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After dispute, Arlington Heights auto shop finally approved

Hillside Auto Body and Service finally got the zoning variation it sought from Arlington Heights, but the village has established new rules that would force the business to vacate its dilapidated Palatine Road property within five years.

The approval of zoning relief to do motor vehicle repair at 25 E. University Drive is the culmination of more than a year of negotiations between attorneys for Hillside and village officials, who sought language that it would cease operations at 200 E. Palatine Road no later than Dec. 31, 2018.

Hillside, which is also known for its towing and police impound business, agreed to leave and clean up the 1.28-acre site at the northeast corner of Palatine and Arlington Heights roads by that time. But the company didn't want a guarantee in writing because its just one of four owners of the property. Company officials also argued the disposition of one property shouldn't be a condition of zoning approval for another.

During negotiations in recent weeks among attorneys for both sides, Hillside sought the village's support of an application for a Cook County Class 6b tax break for 25 E. University Drive and a sales tax rebate agreement for redevelopment of the Palatine Road property, in exchange for agreeing to vacate by the end of 2018. Village officials said they didn't think the first property would qualify under the county's guidelines, and there's currently no redevelopment plan in place for the second property.

But Monday night, Hillside's owners got their wish for a zoning change that will allow them to relocate to the University Drive location about two miles north. Trustees voted 6-1, with Trustee Thomas Glasgow casting the lone "no" vote.

The board also agreed on a 5-2 tally to new villagewide rules requiring a five-year phaseout of auto repair businesses in residential areas. Hillside's Palatine Road location is the only such business in town. Trustees Carol Blackwood and Mike Sidor voted against it.

Meanwhile, Hillside officials were also before Rolling Meadows' city council this week to unveil a proposal to locate a grass trimmings and yard waste transfer station, office, and dumpster, truck and trailer repair location at 3650 Berdnick St. Tow trucks and equipment would also be stored at the 3.8-acre property, the site of a former ready mix concrete production business that is adjacent to the Union Pacific Northwest train line.

The proposal still needs formal review by the plan commission and city council.

That would give the company three locations in the Northwest suburbs. A location at 120 W. University Drive in Arlington Heights opened in 2004 for vehicle repair and towing.

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