NORTHBROOK — A new trucking business hoping to bring 20 jobs to Northbook took its first step to opening when the Village Board of Trustees sent its rezoning application to the Plan Commission.
Royal Truck & Trailer Repair Center made its initial proposal to the board during a regularly scheduled meeting Jan. 26 at Village Hall requesting rezoning of the property at 2835 Shermer and 1968-1990 Old Willow Roads.
Currently zoned residential, the five-lot, three-acre parcel is located in an industrial area with United Parcel Service and Federal Express nearby, according to a presentation from David Schoon, the assistant director of development and planning services.
Schoon said the building will be 18,000 square feet when finished with parking spaces and service bays for trucks, including large semitrailers, in need of repair. Though he said Royal plans to operate from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, there will be 24-hour emergency service.
Royal will employ approximately 20 people, according to Guy Astalus, Royal’s owner.
“This is an industrial area and you can’t have anything more industrial than this,” Trustee A.C. Buehler III said. “UPS is already operating 24 hours. This is exactly what it should be here.”
Much of the work will be done off site when Royal gets a call from a truck in need of repair, according to Astalus. He said the trucks will only be on the lot when they need serious overhaul rather than a simpler repair.
Trustee Robert Israel said he was concerned about how much around-the-clock work there would be with a church and single family homes south on Shermer in Glenview. He also expressed concern for the weight of the vehicles.
“We have to make sure it all comes on Shermer,” Israel said.
Village President Sandra Frum dismissed Israel’s worries about the houses and church in Glenview. “Glenview didn’t ask us when they approved the church and homes,” Frum said.
Frum said she was more concerned about whether the trucks will be serviced fully loaded or empty. Astalus provided the answer.
“Mostly they’ll be empty,” Astalus said. “If someone has a three-tire blow out we’ll have to bring them in (fully loaded).”
Frum said she also wants the Plan Commission to be certain trucks will be able to turn into the property without much difficulty and make any necessary adjustments.
“We might not be able to allow on street parking,” Frum said.
The Plan Commission will take a closer look at the project considering the board’s comments and make a recommendation for a final vote by the board at a future meeting. No date has been set.