Amazon Development Proposal Clears Orland Park Plan Commission, Advances To Next Step

ORLAND PARK, IL — Amazon's plan for a massive development on 35 acres in Orland Park cleared its first hurdle Tuesday, with the approval of the Plan Commission.

The plan designed for the site of the shuttered Petey's II at 159th Street and LaGrange Road includes a one story, 229,000-square-foot building housing mostly retail, with a warehouse component to support on-site operations, officials said last week.

Touted by Amazon representatives as "the first of its kind," the pitched development would function as a large-format retail location offering a wide range of products, including groceries and general merchandise, with accessory services and potential prepared-food options. Plans also include multiple commercial outlots, officials said.

The commission voted 6-1 Tuesday night in approval of the plans, sending it on to the committee of the whole at 6 p.m. Jan. If approved then, it'll advance to the village board the same day at 7 p.m.

Residents in the at-capacity crowd at the meeting expressed concerns about the size and scale of the development, potential impacts on smaller businesses, and the need for the village to carefully consider the long-term implications.

Commissioners methodically asked questions and aired concerns about the development, with Amazon officials and representatives also presenting to lay out the plans.

Attorney Katie Jahnke Dale of DLA Piper represented Amazon at the meeting.

"We like to explain it as: 'It's the best that Amazon has to offer under Whole Foods, Fresh and their online offerings,'" Jahnke Dale said. "So what does that look like? It's a grocery store. But it's purpose-built for what we're seeing: retail customers demand today to provide a very safer experience for customers. As well as a more pleasant customer experience."

Jahnke Dale described shopping experiences that enable customers to shop in-person, enhanced by using their phone or an in-store kiosk to purchase items not easily located.

"Nothing that we're doing here, though, is different than what we all are experiencing in retail stores that exist today," Jahnke Dale said. "It's just done in a more purpose-built and thoughtful way.

"I want to reiterate, maybe for the fifth or sixth time since I started my presentation, that this is a retail concept, a retail store, albeit with perhaps a larger storeroom in the back, which will allow us to enhance the customer experience."

Commissioner John Paul spoke to the size and nature of the development.

"This is a retail community," said Commissioner John Paul. "This location, is prime retail location. There's not going to be another Petey's there. You're not going to see a gift shop and a bike store there, OK? This is going to be big. Whatever goes there.

"We could kill this. We could tell Amazon, 'go away and never come back.' And the village board can do the same thing. But guess what? Couple months later, somebody else is going to be here, pretty much offering the same. This is going to be big."

Paul went on to say that the area has grown to attract mostly larger, big box-type stores, rather than smaller retailers.

"This is going to be a big box, big type of retail center because that's what this area has become," he said. "Retail attracts traffic—good retail does. .... This is a well-thought-out project. I think this is probably one of the best options."

Resident Jim Savage said he feared Amazon's presence will impact local businesses.

"... Amazon is a great company," Savage said, acknowledging that he has investments in Amazon. "But one of the concerns I have, it's destroying the retail base of America. ...

"It's going to cannibalize all these other businesses in Orland Park. And that's something you guys really need to think about. Do I hate Amazon? No. Obviously, I have lots of money in Amazon. You know, it's a great business model. It'll be around a long time."

Commissioner Kathy Fenton said she approved of the plan and would welcome Amazon, with the hope that the main building's appearance sets it apart from other big box stores.

"I don't want to use the word 'pretty,' but architecturally pleasing to bring people to it— that it's just not another box," Fenton said, addressing Amazon officials present at the meeting. "And I think that's what your company wants to do. You want to bring something unique. This is your first one. So if you're going to do that, take the opportunity to also make your facade look extremely appealing."

Commissioner Paul noted that with retail, comes traffic.

"Traffic is always going to be a concern," Paul said, "but it's when there's no traffic and there's no buildings that have things going on in them—that's the bigger problem."

Amazon's plans include six acres for open and landscaped space, as well as stormwater detention.

Like businesses seeking to operate in Orland Park, Amazon approached them, Paul stressed, and customer support makes or breaks a business.

"That's for you, the customers, to figure out," Paul said. "You guys pick the winners and losers. If you don't want to shop at Amazon, don't shop there. If you don't want to shop at Costco, don't shop there.

"... We, as a village, facilitate businesses. We encourage businesses. We regulate them and we tax them. But we don't create them. People come to us. Amazon came to Orland Park."

Longtime Orland Park resident Christine Lang voiced her support for the plan.

“I’m all for development and growth and generating new tax revenues.”

Commissioner Daniel Sanchez cast the one vote against the plan.

"Overall, I think it’s an honor to be selected by Amazon to want to come to our town,” Sanchez said. "But I really have some concerns about the traffic volume this development will bring to an area that is already dealing with heavy traffic counts."

As part of the village’s ongoing planning for the 159th Street and LaGrange Road area, officials continue to evaluate the extension of Ravinia Avenue south to 161st Street, creating a direct connection to LaGrange Road while improving circulation throughout the corridor.

Village officials last week said projected sales tax revenue from the proposed commercial development would "more than cover" the costs associated with the Ravinia Avenue expansion. Mayor Jim Dodge said extending Ravinia Avenue could ultimately divert a significant portion of eastbound and northbound turning traffic away from 159th Street and LaGrange Road.

Orland Park will work with the Illinois Department of Transportation and Cook County on other necessary traffic improvements, including traffic signal replacement at 159th Street and 94th Avenue, and the addition of right- and left-turn lanes.

"This is well-thought-out," Paul said. "Extending Ravinia. Creating a bypass essentially around what's already a really difficult intersection. ... IDOT runs about five, 10 years behind. That's what they do. The stuff we control—Ravinia—we're controlling that."

Fenton encouraged residents to view the development tax revenue where there hasn't been any since Petey's II closing.

"If you want retail, you're going to have traffic," Fenton said. "If you don't have retail, you're not going to have your tax dollars coming in. And right now that property sitting there ... is not generating very much money."

Dodge last week said Amazon's eyeing Orland Park for this development is a "strong signal about the vitality of our community and the strategic importance of this corridor.

“This is about smart commercial growth that pays for itself, improves traffic movement, and positions this corridor for long-term success,” Dodge said last week. “Our focus remains on what is best for Orland Park and the community we serve.”