Vehicle repossession lot opposed

At hearing, residents speak out vs. proposed site in unincorporated Orland Township

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Steven Francis, from far left, of Linden Group, Chris Terreault, of Assets Biz, and Dwight Welch speak in favor of the proposed vehicle repossession lot project in Orland Park to the Cook County Zoning Board on Wednesday. Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune

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By Mike Nolan Daily Southtown

A handful of residents from unincorporated Orland Township came out Wednesday to a Cook County zoning hearing to oppose a proposed vehicle repossession business.

The business is proposed for property at 17101 S. Wolf Road in unincorporated Orland Township. Asset Biz Corp. officials said the lot would have the capacity of nearly 300 vehicles, and would receive 25 to 30 cars daily.

The company has similar lots in Crestwood and Lyons.

Paula Pries, who lives near the site, told the Cook County Zoning Board of Appeals there are expensive homes to the east and west of the proposed lot, which he said was better suited for an industrial area and “not within a beautiful community setting like ours.”

The property was a bus terminal and has been vacant since 2015.

The petition seeks a county permit that would allow a vehicle repossession operation that would ship vehicles back to dealers and to vehicle resellers.

The ZBA continued the hearing to 11 a.m. Aug. 6.

Pries and other residents expressed concerns about stormwater runoff from the 6-acre property and potential decline in their property values.

Dwight Welch, who represented the business at the hearing, said it would not a bad neighbor.

Chris Terreault, with Asset Biz, told board members business hours would be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, but that perhaps half of the vehicles brought to the lot would come in during overnight hours, and about half during the daytime.

Orland Park Mayor James Dodge said because of homes nearby, the repossession lot is not a good use for the site.

“The people of Orland Park do not want this use at this location,” he said.

Along with those who came to the meeting on a bus provided by Orland Township, several people took part in the meeting online. More than 1,800 people also signed a petition through the township opposing the plan.

Dodge said he wants to work with Asset Biz to find a better location in Orland Park, preferably in an industrial area.

Welch said there have been talks with the new mayor, but said in the meantime “we’re still going full-steam ahead” advancing plans for the Wolf Road site.

Tiffany Nelson-Jaworski, an attorney representing Orland Township, said the lot is now compacted gravel but plans call for paving it. She said that will increase the stormwater coming off the property.

“There’s going to be no place for the water to go but Marley Creek,” Nelson-Jaworskisaid, referring to the waterway adjacent to the property.

Along with stormwater runoff, she said there is concern about possible vehicle fluids, such as oil and gas, that could run into the creek.

Nelson-Jaworski said if the ZBA recommends approval of the special use to the Cook County Board, the township can submit a written protest after the ZBA recommendation and before the full county board vote.