Retail building to replace tiny Rolling Meadows gas station kiosk
A tiny kiosk at a long-standing gas station in Rolling Meadows' traditional downtown would be replaced with a customer-friendly convenience store more than nine times its size, under a proposal before the city council.
The one-story, 2,388-square-foot new brick building would have a wider variety of goods for sale, like food, hot and cold beverages, and automotive items such as oil, antifreeze and windshield washer fluid, according to the owners of the Marathon at 3005 Kirchoff Road.
They're seeking special use zoning approval and two variations for drive aisle width and rear yard setback, since the new building would be situated in the back of the site. But they're not looking for a liquor license, since the store won't sell alcohol.
It's located next to Comet Frozen Custard, the city's shuttered downtown fire station, an auto repair shop, and Kimball Square Condominiums.
The plan passed on an early first reading vote of the city council last week, with the final second reading vote set for April 11.
The redevelopment plan calls for demolition of the old 260-square-foot retail kiosk to make way for one more fuel pump island, for a total of six. The five double-sided pumps are only three or four years old, and typically have a life cycle of six to eight years, project attorney Nick Ftikas told the city's planning and zoning commission last month.
The existing canopy above the fuel pumps would remain, but it would be painted and refaced, Ftikas said.
An air dispenser for tires would be in the parking lot, and there may be an outdoor location for propane tank exchange, but no other outdoor displays or sales would be allowed, under the preliminary city approvals.
Because of how tight the site is for circulating cars, the gas station's owners agreed to add protective bollards in front of the store. They also will replace the existing pylon sign listing gas prices with a monument-style sign. The parking lot also will be repaved.
Hours of operation for the gas station and store would be from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
Construction would begin as soon as city permits are received and take nine months to complete, Ftikas said.