The City of Palos Heights granted approvals Tuesday night paving the way for four new businesses to open in the city in the coming months.
In his Planning and Zoning Committee report Alderman Patrick Scully presented motions to create special conditions allowing the businesses to operate in their designated spaces.
Only one of the four businesses resulted in any discussion before approval, the motion to grant a special use permit for the operation of a hand carwash and detail shop.
The business would be located at 6350 W. 135th Street, in the two properties adjacent to the 7-11 and Mobil gas station. One of the properties was formerly the Limitless Dance Studio, while the other has never been occupied.
The modified space would reportedly hold four vehicle bays, two for washing and two for detailing.
Alderman Jack Clifford questioned the petitioners about their environmental permits and how water drainage would be handled.
The owners stated that getting the special use permit for the city was their first step, and that if the permit was granted, they would be moving on to receive their permits from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.
“He has already met with the building inspector and received a substantial list of modifications he’ll have to make to meet codes,” Alderman Jeffrey Key noted. “I believe the Building Commissioner is working with him on it.”
Among the changes that the petitioner assured Clifford would be made is the installation of new drain systems and water filtration, which would remove oil and chemicals from water before it is disposed of.
This is the second business the property owners have requested be built on the property. The first, a tire and repair shop, was previously denied by the City Council.
The Zoning Board of Appeals approved the plan for the car wash special use permit by a vote of 4 to 2, with one absent member on March 11. Following Clifford’s questions, the City Council approved the plan unanimously.
The remaining three businesses are all related to hair and beauty services and did not generate any discussion, but were all approved unanimously.
One special use permit was granted for 6535 W. 127th Street, which would allow for an eyelash studio to operate in the space. The currently vacant building is located at the end of the Indian Trails Shopping Center next to Aurelio’s Pizza.
Another special use permit was approved for a hair salon, which would be located at 12626 S. Harlem Avenue in the business center adjacent to Old National Bank. The shop would be located within the smaller office and retail spaces next to Chesterfield Interior Design and the neighboring All State Insurance office.
Finally, a special use permit was approved for 7217 W. College Drive in the space formerly occupied by the now-closed Lush Color Bar and Hair Salon. The new business is intended to be a barber shop. The owner has reportedly acquired the former salon’s assets and plans to reopen the shop under the name Studio 88 Barber Shop.
Scully noted that the space in question near Athletico Physical Therapy has been operating as a hair salon under different ownership and names for over 30 years.
“We’re glad to see investment in our city in any fashion,” said Scully, while acknowledging that the city would like to see retail businesses go into some of the remaining vacant property in the city.