Wendy's Requests 2nd Extension Of Special Use Permit In Downers Grove

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — On Tuesday, village commissioners will review a proposal for a second extension of a special use ordinance that would allow a Wendy's restaurant with a drive-thru to be built at 1330 Butterfield Rd.

In March 2023, village officials voted in favor of a special use permit to allow Wendy's that would construct a restaurant with a drive-thru and a zoning variation for parking. Since this approval, the company has reworked its building design, which delayed the issuance of a building permit.

On Feb. 28, 2024, Wendy's asked that the village council extend its special use approval by six months, giving Wendy's until Sept. 7 to get a building permit. A second extension was requested Aug. 30.

The building will be a departure from the fast food chain's usual building design. The new design will require more time to finalize and to meet village approval criteria, developers said in a letter to Downers Grove Community Development Director Stan Popovich.

In the letter, Cory Bruce of North American Real Estate wrote, "Wendy's wanted to showcase their new store design in Downers Grove and as a result we needed additional time for Wendy's to finalize the design as well as making sure the redesign fell within the standards and guidelines of our approved site plan."

If village officials do not approve extending the special use permit at Tuesday's meeting, petitioners will be unable to make a similar request until September 2025.