Citing concerns over traffic safety, Plainfield Village Board members may have killed the proposed commercial development of 20 acres at the southeast corner of Illinois Highway 59 and Renwick Road.
Maude and Erb Development LLC attended a recent Village Board meeting with the hopes of receiving final plat approval for a commercial development project at the site that would have brought a carwash, Taco Bell restaurant, bank, day-care center, office space and retail stores to the village.
The developer is seeking four entrances to the commercial site, with one right in/right out turn lane access area between Illinois 59 and Frederick Street on Renwick Road. The access point would allow traffic to enter from the right lane of Renwick Road and exit onto the right lane of Renwick.
Village Board members voted to approve the final plat only with a right turn lane into the commercial site off of Renwick Road. The exit lane onto Renwick Road was voted down.
Board member Ray Smolich said the traffic would be disruptive to a home across the street.
Edward Welch, representing Maude and Erb, said the developer would not go through with the project if it was not approved with the “right in/right out” access area on Renwick Road. Representatives from Taco Bell and the car wash told the board the access area was imperative and they would have to reconsider opening since it was not approved.
Developer Gary Erb said the project may fall through because the access area was not granted.
Erb said that since the board will not meet again till May 18, there is no time to appeal the decision. “Unless the seller (of the property) gives us an extension (on buying the property), we’re dead, he said.
