McDonald's Development Gets Green Light In Woodridge

WOODRIDGE, IL — Woodridge is on track to get a new McDonald's. The development, to be located at 1335 75th St., was approved by a 4-1 vote at a village board meeting on May 30.

Trustee Kay Page was the only board member who voted in opposition to the project at a meeting that lasted more than two hours, with several residents taking the podium to make public comment.

Carol Wiet, who lives on Golf View Drive near the Woodgrove Festival Shopping Center, echoed ongoing concerns about flooding and traffic near the development site.

Wiet said she had sent photos of recent flooding to the village board.

"The shopping center is uphill and water flows downhill and that's where we are," she said.

Wiet also mentioned concerns about traffic from "the backup of people on Dunham turning out." when residents [who live near the development] are trying to get in.

"I wish that you would listen to us and not think about the pocketbook," Wiet said.

Cindy Williams, who also lives on Golf View Drive, said, "The residents have consistently opposed this project and vehemently object to the staff's incorrect statement the proposed use will not adversely affect owners."

After the public comments concluded, Mayor Gina Cunningham addressed residents, saying, "The board and I have read each and every one of your comments."

Cunningham said, "When any item of this level of contention comes before us, as a board, for a vote, each of us on this board takes great efforts to carefully weigh all the information and concerns and to do our very best to be thorough, thoughtful, mindful, in our conversations and our deliberations and to vote in a manner that we are in good faith and believe in the best interest of the Village of Woodridge, our neighbors and our entire community."

Helmed by North American Real Estate (NARE), the 4,000 square foot McDonald's includes a two-lane drive-thru. Included in the proposal was an improvement agreement between the Village of Woodridge and NARE with provisions for erosion control, new storm sewer facilities and road paving.

The proposal includes the construction of a new outlot with 34 parking spaces, including three for McDonald's customers who are picking up mobile orders and two spots designated for accessible parking.

At a Dec. 18 meeting, planning commission members were split with a 3-3 vote, in which commissioners Gaspar, Hendle-Kinnunen and Jarog voted in favor of the motion and commissioners Cortez, Przepiorka and Seelander voted against the motion.

After the village board reviewed the proposal in February and March, an additional traffic study was ordered. In April, NARE requested more time to have the traffic study completed.

As a result, planned considerations for the proposal were continued to May 2, and then May 30.