Naperville Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting - May 7, 2025

On May 7, 2025, the Naperville Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC) held a public hearing meeting at 7:00 PM in City Council Chambers to consider two development cases and approve previous meeting minutes. Both cases were approved unanimously (9-0) following staff presentations, petitioner testimony, and public comment.

Public Forum

• No members of the public signed up or spoke during the public forum.

Public Hearing: 20 E. Ogden Avenue (Casey’s) – Conditional Use & Variance

Staff & Petitioner Presentation

• Anna Franco (City Planning Services) presented the request by Casey’s Retail Company to demolish the existing 40-year-old Bucky’s convenience store and redevelop with a new ~3,200 sq ft brick one-story convenience store, while retaining the existing canopy, underground tanks, and fuel pumps. The property is 0.73 acres at the southeast intersection of Ogden Avenue and Washington Street (zoned B3). Conditional use is required because the B3 district now classifies automobile service stations as conditional use. A variance is also requested to allow replacement light poles within the 20-foot major arterial setback (three poles at 12 ft height, largely in same locations). Staff supported both requests.
• Ian Spence (Kimley-Horn, engineer for petitioner) provided additional background: Casey’s operates over 2,900 stores in 20 states; this would be the fourth Naperville location. The existing west access off Washington Street and one of two north accesses off Ogden Avenue will be retained; the access nearest the intersection will be closed and landscaped for safety. A new fence will replace existing fences along the south and east.

Public Testimony

• Gary Levenworth (1554 Tree Line Court) thanked the commission for their service and expressed strong support for Casey’s (noting their egg salad sandwich and $2.39/gallon gas). He voiced concern about vehicular traffic and access, citing experience with another Casey’s at Ogden and Naper Boulevard where access is difficult, leading to dangerous maneuvers. He urged the commission to carefully review the access design.
• Ray Wileman (adjacent property owner at 0 Both?) stated the existing fence is in poor condition and requested a taller fence (at least 10 feet) to mitigate light spillage from the 24-foot-tall canopy and to address exhaust staining on his house’s siding. He noted the new building will be taller than the existing structure.

Commissioner Discussion

• Commissioner Wright thanked Mr. Levenworth, agreed with traffic concerns, and stated the modified access design (removing the first eastbound entrance) is an improvement. He noted he has nearly been rear-ended there multiple times.
• Commissioner Van Someren stated elimination of the west access point is an improvement.
• Commissioner Robbins also commented that the access modifications are an improvement and will reduce stressful traffic patterns, especially mornings with high school traffic and access to I-88.

Key Outcomes

• The public hearing was closed. Commissioner King made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Robbins, to adopt findings of fact and recommend approval of the conditional use and variance. The motion passed unanimously (9-0): Aye – Castagnoli, King, McDaniel, Richelia, Robbins, Van Someren, Wright, Bansal, Clemen.

Public Hearing: 1200 E. Diehl Road (1200 Diehl Road Residences) – Photometric Deviations

Staff & Petitioner Presentation

• Adam Beaver (City Planning Services) presented a request for deviations to allow reuse of existing 32-foot-tall parking lot light poles (code limit is 25 ft in commercial districts) and to permit a maximum of 0.5 footcandles along the south property line (code limit is 0.1 footcandles along residential properties). The 9.5-acre site is being redeveloped as a PUD with multifamily residential, restaurant, and retail uses (approved by City Council Nov 5, 2024). The existing poles were from prior industrial use; reusing them reduces waste. Staff noted no complaints from neighbors and found the deviations acceptable because light spillage is limited to walking paths around a detention basin, not directly adjacent to residences.
• Russ Whittaker (attorney for petitioner) stated the request is straightforward: poles will be relocated but reused.

Public Testimony

• No members of the public spoke or signed up for this case.

Commissioner Discussion

• Commissioner Van Someren praised the petitioner for reusing existing light poles to create less waste.
• Other commissioners expressed no further concerns.

Key Outcomes

• The public hearing was closed. Commissioner Clemen made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Robbins, to adopt findings of fact and recommend approval of the photometric deviations. The motion passed unanimously (9-0): Aye – Castagnoli, King, McDaniel, Richelia, Robbins, Van Someren, Wright, Bansal, Clemen.

Consent Calendar: Approval of April 16, 2025 Meeting Minutes

• The PZC approved the minutes of the April 16, 2025 meeting without corrections. Motion passed unanimously by voice vote.

Adjournment

• The meeting adjourned at 7:27 PM.