Oswego is looking to encourage the state to modify the roadway layout near the southeast corner of Route 34 and Ogden Falls Boulevard to help promote development.
Village trustees recently approved a resolution authorizing an agreement with civil engineering firm HR Green for $37,000 to complete a traffic impact study of the area.
The purpose of the study will be to evaluate the potential impact to the existing roadway of new commercial development in the future, and investigate access improvements that could help spur developer interest at the site, village officials said.
Trustees also approved an ordinance to recapture the cost of the work upon the sale or development of the properties involved.
Village staff was approached by the owners of three properties behind the Shell gasoline station at 1190 Route 34 about challenges they have had marketing the land to prospective developers, Oswego Economic Development Director Kevin Leighty said in a report to trustees.
“This has been kind of a thorn in the village’s side for a while,” Leighty said. “As we have seen a lot of development occur across the street on the Montgomery side with Sam’s Club, Binny’s, Cooper’s Hawk and all that good stuff, this particular parcel has remained undeveloped. The sole reason, at least according to the owner, is site access.”
The property owners have been attempting to sell their land for years but have expressed challenges with site access and dividing the land, he said.
Currently, there is a right-in/right-out on Route 34 and a right-in/right-out northbound on Ogden Falls Boulevard for the properties that is not ideal for retail.
The study will evaluate up to four access alternatives for prospective developers of the land, he said.
The property owners are asking that the Shell gasoline station’s full access on Ogden Falls Boulevard be converted to right-in, right-out, the median on the road be removed and the nearby access drive to their properties be granted full access, Leighty said.
“We have spoken with (the Illinois Department of Transportation) about full access off of Ogden Falls Boulevard. IDOT said that’s a possibility, but they would require a traffic study,” Leighty said.
The village budgeted funds to complete the study after discussion in a November workshop.
Trustees further directed staff to draft a recapture ordinance to ensure that the village’s $37,000 cost for the study was completely recouped, Leighty said in his report.
“The traffic study should take about a month to complete after which time we will be working with IDOT to make the case for full access,” Leighty said.
Oswego Village President Ryan Kauffman was supportive of the arrangement.
“This is going to go a long way to get development in the area,” Kauffman said. “I love Montgomery. It is a lovely community and great neighbor, but I want to see business development in Oswego.”
Linda Girardi is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
