There will not be a development at one of the busier intersections in Will County.
The Plainfield Village Board on Monday adopted a resolution authorizing the acceptance of donation of property at 15307 S. Route 59.
Village Administrator Joshua Blakemore expressed to the board that the owner of the property at the southeast corner of routes 30 and 59 had previously inquired about putting a Popeye’s Chicken at the busy intersection that has stood vacant for more than two decades.
“Staff had significant concerns about traffic, ingress/egress to that location, especially with a Popeye’s Chicken,” said Blakemore. “The owner, who has held the property back since it was a gas station, stated that after some thought, he would like to donate the land to the village.”
Blakemore said the parcel has many issues, such as a leaky underground storage tank on the property that requires contamination remediation.
“When this was a gas station, it is believed the tanks were located within the right-of-way, which was taken by Illinois Department of Transportation when the new Route 30 turn lane was put in place,” he said.
Adding to the confusion, according to Blakemore, is that there is no record indicating the remediation was ever completed. But, he adds, “the owner believes it to have been IDOT’s responsibility given that it was in the right-of-way area taken by the state.”
Given the challenges, particularly the lack of remediation documentation, Blakemore said staff believes the property is unlikely to ever be developed. If the village takes ownership, Blakemore suggests that landscaping and streetscaping be done on the property.
“The current owner would use this donation as a tax write off and is not seeking any compensation from the village,” said Blakemore. But there is currently $3,061.05 in taxes owed on the parcel that is required to be paid prior to acceptance of the donation by the village.
Trustee Margie Bonuchi agreed with Blakemore that the donation makes sense to both the owner and the village. When discussion was initiated about what to do about the vacant parcel years ago, Bonuchi said she remembered a design submitted by local architect Michael Lambert who envisioned a park setting at the location. Bonuchi suggests Lambert resubmit that plan for board consideration.
Additionally, Village President John Argoudelis said board action would not have been possible if it was not for the landowner.
“We would be remised without mentioning the magnanimous gift by the landowner,” Mayor Argoudelis added.
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