The City Council in Oak Forest wants to spend the next few months putting together new regulations about where and how used car dealerships can operate within the southwest suburban city.
Toward that end, the council voted 7-0 on Tuesday to impose a moratorium for the next six months. During that time, no new dealerships will be allowed to establish themselves to sell used cars.
Second Ward Ald. Richard Simon said he thought a description of the ordinance was confusing, leaving some local residents believing all used car dealerships in Oak Forest were being restricted for the next six months.
“We’re not stopping sales at existing lots,” he said.
Mayor Henry Kuspa said the moratorium will be lifted once the city’s Planning and Zoning commission comes up with new regulations concerning used car lots within Oak Forest.
“It will give planning and zoning some time to put some good rules together for Oak Forest,” the mayor said.
Kuspa also said he does not object to used car dealerships locating within his home city.
“These businesses can be a real benefit to Oak Forest, if they’re done right,” he said.
The issue had previously been the subject of a public hearing that was scheduled by the planning and zoning commission earlier in February.
In other business, the City Council voted without opposition to recommend the granting of a Class 8 property tax break for a Family Dollar store to be built at 5400 W. 159th St. Such a tax break would permit the retailer to have its property taxes reduced by just over half during the next 12 years.
Assistant Development Director Jake Melrose said the tax break will make it possible for the store to compete with businesses in nearby Will County – which has a significantly-lower local tax rate.
Class 8 tax breaks need approval from the Cook County Board, which will only consider such requests if the municipality in question recommends the tax break first. Final approval on this request is likely to come later this year.
Aldermen also voted 7-0 to approve an agreement to hire the Baxter and Woodman, Inc., engineering firm to plant trees in the center median of Cicero Avenue from 163rd to 167th streets.
The project will cost $8,600, with all but $1,720 coming from an Illinois Department of Transportation grant.
Although he voted for it, Simon expressed some confusion about the need to hire an engineering firm – although city Administrator Troy Ishler said issues, such as tree placement to avoid blocking the views of motorists require an engineer.
Simon said: “Why do we have to hire an engineer to plant trees? It seems ridiculous.”
