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player ready...Is replacing car parts the same thing as repairing cars? That’s the question Tinley Park’s Plan Commission members hope to decide when they meet Thursday.
The issue stems from a proposal to provide free wiper-blades, battery and small auto-part replacement, as well as perform diagnostic testing, at the new Advance Auto Parts store.
Because the store’s business zoning level doesn’t permit auto repair, representatives are seeking a special use, arguing the free service fits the designation’s category of “other similar and compatible uses.”
Store employees would perform “very limited services,” Attorney John Murphey told commissioners last week, “in a quick and simple fashion.”
But commissioners showed little enthusiasm for allowing any work on cars parked in the storefront lot at 159th Street and 80th Avenue.
Chairwoman Rita Walker said her office “is adjacent to one of your competitors and we see things going on all the time”
Walker added she was particularly concerned about battery replacement, an issue taken up by Commissioner Bill Reidy.
Russell Boersma, general manager of the Orland Park Advance Auto Parts store attempted to allay concerns about battery replacement-related injuries, terming them “extremely rare.”
“Rare,” Reidy shot back, “That’s one of those things that come back to haunt people.”
Real Estate Development Manager Adam Cole argued that such work is commonly offered by auto parts dealers.
That rationale failed to sway Commissioner Art Pierce.
“The fact of the competitive nature of the business doesn’t change the zoning,” Pierce said.
“This is B-3. I don’t see them fitting under any condition,” Pierce said. “It’s prohibited in B-3, so how can you say it’s compatible?”
District Manager Levar Love said the replacement activity was something “we want to do as little as possible. We’re an auto parts store. We want to sell auto parts.”
Commissioner Bob McClellan said the service issue might be different if the store were in a less visible location, but “this is one of the entrance ways to our village.
“I have a real problem,” McClellan continued,” if I’m driving down a major thoroughfare and I see hoods open. The chairman is well within her rights. This is not a good idea.”
Commissioner Jeff Ficaro said he was dissatisfied with past dealings with the company, contending they initially presented building designs that were inferior to those used in other communities, and recalling representatives had returned to the village to seek a reduction in the number of required parking spaces.
“When would the service stop?” Ficaro asked.
McClellan said he was also concerned about enforcement, and troubled about setting a precedent.
“Is it really in our best interest to start bending the rules here?” he asked. “It’s just not a good precedent to set as a plan commission.”
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