic air pollutants would increase. The pollutants, they argue, could pose a health risk for children using neighboring Butterfield Park District facilities.

“While the benzene emissions will not rise to the levels banned by the regulatory agencies, there can be no doubt that this station will emit benzene,” said Phil Luetkehans, the attorney representing the park district.

Luetkehans claimed benzene emissions from the gas station could increase the risk of cancer in adults. “No one knows how much increased risk would be faced by the children who utilize the neighboring properties every day,” he said.

However, the attorney representing Buchanan Energy says the claims about benzene emissions aren’t accurate.

Attorney Henry Stillwell says tougher emission controls and better gas station technology have “all but eliminated ... the release of vapors.” He also said the Chicago market is required to use a reformulated fuel that reduces the benzene concentration.

“The expert for the objector failed to take into account the reduced benzene levels for the reformulated gasolines in the Chicago area,” Stillwell said. “As a result of that, his projected concentration ... was 300 percent higher than in actuality would occur.”

Still, county board member Peter DiCianni says he doesn’t support the project because he’s worried about its environmental impact on surrounding properties.

He said he’s also uncomfortable about the “size and scope” of the plan, which calls for a gas station with 10 pumps, a 6,800-square-foot convenience store and a 2,200-square-foot car wash. Years ago, the 1.5-acre site housed a smaller Shell station.

“Knowing that this is going to be on a much bigger scale than what was there originally is concerning to me,” DiCianni said.

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.