Residents protested expected noise, fumes and traffic congestion connected to plans for a Gas N Wash in Montgomery this week.
The issue brought out residents to public hearings for the project, slated to be built along Route 30 near the Foxmoor, Fairfield Way and Blackberry Crossings subdivisions in the Village of Montgomery.
Len McEnery, of Gas N Wash, told residents and village officials a revised plan would remove proposed apartment buildings and said if that side of the parcel were to be developed in the future they would erect a buffer at the location.
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A new site plan flipped the gas station, convenience store and doughnut shop to the other side of the lot, making the diesel fueling pumps and car wash farther away from the road. Property owner Ronald Schilling said he wanted to be a good neighbor, and that was the main reason for removing the apartment buildings from the site plan.
“We are left with 2.6 acres, we are open to anything commercial, but we are not geared to anything high level.”
At one point in the discussion Mayor Matt Brolley asked the developer if he would pay for the purchase od trees, a move he said would show a willingness to work with the village and nearby residents.
“I appreciate your comments and willingness to change the site plan,” Brolley said. “The south side of Adams Street, are you interested in supplying park way trees?”
Scott Pritchett, architect for the project, said the developers have made several changes since the original plan. The new proposal has the car wash facing east to west instead of north to south. He also removed the four apartment buildings that were on the original documents in the “future development” area. He said, while the facility will have diesel fuel, it will not be a stop for large trucks. He said most of the over-the-road trucks get their fuel before the get back to Illinois or at their home stops. “People don’t come to a convenience store it it’s not convenient,” Pritchett said in response to concerns about vapors.
“I have pointed out my concerns and it seems like you guys are very willing to work with,” Trustee Doug Marecek said.
Marecek said the plans show the dryers for the car wash are positioned to reduce noise.
Pritchett said the new plan calls for an 8-foot-high solid fence with that is made to help reduce the sound.
It not only blocks lights but also sound,” he said.
Trustees asked about video gaming for the site, and McEnery said noted that would be regulated by the state, and not the village.
Trustees said after the discussions they were still at an impasse. Trustee Denny Lee, and Marecek said they were more favorable for a yes vote. Trustees Steve Jungermann, Theresa Sperling and Stan Bond said they would not vote in favor of the proposal. Trustee Pete Heinz left the meeting early, and was not available for comment.
Brolley said the issue would come up for a vote at the April 23 meeting.
Judy Pochel is a freelance reporter for the Beacon-News.