Plan Commission backs amended special use for Crest Hill auto sales and repair at 1923 N. Broadway

The Crest Hill Plan Commission on April 9 unanimously voted to recommend city council conditionally approve Francisco Martinez’s request to amend a 2009 special-use permit and to reduce parking requirements for an automobile sales/leasing business and an automobile body repair and painting operation at 1923 North Broadway.

City planner Atifa told commissioners the property is a 20,575-square-foot parcel in the B3 business-service district. The applicant proposed to continue vehicle sales of inspected, pre-owned cars in designated display areas while operating auto repair and refinishing services on the same site. Staff said the application includes perimeter fencing on the west and south property lines, a new dumpster enclosure, landscape islands, and repaving and restriping to improve site appearance and circulation.

Atifa said staff recommends conditional approval of petitions SU-26-4-4-2 and V-26-4-4-2 and described the proposed limits: vehicle display restricted to three parking spaces on the east side of the sale lot, five dedicated parking spaces for the body shop, no outside repair activity, and specific hours of operation for the repair and painting businesses. The planner said the requested parking variation is driven by the site’s size, layout and operational needs, and that approval would allow the property to operate without altering the neighborhood’s essential character.

Applicant Francisco Martinez, who said he bought the property two years ago and invested his savings, told the commission he aims to provide income for his family and hire staff as the business grows. Martinez said he has experience as a mechanic and painter, and that prior licensing constraints limited full operations until now.

Commissioners asked technical questions about staffing, staging of vehicle displays and how the site would be maintained. No members of the public testified on the case. After closing the public hearing, the commission moved to approve the amended special use and the parking-variation request contingent on the 10 conditions listed in the April 9 staff report. The roll-call vote was unanimous among present commissioners.

The commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to Crest Hill City Council; the petition will appear at a council workshop on April 27 and on the council’s May 4 agenda for final action.

Authorities cited in the staff presentation included the Crest Hill zoning ordinance (B3 business-service district) and the staff report for SU-26-4-4-2 and V-26-4-4-2. The commission’s conditional approval requires the project be implemented in substantial conformance with the approved plans and the 10 conditions referenced in the staff report.