Several Clarendon Hills residents expressed strong opposition Thursday March 17 to a proposed drive-thru as part of a Dunkin’/Baskin-Robbins proposed for development on the former Tracy’s Tavern site at 401 E. 55th St.
The residents spoke at a meeting of the village’s Zoning Board of Appeals/Plan Commission at Village Hall. After listening to about 90 minutes of comments from residents, along with testimony from Hinsdale developer, KorhVan, and information from Community Development Director Jonathan Mendel, the ZBA/Plan Commission continued the matter to its April 21 meeting.
That group wants to see a revised traffic study and talk more about safety issues, before making a recommendation to the Village Board, which will have the final say.
The actual Dunkin’/Baskin-Robbins fits existing zoning for the property; however, the drive-thru needs special use approval.
The developer has proposed an approximately 6,300 square feet, one story, multi-tenant commercial building with an accessory parking lot accessed from 55th Street by a right-in/right-out and a right-in/left-out to Western Avenue.
Village staff recommended approval of the special use, but also suggested that the drive to Western Avenue be limited to right-in only, and not allow any exit from that location. The 55th Street drive would permit access to the site from eastbound and westbound 55th Street, while limiting exit from the property only to eastbound 55th Street.
The residents who spoke out against the special use request being granted live nearby the site, which is on the south side of 55th Street at Western Avenue.
“This drive-thru doesn’t make sense for this neighborhood,” said Michelle Dziura. Romas Rupinskas agreed, saying the location is “fundamentally unsuitable for a drive-thru.”
“The concerns of safety need to be worked out now, not later,” he said.
Some residents urged village officials to not rush into making a decision on the proposed development.
“A decision at this time is uninformed, missing key facts,” said Giuseppe Nardulli, who supports a business on the property, but not a drive-thru. “This property has been sitting idle for over two years. What’s the rush?”
Diane Smutny expressed concerns over a high volume of cars, idling cars, car radios and noise from a drive-thru order speaker, saying these factors are not compatible with a residential neighborhood.
Multiple residents believe the proposed development is not compliant with the village’s 55th Street Subarea plan. The Village Board adopted that plan as a component of the Clarendon Hills Comprehensive Plan in November 2017.
It was done to make long-term recommendations addressing annexation, land use, infrastructure and economic development issues for the incorporated and unincorporated areas south of 55th Street, west of Route 83, east of Richmond Avenue, and north of 59th Street.
The 55th Street Sub-Area Plan aims to enhance and preserve the character of the area and make the area a place where residents live comfortably.
The plan states there is little or no opportunity for additional commercial development, and the most likely opportunity for development is new residential uses.
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Also, any future development should not contribute to a lack of cohesiveness and should have minimal impact on residential properties from adjacent commercial uses.
Tracy’s Taverns closed in 2020, and the property had been for sale since the fall of 2018.
The business was operated during its five final years by siblings Hunt and Darby Tracy, who took over when their parents, Jack and Lucy, retired.
Tracy’s history goes back to 1935, when it was known as Nickelodeon. From 1950 to 1985 it was Al and Bill’s, before Jack and Lucy Tracy took over.
Chuck Fieldman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.