Another Gas N Wash Coming To New Lenox

NEW LENOX, IL — The New Lenox Village Board of Trustees Monday voted unanimously in favor of a proposed Gas N Wash to be located at the corner Laraway Road and School House Road, despite some objections by several area residents.

Prior to the vote, New Lenox Mayor Tim Baldermann and the board allowed public comment on the issue, which the board is not required to do but Baldermann said felt was important so that residents could more fully participate in the governance of their village.

Several residents from the area where the proposed Gas N Wash is scheduled to be located voiced concerns about possible crime, increased traffic for commuters, noise and potential safety issues for traffic on nearby side streets.

The back-and-forth dialogue from residents and the board lasted about an hour.

“We’re glad you were here, and it does make a difference," Baldermann told those who spoke during the meeting. "The end result may still be the board approves this, but you did have an impact. So, anyone who tells you that you’re wasting your time, it’s a done deal, is wrong. And we’ve proved it over, and over, and over again that you do have a say, and you do make an impact.”

There were changes made to the developer's original plans, including: reducing the number of diesel pumps from three to two; constructing a raised median for right-in, right-out access on Laraway Road; and improvements to the drainage system on the property. Those changes were a direct result of staff and residents' concerns raised at previous meetings, Baldermann said.

Baldermann and other board members stressed that they have little control over which businesses can go where, so long as the businesses meet the zoning criteria for the Village; however, Baldermann told residents that he and the board do care about the types of businesses coming to the village, and that the board has rejected past proposals that they thought would not be a good fit for the village and its residents.

Round It Up

A brief recap of other items discussed at Monday's board meeting:

• Baldermann presented Village Director of Finance Kimberly Auchstetter with the Government Finance Officers Association Certificate of Recognition for Budget Preparation. This was the 28th consecutive year the Village received the recognition.
• The board unanimously approved a resolution declaring unclaimed bicycles as surplus and authorized their allocation to Recycle Your Bicycle.
• During his Mayor's Report, Baldermann said that the Village is working to finalize helicopter rides as part of the Village’s 75th Anniversary Celebration, which takes place Friday through Sunday. The rides would be available as part of Saturday’s events. Rides in the helicopter would take passengers around the Village for around 5-8 minutes. Cost per ride is expected to be about $50 per person, with a three person limit per ride. Proceeds from the helicopter ride would benefit Wreaths for Veterans. A signup for rides would be available through the Village’s website.

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