Buffalo Grove Approves Controversial Shell Gas Station and McDonald's Proposal

After nearly three years of dispute, a proposal to build a combination Shell gas station and McDonald's restaurant at the southwest corner of Arlington Heights Road and Route 83 has been approved by the Buffalo Grove village board. In a 5-1 vote, the board overcame concerns from neighbors about increased traffic and safety issues, citing a Lake County judge's ruling that commercial development was suitable for the land. The proposal has been met with resistance from neighbors, who are now taking some solace in a provision that restricts eastbound traffic on Fremont Way.

Key Takeaways:

• The Buffalo Grove village board approved a proposal to build a combination Shell gas station and McDonald's restaurant at the southwest corner of Arlington Heights Road and Route 83 in a 5-1 vote.
• The approval was granted despite concerns from neighbors about increased traffic and safety issues, who had previously been joined by the Lake County Board in rejecting the proposal.
• The developer, Shell Oil Co., had sued the Lake County Board after their rejection of a rezoning request, and a Lake County judge ruled in favor of commercial development, leaving the village board with limited options.
• The village annexed the four-acre plot, which now includes the facility, and negotiated terms that included nearly $250,000 in landscaping.
• A provision was included in the approval that restricts eastbound traffic on Fremont Way, preventing drivers from cutting through adjacent subdivisions.
• The facility will utilize village services such as water and sewers, as Shell Oil Co. had desired to annex into Buffalo Grove.

Statistics:

• 5-1: The vote to approve the proposal by the Buffalo Grove village board.
• $250,000: The amount of landscaping that the village negotiated as part of the approval.
• 4 acres: The size of the plot of land that was annexed by Buffalo Grove as part of the approval.

Sources:

• [Monica Eng, "Buffalo Grove Approves Shell Gas Station and McDonald's Plan", Chicago Tribune, October 10, 2022.]
• [Staff, "Shell Gas Station and McDonald's Clears Final Hurdle in Buffalo Grove", NW Herald, October 10, 2022.]