Waukegan planning commission recommends approval for 24-hour laundromat at 1340 North Lewis Avenue

The Waukegan Planning and Zoning Commission voted to recommend that the City Council approve a conditional use permit for a 24-hour laundromat at 1340 North Lewis Avenue, after a staff presentation and brief questions from commissioners.

Tyler Williams, the city planner presenting the case, said the property is in the B-3 zoning district just north of the Glen Flora area in the city’s 5th Ward and has historically been used for auto-related businesses. Williams said the applicant applied to change that use to a laundromat and noted key conditions: "applicant has 24 months to comply with that landscaping plan," and permit and site-plan applications must be submitted through the building permit portal within 12 months.

The applicant, Jake Pileggi, identified himself at the hearing and described his company’s experience operating multiple laundromats in northeast Illinois. "We're very excited to be in the city of Waukegan," Pileggi said, adding that the company offers both self-service and drop-off laundry service and is prepared to invest in the neighborhood.

Staff told commissioners the proposal would operate 24 hours, be staffed with an estimated two to three employees at peak times, and accommodate roughly 30 customers at capacity. The existing building is approximately 3,500 square feet, and staff said the applicant discussed a possible—though not final—expansion in the 4,500–4,800 square-foot range.

Williams also walked commissioners through site design items: the packet showed nine proposed landscape islands, a small landscape perimeter, and a layout intended to meet the city’s redevelopment landscaping requirements. He flagged signage as an issue to be adjusted, noting the city’s maximum ground-sign height of 20 feet and a 20% cap on wall/window area used for signage.

Commissioners asked whether the laundromat fit the zoning; Williams responded that the change of use requires a conditional use permit and is the proper process for the proposed operation. Commissioners also asked whether the adjacent car wash was part of the petition; staff said the car wash occupies a separate parcel and holds an existing license, so it was not part of this CUP application.

A commissioner moved to "accept the findings of fact and recommend that city council approve the conditional use permit for a laundromat at 1340 North Lewis Avenue, with the conditions identified by the staff." There was no second recorded; the commission proceeded to a roll-call vote and the motion passed. The roll-call recorded seven yes votes and two absences. After the vote, staff reminded the room that the planning commission is a recommending body and that the matter will proceed to the City Council; staff said the next meeting will be the first Monday in April.

The commission’s recommendation leaves the final decision to the City Council, which will consider the CUP and the conditions recommended by staff.