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DARIEN, IL – The attorney who sued Darien over its approval of a chain auto body shop told officials Monday that residents wanted to work with the city in developing the property in question.
“We are neighbors and not enemies,” attorney Elizabeth Uribe said to the City Council. “We didn’t want to have to file that lawsuit.”
She noted the recent Patch story about the mayor’s interest in getting pickleball courts in the old CVS Pharmacy at 8325 Lemont Road.
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“We appreciate that the city has continued talking about the property,” said Uribe, who lives in nearby unincorporated Downers Grove.
In early November, the City Council voted 4-3 for the zoning for a Gerber Collision & Glass auto body shop at the old CVS. That was despite the opposition of neighbors, who said the business would cause environmental problems, among other things.
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Shortly after, dozens of homeowners represented by Uribe sued the city.
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In February, the Elmhurst-based Gerber chain pulled its plan for a shop southeast of Lemont Road and 83rd Street.
Uribe spoke during a meeting in which the council voted to revoke its approval of the zoning for an auto body shop at the old CVS property. That was a formality, given Gerber’s withdrawal.
In her comments, Uribe said there was a “slight divergence of interests.”
“The developer wants to make the most money,” she said. “The city is hopefully concerned about the community impact and the neighbors want something that benefits the community and someone who acts as a good neighbor.”
Despite the differences, Uribe said, many potential tenants meet the interests of all involved.
“We are here today to let you know we want to be a part of the conversation,” she said. “Several of my clients have actually offered to volunteer their time and energy should the city or the developer want to create a group to talk about what might go in that space.”
Resident John Dillon spoke after Uribe, saying he opposed a business such as an auto body shop at the old CVS site. He lives in the Myers Commons senior apartment complex, which is across the street from the property.
John Dillon, a resident in the Myers Commons senior apartment complex, on Monday holds a bag of prescriptions that he said he takes for bronchitis, asthma and allergies. He warned Darien aldermen about the health effects of an auto body shop. (City of Darien/via video)
He held up a bag full of prescriptions that he says he takes because of bronchitis, asthma and allergies.
“I was never a smoker. I was a painting contractor,” Dillon said. “I believe I have some knowledge about what it does to you personally.”
He said he researched the environmental effects of body shops online and found they can be harmful.
He said he circulated a petition at Myers Commons opposing a body shop. Two-thirds signed it, he said.
“I was so grateful that they bowed out,” Dillon said, referring to Gerber.
Mayor Joseph Marchese said the city is working with an economic development organization to find out what uses are appropriate for the old CVS building.
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